Sweden defeats Canada in low-scoring competition to advance to curling gold for men
Unlike the other men’s curling semi-finals, which were rich in points and energetic, Thursday’s semi-final game between Sweden and Canada was much more tactical.
With four shiny ends and only eight total points scored, it was one point by Sweden in the eighth that finally decided a 5-3 victory.
Sweden’s win sends the team to the gold game for the second straight Olympics. Same team, jumped past Niklas Edinwill return to fight for the gold medal they missed in 2018.
In Thursday’s semifinal, Brad Gushue missed a double socket over the house on Canada’s last throw in the fourth and rolled it over and out of the house. The miss created a draw for Edin, who landed it on the Olympic rings in the middle for two points and a 3-1 lead.
Canada got two right-backs in the fifth on an equally easy draw for Gushue that leveled the score at 3-3 at halftime.
After two brilliant finishes, Sweden got one in eighth on a draw that stopped just enough to give Edin’s team the lead again, 4-3. It was a lead they would not let go.
Canada hit the ninth to keep the hammer in tenth place. In the end, Edin’s last throw knocked out Canada’s stone, which lay at 4 feet and spun enough to still have points.
Gushue’s hammer throw took out a Swedish stone, but failed to roll into the points position with an inch, which gave Sweden a steal of one and a 2-point win.
Edin’s team took home silver in the 2018 Olympics after falling to Team USA in the gold medal game. This Swedish team will now look not only for the first Olympic gold for themselves but also for Sweden. They will face Great Britain in the final on Saturday at 01:05 ET.
Canada will try to get back on the Olympic podium after missing 2018. Gushue’s team will face Team USA on Friday at 01:05 ET in the bronze medal game.