BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Denmark's Ulrik Schmidt moved his rink into a tie for first place with undefeated Scotland after a come-from-behind 12-7 victory over the United States on Sunday in the World Curling Championships.

The loss by the Americans was their first of the event, leaving them tied for third with Canada and Switzerland at 2-1. Four teams make the playoff round at the end of round-robin play Thursday.

Schmidt, who is appearing in his fourth world championship event, said his team "felt the pressure" to do better after a dismal 3-7 showing at the Winter Olympics.

The Danes took a 3-1 lead, but fell behind after Paul Pustovar's U.S. team moved ahead 5-3 heading into the second half of the game. The Danes scored in the last two ends to put the game away.

On the women's side, Norway's Dordi Nordby handed defending world champion Colleen Jones of Canada her first loss, 9-4.

Canada's loss left Scotland's Jackie Lockhart alone in first place at 3-0, followed by Canada, Norway, Denmark's Lene Bidstrup, Switzerland's Manuela Kormann and Russia's Olga Jarkova at 2-1.

Nordby, who has won two world titles in 14 appearances, scored twice in the fifth end to take a 4-2 lead. She then stole one in the sixth for a 5-2 advantage.

Jones fought back with a steal of her own in the eighth, but was down two heading into the final end.

In other women's games, the United States won its first game, pounding Sweden 11-2. Scotland defeated Denmark 8-2, Switzerland beat Korea Kim 12-5 and Russia surprised Germany 9-5.

On the men's side, Canada's Randy Ferbey rebounded from its first loss Saturday night to beat Japan 9-2, while Scotland defeated winless Austria 8-3. Norway beat Sweden 7-5 and Switzerland beat Finland 9-5.

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