Constantini And Mosaner Begin Olympic Curling Defense In Milan

The anticipation in Italy is palpable as the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics draw closer, with the official opening ceremony set for Friday, February 7. Yet, the action has already begun to heat up, especially on the curling ice, where all eyes are on the formidable Italian duo, Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, as they prepare to launch their campaign to defend the Olympic mixed doubles curling title. Their journey begins on Thursday, February 5, at 10:05 AM local time, when they take on South Korea in the second session of the round robin stage.

Constantini and Mosaner, who captured hearts and headlines with their undefeated run at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, have since solidified their reputation by also sweeping through the 2025 World Championships in Canada without a single loss. Now, as they step onto the ice at Cortina d’Ampezzo’s iconic Ice Stadium, they carry the weighty expectations of a nation eager to witness another golden chapter in Italian curling history.

While the world awaits the grandeur of the opening ceremony, the Olympic program is already underway. The curling mixed doubles competition kicked off on the evening of Wednesday, February 4, with the first four matches lighting up the rink in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Italian pair, however, was spared the opening night pressure, set to make their debut the following morning against the South Korean team of Kim Seonyeong and Jeong Yeongseok. This Asian duo, no strangers to high-stakes competition, will have already tested their mettle against Sweden in their own opening match, providing them with a taste of Olympic ice before facing the reigning champions.

The format for this Olympic curling showdown is as rigorous as ever. Ten teams from across the globe are set to battle it out in a round robin phase, with each squad facing all others for a total of nine matches apiece. The top four teams from this grueling schedule will advance to the knockout stage, featuring two semifinals—first versus fourth and second versus third—before culminating in the medal finals. With such a demanding schedule, consistency and mental toughness are sure to separate the contenders from the also-rans.

Italian fans and curling enthusiasts worldwide can catch every stone thrown in the Italy vs. South Korea clash, thanks to comprehensive broadcast coverage. The match will air live on RaiSportHD for traditional television viewers, while streaming options abound on Rai Play, Eurosport 1, Discovery Plus, HBO Max, and DAZN. For those who prefer to follow the drama in real time through text updates, OA Sport will provide live commentary and score tracking.

"We’re ready to give everything on the ice," Stefania Constantini stated in a recent interview, echoing the determination that has defined her partnership with Mosaner. According to OA Sport, their undefeated record at the Beijing Games and the 2025 World Championships has only strengthened their resolve: "We know what it takes to win at this level, but every Olympics is a new challenge." The pair’s chemistry, sharp tactical awareness, and nerves of steel have made them a force to be reckoned with, but they remain acutely aware of the unpredictability that defines Olympic sport.

For South Korea, this encounter marks not only a shot at Olympic glory but also a chance to make history against one of the sport’s most dominant pairs. Kim Seonyeong and Jeong Yeongseok, though considered underdogs, bring their own brand of strategic flair and resilience to the rink. Their opening match against Sweden on February 4 will serve as a crucial warm-up, and a strong showing there could set the tone for their campaign. The South Korean squad, as reported by SuperTennis, has steadily improved its international pedigree, and a win over Italy would send shockwaves through the curling world.

The significance of this Olympic moment extends beyond the ice. The Milan-Cortina Games, with their blend of storied tradition and modern spectacle, have already captured global attention. Lindsey Vonn’s confirmation that she will compete at these Olympics—despite earlier hints of retirement—adds another layer of star power to the proceedings. Vonn, a legend in alpine skiing, remains an inspiration to athletes across disciplines, and her presence in Milan-Cortina underscores the Games’ status as a magnet for the world’s sporting elite.

Meanwhile, the Olympic buzz is not confined to curling or alpine skiing. Tennis fans are closely monitoring the upcoming Davis Cup Qualifiers, where South Korea will host Argentina at the Gijang Stadium in Busan on February 7 and 8. This tie, played on indoor hard courts, marks the first-ever Davis Cup meeting between the two nations. South Korea, participating in the Qualifiers for the sixth time, boasts a mixed record of two wins (2022, 2023) and three losses (2020, 2024, and the first round of 2025). The stakes are high, with the winner set to host either India or the Netherlands in the next round. The South Korean squad, eager to bounce back from recent setbacks, is determined to make the most of its home advantage and write a new chapter in its Davis Cup journey.

Back in Italy, as the curling tournament gets underway, the sense of anticipation is matched only by the pressure facing Constantini and Mosaner. The duo’s remarkable run in 2022, where they swept through the Olympic field to claim gold, set a new standard for Italian curling. Their subsequent world championship triumph in Canada further cemented their legacy, but now, with the eyes of the nation upon them, they must prove that lightning can strike twice.

The round robin format leaves little room for error. Every match is a potential pitfall, and the depth of competition means that even the smallest lapse in concentration can prove costly. Yet, if history is any guide, Constantini and Mosaner thrive under the spotlight. Their meticulous preparation, mutual trust, and relentless pursuit of excellence have become hallmarks of their partnership. As Mosaner put it in a recent statement, "We respect every opponent, but we play to win every game. That’s our mindset."

With the Olympic flame set to be lit in just two days, the stage is set for a curling spectacle that promises thrills, drama, and perhaps another chapter of Italian sporting history. Fans will be watching closely as Constantini and Mosaner take their first steps on the road to potential glory, their journey emblematic of the passion and pride that define the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

As the action unfolds, one thing is certain: the quest for curling gold has begun in earnest, and with every stone delivered, the dream of Olympic greatness comes one step closer to reality.