With rapper Snoop Dogg in the stands in the Olympic curling hall, the Wranå siblings played their fourth match in mixed doubles. The American superstar was naturally most interested in cheering on his compatriots Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, wearing a shirt with their faces on it.
Isabella and Rasmus Wranå said they didn’t even notice he was in the hall.
– But it’s fun when big stars come and watch. It gives a little extra attention, said Rasmus Wranå.
After two initial victories, there have been two straight losses. The one against the British duo Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat was founded in the second round, when the Swedes lost a three-pointer despite the last stone, which meant a 4-0 deficit.
The Swedish coach Andreas Prytz called that result a robbery because Wranås played eleven out of twelve stones perfectly. Rasmus Wranå agreed.
– I think we play better than them in two rounds and then we are 4-0 behind. It was a bit snobbish, he said.
The rest of the match was an uphill battle, with Dodds and Mouat, world champions in 2021 and World Cup silver medalists last year, able to guard their lead and cruise to their fourth straight victory.
Isabella Wranå pounded the broom on the court in frustration.
– We are winners and, game-wise, we have what it takes to win. We think we play a good game in the beginning, but miss shots that become costly. It’s frustrating, she said.
Already on on friday afternoon it’s time for the next match when Norway, who have so far been without a win in three matches, will be the opposition. Even for Sweden, the Nordic meeting feels like a must-match.
– All matches are really equally important. I still think we got off to an okay start and if we continue to play well, we have a good chance of going to the playoffs, said Rasmus Wranå.
Snoop Dogg, who often appears at Olympic games, left the hall a happy curling fan. Thiesse and Dropkin won the rivalry meeting with Canada.
The Americans, who won the international major competition in Gothenburg in the intervening days, are thus undefeated after three games.
