Sweden Edges Canada 6-3 in Curling Semi-Final Thriller

Canada falls short against Sweden in curling semi-finals

Sweden defeats Canada 6-3 in women's curling semi-final at 2026 Winter Olympics. Anna Hasselborg's flawless play sends Sweden to gold medal match against Switzerland.

Canada ended up fourth in the Round Robin, but a crucial 8-6 win over Sweden...

Sweden avenged their loss to Canada, securing a spot in the women's curling gold medal match at the 2026 Winter Olympics. They defeated the world number one team 6-3 in the semi-finals, marking their second final appearance in three Olympic tournaments.

Sweden, the 2018 gold medallists, will face Switzerland in the final on Sunday. Meanwhile, Canada will compete against the United States for bronze on Saturday, following Switzerland's 7-4 win in the other semi-final.

Canada ended up fourth in the Round Robin, but a crucial 8-6 win over Sweden in that stage could've boosted their confidence heading into the playoffs. They were actually lucky not to be down 2-0 after the first end, as Anna Hasselborg's stone just managed to tap into the centre, denying Sweden a steal.

A tricky shot from Rachel Homan, wicking through a congested rink, helped Canada level the score after two ends. Homan's skillful play kept Canada in the game, setting the tone for a competitive match.

A straightforward take-out from Anna Hasselborg gave Sweden the lead again, but Canada fought back with a clever draw in the fourth end, tying the game once more. The match stayed tight, with Sweden blanking the fifth end to keep the hammer.

At the halfway mark, the game was poised on a knife-edge, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. 

Sweden's strategic decision paid off, as Canada's missed take-outs allowed them to score two points with their final stone, taking a 4-2 lead with four ends to play. Sara McManus's impressive shots put Canada under pressure in the seventh end, and Anna Hasselborg added an extra guard with Sweden's last stone to protect their position.

The Swedes' momentum continued as they capitalized on Canada's mistakes, showcasing their skill and strategy in the game. 

Rachel Homan was forced into a tough promotion take-out, but she couldn't find the angle, and Sweden capitalized, stealing another point. Canada managed to score only one point in the eighth end, as their ambitious take-out didn't quite pan out, leaving them without a chance to score two.

The missed opportunity put Canada in a tricky spot, trailing 6-3 going into the final ends. 

Sweden will play in their second Olympic final!!! 🇸🇪🤩#Curling #MilanoCortina2026 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/itTvrviz4Y

— World Curling (@worldcurling) February 20, 2026

Anna Hasselborg's flawless double take-out in the ninth end gave Sweden a three-point lead heading into the final end. Canada's weak draws left Sweden with a strategic advantage, lying four with two red stones left. Rachel Homan managed to remove two Swedish stones, but Hasselborg quickly countered, removing Canada's remaining stone to seal Sweden's 6-3 victory.

Sweden is making waves in women's curling, with three consecutive Olympic medals, including gold in 2018 and bronze in 2022. They've now advanced to the gold medal match against Switzerland after defeating Canada 6-3 in the semifinals.

Canada, on the other hand, will face the USA in the bronze medal match, aiming to break their medal drought in women's curling since 2014. The team, led by Rachel Homan, is looking to bounce back from their semifinal loss to Sweden.