Curling, Italy debuts with a victory at the mixed doubles World Cup: Constantini and Arman beat the Czech Republic

Italy debuted with a nice win at the 2023 Mixed Doubles Curling World Cup, started today on the ice of Gangneung (South Korea). The blues have defeated the Czech Republic 7-4 and they brought themselves provisionally leading Group Astarting in the best possible way the run-up to qualifying for the knockout phase (the first classified goes directly to the semi-finals, second and third will play the playoffs).

Stefania Constantine (Olympic champion of specialty in Beijing 2022 together with Amos Mosaner) e Sebastiano Arman they played with mastery against Julie Zelingrova and Vit Chabicovsky, confirming the forecast of the eve and achieving a remarkable success. The tricolor couple will be back on the ice this morning (11.00) to face the little listed Australia: they will be looking for another victory to confirm themselves at the top of the group, in which the main opponents appear to be Scotland and Canada (rivals in the two matches on Monday 24th April).

THE CHRONICLE OF THE MATCH

The Czechs steal the hand in the opening game and take the lead (1-0), but the Azzurri quickly equalize in the following round (1-1). Zelingrova and Chabicovsky try to make the most of the hammer in the third set and score two valuable points (3-1), but the reaction of Constantini and Arman is not long in coming: perfect game construction and three points brought home in the fourth end for overtaking (4-3), then returning to the ice they snatch the hammer from their rivals and extend their lead (5-3). The Czechs adopt the advantage of moving the two pre-positioned stones and shorten the distances (5-4), but it is our bearers who are more incisive and who perfectly realize the last shot in the seventh end, winning two points which allow to hoist on 7-4 and to close the accounts.

RESULTS FIRST DAY WORLD CURLING MIXED DOUBLES

• South Korea vs Hungary 11-5
• Australia vs Holland 7-6
• Canada vs Scotland 8-4
• Italia vs Czech Republic 7-4
• Denmark vs Estonia 7-6

MIXED DOUBLES CURLING WORLD RANKING

GROUP A:

1. Italy 1 win (1 match played)

1. Australia 1 (1)

1. Canada 1 (1)

1. Denmark 1 (1)

1. South Korea 1 (1)

6. Czech Republic 0 (1)

6. Estonia 0 (1)

6. Hungary 0 (1)

6. Netherlands 0 (1)

6. Scotland 0 (1)

Group B has yet to play its first day.

Photo: FISG