13 April 2025
The second day of the World Junior Curling Championships 2025 got underway at the Cortina Ice Stadium on Sunday 13 April, with two men’s sessions and one women’s played.
Italy beat Denmark to join Norway and Scotland at the top of the standings in the men’s competition and Germany, Switzerland and Sweden’s two wins, no losses means they top the women’s table.
World Junior Curling Championships 2025, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy © World Curling / Céline Stucki
Men’s competition
Italy made their mark on day two, securing their second win in their only game of the day and upsetting Denmark’s winning streak.
Italy remained on the front foot going into the fifth end break and by the tenth, had a 7-5 lead. Italy had the hammer and in their final shot, Denmark attempted a raise take-out. It didn’t go to plan, meaning Italy secured three more points and won 10-5.
In their first game, Denmark beat Switzerland. After scoring two in the second end, Denmark remained in the lead. By the tenth end, the score sat at 7-6 in favour of Denmark, and when Switzerland’s final throw went off course, Denmark scored three points to end the game 10-6.
Switzerland went on to face Japan in their evening game, in which Japan were victorious 6-1 in eight ends.
Scotland versus Korea © World Curling / Stephen Fisher
Both of Scotland’s games were close until the very end. In their morning session they faced United States in which the score remained level (10-10) going into the final end. United States had the hammer, but an attempt at a tap was heavy and Scotland stole the final vital point, winning 11-10.
After this game Orrin Carson, Scotland skip said, “I think we just showed our fighting spirit right to the end and [United States] played really well, played really strong, and maybe deserved to edge it in the end, but we asked the question and made him play his last shot and we’re glad we finally got a miss.”
Their second game of the day was just as close when they faced Korea. This game went to an extra end after Scotland came up light on a draw to the house for the win. In the extra end, Scotland played a soft tap for the win, 9-7.
Korea first faced Canada in the morning session and when Korea’s attempt at a draw to score one was too heavy in the final throw of the game, Canada stole a single point and won 6-5.
Team Canada © World Curling / Stephen Fisher
Canada went on to have another successful game when they took on United States. Canada held the lead throughout and in the ninth end, the Americans attempted to play a raise triple take-out on Canadian stones. This didn’t go to plan and Canada stole one. United States went on to score one more, but it wasn’t enough and Canada took the 7-5 win.
Following their game, Canada’s second player Michael Keenan said, “We capitalised on some misses which was good and stayed in it even when the conditions were a little different for us, so I thought we rallied pretty well.
“We need to continue being adaptable and taking it one shot at a time.”
Norway and Germany faced off in their only game of the day. Norway put on another impressive performance, claiming a 9-1 win against the Germans and cementing their joint first spot.
Women’s competition
The afternoon session saw Canada and Latvia record their first wins, against Japan and Italy respectively.
Canada remained one point ahead until the third end, when Japan skip Miura Yuina misjudged her throw to lay her stone just outside of the house. After measurement, Canada stole three. By the tenth end, Canada were 8-6 leaders and had the hammer, so were able to remove one of Japan’s stones to ensure they only scored one. Canada left the ice 8-7 winners.
After the game, Canada’s third player Maria Fitzgerald said, “It was definitely a big win. Getting that momentum early in the week is great, especially after a loss yesterday.
“We’re just trying to enjoy every moment, learn from every shot, and take home as many experiences as we can.”
Team Canada © World Curling / Céline Stucki
Italy looked in control for the majority of their game and by the tenth end were up 5-3, but when Latvia skip Evelina Barone played a raise takeout to score two, the game was forced into an extra end. Italy had the hammer but Latvia were tactical, setting up a guard. Italy’s attempt at a raise takeout was unsuccessful, rewarding Latvia with two more points and their first win, 7-5.
When asked how she was feeling after the victory, Latvia skip Evelina Barone said, “We’re feeling nervous and excited and happy and all the emotions!
“We’re ready to go [with our next games]. It’s sad we have to wait until tomorrow, we’ve got momentum and we’re ready to go right now!”
Team Latvia © World Curling / Céline Stucki
China faced Korea in the afternoon session, with Korea coming out on top. In the seventh end, Korea led 6-2 when skip Kang Bobae made a triple hit to add three more points. Korea went on to win by 9-4.
Germany secured their spot at the top of the current standings after winning 7-6 against Norway. By the ninth end, Norway were in front (5-3), but Germany set up play to enable fourth player Kim Sutor to play a draw and score three. Norway scored a further point to confirm an extra end in which Germany claimed the winning point.
Find the women’s and men’s standings after day two here.
Find the results and playing schedule here.
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