The Swedes found themselves 9-4 in front going into the eighth end, and after Norway could only hit and stay for one point, they conceded the game.

The win ensured a second world title for Swedish skip Niklas Edin, having previously led his nation to victory in 2013, and follows on from his team's success at the European Championships in November.

"This feels amazing, I'm so proud of my team," said Edin, who was supported by third Oskar Eriksson, second player Kristian Lindström, lead Christoffer Sundgren, alternate Henrik Leek and coach Fredrik Lindberg.

"This is our first year together.

"We focused a lot after a bad start to get back in this event and we played so well in the play-offs.

"This is almost the same feeling as the last one but now with a new team and with the way we won, the second half of that game was pure enjoyment out there."

Norway fell at the last hurdle in the defence of their title ©WCF




Norway started with last stone advantage but it was Sweden who took the early lead, stealing three points in the first end when Norway's skip Thomas Ulsrud was long with his final draw of the end.

The Norwegians started their recovery in the second end when Ulsrud tapped out a Swedish stone to score one point.

In the third end, Edin wrecked his final stone on the way into the house to give Norway a steal of two points that levelled the score at 3-3.

The fourth end was blanked before Edin scored three more points in the fifth with a delicate tap-up that gave Sweden a 6-3 lead.

Forced to battle once again, Norway's Ulsrud drew his final stone of the sixth end onto the button to score one point and reduce Sweden's lead to 6-4.

But the Swedes moved ahead again in the seventh end as Edin picked out a Norwegian stone sitting partially hidden in the house to score another three points and extend the lead to 9-4, before Norway conceded.

"We lost to a really good team, so what can I say?," said Ulsrud.

"We've really enjoyed Halifax and we had a good run."

Japan's lead Kosuke Morozumi was presented with the Collie Campbell Award during the Closing Ceremony ©WCF




Meanwhile in the bronze medal game, hosts Canada won 8-4 against Finland, who conceded defeat in the ninth end.

During the Closing Ceremony, Japan's lead Kosuke Morozumi was presented with the Collie Campbell Award, voted for by all the players to recognise the peer they think best exemplified curling's values and sportsmanship throughout the event.

The World Curling Federation also released the latest men's world rankings, which see Canada remain at the top and Sweden keep hold of second place. 

Norway have leapfrogged Scotland/Great Britain into third position by virtue of their silver medal in Halifax.

Based on participation at the 2014 and 2015 World Men's Championships, 14 countries have now, at least, qualified for the Olympic qualification event in December 2017.

Joining Canada are China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

The event will see the last two men's and two women's teams, who have not earned enough Olympic qualification points at either the 2016 or 2017 World Men's or Women's Curling Championships, qualify for Pyeongchang 2018

The 2016 World Men's Curling Championship are due to be staged in Basel, Switzerland, starting on April 2.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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