By Emily Goddard

Switzerland's men, skipped by Sven Michel, are through to the playoffs at the European Curling Championships on home ice ©WCF/FlanneryAllison2014Hosts Switzerland today booked their place in the men's and women's playoffs of the European Curling Championships at the Palladium de Champéry.

The men's defending European champions Switzerland secured their place in the playoffs, alongside Sweden and Italy, with a 7-6 win over Denmark in the ninth and final session of men's round-robin play.

"We were pretty nervous at the beginning, but in the end we played well, made the right calls and are happy to have made the playoffs," Swiss skip Sven Michel said.

Sweden completed their round-robin programme undefeated thanks to an 8-7 win over Germany, while Russia beat Latvia 12-6.

Elsewhere, the Czech Republic gained an 8-7 extra end win over world champions Norway, which now leaves both nations tied in fourth place in the standings meaning they will have to face each other again tomorrow in a tie-breaker to determine who advances to complete the playoff line-up.

Italy earned their place in the playoffs with a 7-5 win over Scotland, who are now tied in seventh place with Germany.

The pair will face each other tomorrow to determine the seventh and eighth place positions.

Switzerland's women are also through to the playoffs at the Palladium de Champéry ©WCF/FlanneryAllison2014Switzerland's women are also through to the playoffs at the Palladium de Champéry ©WCF/FlanneryAllison2014


Meanwhile in the women's play, hosts Switzerland joined unbeaten Russia - who today secured a six-end 13-1 win over the Czech Republic - in the playoffs by defeating Denmark by 8-4.

"It feels great to win that game and we are very happy right now," Switzerland's third player Irene Schori said.

"The ninth end was crucial for us and we are pleased with our performance today."

There was also a victory for Estonia, who claimed a 9-4 win over Latvia, while Scotland beat Sweden by 7-6 with a last-stone draw by skip Eve Muirhead and Finland overcame Germany 5-4.

These results see Denmark, Finland, Scotland and Sweden all tied in third place on five wins, meaning the outcome of tomorrow morning's final women's round-robin session, where Finland play Scotland and Denmark face Sweden, will determine which two of them will advance to the playoffs.

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