Great Britain have guaranteed themselves curling hardware after overcoming table-topping Switzerland 8-5 to seal their place in the men’s gold medal match.
Having endured a nervy wait to find out that they had reached the semi-finals, Team GB found themselves on the back foot for the first half of the nervy encounter, before a superb shot from skip Bruce Mouat in the sixth end saw the Brits snatch a crucial steal.
GB then capitalised on having the hammer to take the lead and after Switzerland purposely blanked in the ninth end, another beautiful Mouat stone forced the error from their opponents with their last stone, ensuring passage into Saturday’s final for the Scotsman’s rink.
It came after the British women endured heartbreak in the afternoon session as they beat Italy 7-4 but could only watch on as USA dramatically snatched victory over Switzerland in an extra end to reach the semi-finals instead of GB, who would’ve gone through had the Swiss grabbed the win instead.
Follow all the action with The Independent’s live blog below:
Winter Olympics 2026: Men's curling updates
- Team GB overcome table-toppers Switzerland in nervy semi-final to seal place in gold medal match
- Bruce Mouat's rink only sealed their place in the last four on Thursday morning after Italy lost to Switzerland
- Team GB's women curlers endured heartbreak as they beat Italy but Switzerland lose to USA in an extra end to knock GB out
The curling twist giving Great Britain hope of Winter Olympics great escape
07:51 , Luke BakerGreat Britain are on a knife edge between curling catastrophe and the great escape - and there is nothing more they can do about it.
Just as their Winter Olympics dreams were circling the drain after a shocking collapse in form, Bruce Mouat’s rink played like the world champions they are to keep their medal hopes alive for at least another day.
They finished their round-robin campaign with the kind of confident and dominant victory they were expected to produce consistently in Cortina, wiping the floor with the USA 9-2, to finish with a 5-4 record from nine games.
It was a timely reminder – both to themselves, their doubters and their rivals – that they are still a world-class team capable of blowing all the others out of the water.
The curling twist giving Great Britain hope of Winter Olympics great escape
Bruce Mouat: 'This is a horrible position to be in'
07:52 , Luke BakerThings couldn’t have gone much better for Team GB’s men’s curlers yesterday afternoon, beating USA and having two other results go their way.
GB skip Bruce Mouat discussed the victory and admitted to feeling helpless as they watch on this morning.
“It was a bit of a scary first end,” Mouat told the BBC. “But we just turned the momentum straight away and then we forced them into some tricky shots, and he [US skip Daniel Casper] was a bit heavy on a few draws, so we got a few breaks which we probably haven't seen all week. It was nice.
On needing other results to go your way: “This is a horrible position to be in, honestly! Just having to watch other games and hope that the results are going our way is not the ideal position to be in.
“But so far so good and we obviously need tomorrow probably to be the same. We're just gonna have to sit and keep our fingers and our toes crossed and see what happens.”
What do Team GB need to qualify for semi-finals this morning?
08:01 , Luke BakerAfter Team GB beat USA in their final round robin game yesterday to end with a 5-4 record they now need either Norway to lose their final match to already-qualified Canada or Italy to lose their final match to unbeaten Switzerland. Both those games are on this morning from 8.05am GMT.
If either of those two teams get a win, they will finish on 5-4, the same as GB, and would move above the Brits as they hold the head-to-head advantage.
Men's curling: Norway v Canada and Italy v Switzerland updates
08:05 , Luke BakerRight, the final set of men’s curling round robin matches at this Winter Olympics are about to get underway.
Team GB did their job yesterday and now can only watch, hoping either Norway or Italy lose to send them through to the semi-finals.
We’ll be bringing you regular updates from Norway v Canada and Italy v Switzerland, which are about to get underway. Je suis Swiss-Canadian...
Team GB women still have hope
08:25 , Luke BakerOur focus this morning is on the men’s curling competition but after that we’ll turn our attention to the women’s tournament, where Team GB kept their slim hopes of qualification alive with a brilliant Wednesday.
“The shot of her life” from Rebecca Morrison snatched an unlikely 8-7 win over USA in the morning session, as GB stole two in the final end, before they followed that up with a 9-3 thrashing of Japan.
GB now need to beat hosts Italy from 1.05pm and hope other results go their way. It’ll be nervy!
Men's curling: Italy trail but Norway lead
08:38 , Luke BakerA mixed start from a GB perspective this morning.
Italy are losing 2-0 to Switzerland after Swiss skip Benoit Schwarz-van Berkel produced a final-stone draw to take two in the first end before the second was blanked. So far, so good there for GB.
But Norway have got off to a flying start against Canada, taking three in the first end and the Canadians only getting one in response to lead 3-1 after two ends, with the hammer back in hand.
The ‘breakdancing’ of the Winter Olympics with athletes ‘running like hamsters’: Welcome to ski mountaineering
08:46 , Luke BakerAway from the curling, a new Olympic event gets underway today.
Compared (in a non-complimentary way) to breakdancing, with athletes said to be “running like hamsters”, welcome to ski mountaineering – a fast and furious sport.
Allow Flo Clifford to tell you the story of how it has all come about:
The ‘breakdancing’ of the Winter Olympics: Welcome to ski mountaineering
Men's curling: Switzerland doing GB a favour
09:04 , Luke BakerIt’s still on track for GB in the men’s curling with Switzerland in control against Italy - leading 3-1 through four ends. The Swiss have the hammer in the fifth as well.
It’s looking like that result will need to come in because Norway have gone off like a train in their clash with Canada, leading 5-1 after three ends.
Remember, GB need either Italy or Norway to lose in order to sneak into the semi-finals.
Men's curling: Switzerland extend their lead
09:29 , Luke BakerGB edging closer to the semi-finals as Switzerland take one in the fifth end to extend their lead to Italy over 4-1. Norway are demolishing Canada 7-2, so GB will be praying Switzerland can hold on against the Italians.
Men's curling: Italy surge back
09:48 , Luke BakerHmmmm. That’s not great for GB. Italy work hard to earn two in the sixth end and they’ve closed the gap against Switzerland to 4-3. That game is going to go to the wire.
Men's curling: GB on the brink of semi-finals
10:03 , Luke BakerThat is huge for GB. A lovely final-stone takeout from Switzerland skip Benoit Schwarz-van Berkel in the seventh earns his side three and they now lead Italy 7-3!
Remember, if Italy lose, then GB will go into the semi-finals. The Italians have a huge mountain ahead now.
Canada have also hit back against Norway and now only trail 7-6 after seven ends. Could that provide an insurance policy for Bruce Mouat and co?
Men's curling: Italy score two but still in trouble
10:08 , Luke BakerItaly scramble two in the eighth end to close the deficit to 7-5 against Switzerland after eighth ends but the Swiss will have the hammer. It’s looking grim for the Italians but great for GB.
Italy actually had a chance to score three in that end but skip Joel Retornaz played a poor penultimate stone to squander that opportunity
Snowstorm plays havoc with Winter Olympics schedule as multiple events postponed
10:14 , Luke BakerHeavy snowfall in Livigno on Thursday morning forced the postponement of Olympic men's ski halfpipe qualifying and men's aerials, further disrupting the competition schedule.
More than half a foot of snow blanketed the mountain town, delaying the men's halfpipe event. A new start time is yet to be decided, while men's aerials has been moved to Friday.
Women's halfpipe qualifying, featuring defending champion Eileen Gu, remains on schedule for Thursday evening.
Weather conditions are expected to improve for Friday and Saturday, the final two days of action.
Snowstorm plays havoc with Winter Olympics schedule as multiple events are postponed
Team GB's men through to curling semi-finals
10:22 , Luke BakerAnd there it is! Switzerland take two in the ninth end to beat Italy 9-5 and that means Bruce Mouat’s British rink will qualify for the semi-finals!
It was nervy at points during the round robin stage but they’ve made it through and they’ll play that semi-final this evening
GB men’s curlers scrape into semi-finals to keep hopes of glory alive
10:32 , Luke BakerTeam GB’s men’s curling team kept their hopes of defending or improving their silver medal from Beijing alive as they scraped into the semi-finals - but only because other results went their way.
Bruce Mouat’s rink looked on the verge of defeat on Wednesday but thrashed the USA 9-2 to underline their status as one of the best teams in the world, despite their relative underperformance in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
That result was not enough to book their place in the last four, as they required either Italy or Norway to lose both of their final two round-robin games in order to progress.
Both lost on Wednesday but Team GB endured a nervous wait on Thursday as Norway stormed to a 7-2 lead over already-qualified Canada before being pegged back, while Italy kept unbeaten Switzerland honest in a tense encounter.
However, Italy lost 9-5 after skip Joel Retornaz missed a chance to score three in the eighth end with a poor penultimate stone which put paid to their chances.
GB men’s curlers scrape into semi-finals to keep hopes of glory alive
Team GB to face Switzerland in men's curling semi-finals
10:46 , Luke BakerThe Canada vs Norway match has now finished as well and the Norwegians held on to secure an 8-6 victory that sends them through to the semi-finals. It also confirms the semi-final match-ups...
Great Britain will play table-topping, unbeaten Switzerland in their semi-final, knowing a win would guarantee a medal. When the teams faced off in the round robin stage, it went to an extra end and the Swiss prevailed, triumphing 6-5. Will it be that close again?
The other semi-final sees a rematch of this morning’s clash between Canada and Norway.
Both those semi-finals will take place at 6.05pm GMT this evening, so Bruce Mouat’s rink have just over seven hours to prepare.
WATCH: Australian presenter breaks silence on slurred Olympics report
11:07 , Luke BakerAn Australian presenter has apologised after going viral for her slurred speech during a Winter Olympics report.
Channel Nine journalist Danika Mason stumbled over her words during a broadcast on Wednesday, discussing iguanas and the price of coffee during a sports update.
The next morning, Mason apologised for her previous segment and said she takes “full responsibility.”
“I shouldn’t have had a drink, and especially in these conditions, it’s cold, we’ve got altitude, and not having had dinner probably didn’t help as well. It’s not the standard that I set for myself… I’m really sorry.”
British winter sport funding set for radical overhaul after Milano-Cortina Olympics
11:28 , Luke BakerGreat Britain’s winter sports governing bodies could be asked to work more closely together in a bid to make limited funding stretch further.
More than £25m was invested across seven different national associations, covering 11 sports, to prepare Team GB for these Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
A medal range of four to eight was set by UK Sport, with Team GB’s three golds leaving them just short of the lower end target, with four days of competition and three live medal chances remaining.
By comparison, Australia invested £18m in their winter sports programme and sit just above Team GB in the medal table with six medals, including three golds.
There is a growing belief from several long-standing senior members of Britain’s high-performance sector that winter sports must collaborate more closely.
British winter sport funding set for radical overhaul after Milano-Cortina Olympics
Mikaela Shiffrin feels ‘born again’ after storming to Olympic gold following tragic loss of her father
11:58 , Luke BakerMikaela Shiffrin stood on the Olympic podium, a gold medal gleaming around her neck, her expression a mixture of triumph and profound disbelief.
The American skiing sensation had not merely clinched a slalom victory, ending an eight-year medal drought at the Winter Games and reaffirming her status as arguably the greatest Alpine skier of all time. She had also conquered a deeply personal battle.
"It’s like," Shiffrin reflected, pausing before adding, “being born again."
Competing in what she described as a "spiritual state”, Shiffrin delivered two dominant runs amidst the stunning, jagged peaks of the Dolomites.
Shiffrin ‘born again’ after storming to Olympic gold following loss of her father
Winter Olympic curling semi-final schedule and results after Team GB qualify
12:15 , Luke BakerTeam GB could only watch on helplessly this morning but they got help from elsewhere as Switzerland beat Italy to send GB through to the semi-finals of the men’s curling tournament
Here’s the full semi-final schedule and details:
Winter Olympic curling semi-final schedule and results after Team GB qualify
What do Team GB need to qualify for women’s curling semi-finals?
12:34 , Luke BakerAttention will soon turn to GB’s women, who face Italy from 1.05pm GMT and still have a chance of joining the men in the semi-finals but need some help.
First of all, GB must beat Italy in their final match and have USA lose to Switzerland. If either of those things don’t happen, then Team GB are out.
Providing GB win and the US lose, everything then hinges on the Canada v South Korea match. If South Korea win, then GB will be through, as they hold the head-to-head advantage over the US and Canada.
However, if Canada win there will be a three-way tie between GB, South Korea and the US for the final spot which is unable to be sorted by head to head results for the trio, as each team won one match and lost match against the others. Who qualifies would be decided by the draw stone challenge (DSC).
Before every group-stage match, both teams do a last stone draw (LSD) throwing two stones as close to the centre as possible to see who will have the hammer first. The average distance of each team’s LSDs throughout the round robin will be tallied and the team that have done best will advance to the semi-finals. We will know the LSD rankings once the final set have been completed ahead of this afternoon’s matches.
Start of women's curling delayed
12:58 , Luke BakerWe’ll have just a little bit of a longer wait for the crunch session of women’s curling to start this afternoon.
The matches were scheduled to get underway at 1.05pm GMT but the appalling weather at the moment has made the road down from the athlete’s village a nightmare, covered in snow.
With athletes being delayed en route to the arena, the start has been pushed back to 1.30pm
The ‘breakdancing’ of the Winter Olympics with athletes ‘running like hamsters’: Welcome to ski mountaineering
13:16 , Flo CliffordNo Olympics is ever the same: at every Games the IOC tinkers with the format, adding new events, dropping some sports and bringing in others.
Only one sport is brand new in Milano-Cortina: ski mountaineering – ‘skimo’ to those in the know – which makes its debut this week in Bormio. Organisers hope it will grab the public’s imagination in the same way as biathlon, this Games’ unexpected hit, or skeleton in the UK after a gold rush at the Cortina Sliding Centre.
Olympic skimo works as follows: first, the athletes sprint uphill on developed pistes with skins – which provide traction – on their skis, before taking their skis off and running in boots (‘bootpacking’) along a flat section of the piste. They then must complete another uphill section on skis, before stripping the skins off to ski downhill to the finish. In Bormio there are men’s and women’s events, as well as a mixed relay.
The ‘breakdancing’ of the Winter Olympics: Welcome to ski mountaineering
First ever ski mountaineering champions crowned
13:24 , Will CastleIn near-blizzard conditions, we’ve just crowned our first ski mountaineering Olympic champions.
Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton stormed to women’s sprint gold, with Emily Harrop of France taking silver while Spain's Ana Alonso Rodriguez in bronze.
And in the men’s sprint, Spain shot to the top of the podium as Oriol Cardona Coll, the oldest man in the field at 31, claimed skimo gold.
Neutral athlete Nikita Filippov took silver and France's Thibault Anselmet battled back from a poor start to win bronze.
Closing in on the start of women's curling
13:29 , Will CastleWe’re just about to get underway in Cortina after appalling weather pushed back the start by 25 minutes.
The girls are walking onto the ice - it’s crunch time for GB in their final round-robin game against Italy. They must win and then hope other results go their way to keep medal hopes alive.
We’ll have all the action, up next.
Women's curling: GB vs Italy
13:31 , Will CastleAnd we’re off! GB have the hammer... and we begin the first of 10 ends.
Women's curling: GB 0-0 Italy
13:43 , Will CastleWe go back-and-forth with the takeouts to start things off, with both teams knocking each other out of the house with each of their first three stones.
Italy follow this up by producing three guard shots, all of which are promptly pummelled out of play by GB. It’s all very tactical, cat and mouse stuff.
With two stones each left to throw, neither team has a stone in the house, but that soon changes as GB and Italy battle for the button.
GB get the final throw but voluntarily knock both stones out to blank the first end and therefore keep the hammer.
Women's curling: GB 1-0 Italy
13:58 , Will CastleItaly start the second end by putting one in the four foot, while Britain leave their first stone on the outside left.
They’re joined by an Italian guard shot in the centre, leading to Sophie Jackson delivering a wonderful effort that goes through the gap and into the four foot, just touching Italy’s yellow.
Another red goes through the guard to open up the house, but GB’s next effort goes wrong, with Sophie Sinclair misjudging a launched throw and knocking two reds out of play without impacting the yellows in the rings.
With Italy in a favourable position, Dodds goes heavy again to try and get the triple takeout - she gets two, even if it maybe wasn’t the two she would have wanted.
But it keeps GB in the game and they pounce with their final stone, knocking out one of the yellows in the six foot and creeping their red into the four foot.
GB are on the board!
GB women know what they need
14:07 , Luke BakerBy the way, the job for GB women has become easier. I won’t bore you with the details of the draw stone challenge that has given GB some head to head advantages but it has simplified what needs to happen this afternoon.
GB must beat Italy and have USA lose to Switzerland to reach the semi-finals. If either of those things don’t happen, then Team GB are out but if both do, then GB will reach the semi-finals thanks to head-to-head advantages over the USA, Canada and South Korea.
Things looked bleak yesterday morning but suddenly, the path to the medal matches has become viable
Women's curling: GB 1-1 Italy (3rd end)
14:18 , Luke BakerThat was nicely played by GB. Good stones by Sophie Morrison to only leave Italy with a draw to take their one. Well executed by the Italian skip Stefania Constantini but it’s just one - GB won’t mind that.
It’s 1-1 and GB will have the hammer in the 4th end - can they score multiple.
In the other crucial game, the US are locked at 1-1 with Switzerland through three ends as well. That one is in the balance. Remember, GB need the US to lose that match if they’re to make it through to the semi-finals
Women's curling: GB 3-1 Italy (4th end) - GB take two
14:29 , Luke BakerWow, the tension is palpable here at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
A mistake by Italian skip Stefania Constantini with her final stone, clipping her own guard and not removing the British stone from the house.
That allows Rebecca Morrison - who starred with that “shot of a lifetime” against the USA yesterday - to draw into the centre of the house and earn a two. GB now lead 3-1 after four ends. That’s something to work with.
In the other match, the US pick up one in the fourth end to lead Switzerland 2-1. It’s so nervy!
Women's curling: GB 4-1 Italy (5th end) - GB steal
14:57 , Luke BakerOoooh, that’s a good end for GB. Both teams are actually playing pretty well but a lovely draw into the house from Rebecca Morrison puts the pressure on Italian skip Stefania Constantini and she can’t make the tricky shot, ceding a steal of one to the Brits. The lead is now 4-1 although Italy retain the hammer.
There’s chants of “USA, USA” around the arena though which is not good news for GB. A steal of one in the fifth from the Americans and they lead Switzerland 3-1... They have to lose that if the Brits are to go through
Women's curling: GB 4-3 Italy (6th end)
15:07 , Luke BakerGB stacking the house with stones in this sixth end. They have four in there to Italy’s zero at one point.
Britain are lying two as Stefania Constantini slides her final stone down the ice and it’s a superb shot, she hits a GB stone on the nose, moves it and another enough to give Italy a score of two. That was good stuff from the Italian skip. They close the deficit to 4-3, although GB have the hammer going into the seventh end.
Incidentally, the bad weather meant that the American women had to hop out of their bus and walk the final 10 minutes to the stadium on foot. Far from ideal but doesn’t seem to be affecting them. Switzerland can only get one in the sixth end, meaning the US still lead 3-2 and have the hammer. Is it slipping away from GB?
Women's curling: GB 4-3 Italy (7th end)
15:19 , Luke BakerNice double takeout by Jen Dodds towards the business end of the seventh to leave GB sitting two but she makes a bit of a mistake with her next stone to allow Italy back into it – accidentally removing her own stone and leaving the Italians’ sitting in the house.
Rebecca Morrison nearly clears out all stones with her penultimate as GB try to blank the end to retain the hammer but one Italian stone clings on to the edge of the house.
However, Stefania Constantini can’t keep her final stone in the house, so Morrison has a simple hit and roll takeout to successfully blank the end. They’ll go into the eighth leading by one and with hammer.
Women's curling: USA winning to leave GB in trouble
15:21 , Luke BakerGB are in a good position to beat Italy but, on an adjacent sheet, things aren’t going so well. The USA take two in the seventh end and lead Switzerland 5-2.
The Swiss do have the hammer but they need a big score soon. US skip Tabitha Peterson looking good for redemption after disaster at the end of the match against Team GB yesterday.
Women's curling: GB 4-3 Italy (8th end)
15:39 , Luke BakerCracking shot by Italy’s second Elena Mathis with a superb double takeout, rolling over to the second GB stone to clear it and leave three Italian stones in the house. Good response by Jen Dodds to remove two of them.
GB can’t find a way to manufacture more than one shot however, so they opt to blank a second straight end and retain the hammer in the ninth.
A two (or more) here for GB could more or less finish this match.
Women's curling: Switzerland miss chance to level match against USA
15:42 , Luke BakerOh, that was the chance for Switzerland. That could be GB’s semi-final chances up in smoke.
The Swiss need something big, trailing 5-2 against USA and they have a chance for a three in the eighth end. It’s such a tricky shot for skip Alina Paetz but the triple takeout is on. IF she makes it, it would level things up at 5-5 but after hitting the first stone, her granite comes up short of the remaining two.
It’s only one for Switzerland. The US lead 5-3 and have the hammer with just two ends left. Remember, they need to lose for GB to have a chance of going through but it doesn’t look like it’s happening.
Women's curling: GB 7-3 Italy (9th end) - GB on the brink of victory
15:55 , Luke BakerMistake from Stefania Constantini with her final stone, trying to clear out British stones and leaving the Italians sitting shot but instead GB are sitting two.
Rebecca Morrison then draws her hammer stone nicely into the centre and that’s three for Britain. They lead 7-3 heading into the final end and are on the brink of victory.
Women's curling: USA in control to break GB hearts
15:59 , Luke BakerSwitzerland in the last-chance saloon. US skip Tabitha Peterson with a lovely double takeout with her penultimate stone but she’s forced to try and draw into the house for just one with her last.
She manages it, so USA lead 6-3 heading into the final end. Switzerland need at least three in the last to keep GB in this Winter Olympics. If the US see it out then it’s all over for Sophie Jackson’s rink.
Women's curling: GB beat Italy 7-3
16:06 , Luke BakerAnd that’s it! GB manage to keep removing Italian stones from the house giving them no chance of getting the four they need.
With one stone left, the Italians opt to shake hands and Great Britain win 7-3. All eyes on the USA v Switzerland game.
GB need a miraculous final end from the Swiss to overturn a three-point deficit if they want to reach the semi-finals. It’s looking bleak...
Women's curling: Switzerland score three to force extra end and keep GB hopes alive!
16:17 , Luke BakerDRAMA! UNBELIEVABLE! The Swiss set it up in the final end and it’s a mediocre final stone from US skip Tabitha Peterson.
It gives Swiss skip Alina Paetz a shot at flicking away the American stone int he centre of the house to score three... AND SHE DOES! What a shot!
Whoops and cheers as Switzerland score three to make it 6-6 and we’re heading to an extra end.
The US blew it from a dominant position against GB yesterday, surely they won’t do the same again today? They still have the hammer in the extra end but nerves will be jangling. If the Swiss do this, then Team GB will take the fourth semi-final spot.
Women's curling: Tensions rising in extra end
16:22 , Luke BakerA couple of mistakes from the American third and fourth and heading to the final four stones each, you’d say it’s advantage Switzerland - lying shot and having that stone hidden by the guards.
USA have the hammer of course but this is far from a sure thing for the Americans. Twenty minutes ago they looked home and hosed but now...
Women's curling: Switzerland 6-6 USA (extra end)
16:23 , Luke BakerSwitzerland take their timeout with three stones left. The US just missed an attempt to take out both guards for the second straight time. Mistakes are creeping in and the Swiss have set this end up well.
US might have to make a Hollywood shot at some point to win this.
Women's curling: US timeout at the death
16:28 , Luke BakerDecent takeout of one Swiss stone by Cory Thiesse with her final stone but it’s still looking good for Switzerland - two stones left each.
Alina Paetz - who made that great shot to send this match to an extra end - tries to draw into the house with the penultimate stone but it’s a shade short. Opening for USA?
The US take their timeout to discuss options. It’s messy with three Swiss stones and one US stone bunched at the top of the four-foot. It wouldn’t be an easy draw on to the button if it comes down to it for US skip Tabitha Peterson.
Women's curling: All down to final stone
16:31 , Luke BakerScreams of “SWEEP HARD” from the US as Tabitha Peterson puts her penultimate stone in a decent position at the top of the four foot.
Alina Paetz’s final stone for Switzerland. What shot will she leave Peterson with the hammer? Long discussion - there’s nothing in the very centre of the house but there’s no clear path there at all.
Paetz slides her stone down the ice, catches the US stone and removes it, which leaves Switzerland shot.
USA have to draw into the button and there’s a path down the left-hand side. Can Peterson make it? If she does, USA are into the semi-finals, if not then Team GB are through... This is huge.
Women's curling: USA WIN TO KNOCK GB OUT
16:35 , Luke BakerTabitha Peterson, who has struggled at points this tournament, with the draw to win it. They sweep hard, they sweep hard! It’s curling, does it have enough...
Yes it does but it’s still rolling! Has it gone too far, it’s at the back of the four-foot? Too far?
No! The stone juuuuust holds on. There’s handshakes and by the barest of margins USA score one in the extra end and snatch a 7-6 victory over Switzerland to reach the semi-finals.
TEAM GB ARE OUT - in the cruellest of fashion!
Heartbreak for Team GB
16:37 , Luke BakerIt’s heartbreaking for Team GB. They were so close to snatching a semi-final spot. Sophie Jackson’s rink were the form team by the end of the round robin but fell agonisingly short.
They finish with a 5-4 record but were one win short of a top-four spot. They’ll have to wait four more years for another Olympic shot.
It was almost cruel the way that Switzerland gave them some hope at the end but the US snatched that away. Gutting.
Team GB react to heartbreaking curling exit
16:54 , Luke BakerTeam GB’s women curlers have been chatting to the BBC about that heartbreaking exit just now.
Skip Sophie Jackson said: “We wanted to get that win today and wait and see what happens. I'm so, so proud of the team, so proud of the girls. We had a tough start to the week and we did the best we could. I think we were the best team out there by the end of the round robin but unfortunately we just left it too late.”
Sophie Sinclair added: “It was super fun. Our aim at the start of the week was just to go out and enjoy it. It's a lot of our first times. We all had the best time ever and that's why we're so gutted because we just wanted more time on the ice. I'm super proud of the team.
Jen Dodds said: “Four years ago, we got through on 5-4. It's one of those things that unfortunately we didn't get through this time. I'm so proud of the girls, we know we have so much resilience but we've shown that this week and we just fought for everything out there. Every shot we were together, all the way, we're so supportive, we celebrated all the shots and I couldn't be prouder of these girls.”
Sophie Morrison said: “Everyone's been absolutely amazing. I think we really felt the support behind us. Everyone's really got behind us and we couldn't be more grateful for everyone back home and here in the crowd.”
On supporting the men’s team in the semi-finals this evening, Jackson said: “Of course, we'll definitely be here to support the boys tonight. We've got their backs all the way. We know what they can do when they're under pressure and in a championship, so best of luck to them tonight and we'll be cheering very hard.”
Team USA turns its attention to ice hockey grudge match
17:02 , Will CastleIt’s agony for the Brits but elation for Team USA, who have scraped their way into the women’s curling semi-finals and kept themselves in medal contention.
And on the topic of Olympic medals, American attention will now turn to the Milano Santagiulia Arena as the USA and Canada face off for women’s ice hockey gold in a blockbuster grudge match.
That one will be pushing back in just over an hour, set to start at 6:10pm GMT. We’ll bring you key updates from that clash as they happen.
GB women out of curling medal contention after stunning USA win
17:10 , Luke BakerTeam GB’s women’s curling team are out of contention for a medal after the USA clinched a dramatic extra-end win over Switzerland in their final round robin game.
Sophie Jackson’s rink beat Italy 7-4 in their final group stage game on Thursday but were left relying on other results to go their way in order to scrape into the semi-finals – the same position the British men’s rink were in earlier today.
GB had beaten the USA 8-7 in the round robin after the Americans let a lead slip, with a stunning shot from Rebecca Morrison keeping them in contention for the semi-finals.
And it looked like the Americans were about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against Switzerland too, as the Swiss scored three in the 10th end to leave the match poised at 6-6 going into an extra end.
The US made a messy start to the extra end but ultimately won by millimetres as Tabitha Peterson, with the hammer, delivered a superb final throw to just edge closer to the button than Switzerland’s two stones in the house.
GB women out of curling medal contention after stunning USA win
A fascinating dynamic going into USA vs Canada
17:17 , Will CastleThe USA and Canada are the two most dominant nations in the world at ice hockey and have contested six of the seven Olympic finals, as well as 23 of 24 World Championship finals.
Canada are the reigning Olympic champions, claiming their fifth title in Beijing 2022, but the USA romped to a 5-0 victory in the group stage to take the advantage into Thursday’s grudge match.
The US hammered Sweden 5-0 too in their semi-final to make the showpiece event, improving to a 6-0 record and an impressive 31-1 scoring record.
Meanwhile Canada saw off Switzerland 2-1, with three-time gold medallist Marie-Philip Poulin scoring twice to become the all-time leading goalscorer in women’s Olympic competition.
The Winter Olympics’ newest sport is entertaining - but fundamental flaws make it merely a gimmick
17:24 , Luke BakerThe first-ever Olympic ski mountaineering medals were handed out on Thursday, with world champions Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain and Marianne Fatton of Switzerland taking gold in the men’s and women’s races, respectively.
Ski mountaineering - skimo for short - is the first new sport added to the Winter Olympics programme since skeleton in 2002, but may not prove quite as long-lasting.
It had an inauspicious beginning as Bormio - which has also hosted the men’s Alpine skiing - was covered in a blanket of snow, with heavy snow falling throughout the competitions and the powdery conditions less than ideal for the athletes.
Heats, semi-finals and finals were all contested in a frenzied few hours on Thursday, with only 18 competitors in either men’s or women’s field and just six making the final.
Olympic skimo feels like the T20 version of the sport: races take around three minutes, with two short uphill sections on skis either side of an on-foot section, before a technical descent on skis to the finish.
It has all the symptoms of 21st century sport - gimmicky, snappy, seemingly designed for social media hits - but none of what Olympic sport is all about.
Read Flo Clifford’s full analysis on the Olympics’ newest sport from Bormio:
Ski mountaineering is entertaining - but fundamental flaws make it a gimmick
Report: GB women out of curling medal contention after stunning USA win
17:31 , Flo Clifford in CortinaTeam GB’s women’s curling team are out of contention for a medal after the USA clinched an extra-end win over Switzerland in their final round robin game.
Sophie Jackson’s rink beat Italy 7-4 in their final group stage game on Thursday but were left relying on other results to go their way in order to scrape into the semi-finals - the same position the British men’s rink were in earlier today.
GB had beaten the USA 8-7 in the round robin after the Americans let a lead slip, with a stunning shot from Rebecca Morrison keeping them in contention for the semi-finals.
And it looked like the Americans were about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against Switzerland too, as the Swiss scored three in the 10th end to leave the match poised at 6-6 going into an extra end.
The US made a messy start to the extra end but ultimately won by millimetres as Tabitha Peterson, with the hammer, delivered a superb final throw to just edge closer to the button than Switzerland’s two stones in the house.
It was a remarkable comeback but condemns Great Britain, who won the gold medal in Beijing 2022 under skip Eve Muirhead, to a group-stage exit.
GB women out of curling medal contention after stunning USA win
GB get shot at curling salvation in men's semi-finals
17:39 , Will CastleAfter heartbreaking climax to the women’s round-robin, Great Britain will have a shot at curling salvation in the men’s event as Team GB take on table-topping Switzerland hoping to guarantee themselves an Olympic medal.
Team GB endured a nervy wait but eventually found out that they have reached the last four of the men’s tournament after results on Thursday morning went their way.
GB kept their hopes of a top-four spot alive with a dominant 9-2 victory over Team USA on Wednesday afternoon, with Bruce Mouat’s rink delivering a scintillating display to remind everybody of the quality that helped make them world champions.
That was their final match of the round robin stage and they were forced to helplessly watch on to see if a top-four spot would be sealed for them – needing either Norway or Italy to lose their final match. Italy duly did that as Switzerland completed a 100 per cent record in the group stage with a 9-5 win, sending Team GB into a semi-final on Thursday evening, against the Swiss, knowing a win would seal a place on the podium.
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How to watch women's ice hockey final
17:42 , Will CastleThe game is scheduled to start at 6.10pm GMT (7.10pm local time) tonight, Thursday 19 February.
What TV channel is it on?
The women’s ice hockey final will be broadcast live on TNT Sports. Subscribers can also stream the action live via the Discovery+ app and website.
Viewers can also find the game via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website, where it is likely to be streamed live.
The ‘cheating’ accusations, secret filming, and curling scandal engulfing the Winter Olympics
17:46 , Jamie BraidwoodControversy has erupted in the curling at the Winter Olympics, with Great Britain dragged into the explosive fallout following cheating accusations against the Canadian team.
On Friday, Canada’s men’s side was accused by Sweden of breaking the rules by repeatedly double-touching the curling stone after release, leading to swear words being exchanged on the ice.
After Canada denied the claims, the team’s third, Marc Kennedy, responded by furiously insisting, “I haven’t done it once. You can f*** off”. Footage of Kennedy clearing touching the stone after release later went viral.
The ‘cheating’ accusations, secret filming, and scandal engulfing curling
USA ice hockey results so far
17:50 , Will CastleGroup games:
USA 5-1 Czechia
USA 5-0 Finland
USA 5-0 Switzerland
USA 5-0 Canada
Quarter-final:
USA 6-0 Italy
Semi-final:
USA 5-0 Sweden
Canada ice hockey results
17:51 , Will CastleGroup games:
Canada 4-0 Switzerland
Canada 5-1 Czechia
Canada 0-5 USA
Canada 5-0 Finland
Quarter-final:
Canada 5-1 Germany
Semi-final:
Canada 2-1 Switzerland
How Team GB kept their curling medal hopes alive
17:53 , Flo Clifford in CortinaTeam GB’s men’s curling team kept their hopes of defending or improving their silver medal from Beijing alive as they scraped into the semi-finals - but only because other results went their way.
Bruce Mouat’s rink looked on the verge of defeat on Wednesday but thrashed the USA 9-2 to underline their status as one of the best teams in the world, despite their relative underperformance in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
That result was not enough to book their place in the last four, as they required either Italy or Norway to lose both of their final two round-robin games in order to progress.
Both lost on Wednesday but Team GB endured a nervous wait on Thursday as Norway stormed to a 7-2 lead over already-qualified Canada before being pegged back, while Italy kept unbeaten Switzerland honest in a tense encounter.
However, Italy lost 9-5 after skip Joel Retornaz missed a chance to score three in the eighth end with a poor penultimate stone which put paid to their chances.
Read Flo Clifford’s report of the action from Cortina:
GB men’s curlers scrape into semi-finals to keep hopes of glory alive
Coming up this evening
18:00 , Will CastleSo, we’ve got a big evening of Winter Olympic action to bring you.
Our first focus will be the men’s curling semi-finals, which will see Team GB look to guarantee themselves a medal in Cortina against table-topping Switzerland. That begins in just over half an hour at 6:35pm GMT.
But wait, there’s more! We’ll also be bringing you live updates from the women’s ice hockey final between fierce rivals USA and Canada. Push-back in Milan is in 10 minutes at 6:10pm.
You don’t want to miss any of the action, and neither do we. Stay tuned!
Women's ice hockey final: Here come the teams
18:09 , Will CastleA huge ovation as Canada and USA take to the ice in Milan.
This promises fireworks. We are just moments away from the women’s ice hockey final getting underway.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
18:11 , Will CastleHere comes the face-off... AND WE’RE OFF!
The unmistakeable sound of sticks smacking against each other gets this final underway.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
18:21 , Will Castle1st period
6 mins: Both teams just trying to get the wheels going in these first few minutes. Four shots at goal so far for the Americans, two for the Canadians.
Team USA came closest after breaking forward but it was a good pad save from Desbiens to keep the score goalless.
The US are then caught with too many players on the ice, allowing Canada to start from the penalty zone.
Men's curling semi-finals: T-minus 10 minutes!
18:26 , Will CastleJust under 10 minutes until Bruce Mouat’s rink bids to keep Team GB’s curling medal hopes alive in the men’s semi-final against Switzerland.
Can they avenge the women’s heartbreak? Or will it be more misery for the Brits?
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
18:30 , Will Castle1st period
12 mins: Still goalless in Milan but Canada are getting a few more looks on net. Their trouble is getting it through those big American defenders.
Four shots apiece so far - but the longer this stays goalless, the more USA will need to really dig in.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
18:34 , Will Castle1st period
14 mins: HUGE chances in succession for Canada, who finally get through that US block.
Frankel makes a massive stop with her shoulder to deny Stacey - there was a bit of space above the Americans shoulder pad, but Stacey just couldn’t find the corner.
The defending champion then come close again, but just can’t find the net.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland vs GB
18:36 , Will CastleBoth teams shake hands and are onto the ice. We are just about to get underway.
Now or never for GB’s curling medal hopes.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
18:42 , Will Castle1st period
18 mins: Canada get the power play but it’s the US who are beginning to really probe.
The defending champions are looking a tad ragged and are getting caught out by the backdoor pass that is allowed the US to break away on the counter.
Some huge defensive recoveries prevent any real damage from being done to Desbiens’ goal.
The US have had five shots, Canada have had eight. This game is so finely balanced.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-0 Canada
18:44 , Will Castle1st period
20 mins: With 14.1 seconds left, the US are playing their first power play.
Canada’s goal will be simply to get out of the first period unscathed.
Women's ice hockey final: Goalless between USA and Canada after first period
18:48 , Will CastleA big scare at the end for Canada as the USA see an effort just go the wrong side of the post, and that’s all she wrote for the first period!
Still all to play for in this gold medal match.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 0-0 GB
18:52 , Will CastleSwitzerland start with the hammer, giving GB the objective of at the very least preventing a flying start for their opponents.
At one point it looked like GB were at risk of giving away a couple points, but after a bit of drama that saw Mouat and his counterpart get mixed up trying to sweep each other’s stone out of the house, the Brits manage to prevent any real damage from being done.
No animosity after the tumble - a nice change given the shadow that’s been cast over curling at these Games - and Switzerland blank the first end.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 2-0 GB
19:05 , Will CastleSwitzerland once again with the hammer after blanking the first end, and they more than make up for any missed opportunity by notching two big points in the second.
They played it very well, with GB unable to get the edge with their last stone and leaving the button open to take.
The Brits have work to do.
GOAL! Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
19:08 , Will Castle2nd period
1 min: Within a minute of the restart, the USA’s resistance is broken!
Stacey breaks forward before squaring it to O’Neill, who shows incredible poise to control the puck, cut across the American defender and slide into the net.
The reigning Olympic champions have the lead!
Zoe Atkin shoots to top of leaderboard after first halfpipe freeski qualifying run
19:11 , Will CastleGB’s Zoe Atkin just kicked off her halfpipe freeski campaign and produced a very impressive first qualifying run!
She records a score of 91.50 and comfortably shifts into first place.
Defending Olympic champion Eileen Gu also fell on her first run.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
19:17 , Will Castle2nd period
12 mins: Two huge opportunities to equalise go begging for the US.
The first falls to Bilka, who just shoots too high after having it put on a plate for her by Murphy.
But a couple minutes later, it’s Wynne who has the goal at her mercy but the American is denied by the keeper. The puck fell to the best player from a Canadian perspective - Wynne is not exactly a heavy goalscorer.
Then up the other end, Canada look to capitalise on the US’ missed chances and so nearly force it over the line - but it’s smothered by the stopper!
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 2-2 GB
19:20 , Will CastleWith the hammer, it’s a perfect response from Team GB, who produce the takeouts when it matters.
GB went into their final stone with red in the four-foot, though Switzerland had put themselves in a decent position themselves after getting ahead of the guard.
But the Brits ensure there are no steals this time, knocking one yellow out of play and drifting another red into the button to seal two points. And we’re all square!
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
19:23 , Will Castle2nd period
12 mins: The US are in the ascendency after falling behind. They’ve upped the ante and are really looking the most likely to score next at this rate.
The Americans boast more possession over the past five minutes and have had 14 shots to Canada’s 11.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
19:30 , Will Castle2nd period
5 mins: How have the US not equalised?!
The goal is gaping Curl but as she swings her stick, she finds herself under pressure from a Canada body and fires agonisingly wide from close range.
With just over five minutes to play, that miss could be pivotal - but it is ALL Team USA right now.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 4-2 GB
19:33 , Will CastleSwitzerland get the upper hand in the fourth end but it’s not like GB aren’t putting pressure on them.
A wonderful double takeout from Hardie saw a British red become the only stone in the house, even if that was temporary.
However, GB just let it slip away after their clearance of the house opens up the opportunity for Switzerland to score two with their final stone - and they do just that.
The Brits will be disappointed with that.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
19:35 , Will Castle2nd period
18 mins: This game has been so fast and while the US had upped the ante, it’s their keeper that has kept them in this final.
A game-saving stop denies Fillier before the stopper stands firm and prevents the puck from sneaking under her.
Canada are anything but home and dry yet. But the US are running out of time in the second period.
Women's ice hockey final: Canada lead USA after second period
19:42 , Will CastleAnother huge save to deny Fillier keeps the USA’s deficit at just one - and there goes the buzzer.
Canada see out the second and will go into the final period in pole position for gold. But given how quickly this match has moved, you get the feeling things could change like that.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 4-3 GB
19:50 , Will CastleBritain are back with the hammer but things don’t completely go their way heading into the final stages of the fifth end, with Mouat’s attempt at a takeout just coming short.
Switzerland then look to try and draw round the reds in guard and place a yellow into the four foot - it ends up going a tad heavy but they’ll settle for the six foot.
GB’s final stone in response goes beyond the button and the four foot but they do get a point on the board as it stops in the six foot.
Even still, it’s advantage Switzerland.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
19:58 , Will Castle3rd period
1 min: Into the final 20 minutes of this gold medal match.
Canada have the advantage but heavy favourites Team USA showed they were capable of flipping this game on its head for much of that second period.
All eyes on Milan.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 4-4 GB
20:09 , Will CastleAfter a slightly underwhelming first five ends, Team GB will be hoping that this becomes a semi-final of two halves. They’re only one behind going into the sixth but Switzerland have the hammer.
Switzerland start well and with yellows in the button and four foot, they knock a red stone out from the back of the house. GB respond with a guard shot.
With their third final shot, GB take the button but are playing a risky game with three yellows still in the house. It looks like they’re going to need a double take-out soon enough to score well in this end.
But just as things look to be leaning in the Swiss’ favour, they succumb to a big mistake as their attempt to take out the central red sees them knock out their own yellow, with GB’s stone stopping dead.
Mouat’s next shot, however, lines up a potential triple takeout for Switzerland. The Swiss manage a double, leaving Mouat’s rink with a lot of work to do.
GB produce a big final shot, getting into the button but with a slither of stone for the Swiss still to aim at behind the guard. They go for it... but hit their own yellow and spin out!
It’s a steal for Britain, when it could have easily been two or three tow Switzerland. What a swing.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
20:12 , Will Castle3rd period
9 mins: Canada are holding and have had a couple of sights at goal themselves. The USA have 25 shots to Canada’s 23.
With just over 10 minutes to play, the gold medals are being polished...
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
20:22 , Will Castle3rd period
14 mins: No surprise that Canada are defending for their life but the US now find themselves in hot water after Curl crashes into Ambrose.
It’s a penalty for Canada for boarding, meaning they’ll get the power play. But after review, Curl avoids a five-minute sit-out.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 5-4 GB
20:26 , Will CastleStill with the hammer, Switzerland make no mistake as the seventh end progresses as they build up three yellows in the house.
They look like they’ll have a shot for at least two, even if GB get the double takeout with their final stone.
But here comes Bruce Mouat... and he gets the triple! That’s an animated reaction for his standards.
Switzerland’s last yellow just stays inside the four-foot meaning they get one. GB will settle for a one-point deficit as they take the hammer.
Women's ice hockey final: USA 0-1 Canada
20:28 , Will Castle3rd period
18 mins: A HUGE save from Frankel with her helmet to deny Poulin and Canada a second goal.
Has that kept the US in it?
GOAL! Women's ice hockey final: USA 1-1 Canada
20:29 , Will Castle3rd period
18 mins: IT’S WHAT LEGENDS ARE MADE OF!
Knight gets the USA on level terms with 124 seconds to go with a deflected strike, making Olympic history as she breaks the points record!
Un-be-lievable!
Women's ice hockey final: Late USA equaliser sends game to overtime
20:33 , Will CastleWe are going to overtime, folks!
Hilary Knight’s last-gasp strike cancelled out Kristin O’Neill’s second-period opener, and Canada - from the verge of defending their Olympic title - now have all the work to do again.
What drama.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 5-6 GB
20:44 , Will CastleGB have the hammer and Bruce Mouat’s heroics in the last end now need to be capitalised on.
That’s exactly what the Brits do, with creating a scenario that sees the Swiss come up just too short with their final stone.
It leaves a huge opening for Mouat to secure two points. He could be ambitious and go for something even better, but the Scotsman goes safe and creeps his stone into the four foot to give Britain the lead!
That’s the turnaround GB needed - and with two ends to go, they lead by one.
Women's ice hockey final: Sudden death time
20:50 , Will CastleWe are going to overtime. That means this gold medal match will be won by a golden goal, assuming that comes inside the next 20 minutes.
If not, the buzzer will sound and this will go to a shootout.
It could take 10 seconds, it could take 19 minutes. For Canada and the USA, the time is NOW!
Women's ice hockey final: USA 1-1 Canada
20:53 , Will CastleOvertime
2 mins: We are back underway. It’s all the US to start with as Canada look tentative, but suddenly the Canadians break away on for a one-on-one!
It’s a huge backcheck from the recovering Murphy to put Watts off, a gold-medal-saving intervention.
GOLDEN GOAL! USA BEAT CANADA TO WIN ICE HOCKEY GOLD!
20:57 , Will CastleTEAM USA HAVE DONE IT!
Megan Keller produces the goal of her life, flicking it between the arm and the leg the Canadian keeper to crush the dreams of the defending champions!
What. A. Turnaround.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 5-6 GB
21:04 , Will CastleRight, we’ve been a bit waylaid with the drama in the ice hockey that the ninth end has been and gone in this crucial semi-final.
It was an end of constant takeouts and Switzerland opted to blank to ensure they went into the 10th end with the hammer.
GB remain ahead by a point. This is incredibly tense.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 5-6 GB
21:07 , Will CastleWe’re getting deep into the 10th end and GB are in a good position, even if Hardie’s expression doesn’t make it look so.
They’ve got three reds in the house in a vertical line, one of which is in the button, and they are helped by position of a yellow that prevents a simple triple takeout.
The Swiss have taken a time-out with four stones to throw...
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 5-6 GB
21:10 , Will CastleThe Swiss feather their next stone into the four foot, which is then knocked out by GB - it’s a decent effort but they would have liked that to tuck in a little bit further into the button.
Maybe an opportunity for a double here. Every shot is crucial and this time Switzerland only go for the single.
Now it’s time for GB to call a time-out.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 5-6 GB
21:15 , Will CastleSwitzerland currently have two stones controlling the four foot, something which is targeted by GB after their time-out as they knock one out of the house.
The Swiss respond getting another into the six foot and with their last stone, GB will need to find a way of blocking this.
The big question is whether GB will play for the win or the draw, which would send this to one more end - and perhaps give GB a better chance to seal victory.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 5-6 GB
21:18 , Will CastleHere comes Mouat.
His throw initially looks a bit too wide but the sweepers manage to get it back in and it settles in the four foot.
It’s a great, great shot. Pressure on the Swiss.
Men's curling semi-finals: Switzerland 5-8 GB
21:19 , Will CastleSwitzerland need to tap this yellow in... AND THEY’VE TAPPED IT TOO FAR!
Team GB are into the men’s curling gold medal match and are guaranteed a place on the podium!
A very impressive performance. See you on Saturday night, boys!
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