In a rematch of the 2024 World Junior final, Italy avenged last year’s result to come out on top, beating Norway 9-5 to claim the gold medals and World Junior title.
The bronze medal game saw Scotland claim third place when they beat Korea 7-2.
The men’s medal games were delayed by one hour as consultations with the local authorities and Milano Cortina Organising Committee were underway regarding the sensitivities surrounding the passing of Pope Francis this morning.
Gold Medal game
Both teams were desperate to keep control of the game after beginning with three blanked ends. The first points were finally scored by Italy when skip Stefano Spiller was able to play a hit for three points.
In the next end, Norway had hammer and skip Lukas Hoestmaelingen played a draw with his final stone. However, it landed next to an Italian stone that was just an inch closer to the centre, and Italy stole the point.
Norway put their first points on the board in the sixth end. Italy made a draw to the centre with their last stone, but Norway had two already in the house, and they were able to play a takeout to score three.
In the seventh end, Italy played a draw for one, extending their lead to 5-3.
Norway fought back in the eighth, when a takeout for two was successful by skip Hoestmaelingen.
The ninth end saw the Norwegian skip play a double with his final throw, but Italy still had two closest to the centre. Spiller played then played a hit and roll, scoring three, 8-5.
In the tenth and final end Norway had hammer, but when an attempt to make an angle slash by Hoestmaelingen ran wide, Italy secured the final winning point and the World Junior title, 9-5.
After securing the World Junior title, Italy skip Stefano Spiller said, “The fans were amazing today. What’s especially crazy for me is that friends from our hometown drove six hours just to see our medal match. Winning in front of them was incredibly special for all of us.”
Bronze medal match
After a blanked first end, Scotland added the first point to the board when a draw to the four-foot let skip Orrin Carson score one.
Another blank end followed, and in the fourth end, Korea equalled the score when skip Kim Daehyun played a draw for one.
This level score didn’t last long though, as Scotland put their foot on the gas, scoring three points in the fifth end. Scotland had two lone counters on the twelve-foot and with his final stone, Daehyun played a heavy draw that landed at the back corner of the house. This left the button wide open for Carson to draw and secure the three.
Korea scored their next point in the sixth end with a draw by skip Kim. Scotland responded, playing their own draw for one in the seventh, and the score sat 5-2.
In the eighth and final end, Korea had hammer, but when their takeout attempt didn’t go to plan, Scotland stole two points and Korea conceded the game, making Scotland 7-2 winners and World Junior bronze medallists.
Following their third place win, Scotland skip Orrin Carson said, “We started the game with a strong performance and took the lead right from the beginning. We played well, secured the win, and are absolutely thrilled to take home the bronze medal.”
The gold medallist Italian team are: skip Stefano Spiller, third Stefano Gilli, second Andrea Gilli, lead Cesare Spiller, supported by alternate Francesco Vigliani and coach Wolfgang Burba.
The silver medallist Norweigan team are: skip Lukas Hoestmaelingen, third Tinius Haslev Nordbye, second Magnus Lilleboe, lead Eskil Eriksen, supported by alternate Harald Daehlin and coach Johan Hoestmaelingen.
The bronze medallist Scottish team are: skip Orrin Carson, third Logan Carson, second Archie Hyslop, lead Charlie Gibb, supported by alternate Jake MacDonald and coach Ryan Carson.
Junior Sportsmanship Awards
Denmark’s Jacob Schmidt and Germany’s Kim Sutor were presented the Junior Sportsmanship Awards.
These awards are given to athletes, voted by their fellow competitors that have best exemplified the traditional values of skill, honesty, fair play, sportsmanship and friendship during the world championships.
Click here for all the results, standings and the playing schedule.
