WMXCC2016: we want to get more confident before playoffs, to perfect our play, Danish team admit

More matches were played in the afternoon of the sixth competition day at the World Mixed Curling Championship in Kazan.

Japan-Romania, 9-2

The Romanian curlers had already lost their playoff chances long before the match but it was an important game for Team Japan who needed to perform without mistakes.

“We have trouble showing a good game, making good shots. We hope we will win tomorrow. We cannot return home with nothing,” said Team Romania’s second, Razvan Bouleanu. 

Denmark-Spain, 7-2

The Danish team gained an important victory that propelled them to the third place in Group C and right now they are placed ahead of Poland and Australia.

“It’s an important victory; we play not as smoothly as we would like to. We want to get more confident before playoffs, to perfect our play. I think that we are ready for playoff games. We plan to play for a long while, until the final match of the championship,” Joel Ostrowski, Team Denmark’s skip, shared in his interview.

Scotland-Belarus, 9-5

The Scottish team was winning the second end with 5-0 but Belarus managed to give a good fight to its opponents and even jangled their nerves a little bit. But despite strong resistance Belarus couldn’t avoid the inevitable defeat.

“We failed in the beginning of the match and lost in the second end with 5-0. It’s no go! But then we improved the game, won a couple of ends but it was too late already. We had to take risks and risks do not always  bring success,” Alina Pauliuchyk, the skip of Team Belarus, shared her thoughts of the game.

“We have only one game left; we want to see the city and do some sights. We will watch playoff matches and support the Russian team. There cannot be any other option. Our team always supported and will support Russia,” she added.

Slovenia-Wales, 1-8

Before the match, both teams had one win and three losses. Wales turned out to be stronger than the Slovenian team.

“I don’t think that we changed our playing style drastically as compared to previous matches. We started to make better tactical moves, to make better shots –that’s why we won. The match was extremely challenging but the next one will be just as challenging – the teams are currently fiercely battling for playoff berths. It’s our number one goal but if we will reach the quarterfinal, it will be amazing! What can I say, we have a great, friendly team and we play in such an amazing city. Why not to believe in miracles?” said the skip of the Welsh team, Andrew Tanner.

Czech Republic-Kazakhstan, 11-5

Team Kazakhstan managed to recover after a disastrous first end and even leveled the score in the fourth round, 5-5. But then the Czech players, who are more experienced in the game, made adjustments to their tactics and gained the upper hand.

“We get better with each match, and it’s very important but something is still missing in our game,” Daniel Kim, the skip of the Kazakhstan team, admitted in the interview.

“We are pleased that we won. Although Kazakhstan is not in the curling elite yet but they are making huge progress. They skillfully used all our mistakes and the Kazakhstan skip produced a couple of great takeouts. I want to thank them for the game,” said Jakub Bares, the skip for the Czech team.

“I’m confident that we will make it to the playoffs; everything is in our hands. But in the playoffs as luck would have it – everything may happen. I like how Denmark, Canada and Russia play. They are the favourites, I think. I wouldn’t like to meet them in the first round, although it’s always more interesting and honourable to beat a big team,” Jakub Bares concluded.