LAUSANNE, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Norway claimed the mixed curling title at the Winter Youth Olympic Games after beating Japan 5-4 with an extra end on Thursday, while Russia defeated New Zealand 9-5 for the bronze.
Trailing 4-2 in the eighth end, Japan scored two points with a perfect angle tap to tie 4-4 and force an extra end, but Norway made a hit-and-stay takeout to score the championship point 5-4.
Both sides failed to score at the beginning of the final, before Japanese skipper Maeda Takumi was heavy on a draw to the four-foot ring and gave Norway a steal of one point to go up 2-0 in the fourth end.
Japan leveled the game with two single scores in the fifth and sixth ends, but Norway's fourth thrower Grunde Buraas ticked off a guard, getting two points to make it 4-2.
"The first half we didn't have everything working the way we wanted, so at the break we asked our coach how to come back in the second half. We were able to have a good second half and it was an exciting game," Maeda said after the final.
In the third-place match, the Russians put on a strong performance, opening with three points after a perfect tap to the button. In the second end, New Zealand was light on a draw against four and gave Russia a steal of three points and a 6-0 advantage.
New Zealand responded with draws for two points in both the third and fifth ends to make the score 8-4. The game had a tense moment in the sixth end when Russia faced a draw against three counter stones. The skip's stone managed to stay in the four-foot ring, just enough to score a single point and go up 9-4. Russia ran New Zealand out of stones in the eighth end to claim the bronze on 9-5.
Russia's lead Nikolai Lysakov commented on the win: "It's actually a great experience because it is my first time in such an international competition. It's great to be a medal winner." Enditem
