#BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings
How did #ECC2022 results shake up the mountain?
On one hand we had a champion #DefendTheIce and continue to stake their claim as one of the best in the world.
But was it enough to move atop the Power Rankings mountain?
The European Curling Championships have always been one of my favourite events on the annual curling calendar. And the 2022 edition did not disappoint.
We saw more parity in European curling than ever before.
Turkey owned the podium for best growth of a developing curling nation with both the men and women qualifying for the 2023 world championships.
Italy, a nation in the past similar to Turkey of the present, saw both teams qualify for the playoffs and the men walk away with another bronze medal.
And we saw Sweden not land on the podium...a first in the history of the European Curling Championships, which dates back to 1975.
Of course we also saw some expected results.
Switzerland playing for both championships and, ultimately, coming home with the double silver medal.
Scotland continues to be a world curling power in taking home the men's title and women's bronze, perhaps a #TeamUpset result though.
But perhaps nothing will triumph the story of the ECC women's champions: Denmark!
Heading into the 2022 competition, in the history of the championships, Denmark had landed on the women's podium a total of 12 times and have only reached the final 4 times. They had one ECC title to their credit, back in 1994 with Team Helena Blach Lavrsen.
For comparison, Sweden has 21 women's titles and 37 podium finishes.
Now no discredit to Madeleine Dupont of course. She has a curling resume any athlete in the sport would love to have.
3 Olympic appearances. 2 world championship medals. 3 European championship medals.
We knew she would be a playoff threat but a championship contender was perhaps a bit of most people's radar.
Don't tell the smiling, dancing, pink coat wearing skip otherwise. Her team stayed calm and loose all event and slid right to the top of the podium with a championship win.
The second Euro title for Denmark and the biggest win in the career of the Dupont sisters.
This is why we play the games folks. #ECC2022 showed the curling world Europe is deeper than perhaps we thought. Parity is living large. And the Europeans are coming for that world championship once again.
Perhaps the #TwineTime midterm grades were spot on as well.
Denmark's Team Dupont and Scotland's Team Mouat received A+ grades.
As did Italy's Team Retornaz.
Both Swiss teams earned an A grade.
And perhaps the C grade for Scotland's Team Morrison was the fire on ice needed to make the push to the podium (Ok, realistically I know that is not true but lets pretend, shall we?).
Lets also give a shout out to the ECC 2022 B-Division podium:
Men - Netherlands (Team Gosgens), Finland (Team Kiiskinen), France (Team Mercier)
Women - Estonia (Team Kaldvee), Czech Republic (Team Zelingrova), Lithuania (Team Paulauskaite)
Note, the midterm grades did hand out an A+ grade to Lithuania and France. Both made huge strides towards the A-Division this year and should be considered a main contender in next year's B-Division.
Netherlands, Finland, Estonia and Czech Republic earned promotion back to the Euro A-Division for 2023.
Interestingly enough, these are the same 4 nations who were relegated to B-Division in 2021. They were there for a good time...and a short time.
On the flip side, relegation is at play of course.
Spain, Denmark (men) and Hungary, Latvia (women) will be relegated to the ECC 2023 B-Division.
Ukraine, Slovenia (men) and Slovakia, Spain (women) will be relegated to the ECC 2023 C-Division.
We may not like relegation but it is the way the system works and, if we are being honest, it does make sense for continental championships like ECC and the new Pan Continental Curling Championships.
Here is your quick and dirty runback of all the weekend action.
#TheRunback
National
🥌 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships (Women) - New Brunswick (Team Park) defeated Ontario (Team Cadorin). NB went 3-2 in the RR to advance to the championship playoff bracket, where they went 4-0 to claim the title. This included an A-qualifier win over Ontario. Ontario went 2-3 in the RR to claim the final championship playoff bracket spot. They reached the Final Four via the B-qualifier win over Alberta. NB defeated Quebec while ONT defeated Nova Scotia in the two SF games. Nova Scotia (Team Harrison) defeated Quebec (Team Neron) for bronze.
🥌 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships (Men) - Ontario (Team Balsdon) defeated Quebec (Team Gibeau). Ontario went 10-0 to claim the title, including 6-0 in the RR and 4-0 in the championship playoff bracket. They defeated Quebec in the A-qualifier and Alberta in the SF. Quebec finished 4-2 in the RR, including a RR loss to Ontario. They reached the Final Four with a B-qualifier win over New Brunswick before knocking off Northern Ontario in the SF. Alberta (Team Johnson) defeated Northern Ontario (Team Mikkelsen) to win bronze.
Men
🥌 European Curling Championship A-Division - Scotland (Team Mouat) def. Switzerland (Team Schwaller). Both finalists went 8-1 in the RR with Switzerland handing Scotland their only loss near the end of the RR. Scotland was the #2 seed entering the playoffs, knocking off #3 Italy (also 8-1 RR record) in the SF. Switzerland defeated #4 seed Sweden (6-3) in the SF. Italy (Team Retornaz) defeated Sweden (Team Eriksson) for bronze.
🥌 European Curling Championship B-Division - Netherlands (Team Gosgens) def. Finland (Team Kiiskinen). Both finalists won their pool with identical 6-1 RR records, earning byes to the SF. The Dutch defeated Latvia in the SF, avenging their RR loss earlier in the event, while Finland knocked off France. France (Team Mercier, 6-1 RR) defeated Latvia (Team Truksans, 5-2 RR) to win bronze.
🥌 Jim Sullivan Curling Classic - Team Thompson (NS) def. Team Kennedy (NB). Thompson went a perfect 7-0 to claim the title, reaching the playoffs with a 4-0 RR record (including a final RR W over Kennedy). Thompson knocked off Team Sullivan (QF) and Team Roach (SF) to make the final. Kennedy reached the playoffs with a 3-1 RR record and defeated Team Everist in the SF.
🥌 50th Mile Zero Cash Spiel - Team Morozumi (JPN) def. Team Yanagisawa (JPN). The all-Japanese final featured B-qualifier Morozumi besting undefeated A-qualifier Yanagisawa in the final. Morozumi knocked off Team Webb (QF) and Team Cseke (SF) to reach the final. Yanagisawa earned the sole SF bye in the championship bracket and defeated Team Kleiter in the SF.
🥌 Stu Sells Cookstown Classic - Team Champ (ONT) def. Team Ferris (ONT). Champ took the #CSideGrind path the playoffs, rebounding with 3 straight must win games after opening the event with back-to-back losses. They were the first team into the C bracket and the last team standing overall. Ferris qualified for the playoffs via the A-side and was undefeated heading into the final. Champ defeated Team McNamara (QF) and Team Rooney (SF) in the playoffs while Ferris, earning the SF bye), defeated Team Kean to reach the final.
🥌 Challenge de Curling Desjardins - Team Epping (ONT) def. Team Asselin (QC). Both teams qualified for the playoffs via the A-side and were undefeated entering the final. Epping defeated Team Purcell (QF) and Team Roberge (SF) to make the final while Asselin knocked off Team Flemming (QF) and Team Sato (SF) to reach the championship.
Women
🥌 European Curling Championship A-Division - Denmark (Team Dupont) def. Switzerland (Team Tirinzoni). Denmark finished the RR atop the table with an 8-1 record, securing the #1 seed in the playoffs. Their only defeat was against Turkey after wrapping up a playoff spot earlier in the competition. They defeated #4 seed Scotland (5-4 RR) in the SF. Switzerland was the #3 seed in the playoffs with a 6-3 record. They avenged their final RR loss to #2 Italy (6-3 RR) in the SF. Scotland (Team Morrison) defeated Italy (Team Constantini) for bronze.
🥌 European Curling Championship B-Division - Estonia (Team Kaldvee) def. Czech Republic (Team Zelingrova). Both finalists finished tied atop the RR standings with 8-1 records. Czech Republic earned the #1 seed due to defeating Estonia in the RR. The Czech's only loss was against Lithuania in their opening game. Estonia defeated Lithuania (7-2 RR) in the SF while Czech Republic defeated Slovenia (5-4 RR). Lithuania (Team Paulauskaite) defeated Slovenia (Team Zavrtanik Drglin) to win bronze. This is the first ever medal for Lithuania and a result that has been years in the making. Not bad for a nation with no dedicated curling facility and ice! #growthesport
🥌 Jim Sullivan Curling Classic - Team Birt (PEI) def. Team Kelly (NB). Both teams entered the playoffs as the top seeds with identical 4-0 RR records, earning byes to the SF. Birt defeated Team Daigle and Kelly defeated Team Powers to ensure a battle of undefeated teams in the final. For Birt, this is her 3rd straight Jim Sullivan final, having lost the 2019 final and winning the 2018 title.
🥌 Regina Highland SWCT Event - Team Barker (SK) def. Team Anderson (SK). Both teams reached the playoffs from Pool A with identical 3-1 RR records. Barker lost their opener (vs. Team Mitchell) and never lost again, including a RR W vs. Anderson. Barker defeated Team Martin (QF) and Team Tisdale (SF) to reach the final. Anderson knocked off Team Mitchell (QF) and Team Holland (SF) to advance to the championshi.
🥌 Home Again Curling Classic - Team Brandwood (ONT) def. Team Rozon (ONT). Both teams qualified for the playoffs out of Pool A with Brandwood having a perfect 3-0 record while Rozon was 2-1. The final was a rematch of both teams opening game, which Brandwood won in an extra end. Brandwood defeated Team Burns (QF) and Team Croisier (SF) to reach the final undefeated. Rozon defeated Team Howard (QF) and Team Rizzo (SF) to make the final.
Mixed Doubles
🥌 Curling Stadium Alberta Curling Series Doubles - Team Papley / van Amsterdam (AB) def. Team Carey / Hodgson (MB/NOnt). Papley/van Amsterdam finished 3-1 in the RR to reach the playoffs and earned a SF bye. They knocked off Korea's Team Kim/Jeong in the SF. Carey/Hodgson also went 3-1 in the RR and defeated Poland's Team Walczak/Augustyniak (QF) and Team Kalk/MacAlpine (SF). The SF win avenged their RR loss.
With all the results officially declared in #TheRunback, what will become of the updated Power Rankings mountain?
#PowerRankings
Women
1. Team Dupont (7) - Dupont not only won the Euro Championship but she dominated the field from opening rock to closing rock. They took only 1 loss all event, vs. Turkey in a game after securing a playoff spot. Some may find this ascension to the top of the mountain controversial BUT have you dominated a Euro field in the same manner as this team did last week? No? Alright then! Welcome to Pink Coat Season folks.
2. Team Tirinzoni (1) - The world champs just had no answer for the Danish Destroyers this week, losing to them in the RR and the final. However, they did reach the final once again solidifying their spot as one of the best (and most consistent) teams in the world. Sure the finals loss may sting as they were the overwhelming favourites entering the event but you have to think it will only fuel them heading into the 2023 world championships. A vengeful Swiss team is not a team anyone should want to face.
3. Team Homan (2) - Taking a weekend off is not a punishable offense by the mountain. They just slip up a bit because of the Euro champs making their move.
4. Team Fujisawa (3) - See above.
5. Team Gim (4) - See above...again.
6. Team Einarson (5) - There may be a theme going here....
7. Team Scheidegger (6) - Yup, there is a theme here.
8. Team Morrison (NR) - Well, who saw that coming? Scotland's Team Morrison did not look like a playoff threat through most of the Euro championships, let alone a podium challenger. Yet, here they were winning their final RR games and being on the plus side of the TB formula to make the playoffs. They were blitzed by Denmark (who wasn't though?) before surprising Italy to win the bronze medal. Many were wondering what to make out of Scottish women's curling with the retirement of Eve Muirhead. This was a huge slide in the right direction for this team and keeps Scotland in the world discussion. The question is can they maintain their momentum now?
9. Team Constantini (NR) - Denmark was dominating. Switzerland was favoured. Scotland was surprising. Was there any team who flew through the Euro RR more under the radar (and less talked about) than Italy's Team Constantini? We knew they could be a possible playoff challenger but a podium contender was a bit surprising. When they knocked off Switzerland in the final RR game to secure the #2 seed, people may have started taking notice. Sure they went 0-2 in the playoffs to finish 4th overall but this was a strong result for this team as they continue to put together their best season ever. A dark horse world championship playoff threat now?
10. Team Birt (NR) - Lets give some love to #TheIslanders for their championship win this past weekend. Birt thrives Fredericton, reaching her third consecutive final at the Jim Sullivan and regaining her title from 2018.
Hon. Mention: Team Hasselborg, Team Kaldvee, Team Lawes, Team Wrana, Team Ha
Men
1. Team Mouat (T5) - Last week's Power Rankings said THIS was the Team Mouat we all know and love and expect to see on the ice. Well chalk it up another level as the Scottish lads #DefendTheIce, win another Euro title and take the climb to #1 on the mountain. This team has now won 3 of the past 4 Euro's. When does the "dynasty team" discussions start?
2. Team Schwaller (8) - Everything fell into line at the end of the RR for Team Schwaller to secure the #1 seed in the playoffs. They knocked off Team Mouat. Then Mouat knocked off Italy's Team Retornaz. Fate seemed to be on their side. And then they ran into juggernaut Mouat in the Euro final. But a silver medal finish is nothing to hang your head about. Skipper Yannick Schwaller may want the Euro's in Sweden every year. Last time, in 2019, he also reached the final. Sure he lost (vs. Sweden's Team Edin) but these two Euro's have been his curling resume highlights to date. This new team is having one heck of a season together. And did we see the first chapter of an on-going rivalry start to build vs. Team Mouat?
3. Team Dunstone (1) - You know the drill.....
4. Team Koe (2) - As expected and following the same logic as the women's mountain.
5. Team Retornaz (T5) - Winning the Euro bronze might have some of you wondering why they did not move above the #5 spot on the mountain? And, agreed, it was a tough choice to make. But the RR and SF losses to Mouat, whom they were T5 with last week, keeps them from moving up while the bronze medal win ensures their spot in the Top 5.
6. Team Gushue (4) - The team from The Rock slipped up a bit because those Euro teams were tossing rocks down the mountain while competing last week. The stumble is minor and, most likely, temporary.
7. Team Whyte (7) - The "other" Scottish lads hold their position at #7 this week after stringing together 3 straight weeks of great results before taking some time off. One has to wonder though....is this team excited to see their Scottish counterparts win the Euro title or do you start to wonder if Team Mouat are just going to be the face that run the place for Scottish men's curling for years to come? Are they a strong team competing in the wrong time, similar to what we saw for years in tennis with some good players competing against the great Big 4?
8. Team Edin/Eriksson (3) - You hate to "punish" a team like Team Edin/Eriksson too hard on the mountain from the Euro result. They made the playoffs after all. But losing the SF to Switzerland and bronze medal game to Italy to ensure no Swedish team is on the podium is a bitter pill to swallow. On the flip side, they were playing with 4 teammates for the first time in weeks and maybe all the on-ice competitions, travel and stress they are under caught up to them on home ice.
9. Team Gosgens (NR) - Giving some love to #TeamOranje! It must not have been easy for Team Gosgens to be back in Euro B-Division knowing they were fighting for promotion. And earning promotion can be a bitter pill as well in knowing you won B-Division but will not be competing at the upcoming world championship. We have come to just expect the Dutch boys to be reppin' the orange at the world championship but not the case this year. However, credit to them on fighting for their A-Division spot once again. Perhaps this will be the fire lit under their sliders to motivate them for the rest of the this season and, more importantly, into next season.
10. Team Bottcher (9) - We cannot make Team Bottcher's return to the Top 10 be a one week stop, can we? They cling on to the final spot on the mountain...for now. If Japan's Team Yanagisawa had won the tour title this weekend, they probably would have stole this spot.
Hon. Mention: Team Yanagisawa, Team Dropkin, Team Shuster, Team Sluchinski, Team Flasch
#StayTuned
This is the pre-slam weekend on tour, usually meaning most teams will take the weekend off to prepare for the next #gsoc event, the WFG Masters, starting next week in Oakville, Ontario.
But there are still events hitting tour ice this weekend of course, including a monstrous Mixed Doubles Super Series event in Winnipeg.
Plus the World Mixed Doubles Qualification Event gets underway in Scotland.
And remember the 2022 Everest Canadian Senior's Curling Championships will begin on Sunday in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Lots of curling to focus on and watch. The temperature outside may be dipping but the intensity on the ice is heating up.
Enjoy the week.
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