BEIJING, China — The Canadian duo of Rachel Homan and John Morris completed an unlikely comeback to win a 6-5 round robin match against Czech Republic on Sunday at the Beijing Games.

Trailing 5-3 going into the eighth and final end, Homan and Morris scored two to force an extra end.

The Canadian duo then robbed the Czechs of the point that made the difference, while it was the latter who held the hammer in overtime.

Canada, Olympic champion in 2018 in mixed doubles curling, thus signed a fifth victory in seven outings in the preliminary phase of the competition.

“It might be the most dramatic curling game I’ve ever been in,” Morris said after the game. The Czechs played really well and I tip my hat to them. »

In other games, Norway beat Sweden 6-2, Australia beat Switzerland 9-6 and Italy beat China 8-4.

In the overall standings, Canada and Great Britain (5-2 identical records) are tied for second place behind Italy (7-0).

Only the top four nations in the standings after the round robin will have a chance to play for a medal.

Then follow Sweden (5-3) and Norway (4-3), in third and fourth places.

With this setback, the Czech Republic (3-5) no longer has a mathematical chance of playing for a place on the podium.

Confusion surrounding the Australian squad

Homan and Morris are likely to face Australia after the confusion later today in their eighth and penultimate game.

Player Tahli Gill presented a series of positive tests for COVID-19, which suggested that the Australian mixed curling team should be withdrawn from the Beijing Olympics.

The Australians were, however, in preparation to face Switzerland on Sunday afternoon, before meeting with Homan and Morris later.

Gill tested positive for COVID-19 before the start of the Games. Current tests alternated between negative and positive.

She had been allowed to take part in the competition under the close contact agreements and after discussions between the International Olympic Committee and the organizers of the Games.

After this match against Australia, Canada will conclude the rotation tournament on Monday against Italy