For the first time in over two decades, the women’s curling semifinals at the Winter Olympics featured Team USA, and the excitement at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium was palpable. But as the dust settled on February 21, 2026, it was Canada who claimed the bronze medal, denying the United States its long-sought first Olympic podium finish in the event. Meanwhile, Sweden and Switzerland, both powerhouses in the sport, are set to face off in a gold medal showdown that promises to be a classic.
The journey to this dramatic weekend began on February 20, when the world’s best curling nations squared off in a pair of tense semifinals. Sweden, led by the ever-composed Anna Hasselborg, bested Rachel Homan’s Canada 6-3 in a match defined by precision, nerves, and a crucial sixth end that swung the momentum decisively in Sweden’s favor. According to Reuters, “Sweden got the breakthrough in the sixth end when Homan could not nail a hit-and-roll, which freed up Hasselborg to grab two points.” That two-point swing put Sweden in the driver’s seat, and despite Canada having hammer in the final end, Hasselborg’s masterful shot-making left Homan with no option but to concede with her last stone still unplayed.
“You’re never in control, but I had a great feeling, and we did start with hammer,” Hasselborg reflected after the match. “It was just a great game, and to score a two there in the sixth was really important for the game.” The win guarantees Sweden a medal at a third consecutive Winter Games, following gold in Pyeongchang and bronze in Beijing. The Swedes’ consistency on the Olympic stage is nothing short of remarkable, and Hasselborg’s rink has become a fixture atop the sport’s elite.
On the other sheet, Switzerland’s Silvana Tirinzoni and her team, anchored by the red-hot Alina Patz, delivered a near-flawless performance to dispatch Team USA 7-4. Patz was simply unstoppable—shooting 100 percent on draw shots, 98 percent on takeouts, and 99 percent overall. As NBC Sports reported, “Her precision proved too much for Team USA to overcome.” The Swiss, four-time world champions, have been chasing Olympic gold for years. At the Beijing Games in 2022, they dominated the round robin only to fall heartbreakingly short in the semifinals and then lose the bronze medal match to Sweden. This time, Tirinzoni’s squad was determined not to let history repeat itself.
“(Beijing) was a disappointment, but I never thought that we played badly. We didn’t quite reach our goal, but I still went home with quite a good feeling, actually, and I think that helped us also in these Olympics,” Tirinzoni said, reflecting on her team’s growth. “It’s not always about the medal. It’s also about being at your best in the round robin, enjoying the moment and being yourself and all that. I think we did so many things well in Beijing, and we just lost two very important games. But now we won it, and now everything is fantastic.”
For Team USA, the semifinal run was historic in its own right. It marked the first time since 2002 that the American women reached this stage of the Olympic curling tournament. The squad, featuring skip Cory Thiesse—who already claimed silver in mixed doubles earlier at these Games—faced a daunting challenge against the Swiss. Despite a valiant effort, the Americans simply couldn’t match Switzerland’s relentless accuracy. Still, the achievement of reaching the semifinals rekindled hope for a program long overshadowed by the sport’s traditional giants.
With the semifinal results set, attention shifted to the bronze medal match between the United States and Canada. The North American rivalry added an extra spark, with both teams desperate to avoid leaving Cortina empty-handed. For the Americans, history beckoned: no U.S. women’s team had ever secured an Olympic curling medal. For Canada, the stakes were equally high—after the disappointment of missing the gold medal match, salvaging a podium finish became paramount.
In a hard-fought contest on February 21, Canada emerged victorious, dashing the American dream of a first-ever medal. According to NBC’s Day 15 recap, “Canada beat the United States in the bronze medal match in women’s curling, denying the American women their first-ever medal in the event.” The loss stung for Team USA, who had battled so bravely throughout the tournament, but the experience gained and the breakthrough to the semifinals will surely fuel their drive in future competitions.
Meanwhile, the gold medal match is set to feature two of curling’s most decorated teams. Sweden and Switzerland will meet on February 23, with both squads hungry for the top prize. For Sweden, it’s a chance to cap a remarkable run of Olympic success with another gold. For Switzerland, it’s an opportunity to finally add the only major title missing from their impressive resume.
Alina Patz’s performance in the semifinal has been the talk of the curling world. Her near-perfect shooting percentages are the stuff of legend, and her ability to deliver under pressure has inspired her teammates and fans alike. If she can replicate that form in the final, Switzerland could be celebrating a historic victory. But Hasselborg and her Swedish rink are no strangers to the biggest stage, and their tactical acumen and steely nerves have carried them through countless high-stakes battles.
The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics have already been a record-setting affair for Team USA, who captured their 11th gold medal of the Games—a new Winter Olympics best for the country. Yet in women’s curling, the elusive first medal remains just out of reach. As the sport continues to grow in popularity stateside, the lessons learned in Cortina could lay the groundwork for future American success.
As anticipation builds for the gold medal showdown, the storylines are irresistible: Will Sweden add another chapter to their Olympic legacy? Can Switzerland finally seize the moment and claim the top step of the podium? And for the United States, will this near-miss be the catalyst for a new era in American curling? The answers will come soon enough, with the world watching as two curling titans collide for gold at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
For now, the women’s curling tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics stands as a testament to the sport’s drama, unpredictability, and enduring appeal. With every stone thrown and every end contested, the athletes have reminded fans why curling’s Olympic spotlight shines so brightly every four years.