Canada hands Norway curling gold

Norway claimed the men's curling gold medal on Friday as Canada's Kevin Martin misfired on his final shot handing the Norwegians a shock 6-5 victory and the Olympic title.

With King Harald of Norway watching from the stands, the Norwegians drew first blood stealing one in the second end when Martin missed a draw to the button. The Norwegians stepped up the pressure in the fourth end with another steal of two and look poised to pull away from the struggling Canadians.

But Canada rallied in the very next end, roaring back with two in the fifth and a steal of one in the sixth to leave the score level at 3-3. Norway stopped the bleeding taking one in the seventh but the Canadian comeback continued in the eighth, Martin producing two pressure shots to score and take the lead for the first time 5-4.

Forced to take a single in the ninth end the Norwegians pulled even at 5-5 but handed control of the contest to the Canadians, giving them last shot going into the final end. With Norway lying two, Martin stepped into the hack knowing he just had to make a standard draw for the win. But his stone drifted long, the Norwegians sweeping furiously to send it just past their shot rock.

As the stone slid to a stop the Norwegians jumped in celebration while Martin slammed his broom to the ice. It was another stunning setback for Martin, who finished fourth at the 1992 Albertville Olympics as the favourite,although curling was just a demonstration sport.