Scotland knocked out of curling worlds by holders Canada

After falling to reigning champions Canada 10-4 in the play-off round in South Korea, Scotland will be eliminated from the World Women’s Curling Championship.

In their opening round-robin game, Canada’s rink, which was 19th in the world, had defeated the world’s top two opponents, one of only two matches that Canada lost on their way to third place in the table.

After scoring four at the second end, Rachel Homan’s rink, which twice-champion, established early control in the play-off.

With two ends still to play, they were ready for a victory with three more at the fourth quarter.

With seven victories and five losses coming in, the Scots finished sixth overall, at least helping to make sure a Great Britain rink will be present at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2020.

However, it is Canada that defeats South Korea, who hosts them in Saturday’s semi-final.

After finishing second in the round robin with the same lost 10, Canada’s 10th-ranked rink, which had previously defeated the holders 11-7 earlier in the week, qualified directly for the last four.

In the other play-off, China defeated the third-ranked Swedes, who had finished fourth overall, 8-7 to put an end to the two-time silver medalist Anna Hasselborg.