A loss to Switzerland’s reigning world champions Team Tirinzoni in their only match on day five of the Le Gruyere European Curling Championships left Scotland’s women needing to win both matches on the final day to have a chance of reaching the play-offs, but they left the Ostersund arena determined to recharge and get ready for that challenge.
It was an encounter which swung dramatically at the second end, where an exceptional double takeout through the narrowest of ports by Scottish skip Rebecca Morrison gave her the chance to score a four which would have given her team complete control of the match, only for her final stone of the end to slide wide and allow her opponents a steal. 
The vastly experienced Swiss rink that has won the last two World Championships, subsequently built on the 3-0 lead that gave them, after they had scored two at the opening end and went on to a 9-3 victory, but competing for Scotland in her first major championships at senior level, Morrison was philosophical.
“After making such a good shot it was pretty gutting to not pull it out and get that shot for four in the second end,” she said.
“I think we just have to accept that it was a really difficult shot and move on from that.”
After a testing run of matches, she and teammates Gina Aitken, Sophie Sinclair and Sophie Jackson were happy to have an opportunity to debrief at relative leisure ahead of what will be decisive meetings with win-less Hungary and fellow play-off contenders Norway.
Now sitting on a record of three wins and four losses, they may need results from elsewhere to help them, but know that with eight teams still in contention, two wins could yet be enough to earn a semi-final place.
“We’re pleased that we’ve just got a one game day today and can have a nice night off to just relax after what was a tough game, so that we can re-group before tomorrow morning,” said Morrison.
“We’re well aware that we’re still in with a shot. It might be a little bit outwith our control, but two wins still stands us a chance.
“At this point, so we’re feeling motivated for those games and looking forward to what will hopefully be a good day for us.” 
Earlier in the day compatriots Team Mouat continued the defence of the title they won last year with a sixth successive win, seeing off Denmark 7-4.
The European Championships qualify teams for next year’s World Curling Championships with the women’s event (LGT World Women’s Curling Championship 2023) also taking place in Sweden in March (18-26 March) and the men’s event (BKT Tires & OK Tire World Men’s Curling Championship) in Ottawa in April (1-9 April).
Men’s teams: Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Spain (replacing Russia), Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.
Women’s teams: Denmark, Germany, Hungary (replacing Russia), Italy, Latvia, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.
Team Mouat
Bruce Mouat
Grant Hardie
BobbyLammie
Hammy McMillan
Kyle Waddell (alternate)
Coach: Michael Goodfellow
Team Morrison
Rebecca Morrison
Gina Aitken
Sophie Sinclair
Sophie Jackson
Hailey Duff (alternate)
Coach: Nancy Smith
WCF European Champs
Schedule:
Friday 18 November
Women – session 1
Scotland v Turkiye 9-6
Saturday 19 November
Men – session 1
Scotland v Germany 6-4 (EE)
Women – session 2
Scotland v Latvia 7-4
Men - session 2
Scotland v Spain 10-4
Sunday 20 November
Women – session 3
Scotland v Italy 4-10
Men – session 3
Scotland v Sweden 8-7
Women – session 4
Scotland v Denmark 6-11
Monday 21 November
Men – session 4
Scotland v Czech Republic 11-6
Women – session 5
Scotland v Sweden 7-5
Men – session 5
Scotland v Turkiye 10-4
Women – session 6
Scotland v Germany 3-9
Tuesday 22 November
Men session 6
Scotland v Denmark 7-4
Women session 7
Scotland v Switzerland 3-9
Men session 7 – 19.00/18.00 GMT
Scotland v Norway
Wednesday 23 November
Women session 8 – 09.00/08.00 GMT
Scotland v Hungary
Men session 8 – 14.00/13.00 GMT
Scotland v Switzerland (broadcast game)*
Women session 9 – 19.00/18.00 GMT
Scotland v Norway
Thursday 24 November
Men session 9 – 08.00/07.00 GMT
Scotland v Italy
Women semi final 1 – 12.00/11.00 GMT (broadcast game)*
Women semi final 2 – 16.00/15.00 GMT (broadcast game)*
Men semi final 1- 20.00/19.00 GMT (broadcast game)*
Friday 25 November
Men semi final 2 – 09.00/08.00 GMT (broadcast game)*
Women bronze medal game – 14.00/13.00 GMT(broadcast game)*
Men bronze medal game – 19.00/18.00 GMT(broadcast game)*
Saturday 26 November
Women gold medal game 09.00/08.00 GMT(broadcast game)*
Men gold medal game 13.00/12.00 GMT(broadcast game)*
Images: WCF / Celine Stucki
