[Olympics] Red Light for Team Kim's Tournament Advancement

Lost 4-8 in Switzerland... Failed to Qualify on Own Merit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The women's curling national team has hit a red light in their quest to advance to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics tournament. Team Kim (Kim Eun-jung, Kim Kyeong-ae, Kim Cho-hee, Kim Seon-young, Kim Young-mi) lost 4-8 to Switzerland in the seventh match of the women's curling round-robin held on the 16th at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, China. With this fourth loss (and three wins), even if they win the remaining two matches, they cannot advance to the semifinals on their own merit. Currently, the countries with four or more wins are Switzerland (7 wins, 1 loss), Sweden (5 wins, 2 losses), Canada (4 wins, 3 losses), Japan (4 wins, 3 losses), Great Britain (4 wins, 4 losses), and the United States (4 wins, 4 losses).

The team, which had beaten Japan 10-5 two days earlier, could not maintain their momentum against the leading Switzerland. They led 2-1 until the 4th end but faltered after conceding 3 points in the 5th end. They scored one point each in the 6th and 7th ends to tie at 4-4, but failed to capitalize on Switzerland's mistakes in the 9th end. It was confirmed that their stones, placed in similar positions to the opponent's, were farther from the center, causing difficulties in managing the 10th end. The players set up two guards aiming for multiple points. However, they struggled against Switzerland's persistent house defense, which disrupted their concentration. The team will play against Denmark that night and Sweden the following day.

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