The fight for the last Olympic tickets started with a setback for the German curling women.
The young team led by skip Sara Messenzehl lost against Norway 3:6 on Saturday night; it was their first appearance at the qualification event in Kelowna, Canada. Two tickets will still be available there for the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (February 6th to 22nd).
Messenzehl and her team managed a narrow victory against Norway at the European Championships in Finland in November. Now the opponents prevailed thanks to a stronger final phase with four points in the last three ends.
The selection of the German Curling Association (DCV) continues with the game against Japan on Sunday night German time. Initially, Germany is in the bottom half of the group of eight. In the end, only the top three still have a chance at the Olympics: the two best teams first play for the first ticket, the loser then plays against the third-best team.
The German mixed doubles with Pia-Lisa Schöll and Joshua Sutor are also still hoping to take part in the Olympics in Kelowna, but this competition doesn’t start until next weekend (December 13th). The German men around Skip Marc Muskatewitz have already secured their Olympic ticket.