Lorna’s Report from Andorra – Day 6

It's finals day, and after finally being allowed out to party last night it takes all of the mens' strength to make it to the stands for the second half of the semi finals in the morning, Claire and Lorna having been piously sitting watching since 9-30. Scotland are finding Sweden in sensational form and there is little they can do to counter perfect shot after perfect shot. They hang on but cannot get a breakthrough and Sweden run out winners. The final will be an all-Scandinavian affair as Finland patiently pile the pressure on to win against Germany.

Forbes and Lorna are bursting for a game, so Lorna recruits Ana and Ellen from Spain and Claudia from Italy and Team Mama Mia challenge Forbes, Alan, Scott and Mark - The Dancing Queens - to a friendly 4 ends. The men, knowing what is at stake if they lose, are anything but friendly causing Ana to declare at one point “Be Nice To Alan Day” is finished!

The 3-4 playoff between Germany and Scotland is an edgy affair with singles being swapped for the first 6 ends. Germany get a breakthrough for two in the 7th end with a superb across-the-house hit, and Scotland can't quite find the 2 shots they need in the 8th end to take them to an extra end so are disappointed to have finished out of the medals after a valiant effort all week.

The final between Finland and Sweden sees the return of the cross-dressing Swedes in their skirts. The first half is tight and defensive, and the game becomes more interesting in the second half with more stones in play. Sweden need the single in the 8th end to take the game to an extra end, a fitting conclusion for the first EMCC. The end is full of stones in play and it is unfortunate that the Swedes put their last stone through the house to give Finland the win without needing to play their last stone. A popular win for a popular team and the Finns are roundly congratulated at the closing ceremony.

The closing banquet is the usual refined and formal celebration, although Chris finally loses his patience with Lorna's food situation and marches into the kitchen to cook Haloumi cheese for her after a week of green salads and plates of vegetables. The Scots are making up for not being able to party all week after inconveniently winning most of the time; Cathryn finds out she has a double set of photos from the dinner after not remembering she'd already been round once, and Greg fails to notice the dance floor has turned into a swamp and is getting a bit slippery for such robust dancing. Everyone politely says goodnight and goes to bed about 12. Not!