Switzerland is heading to the gold medal game at the Women’s World Curling Championship in Calgary. Skip Xenia Schwaller and her team defeated Sweden 8-5 in Saturday’s semifinal, setting up a clash with Canada on Sunday at 10:00 PM Swiss time.
Selina Rychiger, Fabienne Rieder, Selina Gafner and Xenia Schwaller took control of the match after the fifth end break against the Swedes. A three-point steal in the sixth gave them a 6-3 lead, and they extended their advantage with a two-point end in the eighth (8-4).
“I am incredibly touched: my teammates played so well and I am so proud of them,” Schwaller said on the World Curling website following the semifinal victory. “Once again, patience made the difference, as it has all week,” she continued.
The Grasshopper Club Zurich enters the final with 12 consecutive wins in the tournament, brimming with confidence. Still, the Swiss team faces a tough challenge against heavily favored Canada, led by skip Kerri Einarson, who dominated Japan in their semifinal matchup, winning 11-3.
“Savouring this Victory”
Selina Rychiger, Fabienne Rieder, Selina Gafner and Xenia Schwaller, competing in their first elite international tournament, had narrowly defeated Canada last Sunday in the Round Robin (6-5), requiring an extra end to determine the winner.
“Of course, winning gold would be fantastic. But right now, I seek to savor this semifinal victory and refocus for Sunday,” Schwaller added. “We are exactly where we want to be. We are playing very well, we are confident and we have to continue to play the same way.”
ats/btro
