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Time, time, time.

Before the start of our only game today, the head umpire invited representatives from all teams to a short briefing. The only topic was dissatisfaction with the pace at which the matches were being played. A calculation had been presented earlier that estimated the length of a ten end match at two hours and thirty-seven minutes, and based on this calculation the umpires are demanding that approximate end-to-end limits be met on an ongoing basis. We don't have a problem with this because we are used to playing on "thinking time" which allows time to be managed according to actual need. But even the Germans, our opponent, are not inexperienced in this respect, so the match on lane F runs as it should. And that includes developments on the scoreboard. First, we get a pretty cheap deuce, thanks to the advantage we've gained. Gradually, we pull away from the Germans (Messenzehl) and after the ninth end we receive congratulations. 7 : 4 is the final result. We have a stretch, a short meeting and then finally we can go to the food. We didn't have time for a full lunch before the match. Tonight the rocks will be papered, so we are curious to see what surprises await us in the morning (we play from eight). Well, apart from the snow falling and the temperature dropping.