---

Almost no one here is a fan of America.

We noticed that many locals were cheering for the Japanese during the USA-Japan game. So our match with the American (Clark) will be without a raucous crowd. After six ends, the score is 5-5, advantage to the opponent. The level of the match has been variable so far, excellent stones alternating with somewhat embarrassing attempts, as documented by the score of the first four ends: three them, three us, two them, two us. Otherwise, the Dane leads the Chinese, the Japanese is tied with the Russian, and the Swede narrowly leads the Scot. In the seventh end, Clark finally narrowly gives up a one with luck when he fails to keep his own stone in the ring after a hit to a two. The American takes out a time out in the middle of the eighth end, partly because he's scared, but also because he'd like to steal one more in the eighth. Time out doesn't bring American much luck. After a failed attempt at an outturn double, Clark offers us a throw to three and Jirka is not wrong with the weight here. We write down a three and in the ninth we face concentrated pressure from our opponent who logically tries a deuce. We had a double there, but it's just a single. Clark makes the trade, and we've got an almost unplayable double. We try it, but even though it's a great try, we're just moving the opponent's rock more to the side. The American hits and stays, tying the game at 8-8. Two excellent chips determine the continuation until we pass clear. Clark still thinks about playing one more guard with his first, but opts for a draw and is back on nine. We're now going to call. Clear is ok and the American will play the front ring, that's clear. He's hitting it pretty accurately. But Jirka again hits four feet unerringly and we have the American scalp. Five wins and four losses. I don't even want to think about the math yet, so I don't jinx it. Czech Republic - USA, 9 to 8.