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As it happenedended

Winter Olympics 2018: Team GB 5-10 Sweden - women's curling semi-final as it happened

Follow stone-by-stone coverage from this morning's semi-final

Ed Malyon
Curling Correspondent
Friday 23 February 2018 13:34 GMT
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What is curling? The Winter Olympics sport explained

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Eve Muirhead's trigger finger deserted her as Great Britain's curling team were beaten 10-5 by Sweden in their Olympic semi-final at the Gangneung Ice Arena.

Muirhead had deployed her 'pistol' to sink favourites Canada on Wednesday but two days later it was more a case of shooting herself in the foot as a calamitous seventh end signalled an emphatic defeat.

For the second consecutive Games the 27-year-old Muirhead will now face the tough task of raising spirits ahead of Saturday's bronze medal match against their fellow last-four losers Japan.

Here is the action, as it happened:

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SCORE: GB 5-8 SWEDEN 

After 8 Ends

Muirhead makes amends for her End 7 error with a stunning double to give GB a (slim) chance. 

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:16

We are back underway in Gangneung after a short break.

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:22

Vicki Adams not happy with her last couple but we are left with this situation in End 6:

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:25

Anna Sloan draws one in to guard the button-placed yellow that's been there for much of End 6.

Sweden's response is a well-placed power-swept clear of that button stone so it's currently the Swedes scoring and Muirhead bends a knee. The skip is up.

It's gonna be a simple take out. Sweden try to sweep it out but it's a biter and will count as a scoring shot... just. 

Hasselborg plays a subtle draw in behind the yellow guard stone. Once again, nicely played and leaving Muirhead with a tough shot. She made a crucial one just before the break but this one will need some work from the girls.... they're sweeping it round the corner, and it's gonna nestle behind Hasselborg's red. 

Hasselborg is up....

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:32

Anna Hasselborg has a couple of options but with the way she's playing today she's got to play the draw. Has she got the weight right? Has she? 

Of course she has. Sweden pick up 2.

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:34

Into End 7 we go. 

Sweden have two in the house (very) early doors but GB with the hammer in this one. 

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:39

Wow, brilliant from Sweden to leave GB in this predicament:

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:41

Long way back for GB in this end. Three red in the house as Anna Sloan prepares for her second - GB can't afford a mistake here. 

"I held it," she says worriedly as she releases but it's swept perfectly into the button, nestled on top of those Olympic rings and tucking the Brits into a good position. Two red still around though, which is a concern. 

Clutch performer Anna Hasselborg is next....

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:45

HASSELBORG MAKES A MISTAKE! 

Wow. So out of character for the Swedish skip so but so important, now, that Team GB can take advantage. Probably the first of the entire semi-final from Sweden. 

Muirhead then, steely-eyed, looking to drop one in but she clips the central red stone and that leaves her too exposed. Hasselborg, fresh from her mistake, now has to take out the two yellows but it is a very doable shot. 

End 7 is approaching a nailbiting climax...

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:48

Hasselborg's shot comes here:

And she'll limit the Brits to just one... possibly less.

Ed Malyon23 February 2018 12:50

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