Scotland’s World Champions overcame their own disappointment as well as high calibre opposition to maintain their record of always medalling at the Le Gruyère AOP European Curling Championships, with a dominant performance in the bronze medal game against Italy.
The 9-3 victory saw Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie and Hammy McMillan, complete a full set of medals at the Euros, just as they have previously done at the World Championships and there was satisfaction with the way they responded to a rare setback when they were beaten 8-5 by Sweden in the semi-final after beating all nine opposing teams in the round-robin. 
“There is a disappointment that we didn’t cap off a really good week with a gold medal, but we played very well throughout and winning ten out of the eleven games in a field like this is something to be proud of, so I am glad we are coming away from this event with something,” said skip Bruce Mouat.
Taking into account their tournament triumphs at two Grand Slam of Curling events ahead of the Euros, that semi-final loss had ended a stunning run of 19 consecutive wins against the world’s best teams by the Scottish quartet and across the three events they have won a total of 23 of their 25 matches in a season in which they are looking to build towards the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
“We are playing really well moving towards the Olympics, so we are hoping to continue this form over the next couple of months,” said Mouat.
“By the time February comes along hopefully we will be playing similar and it is nice to complete the medal collection.
“Obviously bronze wasn’t the colour we were maybe hoping for, but we are still proud to be coming away from this event with something and we also get some cheese which is nice.”
With their own work done, the Scottish men will now move into cheerleading mode as their female compatriots contest the final of their event and the skip of the best team in the world reckons they have every chance, such has been their form in the latter stages of the competition.
“We are excited to watch the girls tomorrow,” said Mouat. 
“It’s a big opportunity for them and I think they have a very good chance to go and win it.
“They are playing well now and the last four games they have played have been pretty solid, so it will be great to see how they get on and we will be wishing them the best.”
The Scottish quartet of Rebecca Morrison, Jen Dodds, Sophie Sinclair and Sophie Jackson meet Sweden’s 2018 Olympic Champions Team Hasselborg on Saturday morning.
Watch live games on The Curling Channel
The women’s final will also be available on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online, as follows:
Women’s Final
Scotland women v Sweden - 08.00 GMT – Saturday 29 November
Team Mouat
Bruce Mouat (Skip)
Grant Hardie
Bobby Lammie
Hammy McMillan
Kyle Waddell (alternate)
Team Morrison
Rebecca Morrison
Jen Dodds
Sophie Sinclair
Sophie Jackson (Skip)
Fay Henderson (alternate)
Images: Scottish Curling
