Canada’s top-ranked women couldn’t overcome the “straight” snow against a sharp Swedish team, and now the country’s controversial men’s team will have one last chance to bend for Olympic gold Milan Cortina Games.
With Canada already locked out of the mixed team event, Rachel Homan’s team was upset by Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg in the semi-finals on Friday.
“They’re heartbroken right now,” Canada coach Heather Nedohin said.
Sweden, ranked 12th, will face Switzerland for gold on Sunday.
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Sweden, which has won the women’s championship three times since curling returned to the Olympic program in 1998, beat Canada 6-3.
Homan had beaten Hasselborg in all three previous meetings this season.
“I woke up this morning and told the girls, ‘I really believe we’re going to win today,'” said Hasselborg, one of her children in her arms and another playing at her feet.
Silvana Tirinzoni’s Swiss team won the American team 7-4 and will be looking to get the first women’s gold at the Olympics.
The Swiss took silver behind Canada at the last two world championships after four straight golds at curling’s biggest non-Olympic event.
Canada will play US in bronze on Saturday. The American women defeated Canada last week for the first time last week.
“Obviously we are disappointed, but our work is not done here,” said Homan. “We will go out and fight tomorrow.”
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The Canadians said they struggled with “straight” snow that made shots a little tougher.
“But Sweden played a very good game and I admire them,” said Homan.
American Cory Thiesse’s runner-up, who has won silver in the team event with Korey Dropkin, said he was surprised to face Canada for bronze.
“They are the number 1 ranked team in the world. But it’s the Olympics and that pressure is tough sometimes and you never know,” said Thiesse. “Our motto this week was to keep the games close and you never know what’s going to happen out there.”
In the men’s competition, Switzerland beat Norway 9-1 to win the bronze medal. Canada will face Britain for gold on Saturday.
The Canadian men were the subject of controversy that received attention off the ice when several players were accused of touching the rock twice, a violation of the rules.
In Wednesday’s interview, Team USA curler Korey Dropkin – who helped the US win silver in doubles curling last week – he told CBS News the controversy was “bigger than necessary.”
“Over the last few seasons, there’s been a lot of athletes who have done this, and it’s never really been remembered,” Dropkin said. “There are a lot of Olympians who have done double touches of granite.”
