Sweden Advances to 2026 Winter Olympics Curling Playoffs Despite Canada Defeat

Sweden’s women’s curling team has clinched a spot in the semi-finals for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This milestone was achieved despite their first loss of the tournament to Canada on February 17.

Match Overview

The encounter saw Sweden, the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic champions, facing Canada. Sweden entered the match unbeaten, while Canada aimed to improve their 3-3 record as playoffs approached.

Key Moments

• Canada started strong but Sweden took a 4-3 lead in the fifth end.
• Anna Hasselborg capitalized on a missed opportunity from Rachel Homan to score three points.
• Canada fought back, with Homan executing a crucial triple takeout in the eighth end, giving Canada a 6-5 advantage.
• Canada capped the game with two points in the tenth end, sealing an 8-6 victory.

Player Reflections

Following the match, Anna Hasselborg expressed disappointment about missed opportunities. She acknowledged the irony of securing a playoff spot despite the loss, highlighting their overall strong performance throughout the tournament.

Canada’s Tracey Fleury noted their progress after early setbacks in the competition. She emphasized the need for continual improvement and preparation for upcoming matches against Italy and the Republic of Korea.

Current Standing

With the victory against Sweden, Canada improved to a 4-3 record. They share joint second place in the standings with the Republic of Korea, with two games remaining.

This performance illustrates the competitive nature of women’s curling as teams gear up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.