Fussen 2013 - Olympics?
The two Czech teams, 14 players, coaches and team leaders in total, are in Fussen, Germany, for one purpose, to qualify the Czech Republic for the first time in curling history for the Winter Olympics. The journey to the venue was uneventful and the accommodation is pleasant. And what about the matches? First, the training. The ice is prepared by the most experienced - Jammie Bourassa and Joe Fritz. Mark Callen is still in the reserves. Speed-wise, we're mostly at 13.8 to 14.5. Swing is about 4.5 to 5.5 feet. The boys' first game was against the Americans (John Schuster). An even match culminated at the very end when the American skip played an angle raise on the extra end, but rolled a few inches worse position... Martin just checked with his eye if it went well and left it to the American to wish us a win. The first victory is very valuable... It starts a positive feeling and puts strength in the veins and in the head... The women played from eight against the Norwegians. We were in charge at the start, we took a quick lead. In the eighth end, Rorvik happily rolled the last stone, after a light touch with the guard, to the middle of the rings, delaying the loss of her team for two more ends. Finally, in the tenth end, we needed a stay to avoid playing an extra end. We did it. 9 to 7. It's going to be tough though, we're just getting started. Both Czech teams will have to do their best.