First medal for Team GB of the Beijing Winter Olympics

It's a silver in the men's curling!

Beijing Winter Olympics
Published 19th Feb 2022
Last updated 19th Feb 2022

Team GB had to settle for a silver medal in the men's curling final in Beijing after narrowly losing out to Sweden 5-4 in the final.

Forced to try an ambitious effort to salvage an improbable win against the hammer, Bruce Mouat's attempted take-out missed by inches to give Swedish skip Niklas Edin his first Olympic crown.

Edinburgh's Bruce Mouat and his team were never in front after losing two in the second end.

Nevertheless, the 27-year-old along with Hammy McMillan, Bobby Lammie, Grant Hardie and alternate Ross Whyte, all from Dumfries and Galloway, can take solace in becoming Britain's first medalists of the Games.

It was an impressive display by Edin, a former soldier in the Swedish army with five world titles to his name.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has congratulated the all Scottish team on their achievement:

Mr Drummond, who coached Mouat and Jennifer Dodds in the mixed doubles, said the men will be "devastated" but will "fight tooth and nail" to win gold in four years.

He said: "It was a really, really high standard match, the best two teams in the world going toe to toe for the gold medal and the standard was through the roof.

"That's the way a gold medal should be fought for.

"The boys will be hardened right now, it's a tough one to take, They set their team up four years ago to win this gold medal but I don't doubt for one minute their day will come.

"I think they just have to reflect on the journey as a whole, and that that journey is not possible without the National Lottery funding. Everyone that plays the National Lottery in the UK is supporting British sport and moments like this in particular.

"At the end of the day, we have to remember they won a silver medal so it's definitely an achievement to be proud of."

Watching the game from a viewing party in Edinburgh, he added:

"The atmosphere has been great in Edinburgh this morning. I've really enjoyed my time here watching the game but I think everyone in British curling is really proud of both teams.

"We've delivered two medals, hopefully the girls can go one better in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

The women's four of Wright, skipper Eve Muirhead, Jennifer Dodds and Hailey Duff, face Japan early on Sunday aiming to become Britain's first Olympic champions since Rhona Martin's team in Salt Lake City in 2002.

Mr Drummond added: "There's just an incredible amount of work that goes on back at our training centre, I have a front row seat to Bruce Moat and the guys and there's no rest for the wicked - they are chasing perfection.

"This team is phenomenal, the curling IQ level is through the roof.

"Grant Hardie in particular, I can't speak highly enough of his intelligence. It's a pleasure to watch them play.

"The shotmaking from Bruce as the skip is up there - he's the best last rock thrower we've had in Scotland - I'll go on record and say that."

Speaking after the game an emotional Bobby Lammie said:

"I don't know what to say. Personally I wasn't at my best today. I'm gutted for the boys.

"I think we fought back well in the second half, gave ourselves position and couldn't quite get over the line. Right now it hurts."

McMillan added:

"We've had a good week, it's not how we wanted to end it but we'll look back at this and we'll be proud. Right now it kind of sucks."