Italy's hopes in curling at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics came to a disappointing end as the team was defeated by Switzerland with a score of 9-5. The match was a do-or-die situation for the Azzurri, who needed to win and rely on favorable outcomes from other games to remain in contention for a medal. Unfortunately, Switzerland proved to be too strong, capitalizing on early mistakes by the Italian team, who were under pressure from the outset. With this loss, the Italian team concluded their Olympic campaign with a record of four wins and five losses, landing them between fifth and seventh place in the standings, pending final results from additional matches.

In this final game, the Swiss team displayed their prowess, noting that they had previously secured a bronze medal at the last World Championships and entered the Olympics with impressive momentum, having won eight consecutive matches. Despite an auspicious start for the Italian curling team, with early victories against the reigning Olympic champions Sweden and the current World Champions Great Britain, those early wins ultimately turned out to be misleading. The team now faces scrutiny for their overall performance and for failing to build on promising starts against formidable opponents.

As the Olympic dreams fade away, this tournament's experience could serve as a crucial learning opportunity for the Italian players. The challenges they faced, especially against top-tier international teams like Switzerland, highlight the competitive nature of Olympic curling and the need for further development in this sport within Italy. Moving forward, the Italian curling federation will need to assess the program and strategize for future championships to better equip their athletes for success on the world stage.