Sweden and Spain top World Mixed Curling Championships on day one, Scotland struggle

Sweden and Spain went two for two on the opening day at the World Mixed Curling Championships in Aberdeen.

The only countries to take away two wins from the first three sessions of competition, both teams now sit top of their groups with plenty more action still to come in Scotland.

Sweden’s Team led by skip Johan Nygren stormed to a 9-4 victory over the Netherlands in Group A and then clinched an 8-5 over Japan to top the standings.

Spain, led by skip Sergio Vez, soared to the top of Group C with a decisive 8-1 win against Brazil before claiming a 9-4 triumph against Austria to seal the deal.

Home favourites Scotland, who are led by skip Jack Strawhorn, saw a mixed bag of results on their first day.

Following a disappointing 6-3 loss to Belgium in their opening game, they bounced back to grab a dominating 11-0 victory over Wales.

Defending champions Canada, who are represented at the 2023 event by a new team of curlers, got their title defence underway with a 10-1 win over Finland.