U.S. Upsets Sweden

OGDEN, Utah — The U.S. men split their opening day curling matches Monday, including a 10-5 upset of world champion Sweden.

U.S. skip Tim Somerville made a difficult shot to beat Sweden. Leading, 4-3, in the seventh end, or inning, Somerville used an angle shot to knock one stone into the Swedish stone and push them out of scoring position.

“It was like a 1-in-20 shot, but it was kind of the only one I had,” Somerville said. “I feel like I have won a medal already. But there is still a long, long journey to go.”

In other first-round play in the 10-team tournament, Finland defeated Denmark, 9-3, Germany topped France, 9-5, and Canada, the 2000 world champion, edged Britain. 6-4.

The Americans, who finished fourth in 1998, lost their second match to Canada, 8-3. In other second round matches, Switzerland beat Norway, 5-4, Denmark defeated France, 8-7, and Germany beat Finland, 7-6.

The top four teams advance to the semifinals beginning on Feb. 20.

In women’s play, the favored Canadians defeated Sweden, 5-4, Germany defeated Russia, 8-5, Switzerland beat Norway, 10-6, and Britain beat Norway, 10-6. The U.S. women begin play Tuesday.