Team USA Stuns Defending Champions Italy in Mixed Doubles Curling Semifinal Upset

In one of the most dramatic upsets of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Team USA's Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse stunned the defending Olympic and world champion Italian duo 9-8 in the mixed doubles curling semifinals on Monday. The American pair overcame an 8-7 deficit in the eighth and final end to secure a berth in the gold medal match, keeping alive their hopes of winning the United States' first-ever Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles curling.

The victory was particularly sweet for the Americans, who had lost to the same Italian team earlier in the day during the final match of round-robin play by a score of 7-6. Facing elimination in the semifinals, Dropkin and Thiesse showed remarkable composure and resilience. With the hammer in the final end, Dropkin executed a precise double take-out that cleared the ice and set up Thiesse for the winning stone. The American crowd erupted as the final stone came to rest, securing the dramatic comeback victory.

The Italian team of Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner had been the favorites entering the semifinals as both reigning Olympic champions from Beijing 2022 and world champions. Playing on home ice in Italy, the pressure was immense for the Italian duo to defend their title. Their loss represents a stunning upset and a major disappointment for the host nation, which had hoped to see their curling heroes repeat their golden performance from four years ago.

Dropkin and Thiesse will now face Sweden in Tuesday's gold medal match. The Swedish team defeated Great Britain in the other semifinal to advance to the final. The Americans are seeking to make history by becoming the first U.S. team to win Olympic gold in mixed doubles curling, a relatively new Olympic event that made its debut at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. The United States has never medaled in mixed doubles curling at the Olympic level, making this achievement all the more significant.

The Americans' path to the final has been marked by steady improvement throughout the tournament. After a solid round-robin performance that saw them qualify for the playoffs, they have elevated their game when it matters most. Dropkin's precision with the hammer and Thiesse's strategic decision-making have proven to be a winning combination. Their chemistry on the ice has been evident, with both players making critical shots under pressure.

The gold medal match against Sweden promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the mixed doubles curling competition at Milano Cortina 2026. Sweden is a powerhouse in curling and will present a formidable challenge for the Americans. However, after their stunning upset of Italy on home ice, Dropkin and Thiesse have shown they have the skill, composure, and determination to compete with the world's best. The match will take place on Tuesday, with the Americans carrying the momentum of their incredible semifinal victory into the biggest game of their careers.