Sweden's Wranå Siblings Advance to Olympic Curling Semifinals Thanks to Norway's Help

In a thrilling turn of events at the 2026 Winter Olympics mixed doubles curling competition, Sweden's team, led by siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wranå, has secured a spot in the semifinals despite a narrow loss to the USA. The Swedish duo was defeated 8-7 in their final group match but qualified due to Norway's crucial victory over Switzerland.

The match against the USA was intense, with Sweden initially taking a 3-0 lead before the USA leveled and eventually led 6-4. Sweden fought back to tie the game at 7-7, but the USA edged ahead to claim victory. The emotional rollercoaster continued as Sweden's hopes hinged on the outcome of the Norway versus Switzerland match. Norway's 6-3 win meant Switzerland could not surpass Sweden's ranking, allowing the Wranå team to advance.

Rasmus Wranå expressed astonishment at the semifinal qualification, calling the moment "completely incredible" and reflecting on how they were captivated by Norway's performance. Isabella Wranå shared her pride in their journey and excitement about the semifinals, scheduled for Monday evening at 18:05. Norway's Magnus Nedregotten also expressed gladness in helping their Nordic neighbors, saying, "We unnar Sverige allt gott, det känns bara kul att vi få hjälpa till."

Prior to this, Sweden kept their medal hopes alive in a crucial win against Canada in the group stage, where their strategic play secured a 7-5 victory, demonstrating resilience after earlier losses, including a heavy 0-9 defeat to Norway. Despite the setback against the USA, the combination of Sweden's head-to-head advantage over Switzerland and Norway's support ensured their place in the knockout rounds.

This development means the Wranås now prepare for a semifinal duel with an opponent to be determined after the final round-robin matches. Their journey highlights the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition and the value of both performance and external factors in advancing through the tournament.

Sweden's place in the semifinals keeps their Olympic medal dreams alive as they look forward to Monday evening's critical showdown.