Canada Edges Sweden in Controversial Curling Match as Sweden Secures Semifinals Spot

In a tightly contested curling match at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Canada triumphed over Sweden's Lag Hasselborg with a final score of 8-6, handing Sweden their first defeat in the tournament. The game was marked by intense back-and-forth action, with Sweden initially leading 4-3 at halftime after a strong five-point showing led by Anna Hasselborg's three points. However, Canada's skip Rachel Homan executed a crucial triple takeout in the eighth end to reclaim the lead.

The match saw heightened officials' scrutiny over stone release techniques following earlier incidents in the Olympics, contributing to tense gameplay. A pivotal moment came in the ninth end when Hasselborg made a critical shot error that shifted momentum towards Canada, much to the frustration of the Swedish team. Despite the loss, Sweden remains in a solid position with six wins and one loss, having already secured a berth in the semifinals scheduled for Friday at 14:05. They will conclude their group stage by facing South Korea and China.

According to coverage, Canada's victory was vital considering their relatively modest three wins in six prior matches, while Sweden's strong start demonstrated their championship potential. The match's outcome left Swedish fans reflecting on the narrow margins that define Olympic curling and the impact of stringent rule enforcement on player performance.