• Winter Olympics

Sweden topple Britain in curling

ESPN staff
February 25, 2010
David Murdoch roars out instructions but they were not enough to stave off defeat © Getty Images
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Great Britain bowed out of the Men's Curling, suffering an agonising 7-6 play-off defeat to Sweden.

David Murdoch's side trailed for much of the contest, but worked hard and had the chance to win the match in the 10th end only to make a mistake which took the match into an extra end.

Swedish skip Niklas Edin had the hammer in the extra end and it proved decisive as his side played a perfect end, allowing him to draw the final stone for victory and a place in the semis.

Sweden dominated early as a mistake from Murdoch allowed Edin to draw and put his side 5-2 ahead after four ends and 5-3 at halfway.

The momentum swung back Britain's way as Murdoch stole a shot in the sixth and the Swedes lapsed in the seventh with the hammer as Murdoch claimed another shot to level the match after seven ends.

The Swedes were in a heap of trouble towards the end of the eighth end but Edin pulled off a great shot to take one and a 6-5 lead. This left Britain with the hammer in the ninth and Murdoch made the obvious move to blank the end.

Ewan MacDonald played a superb draw in the 10th to put Britain in the driving seat, but Murdoch left Edin the chance of a double take out and he held his nerve to take the match into an extra end.

The Swedes had the hammer in the final end and they countered every move from Britain, and Edin played the perfect draw to take his side forward to a semi-final clash with Canada.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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