The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics women’s curling tournament has reached a fever pitch, with South Korea’s national team delivering both heartbreak and heroics on the ice in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Over a dramatic two-day stretch, the South Korean women’s curling squad, ranked third in the world, faced off against the world’s best—suffering a tough loss to Switzerland before roaring back with a resounding victory over Sweden. Their journey now hinges on a crucial final round robin match against Canada, with a coveted semifinal berth on the line.
On February 18, 2026, the South Korean women’s curling team took to the sheets at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium for a pivotal pair of matches. First up was a daunting challenge against Switzerland, the world’s top-ranked team and perennial curling powerhouse. South Korea’s lineup—Skip Kim Eun-ji, Third Kim Min-ji, Second Seol Ye-ji, Lead Seol Ye-eun, and Fifth Kim Su-ji—entered the contest with high hopes and a 4-2 record, knowing that a win would solidify their place among the top four teams advancing to the semifinals.
The match against Switzerland unfolded with high drama. South Korea started strong, claiming a single point in the first end, but Switzerland countered with a three-point surge in the second. The Koreans battled back, tying the score at 3-3 after four ends with a combination of precise takeouts and strategic stone placement. The fifth end saw a tense blank, as both teams played cautiously, refusing to give an inch. In the sixth, Switzerland eked out a single point, nudging ahead 4-3.
Momentum swung back and forth as South Korea, trailing by two after the seventh end, clawed back to 4-5 in the eighth. The ninth end proved decisive: Switzerland executed a flawless double takeout to score two points, extending their lead to 7-4. South Korea’s hopes for a late comeback sparked briefly in the tenth end, as they pulled off a remarkable triple takeout—removing three Swiss stones in a single shot. Yet, Switzerland responded coolly, matching with a double takeout of their own. Facing a steep deficit and with only a single point gained in the final end, South Korea conceded, falling 5-7 to the tournament favorites.
This defeat dropped South Korea’s record to 4-3, tying them with Canada and the United States and sliding them from joint second place to joint fourth in the round robin standings. With only the top four teams advancing to the semifinals, the pressure mounted for their next contest. The round robin format at these Olympics is unforgiving: each of the ten teams faces every other once, and a single stumble can tip the balance between medal contention and elimination.
But the South Korean squad, led by the unflappable Kim Eun-ji, refused to let the setback define their Olympic run. Later the same day, they faced another daunting opponent: Sweden, ranked fourth in the world and already assured of a semifinal spot. The stakes couldn’t have been higher for South Korea, who needed a win to keep their medal dreams alive.
From the opening stone, South Korea played with determination and precision. In the first end, Kim Min-ji’s masterful shot left three Korean stones in the house, and Kim Eun-ji delivered a decisive blow by knocking out Sweden’s scoring stone to claim three points right off the bat. The momentum only grew from there. Capitalizing on uncharacteristic Swedish errors, South Korea added another point in the second end and two more in the third, rapidly building a commanding 6-0 lead.
By the fourth end, South Korea’s dominance was clear. Another two-point haul pushed the score to 8-0, leaving Sweden reeling and the Korean fans in the stands in full voice. The Swedes managed to claw back a point in the fifth and another in the sixth, but the deficit proved insurmountable. In the seventh end, South Korea maintained their composure, limiting Sweden to just one more point and effectively sealing the match. Recognizing the uphill battle, Sweden conceded after seven ends, handing South Korea a resounding 8-3 victory.
“Our team showed incredible focus and teamwork today,” said Kim Eun-ji after the match, her voice brimming with pride. “We knew what was at stake and everyone played their part. This win means a lot, but we know there’s still work to do.” The win improved South Korea’s record to 5-3 and dramatically increased their chances of advancing to the semifinals. Their precise shot-making and cool-headed game management, especially against a Swedish side that had been nearly flawless throughout the tournament, sent a clear message to the rest of the field: South Korea is a force to be reckoned with.
The rollercoaster day left the standings in flux and set up a final round robin showdown against Canada, another team with semifinal aspirations. The outcome of that match will determine whether South Korea’s Olympic journey continues into the medal rounds or comes to a heartbreaking close. The anticipation is palpable among fans and players alike, as every stone thrown could tip the balance between glory and disappointment.
Beyond the scores and statistics, the South Korean women’s curling team’s resilience has won them admiration from across the curling world. Their ability to bounce back from adversity, adapt their strategies on the fly, and maintain composure under pressure has been on full display in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The team’s chemistry, honed through years of international competition, has made them a formidable opponent on the Olympic stage.
The tournament’s structure adds to the drama. With ten teams vying for just four semifinal spots, every match is a high-stakes affair. The round robin format ensures that even the smallest misstep can have major consequences, and tiebreakers loom as a possibility if multiple teams finish with identical records. For South Korea, the path forward is clear: defeat Canada, and a medal opportunity awaits.
As the Olympic curling competition enters its decisive phase, all eyes are on the South Korean women’s team. Their journey has already delivered unforgettable moments—heartbreaking losses, dominant victories, and the kind of grit that defines champions. With one crucial match remaining, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to their round robin campaign.
Whether South Korea’s curling stars will advance to the semifinals remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: their fighting spirit and remarkable skill have captured the imagination of curling fans around the globe. As the stones slide and the brooms sweep in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the dream of Olympic gold is still very much alive for Team Korea.