Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat suffered Winter Olympic heartbreak in the mixed doubles curling for the second time in four years after losing out on bronze to hosts Italy.

The British duo had been peerless in the round-robin format, losing just once and topping the standings, but that fine form has evaporated in the play-offs.

A surprise defeat by Sweden in Monday's semi-finals was followed by this 5-3 loss in a febrile Cortina Curling Stadium high in the Dolomites, which leaves Team GB still searching for their first medal of the Games.

As the celebrations of the boisterous home fans rolled down the wooden bleachers in this quirky arena - where Italy's Stefania Constantini learned the game as a child - the Scottish pair suffered their latest Olympic disappointment.

"So close, but so far," Dodds told BBC Sport.

"It hurts the same as four years ago but I don't want to ugly-cry so I'm going to stop there. "

This time was supposed to be different.

The memories of losing both play-off matches in Beijing four years ago were supposed to fuel their bid for a medal. They were supposed to have ribbon around their necks and metal upon their chests.

But instead, they will be left with more regrets as they head into the men's and women's events on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

We played so much better than four years ago so to leave with the same result is going to hurt for a bit," an equally-emotional Mouat added

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