Author
World Curling Media
23 November 2024
In a thrilling final at the Le Gruyère AOP European Curling Championships 2024, the German men’s curling team emerged victorious against Scotland, clinching their first European medal since 2008 and celebrating their first gold since 2004.
Starting the final with the hammer, Scotland’s opening strategy allowed them to score two points by successfully removing a German counter. However, German skip Marc Muskatewitz quickly retaliated in the second end, executing a precise draw that earned Germany three points.
Germany then capitalized by stealing a single point in the third end, as Scottish skip Bruce Mouat was unable to remove the German shot stone. In a tense fourth end, Mouat showcased his skill with a flawless triple take-out, enabling Scotland to score two points and level the match at 4-4.
Germany went into the break with a narrow lead of 5-4, having their last stone positioned just centimeters closer to the button than their Scottish counterparts.
During the sixth end, Scotland fought back to reclaim the lead with a hit-and-stay that awarded them two points, making the score 6-5. Germany responded in the seventh end with a skillful draw that netted them two points, edging them to a 7-6 advantage.
In a critical moment in the eighth end, Scotland’s final stone brushed a guard during delivery, sending it off course and allowing Germany to steal another point, extending their lead.
In the ninth end, Scotland managed to score just a single point after an unsuccessful run attempt by Mouat, who aimed for multiple points but fell short.
As the decisive tenth end unfolded, Germany held the last stone and a slim lead of 8-7. Demonstrating his excellence, Marc Muskatewitz executed a masterful promotion take-out with his last stone, scoring the final point that secured their championship title.
After the game’s conclusion, an elated Marc Muskatewitz expressed his joy, stating, “It feels amazing, everything worked out this weekend, it’s incredible, it’s unbelievable, a little bit unreal.”
Reflecting on his team’s approach leading into the final, Muskatewitz remarked, “We had nothing to lose here; we knew that we would face the best team in the world. We just went all in and played the best curling we could.”
The triumphant German team consisted of skip Marc Muskatewitz, third Benjamin Kapp, second Felix Messenzehl, and lead Johannes Scheuerl, complemented by alternate Mario Trevisiol and coach Ryan Sherrard.
The silver medal-winning Scottish team featured skip Bruce Mouat, third Grant Hardie, second Bobby Lammie, and lead Hammy McMillan, with support from alternate Kyle Waddell and coach Michael Goodfellow.
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How does Marc Muskatewitz envision the future of German curling following their gold medal victory at the European Championships?
**Interview with Marc Muskatewitz, Skip of the German Men’s Curling Team**
*Date: November 24, 2024*
*Interviewer: Welcome, Marc, and congratulations on your team’s monumental victory at the Le Gruyère AOP European Curling Championships! How does it feel to have secured your first gold medal since 2004 and your team’s first European medal since 2008?*
**Marc Muskatewitz:** Thank you! It feels absolutely amazing to finally bring home the gold. It’s been a long journey for us since our last medal in 2008, and winning this championship means a lot to our team and to German curling as a whole. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication we’ve put in over the years.
*Interviewer: The final match against Scotland was quite the nail-biter. Can you walk us through the critical moments that defined the game?*
**Marc Muskatewitz:** Definitely! The match started off with Scotland scoring two points, which put us on our back foot a bit. However, I knew we had to stay calm and focused. In the second end, I managed to execute a precise draw that helped us regain momentum with three points. From there, we had a few ups and downs, but stealing a point in the third end really set the tone for us.
*Interviewer: Your performance in the eighth end, where Scotland’s final stone went off course allowing you to steal another point, was crucial. What was your mindset during that tense moment?*
**Marc Muskatewitz:** That was definitely a pivotal point in the match. I remember watching closely as Bruce Mouat delivered his final stone. We knew we had to stay sharp, and when his stone brushed the guard and veered off, we capitalized on that mistake. It was a relief and gave us a little cushion going into the ninth end.
*Interviewer: Coming into the tenth end with a slim lead, how did you prepare to make that winning play?*
**Marc Muskatewitz:** The mindset was all about maintaining composure. I knew I had the last stone, and it was essential to execute our strategy perfectly. I concentrated on making a great promotion take-out to secure that final point. It was exhilarating to see it all come together at the end.
*Interviewer: what does this victory mean for the future of curling in Germany?*
**Marc Muskatewitz:** This win is a huge boost for our sport in Germany. It shows that we are competitive on the European stage and can aspire to even greater achievements. Our goal now is to build on this success and aim for the World Championships and beyond. I truly believe this is just the beginning for our team.
*Interviewer: Thank you for your time, Marc! We look forward to seeing what you and your team accomplish in the near future.*
**Marc Muskatewitz:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and look forward to bringing more excitement to German curling!
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This interview highlights Marc Muskatewitz’s thoughts and experiences during a historic win at the European Championships, emphasizing the team’s determination and strategic play throughout the tournament.
