Norway and Germany qualify for World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015

Lillehammer, Norway
November 6, 2014

Norway, World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015 qualifiers Photo: Sander Roelvaag

Germany, World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015 qualifiers Photo: Sander Roelvaag

Norway and Germany qualified for the World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015 following the final day of play on 6 November at the World Wheelchair Curling Qualification event taking place in Lillehammer in Norway.

Norway were the first team to qualify after they defeated Latvia 8-1 in the first of the play-off games between the top teams in the A and B Groups.

The Norwegians dominated this game, taking two points in the first end before following that up with five consecutive steals to take an eight point lead after six ends of play.

When Latvian fourth player Polina Rozkova missed a draw for two points and instead took only one point in the seventh end, Latvia decided to concede the game.

The winning team from Norway was skipped by Rune Lorentsen, with Jostein Stordahl at third, Sissel Loechen at second and Terje Rafdal as lead, with support from alternate Ole Fredrik Syversen and coach Per Andreassen.

Afterwards, Norway skip Rune Lorentsen said: “We made so many good shots. I’m not sure if we have ever played that well as a team before! Yesterday we played our worst game of the week, so we decided to really improve our focus for this game, and we did. It worked out so well. I’m very happy with team and everyone that has helped us to get here.”

Germany qualified later in the day when they defeated Latvia 6-5. Skipped by Jens Jaeger, the winning German team included third Christiane Putzich, second Martin Schlitt, lead Heike Melchior, with support from alternate Robert Hering and coach Bernd Weisser.

In this game, Latvia made a good start, but fourth player, Polina Rozkova attempted a double takeout and missed in the third end, giving Germany three points and a 4-1 lead.
Rozkova made amends in the fifth end however, with a draw under pressure to set up a steal of one point to bring the score back to 4-3 in Germany’s favour.

Facing a tough shot in the seventh end, German skip Jens Jaeger made a double take-out with his last stone, forcing Latvia to make a takeout for two points and tie the game at 5-5.

The eighth and final end went down to the last stone. Germany skip Jens Jaeger kept his composure to make a hit and stay for one point and the win, which qualifies Germany for the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in February 2015.

After their win, Germany skip Jens Jaeger was proud of his team’s effort. He said: “It was a very hard game, we missed some shots, but I always had trust in my team. We were great and I’m very proud of them. I am very proud to play in the World Championship and play in Kisakallio (Sports Institute) in Lohja - I hope we can enjoy it. This has been a great event, I must thank all the organisers and the WCF.”

As a result of their victories, Norway and Germany have qualified for the World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015 which will take place in Lohja, Finland between 7 and 14 February 2015.

Following the conclusion of this event the following teams have qualified for the World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015: Canada; Sweden; China; USA; Russia; Scotland; Slovakia; Finland (host); Norway; Germany.

The World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015 will be the first opportunity for nations to gather qualification points for the Wheelchair Curling competition at the Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, Korea in 2018.

For more information on the World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015, visit wwhcc2015.curlingevents.com.

Line Scores:
Latvia: 0000001- 1
Norway*: 2112110 - 8
Germany*: 01300101 - 6
Latvia: 10011020 - 5

*Indicates team with last stone first end

Event Results:

http://www.lillehammercurling.com/wwhcq2014

Final Standings (W-L):

1. Norway 6-0 (qualified for World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015)
2. Germany 6-1 (qualified for World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015)
3. Latvia 4-3
4. Korea 4-2
5. Italy 3-2
6. Czech Republic 3-2
7. Switzerland 2-3
8. Japan 3-2
9. Denmark 1-4
10. Slovenia 1-4
11. Bulgaria 0-5

World Wheelchair Curling Championships Official Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/WorldWheelchairCurlingChampionships