Feb 18 β€’ 11:32 UTC πŸ‡°πŸ‡· Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

Korean Women's Curling Beats Sweden... If They Beat Canada, They Advance to Semi-Finals

The Korean women's curling team achieved a significant victory against Sweden and could advance to the semi-finals by winning against Canada next.

The Korean women's curling team, ranked third in the world, secured an impressive 8-3 victory over Sweden at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics preliminary round. With this win, Korea improved its record to 5 wins and 3 losses, propelling them closer to securing a spot in the semi-finals. They are set to face Canada, and a win in this final preliminary match would guarantee their advancement to the next stage of the competition. With ten teams competing, the top four will move on to the semi-finals, vying for medals.

In their match against Sweden, Korea started strong, taking advantage of early scoring opportunities led by skip Kim Eun-ji and third Kim Min-ji, who executed crucial shots to establish a quick lead. By the end of the third end, Korea had built an impressive 8-0 lead, putting substantial pressure on Sweden, a curling powerhouse that has previously won medals in the last two Olympics. Sweden struggled with shot execution and defensive plays, ultimately leading to their decision to concede the match early in the seventh end, acknowledging their slim chances of a comeback.

Following the win, Kim Eun-ji remarked on the importance of their initial points gain in the first end when Sweden made mistakes, allowing Korea to seize control of the game. The victory not only boosts the team's confidence but also sets the stage for a critical final match against Canada, where they can solidify their place in the semi-finals of the tournament. As they prepare, the team will be looking to adjust and refine their strategies based on prior matches, aiming to capitalize on potential weaknesses in their opponents' play.

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