Team Homan wins 8-6 against Sweden to keep Canada in Olympic curling playoffs

By Newsroom | Sports, Canada |

The Canadian women's curling team, skipped by Rachel Homan, has achieved a critical win against Sweden's Team Anna Hasselborg, bolstering their playoff prospects at the Winter Olympics. This hard-fought victory, decided by a narrow margin, demonstrates the team's resilience in a high-stakes tournament. The win brings their overall record to 4-3 with two games remaining, placing them in a tie for fourth in the 10-team competition.

Event Overview

Canada's win against Sweden occurred during a period of intense competition in the women's curling tournament. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics serve as the backdrop for these matches. Team Homan has faced several challenges in the tournament, including earlier losses that put their advancement in jeopardy. The match against Sweden, described as having "moments of brilliance" alongside "piled-up mistakes" from both sides, highlights the complex nature of elite-level play.

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  • Date of Victory: The win against Sweden took place on Tuesday.

  • Tournament Context: The victory improves Canada's standing to 4-3 in the 10-team tournament, positioning them for potential playoff advancement.

  • Opponent: Team Anna Hasselborg of Sweden, previously described as the tournament leader.

Game Details and Key Moments

The match against Sweden was characterized by its tightness, with the final score reflecting a close contest.

  • Final Score: Canada defeated Sweden 8-6.

  • Turning Point: In the eighth end, with the score close, a crucial decision regarding the use of Canada's second-to-last stone was made. Reports indicate the Canadian skip appeared uncertain at one point, underscoring the pressure of the situation.

  • Decisive Plays: Canada secured the win by scoring two points in the tenth and final end.

  • Prior Match Issues: Team Homan had previously experienced a 7-6 loss in an extra end against Switzerland, a game where a rock was removed by an official after a discussion with Homan early on. Another match saw them lose to Great Britain, with the summary noting Morrison outshooting Homan.

Performance Analysis

Team Homan's recent performance shows a blend of strategic acumen and adaptability, particularly evident in their win against the previously leading Swedish team.

Canada's Resurgence

Following earlier setbacks, including losses that brought their tournament standing to 1-3 and placed them "on the brink of elimination," Team Homan has shown a capacity to regroup. The win against Sweden is seen as a significant step in their "return to form" and has kept their playoff hopes alive.

Swedish Team's Standing

Prior to this match, Sweden's Team Anna Hasselborg was highlighted as the tournament leader, suggesting the significance of Canada's victory.

On-Ice Incidents

Reports indicate that Rachel Homan was involved in a discussion with an official during a game against Switzerland, which resulted in one of her rocks being removed. This event, coupled with the overall "insane curling chaos" mentioned in relation to the team's tournament experience, suggests a period of unpredictability.

Expert and Team Perspectives

The team's performance has drawn commentary, reflecting the pressure and focus required at this level.

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  • Rachel Homan's Focus: Homan has expressed a clear objective: to win a gold medal. Her state of mind is described as "laser-focused" on this goal.

  • Team Confidence: A video summary suggests Homan has discussed the confidence her team provides her following their win over Sweden.

Concluding Observations

The victory over Sweden represents a pivotal moment for Team Rachel Homan at the Winter Olympics. It demonstrates their ability to overcome recent struggles and perform under intense pressure, significantly improving their chances of advancing to the playoff rounds. The varied results leading up to this win underscore the challenging and unpredictable nature of Olympic curling.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the final score of the Canada vs Sweden women's curling match on Tuesday?
Canada's Team Homan beat Sweden's Team Hasselborg with a final score of 8-6. This victory was very important because it helped Canada move up in the rankings after some early losses.
Q: How does the win against Sweden change Canada's ranking in the Olympic curling tournament?
With this win, Canada now has 4 wins and 3 losses in the 10-team competition. They are currently tied for fourth place, which gives them a good chance to reach the playoff rounds.
Q: Why was the match against Sweden considered a must-win for Rachel Homan's team?
Before this game, Team Homan had a record of 1-3 and was close to being sent home early. By beating the top-ranked Swedish team, they proved they can still compete for the gold medal.
Q: What happened in the final moments of the Canada vs Sweden curling game?
The game was very close until the very end when Canada scored two points in the tenth part of the match. This final play secured the 8-6 win and stopped Sweden from making a comeback.
Q: How many games does Team Homan have left to play in the Olympic opening round?
Team Homan has 2 games remaining in the first part of the tournament. They need to keep winning to stay in the top four teams and move to the next stage of the Olympics.