Solid Danish effort gives curling defeat to the Olympic host
Denmark's women's curling team dominated Italy, winning 7-2, which positions them strongly for the semifinals in the Winter Olympics.
In a decisive match at the Stadio Olympico Del Ghiaccio, Denmark's women's curling team showcased a remarkable performance, defeating the host nation Italy with a score of 7-2. Led by skip Madeleine Dupont and her team of Mathilde Halse, Jasmin Holtermann, and Denise Dupont, the Danish team maintained control throughout the game, ultimately forcing Italy to concede after eight ends. This victory marks Denmark's third win out of five matches in the tournament, significantly boosting their chances of qualifying for the semifinals, as they now aim for a top-four finish.
Italy's performance in the tournament has been disappointing, with the team losing all five of their matches so far. Despite having invested heavily in preparing for this year’s Winter Olympics on home soil, the Italian women’s team has struggled to find their rhythm, compounded by a tumultuous lead-up to the event. Notably, during the team selection just before the Games, long-standing player Angela Romei was unexpectedly left out of the squad and replaced by 19-year-old Rebecca Mariani, which raised eyebrows given that Mariani is the daughter of Marco Mariani, the technical director for the Italian Curling Federation.
Romei's exclusion and the ensuing controversy over potential nepotism have added to the turbulent atmosphere within the Italian team, which could be a significant factor in their lackluster performance. Despite their ambitions and preparations, it seems the Italian team may need to regroup and address internal issues as they continue to face tough competition in the Olympic event.