The victorious Swedish women were overjoyed. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

Sweden triumphs in thriller against Switzerland

Sweden's curlers secured the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo in a thriller against Switzerland.

February 22, 2026

From: never

In the penultimate competition of the Games, the team led by skip Anna Hasselborg prevailed against Switzerland in a thrilling final, winning 6-5. This marks Sweden's fourth Olympic gold medal in the women's event, and Hasselborg's second personal triumph after her victory in 2018.

Together with Sara McManus, Agnes Knochenhauer, and Sofia Scharback, Hasselborg got off to a strong start: The Swedes quickly built a two-point lead, which they maintained until the sixth end. The Swiss fought back and leveled the score before the game became dramatically tense in the final stages. The decision came only with Hasselborg's last stone.

Switzerland is denied happiness.

The renewed clash between the two skips was also a major focus. Swiss team captain Silvana Tirinzoni had led her team to the final with convincing performances and was facing Hasselborg for the fifth time at the Winter Games. But as in their previous head-to-head encounters – including the bronze medal match in 2022 – the Swede once again kept her composure.

Switzerland will have to wait longer for its Olympic victory. © APA/afp / FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT

Switzerland's dream of its first Olympic gold medal in women's curling remains unfulfilled. The Swiss women won silver in both 2002 and 2006, but have not won another medal since. Sweden, on the other hand, has only missed out on a medal once since curling's debut at the 1998 Winter Games, once in Salt Lake City in 2002. They have already won gold in 2006, 2010, and 2018 – and now again in Cortina. Following their triumph in mixed doubles at the start of the Games, this is also Sweden's second curling gold at these Winter Games.