Clean and cozy.
Klára, Michaela, Aneta and Karolína played two matches on Friday, both against Scandinavian opponents. The teams are staying directly in the sports complex, which, in addition to accommodation facilities, has, for example, twenty bowling lanes, many squash courts, a generous gym and a spacious restaurant. The entire complex is only a few public transport stops away from the local bus station. The drop off point is Elmia station. From our rooms, it's about one minute down a flight of stairs and then down a short corridor adorned with a large poster of Aneta Norberg directly into the curling hall. Two long rows designed for spectators and several dozen overstuffed cushions haphazardly strewn on wooden benches are distantly reminiscent of a curling hall, but the resemblance ends soon after. The jὅnkὅping hall is bright, clean and cosy. The technical equipment is abundant and perfectly functional. Dozens of screens show situations on all lanes to players and spectators, both the "home end" and the "away end". Of course, in accordance with WCF rules, the Last Stone Draw is measured to an exact zero. The many pairs of polished club curling shoes carefully lined up on the racks are seconded by several plastic barrels full of curling brooms and protective helmets ready for the one-time curling enthusiasts. Umpires are friendly and welcoming; if they see someone new, they come up to them, introduce themselves and ask what they can do for them. The bar operates on a basis of absolute trust, i.e. "I take what I need, make a line in the appropriate box, and pay at the end of my stay". Apparently a Nordic standard. After a nine-minute practice session starting at seven-thirty, thanks to some good measured throws, we got the last stone advantage for the first end and played a match against a team skippered by Olympic medallist Johanna Hedlin. We were the better team and deservedly won. The afternoon game didn't go nearly as well as the morning one. Despite a significant loss in the first half, we pulled within a score, but eventually succumbed in the extra end. We managed dinner from the supplies we bought and will play our last group game tomorrow at noon.