Mixed doubles curling: USA beats Italy in semifinal, advances to gold medal match

Team USA just made Olympic history in mixed doubles curling. Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin defeated defending gold medalists Italy 9-8 in a nail-biting semifinal earlier today in Cortina, Italy. The American duo will now compete for their nation’s first Olympic gold in the event on Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. ET.

An Upset for the Ages in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Thiesse and Dropkin pulled off an extraordinary comeback against two of the sport’s best players. Italy’s Constantini and Mosaner entered as defending Olympic gold medalists from Beijing 2022, making today’s result nothing short of stunning. The American team had lost to Italy just this morning in the round-robin 7-6 but regrouped magnificently for the semifinal showdown.

The match remained incredibly close throughout all seven ends. Italy led for much of the contest, but Thiesse’s final shot sealed an improbable victory. The dramatic finish showcased the mental toughness and technical precision required at the sport’s highest level, with both teams executing under extreme pressure.

From Underdogs to Title Contenders

Thiesse and Dropkin finished the round-robin with a respectable 6-3 record, but nobody expected them to topple the defending champions in a four-hour battle. Mixed doubles curling has only been an Olympic sport for three Games, making this Team USA’s historic first medal-round appearance in this event.

The pair’s journey from group play to gold medal contention speaks volumes about their consistency and determination. They now have 72 hours to prepare for Sweden, who also qualified as underdogs by defeating Great Britain in the other semifinal earlier today.

The Road to Olympic Gold Runs Through Sweden

Matchup Detail	USA (Thiesse/Dropkin)	Sweden (Wrana/Wrana)
Record in Round-Robin	6-3	5-4
Olympic Medals	Zero (First gold game appearance)	Zero (Historic first appearance)
Seeding Path	Upset victory vs. 2022 gold medalists	Defeated Great Britain (No. 1 seed)

Sweden’s pair are also riding high after toppling Great Britain’s Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat, who entered as the tournament’s top seed with an 8-1 record. The Swedish duo proved that Tuesday’s final will feature two teams hungry to make history in Milano Cortina.

Neither team has Olympic gold in this event, meaning glory awaits a first-time champion. The stage is set for an unforgettable conclusion.

Why This Moment Matters for American Curling

“This is the moment we’ve been working toward since we made the team. Beating the defending gold medalists is surreal.”

— According to reports, Team USA expressed determination and focus heading into the final

Mixed doubles curling represents the sport’s future with its emphasis on partnership and equal participation. Thiesse and Dropkin have already guaranteed the United States its first mixed doubles medal in Olympic history by reaching the final. A gold medal would cement their legacy and bring unprecedented glory to American curling.

The team’s 2023 World Mixed Doubles Championship title provides confidence they can perform under pressure. All eyes now turn to Tuesday’s showdown against Sweden in what promises to be one of the most electrifying curling contests at these Games.

What Will Determine Gold on Tuesday: Execution or Experience?

Both teams enter Tuesday with equal Olympic experience in mixed doubles, meaning the final will hinge on who executes the fundamentals best under immense pressure. Thiesse and Dropkin have proven they can beat anyone. Sweden has shown they can overcome top-seeded opponents. The question remains: who wants it more at 12:05 p.m. ET?

Curling fans worldwide will witness history on Tuesday when two unlikely champions compete for Olympic glory in Cortina. The drama, the precision, and the stakes are all set for an unforgettable final that could change the trajectory of mixed doubles curling forever.

Sources

• NBC Olympics – Live coverage and real-time updates from Milano Cortina mixed doubles curling semifinals February 9, 2026
• Yahoo Sports – Team USA curling advances to mixed doubles gold-medal game with upset over 2022 gold medalist Italy
• World Curling – Official mixed doubles playoff brackets and standings at Milano Cortina 2026