BEIJING, China — The drama had already escalated ahead of Sunday’s matches at the Beijing Olympics curling tournament. Canadians Rachel Homan and John Morris added more in a sensational clash at the Ice Cube.
Homan delivered his last rock with a second on the clock to tie the game with two runs, and Canada added two more in the extra end in a 7-5 win over the Czech Republic in their first of two exits.
“It’s absolutely the most dramatic curling match I’ve ever been in,” Morris said. A roller coaster duel. We just had to hold on and hope for the best. »
However, it was the only victory for the Canadian pair on Sunday. In the evening against Australia, Homan and Morris started the game flat, came from behind but still lost 10-8, also in the extra set.
Facing the Czechs, with the outcome of the match at stake and the need to hit the button on a field goal to tie the score, Homan’s view of the clock was partially obstructed.
“I saw a four and assumed it was 14 (seconds),” Homan said. So I double-checked with John and he said, “Come on, come on, come on”. »
Unlike sports like hockey and basketball, curling does not use split seconds on its timers. Canadian coach Scott Pfeifer admitted he was minus one.
“It’s a shot she’s tried many times at these Games, but never when she was so pressed for time,” Pfeifer said.
A seven-point deficit
Canada entered the evening session with a chance to advance to the playoffs with a win, combined with a loss to either Sweden or Norway.
However, the Australian pair of Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt started the game with three points before stealing a two point steal in the second end.
At the break after the fourth set, Australia led 7-0 but Canada picked up four runs in the fifth to come back into contention.
After giving up a run in the sixth end, the Canadians scored three in the seventh end and forced overtime by stealing a run in the eighth.
Homan, however, missed his attempt to stick to another rock in the house in the extra end, giving Australia (2-7) a second straight victory after seven straight losses.
Above all, this loss puts Canada in a difficult position, admitted Morris.
Following Sunday’s games, Canada is 5-3 overall, the same as Great Britain and Norway. Sweden, which completed the preliminary round, follows at 5-4. The teams occupying the first four levels will take part in the semi-finals.
In its final preliminary round outing on Monday, Canada will face off against Italy, which has an immaculate record of 8-0. On Sunday night, the Italians defeated Sweden 12-8. At the same time, Norway took the measure of Great Britain 6-2.
If Canada loses Monday morning, the Swedes will advance to the playoff round as the tiebreaker favors them.
“I think it’s always necessary to beat Italy,” Homan said. We have to win. We have our destiny in our hands. »
Earlier today, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) announced that Gill and Hewitt would have to withdraw from competition due to testing positive for COVID-19.
Public health officials, however, advised the team that Gill’s test results over the past 24 hours were within an acceptable range, according to the COA.
“I had packed my bags and was ready to go home,” Gill said.
She and Hewitt made the most of this positive outcome by defeating Switzerland 9-6, before surprising Canada.
“The feeling was incredible when we knew we could play,” admitted Hewitt.
