A little nervous with Russia.
photo: Time-out Rusek.
rnWe started today's first game against the Russians with confidence and with the advantage in our backs. The number two, after a good quarterback play, gave us the foundation. Then the Russians only gave a one, but in the next we were long with the final draw and cashed in a three. It slowed us down a bit. On top of that, we missed a double in the fourth end by a hair, which would have scored three and got us back into the match beautifully. Apparently we were waiting for a bigger opportunity, because in the next end we created a good position, which was improved by Bryzgalova's error on the hog line. There was a four or at least a three. Kovaleva sensed trouble coming and with her last one tried a triple take out, but at high speed she pulled the rock down a bit and missed everything. I still think it would have been a single or at most a double with luck. We agreed on five and went merrily on to the follow up. A deuce from the 'Russians and a deuce from the Czechs just took the game to the next stage. In the eighth, after some drama, the Russians finally gave up just a single, but in the ninth, on our attempted double, they played another single. 9 : 9 and the last end. Our opponent was better at the net, but Anna cleared some space around the middle of the circles with her first, and after a tactless guard by the Russians we were left with three feet to draw. When our last stone stopped just past the tee line it was obvious that another win was here. For the second time in a row, we beat the Russian repre and evened our record of losses and wins at this championship at two-two. Now we'll have a late lunch and a little rest. Tonight, another pro team, the Germans, with the Bundeswehr backing them up.