After an exciting series of 45 round-robin matches and two thrilling semi-finals, the stage is set for the Olympic mixed doubles curling championship. The final will take place on February 10, featuring Team USA’s Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse competing against Sweden’s Isabella Wranå and Rasmus Wranå for the coveted gold medal.
Team USA secured their spot in the final with a nail-biting 9-8 victory over Italy in the semi-finals. They finished the round-robin tournament in third place with a record of 6-3. On the other hand, Sweden advanced to the gold medal match by defeating the round-robin top team, Great Britain, with a dominant score of 9-3. The Swedish team entered the playoffs as the fourth seed with a 5-4 record.
The championship showdown promises to be packed with excitement, given that both teams have previously claimed world championship titles. The U.S. team triumphed in the 2023 World Championship just a year after Dropkin and Thiesse formed their partnership. Conversely, Rasmus and Isabella Wranå won the championship on home ice in 2024.
Notably, both teams feature an Olympic debutant. Rasmus Wranå has already participated in two Olympic Games, clinching gold and silver as part of Swedish men’s skip Niklas Edin’s team, while Thiesse was an alternate for the U.S. women’s team during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics. This mixed doubles final marks the first Olympic appearance for both Dropkin and Isabella Wranå, showcasing their talent on this prestigious platform.
Their previous encounter in the round-robin stage was a tightly contested match, with the U.S. narrowly winning 8-7, setting the stage for an intense final where the stakes are even higher.
Curling aficionados can catch the live coverage of this exciting final, showcasing the pinnacle of mixed doubles curling and the pursuit of Olympic glory.