Wheelchair Curling: Champions Russia Face Tie-Break

17:36 21.02.2013 (Last updated 17:57 21.02.2013)

: Sochi 2014 Venues Move Off the Drawing Board / Photo

• © RIA Novosti. Alex Danichev

© RIA Novosti. Alex Danichev
 

SOCHI, February 21 (R-Sport) - Wheelchair curling world champions Russia must win a three-way tie-break against Scotland and China to keep their hopes of retaining their title alive after the round robin stage ended Thursday.

This year's event is being played at the 2014 Winter Olympic venue of Sochi, and doubles as the final qualifying event for next year's Paralympics.

Russia’s 5-4 defeat to the United States on Thursday prevented the hosts from qualifying automatically for the four-team playoffs, and they finish on a 4-5 win-loss record, level with China and Scotland.

Canada, Sweden and the United States had secured their playoff places Wednesday.

A three-team mini round-robin will now be played to decide which of Russia, Scotland and China will take the final playoff spot. The tie-break will start later Thursday and continue Friday.
At the other end of the table, last year’s losing finalists South Korea are relegated, as are qualifiers Norway.

Whatever happens further in the competition, the list of Paralympic participants is now complete.
Hosts Russia qualify automatically and will be joined by Canada, South Korea, China, Britain, the U.S., Norway, Sweden,