European Curling Championships: Scots to contest bronze

Eve Muirhead's rink lie in equal third place going into the final match of the round-robin

Scotland's women will contest the bronze medal game at the European Curling Championships after they lost to Denmark in their play-off.

The Danes established a 3-0 lead early on before coming through convincing winners 8-3 after just eight ends.

"We just weren't sharp enough, we always seemed to be chasing," Scotland skip Muirhead told BBC Sport.

Earlier, the Scottish men salvaged their World Championship place for next year by beating Germany.

Eve Muirhead's team will play the loser of the semi-final between Denmark and Russia for bronze on Friday evening.

"Bronze medal games are tough," continued Muirhead. "We got to experience that at the Winter Olympics and managed to come out on top there.

"So we'll go in with the same mentality as then. I don't want to leave here without a medal."

In the 1 versus 2 play-off game, world champions Switzerland defeated hitherto-unbeaten Russia 6-5 to reach the gold medal match - and with it a guaranteed silver.

Meanwhile, Scotland will have a team at the men's World Championship after Dave Edwards' rink beat Germany 8-6 in a play-off to finish seventh in the standings in Switzerland.

The top seven teams qualify automatically, while those finishing eighth must enter a play-off series with the nation topping the 'B' division.

"I'm just absolutely delighted, the pressure was on us to come out and win that game," said Edwards.

"We probably played as well as we've done all week and it was just so, so important to get the win for Scotland to secure that World Championship spot.

"It's been a huge learning experience for us. It's my first time skipping at this level and the first time for the other guys as well."