Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – The South Korean women’s curling team, known as “Team 5G,” secured a crucial victory at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, defeating a formidable Swedish team 8-3 on Monday, February 18th. This win significantly boosts their chances of reaching the semifinals, a feat they can achieve outright with a victory over Canada in their final round-robin match.
The Korean team, skipped by Kim Eun-ji, entered the match needing a strong performance after a recent loss to Switzerland. Their decisive win against Sweden, a three-time Olympic champion (The Hankyoreh), demonstrates their resilience and positions them favorably in a tightly contested tournament. The team’s success is particularly notable given Sweden had already qualified for the semifinals prior to this match.
Team 5G, comprised of Kim Eun-ji, Kim Min-ji, Seol Ye-ji, Seol Ye-eun and Kim Su-ji, dominated the early stages of the game. They capitalized on a strong start, scoring three points in the first conclude after Kim Min-ji’s precise shots set the stage for Kim Eun-ji to expertly remove Swedish stones. The team continued their momentum, extending their lead to 8-0 after four ends through a series of successful steals – scoring points while not having the hammer (last stone advantage). Sweden’s skip, Anna Hasselborg, attempted an aggressive strategy, but struggled with key shots, ultimately conceding the match after scoring three points in the 5th, 6th, and 7th ends, recognizing a comeback was improbable.
The South Korean women’s curling team celebrates their victory over Sweden at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. (Yonhap News)
A Pivotal Win After a Setback
The victory over Sweden comes after a challenging match against world number one Switzerland on February 17th, which resulted in a loss for the Korean team. That loss dropped them to a tie for fourth place in the standings, increasing the pressure on their final round-robin game. YTN reports that the team responded emphatically, demonstrating their ability to bounce back from adversity.
What’s at Stake: The Canada Match
With a record of 5 wins and 3 losses, the Korean team now faces a crucial match against Canada on February 19th at 10:05 PM KST. A win against Canada would secure their place in the semifinals with a final record of 6-3. The Olympic curling tournament utilizes a round-robin format where the top four teams out of ten advance to the playoff stage. NewsPim highlights the importance of this final match, emphasizing that it will determine their fate in the tournament.
Team 5G: Continuing a Legacy
The current Korean women’s curling team, nicknamed “5G” because all members’ names end with the Korean syllable “지” (ji), is aiming to build upon the success of the “Team Kim” squad that captured silver at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and sparked a nationwide curling craze. While they faced early challenges in the tournament, with losses to the United States and Denmark, they rebounded with victories over Italy, Great Britain, Japan, and China before their recent wins against Switzerland and Sweden. Daum notes that this team is proving to be a strong contender in the final stages of the competition.
The Korean team’s journey continues as they prepare for their final round-robin match against Canada. A victory would not only secure their spot in the semifinals but also maintain their hopes alive for a medal at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. The team’s performance will be closely watched by curling fans in South Korea and around the world.
Stay tuned for updates on the Korea-Canada match and the ongoing Olympic curling tournament. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!