European Curling Championships 2026: Scotland rinks eye medals

Hardie ended that event in tears on the podium after a second consecutive silver medal. Three months later, he announced he would leave Team Mouat after nine glorious years and become skip of what was Team Whyte.

Already ranked in the world’s top five, they go into these Euros with one aim in mind. “I think it’s quite clear for us we want to go there and win it,” Hardie told BBC Sport Scotland. “We’ll be going in as a top-ranked team, but it’s a really strong field.”

While no longer a qualifier for the Worlds, the chance to lay down a marker at the beginning of the Olympics cycle is one Hardie and his team are eager to take.

And the feeling is similar for Henderson and her rink. While she stops short of saying gold is the target, a podium place is in her sights.

“I’ve never actually played a game at the Europeans before but have two medals [silver and bronze], which is a bit of a strange feeling,” Henderson says. “But I’d love to complete the set.

“But, really, we want to show the top teams that we’re definitely a force to be reckoned with.”