CurlingZone: Italy secure Olympic bronze

The Italian duo is on the podium for a second straight Games.

By Cameron Sallaj

After losing a tightly fought semifinal game to the Americans on Monday, the reigning Olympic gold medalists Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner were looking to bounce back in the bronze medal game as they took on Great Britain's Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat.

Starting without the hammer, the Italians got off to a good start when Constantini made a perfect freeze to the button with her final stone. Dodds was unable to remove the Italian counter with her final stone, giving Italy the opening point. Great Britain then scored one in the second end after Dodds just missed a hit-and-roll in for two.

In three, Amos Mosaner cleared the house with his final rock to leave Italy lying two. They would not be able to convert, however, as Dodds made a perfect freeze on her final rock to limit the host nation to one. Italy was able to steal one in the fourth though, going up 3-1 at the break.

The strong play from the Italian side continued in the fifth as they forced Great Britain to another single. Then in six, facing three on her last, Constantini drew the pin for one to regain a two-point advantage over the British side.

With their power play in seven, Dodds was a little too thin on her double takeout attempt for multiple points. Leading by one coming home with last rock, all Stefania Constantini needed was an open hit-and-stay for the victory to secure Italy the bronze medal, 5-3 the final score.

Despite not reaching the top of the podium like they did in 2022, Constantini and Mosaner proved that they are still one of the world's best mixed doubles duos. Having only previously competed in three international events, the pair's limited doubles play has worked as they are able to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

All four players in the bronze medal game will compete in the four-person competition that gets underway Wednesday. Dodds and Mosaner will play third while Mouat and Constantini each skip their respective teams.

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