USA and Italy Clash in Mixed Doubles Curling Semifinals at Milano Cortina Olympics

The mixed doubles curling competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics reached its dramatic playoff stage on Monday, February 9, with the United States facing defending champions Italy in a highly anticipated semifinal matchup. The playoff berths were secured after an intense round-robin stage that saw both teams demonstrate championship-caliber performance throughout the preliminary rounds. In the final round-robin session on Monday morning at 4:05 a.m. ET, Italy narrowly edged the United States 7-6 in a tightly contested match that set the tone for their later semifinal encounter. The American team of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin had entered the Olympics with high expectations, racing out to a record 4-0 start after Friday victories over Canada and Czechia. Their strong early performance positioned them as legitimate medal contenders alongside Great Britain, which clinched its semifinal spot after Day 4 of competition. The semifinal matchups featured Great Britain taking on Sweden in one bracket, while the United States faced Italy in the other. Great Britain had been the standout team throughout the round-robin stage, establishing themselves as the team to beat with consistent performances across all matches. Sweden completed the four-team playoff field alongside the Americans and Italians, while Canada was eliminated despite their strong curling pedigree. Italy entered the semifinals as defending Olympic champions with extensive mixed doubles experience, making them formidable opponents for the American duo. The playoff format added extra pressure, as the winners would advance directly to the gold medal match while the losers would compete for bronze. This single-elimination structure meant every stone, every strategic decision, and every precise shot would carry immense weight in determining Olympic medal outcomes. The curling venue in Milano provided a dramatic backdrop for these crucial matches, with fans from around the world watching as the mixed doubles event continued to showcase the strategic complexity and precision required at the Olympic level. The sport of curling has gained significant popularity during recent Winter Olympics, with mixed doubles adding an exciting dimension that emphasizes communication and versatility between partners. Both the United States and Italy had demonstrated these qualities throughout the competition, setting up what promised to be an unforgettable semifinal showdown with Olympic medals on the line.