Sweden Claims Gold in Dramatic Olympic Curling Final
Olympic Games 2026: Sweden Claims Gold in Dramatic Mixed Doubles Curling Final
The mixed doubles curling tournament at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games delivered a spectacular and thrilling conclusion, as Sweden captured the gold medal in a heart-stopping final, defeating the United States 6–5.
Golden Moment: Sweden triumphs with a two-point final end to secure Olympic glory.
The Turning Point and Final End Drama
The match's momentum swung in the seventh end when Team USA scored two points to seize a crucial lead. Heading into the eighth and final end, the scoreboard showed 5–4 in favor of the Americans, setting up a tense finish with everything at stake.
"We had the hammer in the eighth. We knew we had to be perfect. Just one shot at a time," said Rasmus Wrana after the victory.
Sweden held the hammer (the final stone advantage) in the decisive end. The sequence unfolded with precision and mounting pressure:
- Cory Thiesse (USA) opened with a precise draw to the center of the house, matched by Isabella Wrana (SWE).
- Cory Dropkin’s (USA) third shot landed in the eight-foot circle, but Rasmus Wrana (SWE) answered immediately to maintain Sweden’s position.
- Critical Mistakes: Dropkin attempted two takeouts, but a miscalculation left Sweden sitting on the shot stone. A later heavy hit pushed a US stone too deep.
- Rasmus Wrana restored Sweden’s guard, increasing the pressure.
- In a final attempt, Thiesse tried to remove the Swedish stone but saw one of her own roll away, leaving the house vulnerable.
With the ice clear and the gold medal on the line, Isabella Wrana delivered a flawless final shot, sealing two points in the eighth end and securing the historic 6–5 victory for Sweden.
Final Standings – Mixed Doubles Curling
- 🥇 Gold: Isabella Wrana / Rasmus Wrana (Sweden)
- 🥈 Silver: Cory Thiesse / Cory Dropkin (United States)
- 🥉 Bronze: Stefania Constantini / Amos Mosaner (Italy)
Result: SWE 6–5 USA | Final End: 8th | Winning Shot: Isabella Wrana
The victory marks a major Olympic triumph for Sweden, a testament to their composure under immense pressure. The final highlighted the incredible intensity, strategy, and precision that defined the mixed doubles curling tournament at the 2026 Games.
