 It'll be the 2023 and 2024 world champions to face off for Olympic gold. By Cameron Sallaj After the dust settled on Monday night in Cortina, it was Sweden and the United States who claimed victory in the semifinals, advancing to the gold medal in mixed doubles for the first time in each country's history. For the Swedish side of Isabella and Rasmus Wrana, they were clinical in knocking off top seeds Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat of Great Britain. Right from the start the siblings took control, forcing GB to one in the first before converting two with last rock in the second. The pair then stole one in the third to go ahead 3-1. In four, Team GB scored a single to bring the game within one. Then in five, Isabella Wrana's only mistake came when she was light on her final draw of the end, allowing a steal of one and for Great Britain to tie the score. This point was quickly avenged, however, as in the sixth end Sweden played a masterful power play end with Great Britain having consecutive uncharacteristic errors. When Dodds slid to the back twelve on her final stone, all Isabella Wrana needed was the eight-foot to count five and all but seal an Olympic medal. Following this, the Swedes maintained their strong play to close out the game, stealing another point in seven for a massive 9-3 victory. The other semifinal between Italy and the United States saw a tighter scoreline with the game coming down to the final stone. Beginning with the hammer, Stefania Constantini made a takeout to score two and kick off the scoring. Cory Thiesse then drew the rings in the second end to bring the score level at two-all. In three, Constantini needed a precise draw to the side of the button to count a second point, which she executed to perfection. This was followed up by a quiet weight tap by Thiesse in four for three points, giving the USA their first lead of the game 5-4 heading to the second half. The shooting clinic continued in the fifth with Constantini again drawing the side of the button to score Italy a single. Tied with the hammer in six, Thiesse made a short runback to give the USA two more and put them in prime position heading to the final two ends. Not to be outdone, the Italians took advantage of missed double takeout attempts by Korey Dropkin to put three on the board with their power play in seven. This lifted the Italians back in front 8-7 with one end left to play. Still with their power play to utilize in the eighth end, all Cory Thiesse needed was an open hit-and-stay to send the US into to the gold medal game. She made the shot, counting two from the end and taking down Italy 9-8 to advance to the Olympic gold medal game. The final between the United States and Sweden will see the 2023 and 2024 world champions go head-to-head. The two sides have only met twice lifetime with the score split 1-1. The Swedes won 7-3 in a meeting at the Gothenburg Mixed Doubles Cup in December while the Americans won 8-7 in the round robin. Meanwhile, Great Britain and Italy, the two top ranked teams through the round robin, will face off for the bronze medal. Dodds and Mouat lost the bronze medal game four years ago in Beijing, having to settle for fourth, while Constantini and Mosaner won gold. Will Italy reach the podium at their home Games or will Great Britain avenge their earlier loss and reach the mixed doubles podium for the first time? The bronze medal game gets underway at 8:05 am Eastern Time Tuesday morning while the gold medal match is set to go at 12:05 pm. |
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Manitoba's Kate Cameron (Photo: Curling Canada) announced on Monday that the team will look different for the new Olympic quadrennial.
