Scotland achieves historic double at European Curling Championships

Scotland’s curlers have achieved a historic double after both the men’s and women’s teams became European Champions in Norway.

Both sides met defending champions Sweden in their respective finals and came out on top to triumph at the European Championships in Lillehammer, Norway.

It’s the first time Scotland have won both events at the finals in the competition’s 46-year history.

The women’s team: skipper Eve Muirhead, third Victoria Wright, second Jennifer Dodds, lead Hailey Duff, alternate Mili Smith and coach Kristian Lindstroem, were first in action on an eventful Saturday, when they took to the rink.

The teams were level after three ends but a Scottish steal saw the team move into the lead and they pressed on to win 7-4 and take the title.

Muirhead, who was collecting her eleventh European medal and becoming champions at the event for a third time, told Scottish Curling: “It’s been a roller-coaster, but it’s shown that all the work we’ve done has worked.

“I’m so proud of Hailey [Duff] — first Europeans, first international ladies’ event… Mili [Smith] as well — first Europeans.

“For these girls this is really special, and I’d like to think that they’re going to go onto even better things.

“I’ve already got two European titles under my belt — having a third is amazing — but for these guys it’s always so nice to get your first.”

The men’s team then faced their own final against a Swedish team defending their title.

Skipper Bruce Mouat, third Grant Hardie, second Bobby Lammie, lead Hammy McMillan, alternate Ross Whyte and coach Alan Hannah were undefeated going into the final and kept up their form in the crunch match.

Like the women’s final, the teams were level after three ends but Scotland then moved into a 4-2 lead. They stretched their advantage to 6-1 in the fifth and never looked back, with Sweden eventually conceding defeat after the ninth end with the score at 8-5.

Moat said: “I mean… what a week we’ve had. I’m just really proud of everyone who’s put in all the work. I’m going to enjoy this one.”

“We didn’t really put any pressure on them at the start of the game. And that’s what we said after the third end. We managed to get a break, and they don’t always come, so we’ll take it.”