Women’s curling results: Sweden beats USA 9-4 in Olympic opener, Hasselborg leads back-to-back wins

Sweden dominated Team USA with a commanding 9-4 victory in women’s curling at Milano Cortina 2026. Skip Anna Hasselborg led the Swedes to back-to-back wins on the opening day of the Olympic round robin, cementing their grip atop the standings.

Hasselborg’s Dominance Defines Day One at Milano Cortina

Anna Hasselborg orchestrated a masterclass in precision curling as Sweden dominated the opening session of women’s competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The two-time Olympic gold medalist engineered three steals throughout the match, including a crucial single point in the ninth end that proved decisive. Hasselborg and her trio of teammates were relentless on the ice, controlling the match from the fifth end forward.

The Swedish skip showed why she remains one of curling’s elite strategists, executing difficult shot after shot. “We really love being here,” Hasselborg reflected afterward, emphasizing the team’s patience and ice adaptation. Her squad’s victory marked Sweden’s second consecutive win of the day, making them the tournament’s early front-runners.

USA Fights Back But Cannot Break Swedish Control

Team USA, led by skip Tabitha Peterson, started strong with an early lead but couldn’t maintain momentum. Peterson’s brilliant opening shot in the fourth end, a sublime hit-and-roll maneuver, gave America a 2-1 advantage. However, Hasselborg’s response and subsequent steals gradually shifted the balance toward Sweden’s favor.

The Americans showed resilience and skill throughout, but Hasselborg’s tactical prowess and steal in the ninth end clinched the outcome. In the final end, Peterson’s attempted takeout hit a guard, allowing Sweden to score three points and secure the convincing victory despite USA’s valiant efforts.

Match Breakdown and Key Moments

End	Event	Result
1st	Sweden blanked	0-0
5th	Sweden scored two	2-1 SWE
6th	Sweden took lead	3-2 SWE
9th	Hasselborg steal wins game	6-4 SWE
10th	Sweden scores three points	9-4 Final

The turning point came early. After Peterson’s initial advantage, Hasselborg methodically adjusted to the ice conditions at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Sweden’s second steal in the ninth end virtually sealed the match, giving them a 6-4 lead heading into the final end with USA without hammer (final shot advantage). Peterson’s desperate final attempt couldn’t produce the multiple points needed to compete.

“It was such a fun game. We really love being here, and we talked about going in and being very patient and continuing to learn the ice.”

— Anna Hasselborg, Swedish Skip

Sweden’s Road to Olympic Glory Takes Shape Early

Sweden’s 2-0 start puts them in dominant position before the round robin continues. The PyeongChang 2018 gold medalists demonstrated why they’re considered medal contenders, with Hasselborg targeting her third Olympic medal. The team’s precision execution and calm under pressure were evident throughout.

USA remains competitive at 1-1 after beating South Korea earlier Thursday, but the loss to Sweden showed the elite level of competition at Milano Cortina. The tournament continues Friday with afternoon matches including Denmark versus Sweden and USA against Canada, giving both teams immediate opportunities to adjust their standings.

What Does This Victory Mean for the Olympic Curling Tournament?

Sweden’s dominant performance sends a clear message to the field: the Nordic powerhouse is peaking at precisely the right moment. Hasselborg’s third Olympic appearance may be her most polished yet, with her team showing exceptional chemistry and tactical intelligence. With the round robin structure allowing every team multiple matches, USA remains positioned to compete for medals, but they’ll need to neutralize Hasselborg’s strategic brilliance if they meet again.

The opening day of women’s curling at Milano Cortina 2026 has established Sweden as the team to beat. As Hasselborg herself noted, the atmosphere rivals a summer camp among friends. But make no mistake, the competition is fierce, and USA and other contenders will be plotting their path to gold on the Olympic ice stage.

Sources

• Olympics.com – Official coverage of women’s team curling at Milano Cortina 2026
• World Curling – Round robin results and team standings
• NBC Olympics – Match highlights and analysis