Sweden’s Team Hasselborg clinched a dramatic 6-5 victory over Switzerland in the women’s curling final at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium on March 10, 2024. This win marks a historic achievement, making them the first women’s team to secure three Olympic medals: gold in Pyeongchang in 2018, bronze in Beijing in 2022, and now gold in Cortina.
Despite their impressive track record, Team Hasselborg faced challenges leading up to these Games. Major life transitions, including three pregnancies among team members, contributed to struggles on the ice. However, the team found its footing, culminating in a strong performance at the European Curling Championships, where they secured their third title in November 2023. They entered the Olympics with renewed determination, finishing the round-robin stage strong and becoming the first to qualify for the semifinals, where they defeated the world’s top-ranked team, Canada.
In the final match, Sweden started strong, earning two points right away. Switzerland, led by Silvana Tirinzoni, blanked a couple of ends to maintain the hammer advantage. The teams exchanged points, with Sweden holding a 3-1 lead at the midpoint. A pivotal moment came in the sixth end when Switzerland’s last-rock thrower, Alina Paetz, executed perfect draws, leveling the game at 3-3.
As the match progressed, Switzerland limited Sweden to just one point in the seventh end, appearing to shift momentum in their favor. Yet, Team Hasselborg responded with a crucial steal in the eighth end, alleviating pressure. Paetz managed to score two in the penultimate end, but Hasselborg, having the hammer, sealed the victory with a final point, supported by remarkable shots from teammates Agnes Knochenhauer and Sara McManus.
“Starting with the hammer was huge. We knew they would throw a lot of offensive shots at us. But we wanted to go hard, and we got that two in the first. It was such a tight game,” Hasselborg reflected after the match, emphasizing the team’s strategic approach. “Before the Europeans in November, I was saying, ‘it feels like we’re peaking at the right time’. That was true.”
Knochenhauer’s achievement is noteworthy as she now shares the record for the most Olympic medals in curling, alongside compatriot Oskar Eriksson. Knochenhauer, who also competed as an alternate in the 2014 Sochi Games, expressed gratitude, stating, “That feels amazing. I couldn’t do anything of this without the team and without the families.”
On the sidelines, Canada secured the bronze medal on March 9, defeating the United States 10-7. This year’s curling competition at the Winter Olympics has showcased remarkable talent and resilience, with Team Hasselborg’s victory standing out as a testament to perseverance and teamwork.
