The Republic of Korea’s women’s curling team secured a significant victory at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Monday, defeating previously undefeated Sweden 8-3 in round robin play. The win dramatically improves their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
The Korean team, comprised of skip Kim Eun-ji, third Kim Min-ji, second Kim Su-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun and fifth Seol Ye-jin, currently ranked third in the world, dominated the match against their fourth-ranked Swedish opponents. The game, held at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, concluded after seven ends.
With a record of five wins and three losses, Korea will face Canada in their final preliminary game on Tuesday. A win against Canada would guarantee a spot in the semi-finals. Still, a loss would leave their fate dependent on the results of other matches, according to reports from the Associated Press.
Sweden, having already clinched a semi-final berth, struggled with errors throughout the match, which Korea capitalized on effectively. In the first end, Korea scored three points, taking an early lead. Kim Min-ji’s precise shots positioned three stones within the house, and Kim Eun-ji’s final stone removed two Swedish stones.
Korea extended their advantage in the second end, adding another point after Sweden’s skip, Anna Hasselborg, failed to execute a successful draw. By the fourth end, Korea led 6-0. They continued their strong performance, scoring two more points in the fourth end to reach 8-0.
Sweden managed to score a point in the fifth end, but Korea responded with a point of their own in the sixth, maintaining a comfortable 8-2 lead. In the seventh end, Korea strategically managed the game, allowing Sweden to score one point before conceding the match.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo run from February 6th to February 22nd, according to the official Olympic schedule. Team Canada likewise competed on Monday, with Sarah Wilkes, Rachel Homan, and Emma Miskew facing South Korea in a women’s curling round robin session. Team Jacobs, with a 5-1 record, is scheduled to play Great Britain on Tuesday.