U.S. Men Lift Hopes of Medal-Round Showing

Pete Fenson’s U.S. curling team beat Germany in nine ends, pulling away to victory with three points in the eighth and boosting its chances of advancing to the medal round. Italy pulled a stunning upset over curling power Canada (4-3), winning in an extra end.

At 5-2, the Americans are in good position to at least qualify for a tiebreaker at the end of the nine-game round-robin. Germany (1-5) has been all but eliminated from medal contention.

Italy, which had never before fielded an Olympic curling team, improved to 4-3 and is also in contention to make the semifinals.

The curling venue in Pinerolo was near its capacity for Saturday’s afternoon session, coming alive as the host Italians faced the 29-time world champions.

Britain (6-1) beat Switzerland (3-4) and Finland (5-2) beat defending champion Norway (3-4).

On the women’s side, the U.S. women’s team waited until it was virtually out of the running to have its best game of the Olympics, beating Italy in just six ends.

A regulation curling match is 10 ends, but a team will concede when it is so far down it cannot come back. The eight-point margin of victory ties an Olympic record for the women’s tournament.

In other games during the night session, first-place Sweden needed an extra end to beat Japan and improve to 7-1.

Norway beat Britain in nine ends to improve to 5-2, tied for second with Switzerland.

Britain (4-3) is tied with Canada. Denmark, Japan and Russia are 2-4.

The Americans (2-5) avoided taking sole possession of last place by beating Italy (1-6).