Winter Olympics: Team GB beat Germany in men's curling

Winter Olympics: Team GB men beat Germany

Bruce Mouat’s Team GB rink have taken a significant stride towards the Winter Olympic semi-finals with a comprehensive victory over Germany.

The world champions have now triumphed in four of their opening five matches in northern Italy.

Securing six victories is statistically likely to guarantee a place in the last four and a shot at the medals.

This Scottish quartet had already beaten their German counterparts in both the European and World Championships last year.

Consequently, the favourites were rarely in danger during a composed display on the ice.

Proceedings were tight in the early exchanges, with the contest level at 2-2 after three ends.

However, the British rink moved smoothly into a 5-2 advantage at the interval to pile pressure on their opponents.

They accelerated clear with a further steal of two in the seventh end.

Germany were left floundering at that stage, struggling to cope with the tactical superiority of the Olympic silver medallists from Beijing.

Although the trailing side managed to cut the deficit, Mouat closed out the necessary points in the ninth end to secure the win.

The men are back in action later on Sunday against unbeaten Switzerland (18:05 GMT).

Before that highly anticipated clash, the GB women will play their fourth match of the tournament.

They face the fancied Sweden (13:05 GMT) as they attempt to revive their own semi-final hopes in Milan-Cortina.