As the 2025 BKT World Men’s Curling Championship approaches its climax, Team Canada, led by skip Brad Jacobs, has firmly established itself as the team to beat. After a stellar performance throughout the round-robin phase, Canada finished with a record of 10 wins and just 1 loss, securing the top seed in the playoffs.
The championship, hosted at the Temple Gardens Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, has seen Canada dominate the competition, culminating in a decisive 8-2 victory over Austria on Friday, April 4, 2025. This win not only guaranteed Canada a direct berth into the semifinals but also ensured their place in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Jacobs, along with teammates Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert, showcased their exceptional skills, with Jacobs boasting a remarkable execution percentage of 92.8% throughout the tournament. Hebert, serving as lead, has been equally impressive, with a 94.8% execution rate. The Canadian team’s overall shooting average stands at an impressive 91.7%, making them the top performers in the tournament.
"Everything is firing on all cylinders right now," Jacobs said after their win against the United States, where they triumphed 8-3 later that same day. "Eight games in a row, winning streak, that’s great. The good news is we only have two more because that’s all I’ve got left in me right now, I’ll tell you that." This sentiment reflects the team’s confidence as they head into the playoff rounds.
The playoff picture has been set, with Canada awaiting the results of the qualification round. The qualification matches on Saturday morning will see China’s Xiaoming Xu face Norway’s Magnus Ramsfjell, while Scotland’s Bruce Mouat will take on Sweden’s Niklas Edin. The winners will advance to the semifinals, where they will meet Canada and Switzerland, who earned a bye after finishing second in the standings with a record of 9-3.
Scotland, despite being the top-ranked team entering the championship, has faced challenges. After handing Canada their only loss of the round-robin phase, the Scottish team struggled with consistency, losing three of their last seven games, including a surprising 8-2 defeat to Czechia. Mouat's squad remains a formidable opponent, but questions linger about their form as they prepare for the playoffs.
Sweden’s Edin, a decorated skip and the reigning world champion, also faces pressure as his team has had an inconsistent tournament. They managed to secure a playoff spot but fell to Italy in their last round-robin game, which raises concerns about their momentum heading into the knockout stages.
Other teams that were expected to contend for playoff spots, such as Italy, Germany, and the USA, found themselves falling short of expectations. Italy’s Joël Retornaz and Germany’s Marc Muskatewitz both finished with disappointing records, while the USA struggled significantly, ending the tournament with just four wins.
The qualification round is crucial, as it determines who will advance to face the top seeds. Canada will face the winner of the Scotland vs. Sweden match, while Switzerland will take on the victor of the China vs. Norway matchup. The semifinals are set for later on Saturday, with the bronze medal match scheduled for Sunday, April 6, 2025, followed by the gold medal final.
As the championship progresses, the excitement builds. Canada is aiming to reclaim the world title after last winning gold in 2017, and with their current form, they are in a prime position to do just that. The atmosphere in Moose Jaw has been electric, with fans rallying behind the home team, and Jacobs and his crew are determined to make their supporters proud.
With the playoffs looming, all eyes will be on Canada as they seek to navigate the knockout rounds and secure their place in curling history. The final matches promise to deliver high-stakes drama and showcase the best of what the sport has to offer.
As the competition continues, one thing is clear: Canada is ready to make a statement on the world stage, and the curling community is eager to see if they can clinch the coveted title this weekend.
