USA Men Hold Off Germany, 8-6, in Tight Olympic Curling Clash
The U. S. men's curling team picked up a hard-fought 8-6 victory over Germany in one of the day’s most compelling matchups at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. The win strengthens the Americans’ position in the early round-robin standings and underscores how momentum swings can decide tightly matched curling contests.
How the USA vs Germany curling match unfolded
From the opening end, both teams traded singles and cautious halves, probing for openings and trying to control the house. The game tilted in the Americans’ favor as they converted a pair of multi-point ends while holding Germany to single markers on most replies. Strategic guard placement, timely takeouts and confident shot-making from skip stones were all on display in a contest that stayed tense through the final rocks.
Germany remained dangerous throughout, answering with measured offense and forcing the U. S. into careful shot selection in late ends. Several ends came down to hammer decisions and last-rock draws that tested both teams’ nerves. In the end, the Americans preserved a two-point margin, closing out the game without allowing Germany a late steal that could have swung the result.
What the result means for the tournament
The 8-6 victory gives the U. S. momentum as the field tightens in the round-robin phase. Maintaining consistency in both strategy and execution will be critical: with multiple strong teams still in contention, every victory matters for seeding and semifinal positioning. The Germans, meanwhile, can take positives from how they kept pressure on a favored opponent and will be looking to bounce back in their next appearance.
The match also fits into a busy day for curling at the Games. The women’s draw featured a narrow, controversial finish in a separate high-profile matchup, and other men’s contests produced competitive scores that have kept the standings close. In short, the tournament is shaping up to reward teams that can win the tight, tactical battles while avoiding late-game miscues.
Key takeaways and outlook
For the U. S., the win highlighted depth and poise in pressure situations. Shot-making under duress and disciplined rock placement in the house will be assets as the tournament progresses. For Germany, the loss exposes a few strategic and execution areas to tighten—particularly on ends where a forced single might have preserved closer parity.
Both teams will have little time to rest and will need to pivot quickly to analyze game film, refine their sweeping communication and sharpen stone-weight judgment. As the round robin continues, expect coaches to emphasize end-by-end discipline and the importance of converting hammer opportunities.
As the Milan-Cortina event unfolds, fans should anticipate more tight encounters like this one. With multiple top teams still in contention and the standings remaining fluid, every match is likely to feature high-stakes strategic calls and clutch shot-making down the stretch.
