Sports News Article | Reuters.com – Semi-finals day rolls round
Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:58 AM ET
By Rachel Sanderson
PINEROLO, Italy (Reuters) – Semi-finals day has finally rolled round in the men’s and women’s Olympic curling competition, promising more of the tactical precision and personalities that have made it the surprise hit of the Games.
Women with brooms hit the ice first on Wednesday after nine-days of tough round-robin matches that swept aside former champions Britain, dashing the medal hopes of Scottish skip Rhona Martin.
Third ranked Canada, skipped by Shannon Kleibrink, face Switzerland. Table-topping Sweden will take on Norway.
The Canadians, favorites going into the competition, are hoping to brush off a week-long malaise and a bout of food poisoning and rekindle their medal form.
“It’s been tough, it’s been a battle … At the beginning our goal was to reach the semi-finals, now it is getting to the final,” Kleibrink, looking tired but relieved, told reporters on Monday after she clinched the last semi-final berth.
In the men’s competition, Finland take on Britain, and Canada and the United States stage a rematch of their final round-robin battle.
Finland, skipped by Marc Uusipaavalniemi, the competitor with the longest second name at these Games, swept into the semis with seven victories, including five in their last five games.
He takes on David Murdoch’s all-Scot rink that had a strong early run but slipped in their last three matches losing to each of the other semi-finalists.
Canada, aiming to make it third-time lucky for a gold medal, want a replay of their Monday 6-3 round-robin victory over pizzeria owner Pete Fenson’s U.S. curlers.
Team USA has other ideas.
“It’s perfect to play against Canada, because we want to take revenge,” U.S. second Joe Polo said.
© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.
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