Sweden’s Niklas Edin claimed the 2013 Ford World Men’s Curling Championship on Sunday, defeating Canada’s Brad Jacobs 8-6 in the final at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
Edin and his rink of third Sebastian Kraupp, second Fredrik Lindberg and lead Viktor Kjall became the first Swedish rink to claim a men’s world title since 2004 when Peja Lindholm, now the national team coach, defeated Sebastian Stock of Germany.
Edin, 27, recorded deuces in the first, third and eight ends as he controlled the entire game and had Jacobs and his rink of third Ryan Fry, second E.J. Harnden and lead Ryan Harnden chasing all afternoon long.
The Jacobs crew fell short of pulling off three straight wins in the Page Playoff system, as they had at the Brier in Edmonton last month.
It was the seventh time the two nations have met in a men’s worlds final, with Canada winning four.
The most recent Canada-Sweden showdown was in 2000 at Glasgow, when B.C.’s Greg McAulay defeated Lindholm for the gold medal.
Edin — who won the Victoria Curling Classic in Victoria exactly two weeks ago — was also recognized as the Colin Campbell memorial award winner, voted upon by the curlers for playing ability and sportsmanship.
More to come.
Twitter/tc_vicsorts
