World Men's Curling Championship: Scotland to play Canada for gold

Scotland won 10 of their 12 round-robin contests in Canada, before a tense win over Italy

Scotland will meet host nation Canada in the final of the World Men's Curling Championship after a tense extra-end victory over Italy in Ottawa.

Bruce Mouat's rink progressed straight to the semi-finals by finishing second in the round-robin standings with 10 wins and two defeats.

The Italians led 4-2 after four ends and then clawed back two in the tenth to make it 8-8.

However, Mouat held his nerve to make sure of one point in the extra end.

"It's going to be a really tough game against the Canadians in their home country, but that's what I envisioned as a kid growing up, playing in Canada against Canada at a world men's final," said Mouat.

"It's going to be special, so hopefully we can come out and play as good as we can and hopefully get that gold medal."

Canada were fourth in the round-robin but beat defending champions Sweden for the second time this week, a thumping 9-1 win taking them into the semis.

Switzerland had lost just once before on the Ottawa ice but the Canadians went on to win 7-5 to book their gold medal showdown with Scotland.

Mouat and team-mates Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie and Hammy McMillan lost out to Sweden in last year's Olympic final, and the 2021 world final.

Scotland last won a men's world title in 2009.

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