Top-ranked Canada, U.S. fall in women's Olympic curling semis - ESPN
ESPN
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Canada’s top-ranked women’s curling team suffered a surprise defeat in the Olympic semifinals, while the United States also fell short as both teams exited before the medal round. In a dramatic turn of events, Sweden upset Canada 6-3, ending their gold medal hopes. Meanwhile, Switzerland defeated the U.S. 7-4, securing their place in the gold medal match against Sweden on Sunday.
The results were unexpected given the rankings, with Sweden and Switzerland entering the tournament as underdogs. Sweden, ranked No. 12, has a history of success in women’s curling, having won three Olympic gold medals since the sport returned to the Games in 1998. Their victory over Canada marked their second consecutive semifinal win against the top-ranked team, showcasing their ability to compete with the best. Switzerland, led by Silvana Tirinzoni, advanced to their first-ever women’s Olympic final after a hard-fought battle with the U.S.
The defeats for Canada and the U.S. have shifted the medal picture, with both teams now competing for bronze on Saturday. This outcome highlights the unpredictability of international curling tournaments, where lower-ranked teams can challenge even the most dominant competitors. For Sweden and Switzerland, this semifinal success represents a significant step toward potentially claiming the gold.
These results also underscore the growing competitiveness in women’s curling, with emerging nations like Sweden and Switzerland making strides on the global stage. The semifinal upsets add excitement to the tournament, reminding fans that Olympic curling is filled with surprises and rivalries.
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/20/2026