Lorna’s Report from Andorra – Day 5

This morning is the tie-break game against Hungary and Alan reflects that if the team wins they get to play Scotland, if they lose they can finally have a beer, so it's a win – win situation. The Hungarians are in the mood for revenge and are 4-2 up at the half way point. England are playing significantly better than yesterday however and fight back to 5-4 with two ends to play. It is all square going into the last end and England have the hammer, but Hungary play a good defensive end and England cannot prevent the steal and the win. Everyone is a bit disappointed to have come so close to a quarter final place, but to be within one stone of the last 8 teams in this inaugural competition is a good result.

Thoughts turn to how to distract Chris from the Rioja for the rest of day until the Italian reception later that evening, followed by a Margarita party. The first distraction is a meal at the restaurant next door, where Chris has thoughtfully arranged with the owner to cook a haloumi cheese pizza for Lorna, who thoughtlessly misses this kindness by going for a nap. The next distraction is the quarter finals, where Scotland, Sweden and Finland make it to the final four. There is controversy in the Italy-Germany game; Antonio's final shot in the 8th end which will win Italy the game is burned, although everyone watching knows the stone was on target. Germany goes on to win the extra end too, and it is rather a hollow victory. The gracious Italian team are cheered into the reception that evening, where their Federation have little trouble convincing the assembled party to come to Klout for the EMCC in 2006. After the formalities Chris and Joan start mixing Margaritas for everyone and the rest of the team go and play pool, where Alan and Lorna lose to Claire and Forbes in spite of Alan having a pool table all of his own on which to practice. The across-the-table draw which Claire discovers on her first shot doesn't help. It is nice for team spirit to be finally able to go out and play together and everyone enjoys the party.