In the midst of the resounding cheers of Swedish supporters at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, the four Canadian players made their way back to the bench with solemn expressions after a 6-3 defeat in the semifinals against Anna Hasselborg. There were no dramatic moments; Sweden’s precision in shotmaking left the Canadians with no stones in the 10th end.
Rachel Homan, Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, and Sarah Wilkes quietly gathered their belongings while their coaches and alternate player observed in silence. The dream of competing for an Olympic gold medal slipped away, leaving them to settle for a chance in the bronze-medal match.
Canadian coach Heather Nedohin expressed that the team was devastated, emphasizing their aspiration to reach the final. A tight 2-2 game shifted in Sweden’s favor in the sixth end, leading to a struggle for the Canadian team to create scoring opportunities against their formidable opponents.
Despite their efforts, Canada was limited to singles, and Sweden secured a decisive victory. Switzerland’s Silvana Tirinzoni also secured a spot in the final with a 7-4 win over the U.S. team. Canada is now set to face the United States in the battle for third place.
Reflecting on the game, Homan acknowledged the disappointment, stating that they gave their all. Sweden’s strong performance contrasted with Canada’s challenges in precise placements of stones, resulting in their defeat.
Hasselborg expressed her confidence in winning before the match, showcasing a compelling performance with her team shooting at 84%, outperforming Canada’s 73%. Homan’s struggle with draws impacted the overall performance, leading to the team’s defeat.
This loss marked the end of a five-game winning streak for Homan, who had shown resilience throughout the competition. Canada’s journey in women’s Olympic curling has been demanding, with their last podium finish dating back to the 2014 Sochi Games.
Looking ahead to the bronze-medal game, the Canadian team remains determined to represent their country on the podium, aiming for a career-first achievement. Despite the disappointment, the team is focused on battling for the bronze medal against the U.S. on Saturday.
On the men’s side, Switzerland claimed the bronze medal in a dominant 9-1 victory over Norway, securing a podium finish after an impressive round-robin performance. Yannick Schwaller led his team to success, ensuring they ended the competition on a high note.
The Swiss team’s strategic gameplay early on set the tone for their victory, with a strong performance throughout the match. Norway graciously acknowledged Switzerland’s superior play, reflecting on their own achievements and experience at the Games.
As the curling competitions at Milano Cortina 2026 unfold, the anticipation builds for the upcoming gold medal match between Canada and Britain, adding to the excitement of the Olympic curling events.
