Smith’s sights set firmly on PyeongChang

Perth curler Kyle Smith’s Scotland side challenged the defending champions to the last end of the final of the European Curling Championships before the Swedish rink prevailed to claim the crown for a fourth year in a row.

It was a sterling performance from the Scots who finished fifth when they last competed in the European Championships in 2015 and it was also a reversal of fortunes for Smith who beat Niklas Edin’s quartet the last time they met in a final at this arena, when the Scots claimed the European Masters title.

Smith said after winning silver at his first European final: “It’s been a good week and obviously this is a good stepping stone to PyeongChang but just now it feels a bit raw as I really felt that we could have taken that crown and title.

“The boys played tremendously and I want to thank all of them and the coaching staff for everything during this week. I am just very disappointed with the result to be honest.

“With my last stone I was trying to focus on the weight the boys wanted me to play and I was just too heavy and that could have taken the game to an extra end.”

Smith added: “Missing that draw at the last end was tough and Team Edin are a great team, but I really thought we had them.

“I was trying to focus on the weight the boys wanted me to play and I was just too heavy, but that last stone could have taken the game to an extra end.

“It’s still been a good week and I’m delighted with the boys because they really couldn’t have played better, but I really felt we could have taken that title.

“We need to refocus now and this has made us even more determined heading towards Pyeongchang.”