STAVANGER, November 24 (R-Sport) – Russia’s hopes of retaining the European women’s curling title took a heavy blow Sunday with a second straight defeat.
The 9-6 loss to an outsider Czech Republic team leaves Russia skip Anna Sidorova on a 0-2 record after Saturday’s opening 11-6 defeat to Scotland in a rematch of last year’s final.
"There's no nerves, there's just disappointment," Russia lead Yekaterina Galkina told R-Sport. "We know how we can play and we're not playing like we should be. What we're displaying now, that's not our level."
Switzerland, Sweden and Scotland share the lead in Stavanger with 2-0 records. The round robin stage is played over nine games with the top four reaching the playoffs.
In the third round of games later Sunday, Russia faces Sweden.
Russia is a contender to claim a first-ever Olympic medal at its home Winter Games in Sochi on February 7-23.
