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Grand Slam of Curling: Princess Auto Players’ Championship Women’s Final Set
The highly anticipated rematch for the Princess Auto Players’ Championship women’s final is confirmed as defending champions Team Isabella Wranå of Sweden will once again face off against Team Silvana Tirinzoni on Sunday. Wranå secured her spot in the final by defeating South Korea’s Team Eunji Gim with a narrow 6-5 victory, while Tirinzoni advanced by topping Canada’s Team Rachel Homan 5-3 in the sold-out semifinals held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Saturday.
History seems to be repeating itself as it was nearly a year ago when Wranå claimed her first Grand Slam of Curling title by narrowly edging out Tirinzoni 6-5. Now, she finds herself in a position to replicate that success and secure her second title in this prestigious tournament.
In a statement following her victory, Wranå expressed her excitement about the upcoming final, stating, “It would mean so much and it’s going to be so fun playing against Team Tirinzoni. It’s always a great game against them.”
On the other side, Tirinzoni, who has amassed three championships in the series, is looking to cap off the season on a high note by clinching another title. Alina Pätz, who throws last rocks for Tirinzoni, emphasized the significance of winning the Players’ Championship, describing it as a dream come true for the team.
Tension and Drama in the Semifinals
Both women’s semifinal matches were characterized by intense competition resulting in wins on steals. In a nail-biting moment, Wranå emerged victorious after a measurement ruled in her favor when Gim’s final draw fell just short. This victory meant a great deal to Wranå, who expressed her satisfaction with their performance and the opportunity to compete in the final once again.
Despite a stellar season, the loss in the semifinals marked Homan’s first defeat of the week and only the seventh loss of the entire season for her team, concluding with an exceptional overall record of 67-7. Throughout the season, Homan had previously bested Tirinzoni in multiple encounters, making this defeat a notable one for the Canadian skip.
The game took a dramatic turn when Homan failed to execute her final shot, resulting in a steal for Tirinzoni and a lead change in the third end. However, Homan displayed resilience by executing an impressive angle raise takeout in the fifth end to regain the lead temporarily.
Ultimately, Pätz sealed the victory for Team Tirinzoni with a precise draw in the final frame, securing their spot in the championship final against Wranå.
Looking Towards the Final
Pätz acknowledged the challenge ahead in facing Wranå once again, emphasizing the need for Team Tirinzoni to bring their best performance to secure a win. She reflected on the tough battle against Homan and expressed gratitude for their victory, acknowledging the competitive nature of their matchups.
The women’s final is scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT on Sportsnet, Sportsnet+ (Canada), and gsoclive.com (international), setting the stage for an intense showdown between two formidable teams. Following the women’s final, the men’s final featuring Canada’s Team Brad Gushue and Italy’s Team Joël Retornaz will take place at 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT on Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet+ (Canada), and gsoclive.com (international).
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