Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – The Swiss men’s curling team secured a dominant 9-5 victory over previously undefeated Canada on Saturday at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, solidifying their position as a top contender in the tournament. The win marks the fourth consecutive victory for Skip Yannick Schwaller’s team, demonstrating a remarkable start to their Olympic campaign. Meanwhile, the Swiss women’s team suffered their first defeat of the tournament, falling to Japan.
The match against Canada, a clash between the only two remaining undefeated teams, was a statement performance by the Swiss quartet of Schwaller, Benoît Schwarz-van Berkel, Sven Michel, and Pablo Lachat-Couchepin. They controlled the game from the outset, capitalizing on opportunities and maintaining consistent pressure on their opponents. This decisive win underscores Switzerland’s ambition for gold in men’s curling at the Olympics.
Starting with the hammer – the advantage of having the last stone in an end – the Swiss team immediately scored a two-point haul in the first end. This set the tone for the match, as they went on to score two points in the third, fifth, and seventh ends. Canada managed to score a single point in the fourth and sixth ends, but the Swiss maintained a comfortable lead, extending it to 8-4 three ends before the conclusion.
The Swiss team’s precision was particularly evident in their shooting accuracy. Across all players, the team achieved a remarkable 92% success rate, as reported by the Davoser Zeitung. Schwarz-van Berkel and Schwaller individually exceeded 96% accuracy with their stones, compared to Canada’s 85% success rate. This level of consistency proved crucial in controlling the flow of the game and ultimately securing the victory.
Swiss Team Dominates with High Accuracy
The Swiss team’s control was so complete that Canada conceded the match after the ninth end, recognizing their inability to overcome the Swiss precision. The victory echoes Switzerland’s strong start at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, where a Swiss men’s team, skipped by Patrick Hürlimann, went on to win gold.
This performance elevates the Swiss team to a strong favorite for a medal in the tournament. According to the official Olympic schedule, the next challenge for Schwaller and his team comes on Sunday evening at 7:05 PM local time against Great Britain, another strong contender alongside Canada. The match will be streamed live on the Sport App and srf.ch/sport, and later broadcast on SRF zwei.
Looking Ahead: Match Against Great Britain
The upcoming match against Great Britain, skipped by Bruce Mouat, will be a significant test for the Swiss team. Great Britain currently holds a record of three wins and one loss after four games, positioning them as a close rival. The outcome of this match will likely have significant implications for the standings and the race for a spot in the semi-finals.
Yannick Schwaller, the Swiss skip, has as well recently voiced his opposition to a proposed ban on exuberant fan celebrations at the curling events. Speaking on Friday, Schwaller urged organizers to “let them go wild!” emphasizing the importance of a lively atmosphere for the sport, as reported by Watson.ch. Read more about Schwaller’s stance on fan celebrations here.
The Swiss team’s impressive performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics continues to build momentum, and their next match against Great Britain promises to be another exciting contest. The team’s consistent accuracy and strategic play suggest they are well-positioned to contend for a medal, and their strong start to the tournament has undoubtedly established them as a force to be reckoned with in the world of Olympic curling.
Stay tuned for further updates on the Swiss curling team’s progress throughout the Olympic Winter Games. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
