Team GB lost to Canada in the men’s curling gold medal match at the Winter Olympics.
Coach Bruce Muat’s team was hoping to build on its silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and become the first men’s team to win a gold medal in the event in 102 years.
However, Canada overtook Great Britain in the ninth end and won 9-6, ending Britain’s gold medal hopes in Italy.
For Team GB, history repeated itself in heartbreaking fashion. They came into this tournament after winning the World Championships twice, but they have worked single-mindedly to win at the Olympics.
Canada had completed the round robin stage ahead of Team GB and had the hammer going into the first end. However, GB only scored one point in the opening half, then scored two in the second half to calmly take the lead.
GB ended up regretting the missed opportunity.
Canada showed solid play in the third end as well, overwhelming GB and winning 3-2. Great Britain then regained a point after four ends to level the score.
Canada had the hammer three times at the half mark, but Brad Jacobs made a mistake by not clearing the end to keep the hammer, and they only led 4-3 after the fifth end.
Muat then scored an unexpected double takeout in the sixth end, giving GB a 5-4 lead.
That put pressure on the opponent. Canada managed to tie the game at 5-5 at the end of the seventh end, but the momentum remained with Great Britain.
However, the eighth end was an important turning point. GB missed the shot, but only scored one point from it.
GB’s play became increasingly nervous as Britain held a slim 6-5 lead and Canada took the hammer in the penultimate end.
Canada, with four points, scored three points in the ninth end and entered the final end with an 8-6 lead.
Bruce Moore’s British team suffered another heartbreaking defeat in the Olympic final.
Britain got the hammer in the 10th end, with Muat spinning into a nice stone on his penultimate pitch that sent both of his opponents flying. However, Canada’s impressive response regained the upper hand, winning 9-6 and taking the gold medal.
Afterwards, Muat seemed overcome with emotion. “It’s a bit of a shock. I felt we were probably the better team there,” he told BBC Sport.
“Regardless of the result, the amount of people who came to support us, the amount of people who sent us messages from back home. The players and I both love our sport. We want people to come and participate in our sport. If we can take anything away from this week, other than just a silver medal, I hope it inspires people to participate.”
Grant Hardy added: “We wanted to win for each other. The pain four years ago was that much, so we thought we’d give it another go.”
“We gave ourselves a chance and did a lot of good work trying to recover, but unfortunately we couldn’t get there again.”
