Excitement and nerves filled the air at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, as the South Korean women's curling team, known as '5G', took to the ice for their highly anticipated opener at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Hopes were high for the world’s third-ranked squad, but the first match proved a stern test, ending in a 4-8 defeat at the hands of a determined United States team ranked tenth globally.
The Korean lineup—Skip Kim Eun-ji, Third Kim Min-ji, Second Kim Su-ji, Lead Seol Ye-eun, and Alternate (Pips) Seol Ye-ji—entered the tournament with both confidence and the weight of expectations. Their moniker, '5G', is a playful nod to the fact that every member’s name ends with the syllable 'ji'. The team’s chemistry and camaraderie were unmistakable, with their rallying cry, "Have fun!", echoing across the rink even in tense moments.
The match began with a tactical chess game. Korea adopted a cautious approach in the first end, using a hit-and-stay strategy to gauge the unfamiliar Cortina ice. The end concluded at 0-0, a classic blank end designed to retain the strategic advantage of last stone in the next round. In the second end, Korea capitalized on their hammer, scoring the opening point with a deft shot from Kim Eun-ji. The momentum continued in the third, as the team executed a defensive plan, managing a rare 'steal'—scoring with the disadvantage of throwing first—to extend their lead to 2-0.
But curling is a game of momentum swings, and the Americans were quick to respond. In the fourth end, the U.S. squad found their rhythm, taking advantage of Korea’s slight miscalculations to score two points and tie the match at 2-2. The tension was palpable; both teams traded precise takeouts and guards, probing for weaknesses in each other’s strategy. The ice at Cortina, renowned for its subtle speed and rotation changes, posed a unique challenge. According to local analysts, "The U.S. adapted to the nuances of the ice faster than Korea," a factor that became increasingly apparent as the match progressed.
After a scoreless fifth end and a tense sixth, Korea found themselves trailing 2-3. The seventh end became the turning point. With Korea holding the last stone, hopes were high for a comeback. However, Kim Eun-ji’s final throw missed its mark, failing to nestle inside the button. The Americans seized the opportunity, stealing two crucial points and stretching their lead to 5-2. It was a gut punch for the Korean squad, who had started so strongly.
Refusing to back down, the Koreans regrouped in the eighth end. Kim Eun-ji delivered a clutch shot to the center of the house, earning two points and narrowing the deficit to 4-5. The comeback was on, and the energy in the stadium crackled with anticipation. But the ninth end saw the Americans, led by their own skip Tabitha Peterson, execute a flawless attack. Peterson’s precision shot threaded through two Korean guard stones, removing Korea’s best-placed stone and limiting the damage for Korea to just one point conceded. The scoreboard now read 4-6, setting up a dramatic final end.
As the tenth and final end unfolded, Korea needed a big score to force an extra end or snatch victory. Kim Eun-ji attempted a high-risk, high-reward double takeout with her seventh stone, aiming to clear multiple American stones and set up a winning position. For a moment, it looked as though Korea might pull off the impossible. But once again, Peterson responded with nerves of steel, knocking out Korea’s second stone and regaining control. Kim Eun-ji’s last-gasp double takeout missed, and the Americans added two more points, sealing the 8-4 win.
Despite the loss, the mood in the Korean camp remained upbeat. The team’s motto, "Have fun!", was more than just words—it was a visible part of their approach, as they smiled and encouraged each other after every shot. The defeat, while disappointing, does not spell disaster for the medal hopefuls. The women’s curling tournament features a round-robin format with ten teams, and only the top four advance to the semifinals. As history shows, a single early loss is hardly a death knell in Olympic curling, where consistency over multiple matches is key.
This campaign marks Korea’s first Olympic medal bid in women’s curling since their silver-medal heroics at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, where 'Team Kim' became national icons. The current squad has made no secret of their ambition to go one better, with all five members pledging, "Let’s turn our friendship necklaces into Olympic gold." Their journey, however, is fraught with challenges. The schedule is unforgiving, with Korea set to face host nation Italy (ranked ninth) in their next match on the morning of February 13. Later in the round-robin, daunting encounters with world powers Switzerland, Sweden, and Canada await.
Analysts believe the key to advancing will be a strong showing in the early matches. "If Korea can notch five wins in their first six games, they’ll be in a prime position for the semifinals," one commentator observed. Even a 5-4 record could be enough to sneak into the top four, but the margin for error is slim. The lessons from today’s match are clear: adaptation to the tricky Cortina ice and capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be crucial.
As the dust settled on the opening clash, the Korean team exchanged handshakes and smiles with their American counterparts, embodying the Olympic spirit. The scoreboard may not have favored them this time, but their resolve and positive attitude left a strong impression. The journey for Korea’s '5G' team is just beginning, and with their blend of skill, unity, and infectious enthusiasm, they remain very much in the hunt for Olympic glory.
All eyes now turn to the upcoming showdown against Italy. With lessons learned and spirits undimmed, the South Korean women’s curling team is ready to sweep past adversity and keep their medal dreams alive on the Olympic stage.