Swedes win curling title thriller

Sweden prevailed in a tense thriller to take the Olympic title

Sweden's women curlers edged Switzerland 7-6 to clinch Olympic gold in a dramatic extra-end final.

Ahead for most of the contest, the defending world champions were 6-4 up before the Swiss enforced an extra end with two points in the 10th.

But skip Anette Norberg held her nerve with a last-stone double takeout to add the Olympic crown to Sweden's world and European titles.

Earlier, Canada trounced Norway 11-5 to clinch the bronze medal on Thursday.

Sweden's victory in Pinerolo ensured Switzerland, who lost to Great Britain in the 2002 final, had to settle for their second successive Olympic silver in the women's event.

At the moment it is disappointing but I think tomorrow we will feel better about the silver Binia Beeli Switzerland

But it was Sweden's best result in the competition, having first taken the bronze in Nagano in 1998.

"It's an amazing feeling," said Swedish lead Anna Svared.

"The team really deserved it. We so deserved it because we are mentally so strong and have the best team spirit."

Swiss third Binia Beeli said: "We could have won the gold, it was so close we could touch it.

"After we came back, I thought we can win, we will win.

"At the moment it is disappointing but I think tomorrow we will feel better about the silver."