Great Britain qualify for men’s curling semi-final after Switzerland beat Italy

Britain’s men’s curling team will contest the Olympic semi-finals on Thursday evening after a defeat for Italy saw them scrape through to the next stage.

Bruce Mouat’s side needed either Switzerland or Canada – both of whom had already qualified for the medal matches – to beat Italy or Norway respectively.

Switzerland made a bright start with two points in the first end and led at the halfway mark 4-1.

While the Italy side staged a renaissance to bring it back to 7-5 at the conclusion of eighth end, Switzerland took two points in the ninth, prompting the Italians to offer a handshake at 5-9 down.

Britain will face Switzerland in their semi-final after Canada lost 8-6 to Norway, with those two teams now meeting again in the other match.

Canada clashed with Mouat’s side – playing as the Scotland team – in last year’s world championship semi-finals, with the Scots triumphing 7-4 before going on to win the title.

He said: “It wasn’t the case at all – we played hard. It’s a little different not having Benny (Hebert, who was rested for the match) out there, he’s a big part of our team but no, absolutely not.

“We were giving it everything we could to win.

Of Hebert’s substitution by Tyler Tardi, Kennedy added: “That was all about trying to preserve some energy for tonight. Other than me, I think he’s maybe the second oldest Canadian Olympian.

“He’s been sweeping his butt off all week so to give him a morning of rest, to rest his back and everything, we are going to need him tonight, so that’s all that was.

“It was also a great opportunity for Tyler to play his first full Olympic game, I thought he played great.”