Team Jacobs Triumphs Over Germany in Milano Cortina 2026 Curling Opener

Canadian curler Brad Jacobs led his team to victory in the opening match of the curling competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. The rink, based in Calgary, achieved a hard-fought 7-6 win over Germany’s Marc Muskatewitz. This win marks Jacobs’ return to the Olympics after winning gold 12 years ago.

Team Jacobs’ Performance

Jacobs demonstrated impressive skills, scoring a team-high of 93 percent during the match held at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. His precision on draws contributed significantly to the win. Lead Ben Hebert expressed confidence in Jacobs’ performance, noting, “Brad’s got a little twinkle in his eye.”

The match unfolded with Canada initially struggling, as Germany took an early lead in the third end. However, a mistake by Muskatewitz allowed Canada to score a vital two points in the fourth end. The tension escalated as Germany tied the game at four points in the sixth end, showcasing the competitive nature of this Olympic opener.

Decisive Moments

Several pivotal moments defined the match:

• Germany’s Muskatewitz made a crucial mistake in the fourth end, allowing Canada to steal two points.
• In the ninth end, Muskatewitz faltered again, enabling Jacobs to score two points.
• An unexpected stone movement in the tenth end allowed Germany to tie the game and force an extra end.
• In the final end, Jacobs executed a perfect takeout to secure the win.

Jacobs stated, “To get it done in 11 ends is good for us. We want to get comfortable making those last shots.”

Competitive Landscape

Canada enters the tournament as a strong medal contender in a field of ten teams. Notable competitors include the top-ranked Bruce Mouat from Great Britain and defending champion Niklas Edin from Sweden. The opening day of the competition saw other thrilling matches:

• Italy defeated Sweden in a dramatic fashion with a 7-6 score.
• The United States narrowly edged out Czechia with an 8-7 win.
• Bruce Mouat of Great Britain triumphed over China, winning 9-4.

Hebert, reminiscing about the atmosphere, commented, “Electric atmosphere, holy smokes, amazing. The chants had the hair standing up on your arms.”

Looking Forward

As Team Jacobs celebrates their opening victory, they reflect on past Olympic experiences. The last time Canada topped the men’s Olympic podium was in 2014 under Jacobs’ leadership. The team hopes to replicate that success in Milano Cortina.

The Canadian women’s curling team, skippered by Rachel Homan, is set to start their round-robin play against Denmark’s Madeleine Dupont. Homan aims to bring home a gold medal, following the success of Jennifer Jones in 2014.

The curtain rises on an exciting Olympic curling competition, with Team Jacobs positioning themselves as strong challengers for the gold medal.