OSTERSUND – It just might be tough curling for the United States junior women's team at the 2008 World Juniors.

When U.S. junior women's skip Nina Spatola competed in the World Junior Curling Championships two years ago in Korea, her team finished the round robin with just one win. She's back again, here in Sweden, and hoping to improve on that record at the 2008 global shootout.

Not that it's going to be easy for the nursing student from Madison, Wisconsin. Their loss to the home side this morning was the team's third defeat in a row.

"I have a lot more experience with my strategy," said Spatola. "It's not so scary as it was last time!"

Spatola admits her team has much to learn. They first assembled just prior their State playdowns earlier this season. Front-enders Karlie Koenig and Jenna Haag are both just 14 years old, while Rebecca Hamilton and Anna Plys, the sister of U.S. men's skip Chris Plys, are 17. Spatola has two years of junior eligibility left.

"We're just looking for experience," Spatola said.

Meanwhile, Canada was beaten by Russia's 2006 World Junior champions to fall to 1-2. Kaitlyn Lawes' team from Winnipeg put four points on the scoreboard in the first three ends but could score nothing thereafter, and the Russians won 7-4. The Canadians were visibly upset after the match.

In other Monday morning games, Scotland beat Switzerland 11-3, and Japan upended Sunday's heroes from Norway 9-3. Denmark defeated Germany 10-5.

 
Real-time results are available at: www.curlingkanalen.se with daily results mirrored on the World Curling Federation website at: results.worldcurling.org

Curlingkanalen is also webcasting selected matches live during the championships.

The event host website is: www.wjcc2008.org