Women's World Cup 2022 Semi-Finals.

The Women's World Cup already knows the semifinalists. The favourites from Canada and Sweden are now out of the qualifying play-offs after thrilling runs. The Americans had a great chance, but it didn't pay to bet on one well-placed stone in the tenth end, when they were up by two points. Anna Hasselborg knocked out the American shotrock with her first stone (angle raise) and it was done. The Canadians tugged with the Danes for a while, even losing and at one point facing another cashed triple, but eventually they took a two-point lead after the eighth end, and that was enough for a controlled finish. The semifinals will pit the Swedes against the Swiss and the Canadians against the Koreans. The course of the World Championships so far confirms several obvious theses. The championships played in Canada have a real sporting atmosphere combined with a show, spectators, quality ice, excellent technical service, television coverage, and journalistic and media interest. It is simply a major, unmissable sporting event of top quality. In order to be successful, preparation needs to be tailored to the specific conditions, which is why many teams spend a lot of time in Canada for tournaments and training camps. Basic technique and tactics can be practiced at home, but specifics cannot. Even so, I register a few minuses. After two rounds, the electronic throw check on the hog-line was turned off. Increasingly, umpires are entering the ice not only with conventional gauges and electronic meters, but also with ordinary triangles to check the tested "No tick zone" rule. It is certainly time to invest in digital and electronics and almost completely prevent umpires from entering the ice. Tennis is a case in point, which in many cases has eliminated the influence of line umpires and so-called player challenges.

For the Czech team this championship was extremely special and unusual. Despite the many problems that accompanied the whole season and especially the few days between the final of the Czech Championship and the departure to the "world", the experience gained is irreplaceable. For Bětka, who skipped her first big world event. For Petra, who had the burden of a player preparing her position for the endgame. For Misha, who had never experienced such an atmosphere before. And also for Klara, who knows it all, but not from the position of a vice-skipper. I will stop by Lenka Hronova, who was brave enough to accept the challenge of being the fifth player for this World Championship. Although she didn't get to attend too many practices and meetings with the team, she did a great job and was a great support for the team. Her written notes from snippets of conversations on the coaches bench were extremely valuable during team meetings and allowed her to revisit some important moments. Leni, thank you so much.

photo: Lenka with MS mascot