CurlingZone: China with clinical performance to take down hosts Italy

China's Team Xu (Photo: Celine Stucki/World Curling) shot a high 94 percent for their first win of the competition.

By: Cameron Sallaj

The Chinese men's team are on the board with a win in Cortina, taking down the host Italian rink 11-4 in Draw 8.

It was a great start for the team from Beijing comprised of Xu Xiaoming, Fei Xueqing, Li Zhichao and Xu Jingtao as they stole in the first three ends to lead the Italians 4-0. After Retornaz got two back in the fourth, China added four more to their total to pull away 8-2.

Things continued to get better for the Chinese team in the second half as after Italy scored two, they responded right back with three more of their own, bringing the game to an early 11-4 concession.

After having disappointing results throughout the week, Team China put it all together against the host Italian side with all four players shooting in the 90 percent range and earning a plus over their opposite number. You earn a plus in curling by outshooting your opposite position by 5 percent or more.

Now 1-5, China will look to continue their momentum into their final three round robin games against the United States, Czechia and Germany, looking to climb the table as much as they can despite being eliminated from playoff contention.

In other Draw 8 scores, Canada downed Czechia 8-2 to improve to five wins while Germany kept themselves in the mix by knocking off Sweden 7-3. Norway also scored an upset win by taking down Great Britain 7-6, pushing Mouat into fifth with a 4-3 record.

Olympic Men's Standings - Draw 8

Switzerland (Schwaller): 5-0
Canada (Jacobs): 5-1
The United States (Casper): 4-2
Norway (Ramsfjell): 4-2
Great Britain (Mouat): 4-3
Germany (Muskatewitz): 3-3
Italy (Retornaz): 3-3
Sweden (Edin): 1-5
China (Xu): 1-5
Czechia (Klima): 0-6

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