The Japanese women's curling team, known as Fortius, is gearing up for their first match against Sweden at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The skip, Sayaka Yoshimura, conveyed a sense of calm and readiness, stating that there is no pressure because they've come this far and are focused on performing well. The match is scheduled to take place on February 12, at 9:05 AM local time. Japan has previously won a bronze medal at the PyeongChang Olympics and a silver in Beijing, aiming for a third consecutive podium finish.

The team has been preparing diligently, holding a pre-Olympic camp in Switzerland before heading to Italy. Yoshimura, part of the team making its Olympic debut, conveyed that despite her initial nerves, she's ready to showcase her growth alongside teammates, particularly noting that they are coming back with their strongest lineup since their last Olympic appearance in Sochi 2014. Other team members, such as third player Kaho Onodera, echoed this sentiment by expressing excitement for the opportunity to prove their growth and skills on the ice.

The competition takes place in the historic Cortina Olympic Stadium, which previously hosted events during the 1956 Winter Olympics. The round-robin phase of the tournament will feature 10 teams competing, with the top four advancing to the semifinals on February 20. As the opening match approaches, the team remains optimistic about their performance against the Olympic bronze medalists from Beijing, hoping to continue their streak of success at the Winter Games.