Qualified Sweden well beaten by South Korea who improve semi-final hopes

Qualified Sweden well beaten by South Korea who improve semi-final hopes
Qualified Sweden well beaten by South Korea who improve semi-final hopesČTK / AP / Fatima Shbair

After six successive victories, it's two losses in a row for Sweden's women's curling team, who were comprehensively beaten 8-3 in just seven ends by South Korea, who move into the top four with one match to play in the Round Robin at Milan-Cortina.

Other results going their way meant despite losing against Canada on Tuesday, Sweden had progressed to the semi-finals with two matches to spare.

With much more to play for, South Korea made a perfect start, as a promotion take-out was superbly executed by Gim Eunji to earn her side three points after the first end. A misjudged take-out from Anna Hasselborg allowed Korea to steal one in end two.

Then, with their opponents lying two with three Swedish stones in the house, Hasselborg attempted to cause a disruption with her final stone of the third, but could only remove the guards, and South Korea stole two more.

The match was all but over after the fourth end, as over-rotation after a take-out from the Swedes saw the hammer stone drift away from the centre of the house, and yet again South Korea stole two to go 8-0 ahead.

Sweden restored some pride by taking one in each of the next three ends, but with their comeback attempts being too little, too late, they decided to call it quits after seven ends, handing South Korea an 8-3 win that sees the Asian side move into fourth, on five wins and three defeats.

The Swedes stay top of the pile on six wins and two losses, but will need a win over China to guarantee first place in their final Round Robin match this evening.