HOMAN BATTLES TO BITTER END

Canada’s Rachel Homan falls just short in world curling semifinal,

RIGA, LATVIA— Canada’s Rachel Homan will settle for an appearance in the bronze-medal game at the world women’s curling championship after dropping an 8-7 semifinal decision to Scotland’s Eve Muirhead on Saturday night.

Homan had last-shot advantage in the final end. With Scotland sitting two, the Ottawa skip attempted a double takeout but the stone jammed and Muirhead stole a point for the victory.

“We played really well and we deserved the win,” Homan said. “It’s too bad it had to end that way but sometimes it happens.”

Muirhead will play Sweden’s Margaretha Sigfridsson for the gold medal on Sunday, while Homan will take on Erika Brown of the United States for the bronze.

The dramatic finish capped an excellent semifinal that featured stellar shot-making and plenty of offence.

“Rachel threw a great attempt at the double but it just hung a little straight on her and they got the win,” said Canadian coach Earle Morris.

Muirhead, a year younger than her 23-year-old counterpart and just as intense, shot 88 per cent on the game. Homan finished at 86 per cent.

The Scot opened with a takeout to score a pair. Homan answered with a draw to the button for a deuce of her own but Muirhead replied with two more points in the third end.

The offence remained steady with Homan hitting a tapback for two to pull even in the fourth. After alternating singles, the Canadians scored a pair in the eighth for a 7-6 lead before Scotland tied it with a single in the ninth.

“It’s one of the finest curling games I can ever remember our team being involved in,” Morris said. “It was a battle. Both teams played really well and made some big shots. It was the kind of game that I think deserved to have the last one made, whether it was Scotland throwing the last shot or Canada throwing the last rock.

“But it’s why we play. You can’t guarantee what the outcomes are going to be.”

Canada hasn’t won a world women’s title since Jennifer Jones was victorious in 2008.