Norway through to semifinal April 11, 2008 Thomas Ulsrud is the Noregian skip at this year's World Men's Curling Championships. He's no stranger to the world stage, having played in two World Junior Championships, and the 1998, 1999 and 2006 World Men's Curling Championships. But he has never taken home the gold medal.

Thomas Ulsrud, skip of Team Norway

After finishing the round robin in fourth place, Norway found itself in the 3 vs. 4 page playoff game against China. Ulsrus and his team consisting of Havard Vad Petersson, Christoffer Svae, and Torger Nergard, defeated the Chinese by a score of 7-5 in that playoff game. This moves Ulsrud one step closer to his goal.

But the road only gets tougher from here. Though Norway has secured its spot in the semi-final, it will face the loser of the 1 vs. 2 page playoff game; either Kevin Martin of Canada or Scotland's David Murdoch. A win the semis will put Norway through the gold medal game on Sunday.

China, however, has to be proud of their efforts. They finished in third place, the highest ever for a Chinese men's curling team. Though China was never really considered a real contender at the World Championship before, after this third place round-robin finish for the Chinese men and the absolute dominance of the Chinese women at last month's World Women's Curling Championship, I think people have to keep an eye out for China by the time the 2010 Winter Olympics roll around.