Lorna’s Report from Andorra – Day 4

Exciting news! After complaining that everyone is picking on him, Thursday is declared “Be Nice To Alan Day”. Chris is first to breakfast; Lorna has added ‘make sure Chris knows what time breakfast is’ to her list of duties which include getting the drinks, being the badge keeper and making sure Alan's trousers are kept in check.

Today is a busy day; a noon game against Wales and an evening game against Italy, and team England must win both games to be sure of qualifying for the quarter finals. Another leisurely breakfast is followed by the now familiar trip across the road to the ice hall to prepare for the game. After so many days sitting huddled on the bench discussing the games, Forbes and Lorna find they are slowly morphing into the Borg. England play solidly and consistently against Wales, and Wales are not helped by their lead having to retire after two ends because of pain when sweeping. England are always in control and win the game 7-5, and Wales are the first team to return the offer of a drink after the game.

Lorna makes a terrible mistake at lunch and thinks she has ordered a green salad but what actually turns up is the biggest plate of meat everyone has ever seen. Apart from this blunder lunch is very enjoyable and everyone is very grateful to the owner for staying open to accommodate the team. The afternoon is spent watching a film, doing puzzles and relaxing before the crunch game against Italy in the evening.

Italy will go out of the competition if they lose the evening game and come out fighting. Claire has a good game but everyone else struggles and Italy play extremely well. All of the team's mistakes are punished and it is an uphill battle for the whole game. After seven ends with the score at 7-2, England concedes and there is the dreaded three-way tie. Italy mean business and cover the hole in the draw-shot decider with two of their stones. England does not and will play Hungary again tomorrow morning in the only tie-breaker of the competition (sorry ice crew / umpires).

Everyone is tired and goes to bed early, but the consolation parties happening downstairs / upstairs / all over the hotel mean a bit of a restless night for some.

“Be Nice To Alan Day” managed to last until the middle of lunch.