The CO-OP Tour Challenge has reached its concluding stages, and playoff spots are up for grabs. On the final day of preliminary play, Xenia Schwaller and her Swiss team secured a place in the women’s quarterfinals after defeating Stefania Constantini’s Italian squad 6-5. This victory marked the first loss for Constantini’s team in the competition.
Key Moments of the Match
Schwaller initiated her scoring with a steal in the first end, exploiting a mistake from Constantini. The Swiss skip increased her lead by stealing points in the sixth and seventh ends, gaining a 6-4 advantage. Despite holding the hammer in the final end, Constantini was limited to a single point, allowing Schwaller to seal the win.
Schwaller’s Journey
This was a significant achievement for Schwaller, who expressed her relief at qualifying for the playoffs with a 3-1 record. “We needed that win to make the playoffs,” she stated, reflecting on her performance throughout the tournament. Last month, she had also qualified for the playoffs at the AMJ Masters.
Family Support
The Schwaller family has been present at the event, providing motivation. Xenia’s sister Zoe, father Andi, and cousin Yannick are all part of the atmosphere. “It’s a lot of fun to have them around,” Xenia shared.
Noteworthy Performances
Team Anna Hasselborg also excelled, defeating Canada’s Kerri Einarson 6-5 in a close shootout. Though Hasselborg had already qualified, she strategically conceded a point in the seventh end to retain the hammer for the final end. This decision ultimately proved wise as it allowed her to set up a successful equalizing shot.
In a nail-biting match, Team Niklas Edin edged out Team Yannick Schwaller 5-4 in a shootout. Edin’s precision placed his rock 5.0 cm from the pinhole, just narrowly beating Schwaller’s 5.2 cm aim.
Quarterfinals Breakdown
| Team | Points | Records |
|---|---|---|
| Silvana Tirinzoni | 12 | 4-0 |
| Anna Hasselborg | 11 | 3-0 |
| Stefania Constantini | 9 | 3-1 |
| Xenia Schwaller | 9 | 3-1 |
| Kerri Einarson | 7 | 2-1 |
| Rachael Homan | 6 | 2-1 |
| Satsuki Fujisawa | 6 | 2-2 |
| Momoha Tabata | 6 | 2-2 |
| Seung-youn Ha | 6 | 2-2 |
| Eun-ji Gim | 6 | 2-2 |
| Kaitlyn Lawes | 5 | 2-1 |
| Isabella Wranå | 3 | 1-2 |
Teams Eliminated
- Team Eun-jung Kim: 1-3
- Team Sayaka Yoshimura: 0-3
- Team Christina Black: 0-4
- Team Kayla Skrlik: 0-4
Upcoming Matches
The quarterfinals promise to bring more exciting curling action as teams look to secure their spots in the semifinals at the CO-OP Tour Challenge. As the playoffs approach, every shot will matter in this gripping competition.
