Canada's Team Brad Jacobs falls to Switzerland for first loss at Olympics

Canada’s men’s curling entry suffered its first setback at the Winter Olympics, dropping a 9-5 decision to Switzerland in a clash between the last two unbeaten teams. The loss follows a swirl of controversy earlier in the week and leaves the Canadian rink regrouping with its eyes on the knockout rounds.

Switzerland in control from the opening ends

Yannick Schwaller’s Swiss foursome opened with the hammer and converted early, using smart stone placement and sharp takeouts to build momentum. Switzerland scored pairs in alternating ends through the ninth, never surrendering the lead. The Swiss lineup, which entered the game undefeated, showed clinical execution with fourth player Benoît Schwarz-van Berkel delivering an outstanding performance — one of the best shooting percentages of the session.

Controversy shadowed but did not decide the game

The clash came on the heels of a profanity-laced exchange involving Canadian third Marc Kennedy and a Swedish opponent from the previous night. World Curling issued a verbal warning to the Canadian team after that incident, noting that neither side had broken the rules on the ice but that conduct needed to be managed. The disciplinary notice remained part of the narrative heading into the Switzerland matchup.

During the fifth-end break, Swiss lead Pablo Lachat-Couchepin approached the Canadian bench and the Swiss coach to raise what he believed was a double tap by a Canadian player. An official was called in to speak with the players. The inquiry did not result in any reversal of stones, but it underscored the heightened scrutiny and tension surrounding the round-robin matches.

Officials and rule questions resurface

The game renewed debate about how officials monitor stone releases and hog-line infractions. Canada’s skip suggested a potential change in oversight after play, arguing for more visible on-ice officiating so any infractions could be addressed in real time. The exchange elevated a broader discussion about fairness and enforcement at the Olympic level, with players and coaches watching every move closely.

Jacobs candid after the loss

Brad Jacobs was blunt in assessing his team’s performance. He said the Swiss outplayed his rink, making a string of high-difficulty shots that turned key ends. “We played against a great team there. Switzerland kicked our butt, you know, they outplayed us, they made a lot of great shots, ” Jacobs said, adding that the earlier off-ice incident did not affect his team’s on-ice play.

He also offered a suggestion for improving game management: put officials on the ice for every shot so any rules infractions can be handled immediately. That idea reflects a growing impatience with blurred lines around release technique and where umpiring should intervene.

Standings implications and what’s next

The defeat drops Canada to 3-1 in the 10-team round robin while Switzerland moves to 4-0, setting up a tight race for the top four semifinal spots. The round-robin format rewards consistency over the coming days, and every matchup will carry added significance as teams jostle for position.

Canada’s next game is scheduled for Sunday at 1: 05 p. m. ET, when the Canadian rink faces China. With the semifinal places in sight, the team will aim to regroup quickly and reassert itself on the scoreboard. Coaches and players have little time to tinker, and the rest of the tournament will test depth, discipline and the ability to handle pressure.

For now, the spotlight shifts back to the ice. The Swiss performance was a reminder that precision and composure, rather than headlines, often decide Olympic medals in curling.