In a recreation of positive margins, Mouat and Dodds had been repeatedly an inch or two away from the place they wanted to be.

They began with the hammer – theoretically advantageous in permitting a group to regulate a match – and had a shot within the first finish to take three factors.

Nevertheless, Dodds’ effort was fractionally out and the Italians stole one. It might be a recurring theme as Constantini and Amos Mosaner dictated the competition.

The British pair levelled, earlier than the hosts edged again forward in a cagey third finish and pinched one other within the third. Once more, it was a near-miss from Dodds.

That had Italy 3-1 forward on the interval and GB chasing.

One within the fifth was lower than they wished however an enormous mistake by Mosaner within the sixth opened the door. Was this going to be the second the momentum shifted?

It wasn’t. Constantini – an image of tranquility all through – performed an ideal shot to make sure the Italians edged two clear once more with two to play.

GB wanted an enormous rating, and deployed their powerplay, however once more might solely take one and had been left needing a steal to even pressure an additional finish.

They could not. And so they had been left to face the nightmare state of affairs of one other Video games during which they’ve completed in fourth place and and not using a combined doubles medal.

“We spoke final evening about how fortunate we’re to be taking part in on the Olympics as greatest mates,” Mouat added. “We’re two those that grew up collectively and by no means actually knew the place we might go together with curling. It has been fairly particular with Jen.

“I am clearly fairly gutted however I am so happy with us for sticking at it.”

In Beijing, they responded the proper approach, with girls’s gold and males’s silver. What’s going to they do that time?