European Championship 2024 - done.

Czech Republic - Poland, 9 : 6 and Czech Republic - Germany, 8 : 5. These are the results of today's matches of the Czech women at the European Curling Championships 2024, Division B. The semi-finals of the second performance group of the European Championships are the matches where everything is at stake, they are actually the most important matches that will decide whether the championship was successful or not. The Czech men could tell you how many times this particular key match has gone wrong, and the bronze medals around their necks were a weak patch on thwarted ambitions. The system designated our semi-final opponents to be the Polish women, with whom we played an even match at the start of the regular season, with our winning point coming in the form of a three in the last end. Today the advantage was again on our side, but after a series of inaccuracies in the first half we were two down. The break reinvigorated us and in the next three ends we took a four point lead which proved to be decisive. The end of the game brought relief, washed away the tension and left only the joy of being back where we think we should be, i.e. in the ACHA. At the same time, the Czech women remain in the game for the 2026 Olympics, and this is a great motivation for further work. The subsequent final match, in which it was about the colour of the medals and the right to hear and sing the national anthem, did not go well at all. We were down 1 to 5 at half time and we were looking pretty good. It's hard to say whether it was a drop in concentration after we reached our goal of qualifying the Czech Republic for the elite group for next year, or something else. We said a few reassuring and at the same time motivational platitudes at the break and in the second half we didn't let the Germans score at all. Then it was just the podium, the Czech anthem, photos, congratulations and the final party. Thanks to all players, the balance of ten wins and one loss is impressive. The physiotherapist Petra Benediktová and the players' family members were a great support and provided a good atmosphere and facilities for Zuzka and Bětka. Special thanks go to Karolina Špundová for her efforts, care and dedication. Aneta and Míša were an admirable front end and Bětka and Zuzka managed to solve all the tricky situations. It's just that when you win, everything is sunny. Only one major blemish - the usual reward to the medalists, a massive cutout of Gruyere cheese was only for the players this time and not for the coaches. Oh yeah, I wouldn't have come here if I'd known that!

Photo: team and gallery