Winter Olympics: Last throw sinks curlers

The New Zealand men's curling team lost 7-5 to Finland on the final throw of the match to bow out of Winter Olympic medal contention at Turin yesterday.

Playing a team which had beaten them twice at recent world championships, skip Sean Becker and his men found their best form of the event.

With the score locked 5-5 after eight of 10 ends, the ninth end was killed, leading to a thrilling finish.

On the final end New Zealand held two shots but Finland skip Markku Uusipaavalniemi had the last throw of the contest.

With a stunning effort the Finn removed both the New Zealand stones that were holding shot and turned a losing position into a winning one.

"It was disappointing to play so well and then lose it like that right at the end," said coach Peter Becker.

"But having said that, the game has given the boys a bit of a lift. Our lead, Lorne dePape, struggled a little today, but the other three hit their best form of the tournament.

"They're still talking about the ice, how there's not as much curl as there is on the ice at home, but it seems they're getting used to conditions here."

New Zealand, who have now lost four successive matches, next play Switzerland.

- NZPA