Canada Triumphs Over Sweden in Intense 2026 Winter Olympics Curling Match

In a thrilling round-robin curling match at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Canada faced off against Sweden on February 13, 2026. The match took place at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

Canada Triumphs Over Sweden in a Heated Encounter

The Canadian team, led by skip Brad Jacobs, secured an 8-6 victory over defending champions Sweden. This intense game was marked by controversy and accusations between the teams.

Contentions on the Ice

• Swedish skip Niklas Edin and his team alleged that Canadian players were double touching the stones.
• This allegation led to a temporary halt in the game as officials were asked to observe potential violations closely.
• Canada retaliated by asking the officials to scrutinize Sweden’s deliveries, inciting a tense atmosphere.

In the penultimate end, Sweden scored two points, leaving Canada with a slight 7-6 advantage as the teams exchanged heated words. The dialogue became increasingly hostile, especially between Marc Kennedy of Canada and Oskar Eriksson of Sweden.

Technology in Play

This match was significant not just for the rivalry but also for the introduction of technology in curling. World Curling has employed electronic handles on stones. These handles light up red if players touch the stone beyond the hog line, where the stone must be released during delivery.

Despite the technology in place, Eriksson contended that some Canadian players were in violation of the rules, as they believed Jacobs’ team was touching the stone itself and not just the handle. However, officials found no violations during their monitoring of the deliveries.

Players’ Perspectives

Marc Kennedy expressed his frustration over the accusations, insisting that the Canadian team played fair. He highlighted the importance of sportsmanship, stating, “I’ve been curling professionally for 25 years.”

Eriksson, reflecting on the match, noted the disappointment of the escalating tensions. He remarked, “We’ve known them for 20 years… It’s just sad that it gets to heated discussions on the ice.”

Sweden’s Struggles in the Tournament

This loss for Sweden marked their third consecutive defeat in the tournament, following prior losses to Britain and Italy. The pressure was mounting as they aimed to reclaim their title.

As the competition unfolds, both teams will be looking to refine their strategies and resolve any lingering tensions as they continue in the Olympics.