Team Homan Reaches Olympic Curling Semifinals After Strong Comeback Win

Team Homan won 5 games in a row to reach the Olympic curling semifinals. This is a big change from their 1-3 start.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Team Rachel Homan has advanced to the semifinals of the Olympic women's curling tournament, overcoming a challenging round-robin to secure a spot in the final four. The team's progression was cemented by a crucial 10-7 victory over South Korea's Team Gim Eun-ji in their final round-robin match. This win marked their fifth consecutive victory, highlighting a significant mid-tournament turnaround.

Canada’s Team Rachel Homan advances to Olympic women’s curling semifinals - 1

Round-Robin Journey and Advancement

Canada's path to the semifinals was not without its complexities. After an initial rocky start with three losses, Team Homan found its rhythm.

Canada’s Team Rachel Homan advances to Olympic women’s curling semifinals - 2

  • Key Victories: The team secured pivotal wins against China (10-5), Italy (8-7 in an extra end), Sweden (score not specified but Homan played Hasselborg), and South Korea (10-7).

  • Stellar Performance: Skip Rachel Homan demonstrated strong play throughout the crucial matches. In the game against South Korea, she made a significant double takeout with her first stone and later drew for four points, extending Canada's lead. Against Italy, a double raise takeout by Homan led to a four-point end.

  • Turnaround: The string of wins began after a 1-3 start, demonstrating the team's ability to adapt and improve during the competition.

Playoff Picture and Competitors

With their advancement, Canada joins other qualified teams in the playoff round.

Canada’s Team Rachel Homan advances to Olympic women’s curling semifinals - 3

  • Already Qualified: Sweden's Anna Hasselborg and Switzerland's Silvana Tirinzoni had already secured their places in the semifinals prior to Canada's final round-robin game.

  • Final Standings: Team Homan concluded the round robin with a 6-3 record.

Game Highlights and Team Dynamics

The decisive match against South Korea saw Canada score four points in the sixth end. Homan's execution in critical moments, including a hit for the win in the 10th end, secured the victory. The team consists of Rachel Homan (skip), Tracy Fleury (third), Emma Miskew (second), and Sarah Wilkes (lead).

Read More: Switzerland Women's Hockey Team Wins Bronze Medal at Milan Cortina Games on February 19 2026

Canada’s Team Rachel Homan advances to Olympic women’s curling semifinals - 4

Context of Performance

The team's ability to rally after an early deficit is a notable aspect of their performance.

  • Shaky Start: Canada's initial 1-3 record suggests a period of adjustment or difficulty in early matches.

  • Mid-Tournament Resurgence: The subsequent five-game winning streak indicates a significant improvement in form and strategy.

Expert and Media Observations

  • Sportsnet: Reported that Homan was "excellent against South Korea" and made key shots to build and extend Canada's lead.

  • TSN: Noted Homan "guided her Ottawa-based women’s curling team to a 10-7 victory."

  • Olympics.com: Mentioned that Switzerland, a favorite, suffered their first loss of the round robin to Japan, indicating the competitive nature of the event.

  • Globalnews.ca: Described a tense game against Sweden where Homan made an "end-changing triple-takeout in the eighth end."

  • SSBCrack News: Highlighted that the win against Sweden improved Canada's record to 4-3, placing them in a tie for fourth with South Korea. It also noted Homan's strong overall record against Swedish counterpart Hasselborg.

Conclusion and Implications

Team Canada's advancement to the Olympic semifinals is a significant achievement, particularly given their mid-round-robin challenges. Their ability to string together consecutive wins demonstrates resilience and skill under pressure. The team will now compete in the final stages of the tournament, aiming for a medal.

Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Team Homan get to the Olympic curling semifinals?
Team Homan won their last game against South Korea with a score of 10-7. This was their fifth win in a row.
Q: What was Team Homan's record in the round-robin?
Team Homan finished the round-robin with a record of 6 wins and 3 losses. They had a slow start but won many games later.
Q: Who else is in the semifinals?
Sweden and Switzerland have also reached the semifinals. The fourth spot will be decided in another game.
Q: What happened in the game against South Korea?
Canada's skip Rachel Homan played very well. She made important shots, like a double takeout and a draw for four points, to help Canada win 10-7.