Canada's Curling Team Advances to Gold-Medal Final at 2026 Winter Olympics
The Canadian men's curling team has secured a spot in the gold-medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, following a decisive semifinal victory over Norway on Thursday. Skip Brad Jacobs, vice Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert are now poised to compete for the top prize against Great Britain's Bruce Mouat on Saturday.
Focus on Teamwork and Preparation
Throughout the season, the Canadian squad has maintained a locker-room wall adorned with about a dozen reminder messages, emphasizing core values like 'Be a Great Teammate'. Coach Paul Webster highlighted the team's approach, stating, 'We're just focused on not really worrying about the outcome. We talk about all these standards of play that we have.' This mindset has propelled them to an impressive 8-1 record in round-robin play, with their only loss coming against Switzerland.
Road to the Final
Canada's path to the championship game has been marked by strong performances, outscoring opponents 68-49 during the week. The team's veteran experience is evident, with all four members having previously stood on the Olympic podium. Hebert and Kennedy won gold in 2010, Jacobs followed in 2014, and Gallant earned bronze in 2022. Despite minor controversies, such as Kennedy's viral argument with Sweden's Oskar Eriksson over 'double-touching' rocks, the team has remained focused and resilient.
Challenging Opponent: Great Britain
Great Britain, led by top-ranked skip Bruce Mouat, secured their place in the final after a challenging round-robin phase, where they needed a 9-2 win over the United States to clinch the fourth playoff spot. Mouat expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform under pressure, saying, 'We play well when it matters, that's the belief that we have in this team. We've done it at world championships, we've done it at numerous competitions throughout our careers.' Mouat, who lost the Olympic final in Beijing four years ago, is seeking redemption after winning world titles in 2023 and 2025.
Anticipation for the Gold-Medal Showdown
Coach Webster acknowledged the high stakes, noting, 'We had three of the best five teams in the world in the top four here this week. It says a lot about the preparation of all the teams and we're excited to play.' He added, 'We'd love to beat them in the final. That's our goal. We want to get to the gold-medal final and play the best teams.' The Canadians are embracing the opportunity on the sport's biggest stage, with Webster praising their dedication: 'They've earned the right to be in that gold-medal game. They've worked their asses off.'
As the final approaches, both teams are set to deliver a thrilling conclusion to the men's curling competition at the Milan Cortina Games, showcasing skill, strategy, and Olympic spirit.
