Winter Olympics 2026: Switzerland Qualify for Women’s Playoffs as Men’s Semi-Final Race Tightens
London, 19 February 2026 – The curling competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has reached a critical juncture as the round-robin stage nears its conclusion. Switzerland has officially secured a place in the women’s playoffs, while the British men’s team faces a tense wait to determine their semi-final fate following a series of high-stakes matches in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Women’s Division: Switzerland Dominant, GB Secure Vital Win
Switzerland has become the first women’s team to guarantee a playoff spot, maintaining an impressive run of form. Meanwhile, Team GB’s Rebecca Morrison kept British hopes alive with a dramatic 8-7 victory over the United States. Morrison secured the win with a precise final-stone delivery in the tenth end. In other notable action, Canada’s Rachel Homan continued her pursuit of gold, defeating Italy 8-7 in an extra end (11 ends) to maintain a strong position in the standings.
Men’s Division: Team GB Hopes Hang in the Balance
The British men’s team, led by Bruce Mouat, experienced a volatile 48 hours. After a heavy 9-5 defeat to Canada’s Brad Jacobs on Tuesday, the British side responded with a dominant 9-2 victory over the USA on Wednesday, concluding the match in just six ends. Despite this recovery, a previous 8-6 loss to Norway has left Team GB relying on other results. They currently require either Italy or Norway to lose their final matches to guarantee a semi-final berth.
Key Results and Standings
The following data reflects the most recent confirmed scores and standings from the Olympic round-robin sessions as of 19 February 2026.
| Event / Matchup | Final Score | Status / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Great Britain (Men) vs USA | 9–2 | GB remains in semi-final contention |
| Canada (Homan) vs Italy | 8–7 (EE) | Canada secures fourth straight win |
| Great Britain (Women) vs USA | 8–7 | Vital win for Team GB Women |
| South Korea vs Sweden (Women) | 8–3 | Major upset in women’s draw |
| Canada (Jacobs) vs Great Britain | 9–5 | Canada secures playoff spot |
| Denmark vs South Korea (Women) | 6–3 | Denmark moves into top half of rankings |
Curling Scoring and Rules Explained
For viewers new to the sport during the 2026 Games, the scoring system is based on the position of the stones relative to the “house” (the target area). Points are awarded for each stone that is closer to the “button” (the centre) than any of the opponent’s stones. Only stones within the 12-foot (3.7 m) house are eligible for scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ‘Power Play’ in curling?
In mixed doubles curling, each team is permitted to use one ‘power play’ per game. This strategic option allows the team with the hammer (the last stone) to reposition the pre-placed stones to the side of the house, rather than the centre, to create more scoring opportunities.
How many stones are thrown in an end?
In standard team curling, each team has eight stones. Each of the four players on a team throws two stones in a specific order: lead, second, third, and skip.
What happens if a match is tied after 10 ends?
If the score is tied after the regulation 10 ends, an extra end (EE) is played. The first team to score in the extra end wins the match, as seen in Rachel Homan’s 8-7 victory over Italy earlier this week.