Scotland’s Team Muirhead were able to give their fifth player an early taste of the action at the Le Gruyere AOL European Curling Championships as they produced a powerful performance to claim their second victory of the opening day in LIllehammer. 
The new look line-up had looked to be facing a challenging opening to the event, but after starting with a solid win against Russia, last season’s World Championship silver medallists, they were even more impressive against Madeleine Dupont’s Danish rink, who had earned automatic qualification for next year’s Olympics with a strong showing at those World Championships.
The Scottish women took charge in the early stages, claiming the hammer at the pre-match last draw challenge, then scoring a two at the second after blanking the first and they clinically took their chances thereafter, running out 8-2 winners after just eight of the 10 ends.
“We controlled the game from the very start,” said skip Eve Muirhead.
“We had a really good draw shot from Jen and Hailey which got us the hammer, then we blanked the first end, took two in the second and really just controlled the scoreboard from there. I felt we capitalised on a lot of their half shots and just played very well.”
The strength of their position after seven ends allowed them to give a second debutant an opportunity and having lauded Hailey Duff for her performance at lead in the opener against Russia, Muirhead was also delighted with the way Mili Smith took her first opportunity to play in the Euros as the match was closed out.
“We were 7-2 up after seven ends, so we got Mili on for an end and she was 100 per cent,” she said.
“So, it was exciting that Mili got to throw and we’re really pleased. We can’t ask for a better first day than to be two and zero.” 
The Scots now face Sweden’s reigning Olympic champions Team Hasselborg in their only match of the second day.
Scotland Team
Eve Muirhead
Vicky Wright
Jen Dodds
Hailey Duff
Mili Smith
#curling #ECC2021
PHOTOS: WCF / CELINE STUCKI
Schedule and Results
Saturday 20 November
W Scotland v Russia 7-4
M Scotland v Sweden 6-2
W Scotland v Denmark 8-2
Sunday 21 November
M Scotland v Finland 8am
W Scotland v Sweden 1pm
M Scotland v Italy 6pm
Monday 22 November
W Scotland v Germany 7am
M Scotland v Netherlands 11am
W Scotland v Estonia 3pm
M Scotland v Germany 7pm
Tuesday 23 November
W Scotland v Italy 8am
M Scotland v Denmark 1pm
W Scotland v Czech Republic 6pm 
Wednesday 24 November
M Scotland v Switzerland 8am
W Scotland v Switzerland 1pm
M Scotland v Czech Republic 6pm
Thursday 25 November
W Scotland v Turkey 7am
M Scotland v Norway 11am
W Semi Final 2 v 3 3pm
W Semi Final 1 v 4 7pm
Friday 26 November
M Semi Final 2 v 3 8am
M Semi Final 1 v 4 12.30pm
W Bronze medal game 5pm
Saturday 27 November
M Bronze medal game 8am
W Gold medal game 11.30am
M Gold medal game 4pm
