Great Britain's men's curling team were left in tears after losing the Olympic final to Canada 9-6, with the decisive moment coming on the final stone of the 10th end. The silver medal, the fourth for Team GB at these Games, felt more bitter than sweet for skip Bruce Mouat and his teammates Grant Hardie, Hammy McMillan, and Bobby Lammie.
“I’m heartbroken,” said Hardie. “We lost that final four years ago. It took us a long time to get over it and find the motivation to go again and we found it and we were so hungry to go and deliver this time, and unfortunately it just didn’t quite happen.” McMillan echoed the sentiment: “It took me four years to get over the first silver, so it will probably take a lot longer this time.”
The British team had been the dominant force in men's curling over the past four years, winning two world championships, two European championships, and four grand slam events. Even the Canadians, led by Brad Jacobs, described them as “the best team in the world”. Jacobs had only beaten Mouat once in 14 previous meetings before this final.
The match was excruciatingly tense, with the lead changing hands several times. Great Britain led after the second end, but Canada edged ahead 4-3 at halfway. Mouat put Britain back in front with a superb double take-out in the sixth end, but the crucial moment came in the ninth end when Canada scored three points to take an 8-6 lead, which proved insurmountable.
Mouat, who has now lost all four Olympic medal matches he has played across mixed doubles and men's events, said he will continue to the next Olympics in France. “I love the sport, I love my teammates. And I’m not done yet,” he said. However, he is unsure if his three teammates will join him, as they have yet to discuss their future as a foursome.
