With just one of the four play-off places left to claim, Scotland’s women registered a convincing 9-5 win over Italy to keep control of their own destiny at the Le Gruyere AOP European Curling Championships in Finland.
Along with Switzerland and Sweden, the Italians had already secured their play-off place, but still had everything to play for as they lined up against Rebecca Morrison, Jen Dodds, Sophie Sinclair and Sophie Jackson, with a top two place still within their reach, which would give them last stone advantage in the semi-finals. 
However, even before Italy suffered a significant setback when skip Stefania Constantini was forced to leave the game with a persistent nose bleed, the Scottish quartet had gained the upper hand in their bid to register a fourth successive win on a run that has taken them up the standings into outright fourth spot.
“We put another really solid performance together for the game against Italy this afternoon which we are really pleased with,” said Jackson, who is calling the shots for Scotland.
“Unfortunately their skip had to leave the game due to a medical reason, which caused a bit of disruption to the game.
“It was really important for us to maintain focus throughout those moments of disruption and see the game through after building such a good lead in the first half.”
In their final round-robin match the Scots, who have won five and lost three matches, now meet Norway who, along with Denmark and Turkey, are on four wins and four losses, so could still squeeze into that final qualifying spot depending on results.
The Scots know, however, that victory will be enough to get the job done and having generated real momentum with that run of wins, there is no lack of belief in their ability to do so.
“It feels great to be heading into our last game with a play-off spot in our own hands,” said Jackson.
“We’re feeling really confident in each other and can’t wait to see how tomorrow goes.”
Please click here for more information and results.
The following 7 round robin games will be live streamed on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Scotland website (plus play-off games subject to Scotland qualifying).
Watch on BBC Sport Scotland website.
Sat, 16 Nov
17:30 (UK )
Sco v Den (Women)
Sun, 17 Nov
12:00 (UK)
Sco v Sui (Women)
Mon 18 Nov
10:00 (UK)
Sco v Sui (Men)
Tues, 19 Nov
12:00 (UK)
Sco v Ita (men)
Tues, 19 Nov
17:00 (UK)
Ltu v Sco (Women)
Wed 20 Nov
12:00
Sco v Ita (women)
Thurs, 21 Nov
12:00
Swe v Sco (men)
Women 5W3L
Scotland Schedule:
Saturday 16 November
Session 1 – women
Scotland – Sweden 5-8
Session 1 – men
Scotland – Netherlands 8-6
Session 2 – women
Scotland – Denmark 11-9 (EE)
Sunday 17 November
Session 2 – men
Scotland – Norway 6-5
Session 3 – women
Scotland – Switzerland 1-8
Session 3 – men
Scotland – England 8-1
Monday 18 November
Session 4 – women
Scotland – Turkiye 4-5
Session 4 – men
Scotland – Switzerland 7-6
Session 5 – women
Scotland – Hungary 9-3
Session 5 – men
Scotland – Austria 10-2
Tuesday 19 November
Session 6 – women
Scotland – Estonia 8-1
Session 6 – men
Scotland – Italy 7-10
Session 7 – women
Scotland – Lithuania 9-2
Wednesday 20 November
Session 7 – men
Scotland – Germany 12-5
Session 8 – women
Scotland – Italy 9-5
Session 8 – men – 17.00
Scotland – Czechia
Thursday 21 November
Session 9 – women – 07.00
Scotland - Norway
Session 9 – men – 12.00
Scotland – Sweden
Semi Finals – women – 17.00
Friday 22 November
Semi Finals – men – 07.00
Bronze medal game – women – 12.00
Bronze medal game – men – 17.00
Saturday 23 November
Gold medal game – women – 08.00
Gold medal game – men – 13.00
Image: World Curling
