Canada’s Team Jacobs Secures No. 2 Seed with Olympic Win Over Italy
Canada’s Team Brad Jacobs has clinched the second seed in the curling round-robin at the 2026 Winter Olympics. With a dominant performance, the Canadian team improved their record to 7-1 after defeating Italy’s Team Joel Retornaz 8-3. This victory secures their spot in the playoff semifinals, despite having one game left against Norway.
Key Match Details
The showdown against Italy was pivotal for both teams. The game was tied at 3-3 until a pivotal moment in the fifth end. Retornaz attempted to blank the end but misfired, leading to a mental lapse for the Italian side. Following this, the team struggled significantly.
Impact of the Fifth End
Italy’s coach, Ryan Fry, who previously won a gold medal with Jacobs, tried to rally his players during a break in the fifth end. His advice was clear: “We can’t do anything about that last shot. Reset right now.” However, the team failed to regain their composure. This resulted in Canada stealing four points in the sixth end, all but sealing Italy’s fate in the match.
Remaining Games and Semifinal Outlook
Looking ahead, Canada will face Norway in their final round-robin game. This match is scheduled for Friday at 3:05 a.m. ET / 12:05 a.m. PT. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller remains undefeated at 8-0 and will conclude the round-robin in first place.
Other Matches and Potential Outcomes
- Great Britain’s Team Bruce Mouat triumphed over the U.S. with a score of 9-2.
- Mouat’s team finished the round-robin with a 5-4 record and still has semifinal hopes.
- They depend on either Norway or Italy to lose in the final draw for a chance to advance.
- Canada’s Team Rachel Homan, currently at 4-3, is scheduled to compete against Italy on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. ET / 10:05 a.m. PT.
The results of these upcoming matches will determine the final standings as teams aim to secure their place in the playoffs. Canada’s strong showing puts them in a favorable position to challenge for Olympic glory.
