Scotland has done it again! In another magnificent moment for British sport, Team Hardie have been crowned European Curling Champions after a nail-biting 6-5 victory over Italy, bringing home gold in their very first full season together.
The Scottish quartet produced a superb display of skill, determination and composure to claim the men’s title at the 2026 European Curling Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on Sunday, 1 November.
Led by Grant Hardie, alongside Ross Whyte, Craig Waddell and Euan Kyle, the newly assembled rink demonstrated exactly why Scotland remains one of the great powerhouses of world curling.
It was a particularly special achievement for Hardie, who secured his fifth European gold medal, equalling the Scottish record jointly held by Mike Hay and his own uncle, Hammy McMillan Sr.
Having spent nine successful years playing alongside Olympic medallist Bruce Mouat, Hardie made the bold decision earlier this year to establish his own team and take on the responsibility of skip.
Just months later, he is a European champion in his own right.
The road to glory was far from straightforward. Scotland had won their opening four group matches before suffering a narrow extra-end defeat to Italy, their eventual opponents in the final.
But the Scots refused to be discouraged. They responded magnificently, defeating Sweden 7-5 in the semi-finals to secure another opportunity to face the Italians, this time with European gold at stake.
What followed was a gripping final that tested the nerves of both teams.
Italy, led by Stefano Spiller, raced into an early 2-0 lead, but Scotland quickly fought back to level the scores.
A crucial fourth end saw the Scots steal two points after an Italian error, opening up a 4-2 advantage.
Yet Italy refused to surrender, battling back to level the contest and ensuring the destination of the championship would be decided by the finest of margins.
With the pressure mounting in the eighth and final end, Ross Whyte delivered the decisive stone, expertly drawing into position to secure the single point Scotland needed.
The scoreboard read Scotland 6, Italy 5.
European champions!
Speaking after the victory, a delighted Hardie told World Curling: “I’m buzzing. That was the aim this week and to put a performance like we did in the final makes it even better.”
He added: “It’s been everything we were hoping it would be. Every game we improved and it’s really satisfying to put on a performance like that in the final.”
The triumph is another wonderful chapter in Scotland’s extraordinary curling tradition, a sport with deep roots in Scottish history which has brought international recognition and Olympic success to Great Britain.
Hardie himself was part of the British men’s team that won silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, before embarking on this exciting new chapter in his career.
His latest success demonstrates the remarkable depth of talent within Scottish curling, with another world-class rink emerging to challenge the very best.
And while the team proudly competed under the Scottish flag, their achievement is also a tremendous source of pride for British sport as a whole.
In an age when so much attention is devoted to the fortunes of football’s biggest clubs, these exceptional athletes deserve enormous recognition for their dedication, discipline and ability to deliver on the international stage.
Four Scots, one team, and a European title won through determination, teamwork and sporting excellence.
A magnificent achievement for Scotland and another golden moment for Great Britain.
Congratulations to Grant Hardie, Ross Whyte, Craig Waddell, Euan Kyle and everyone at British Curling.
The European crown is coming home to Scotland!
