Olympic Curling: Team Canada Kicks Off Milano Cortina 2026 with a Hard-Fought Victory
Brad Jacobs and Team Canada made a triumphant return to the Olympic stage at Milano Cortina 2026, securing a 7-6 victory over Germany’s Marc Muskatewitz in a thrilling opening draw of the men’s curling competition. This marked Jacobs’ first Olympic appearance since his gold medal win in 2014, and the team – featuring third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert – faced a formidable challenge.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams demonstrating exceptional skill and strategic play. Germany, competing in their first Olympics, proved to be a resilient opponent, matching Canada shot for shot through the initial ends. They managed to score two in the third, but Canada quickly responded with two of their own in the fourth.
A Battle of Strategy and Skill
The fifth end saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Canada stole two points, thanks to a precise pick and a tight double takeout by Jacobs. However, Germany wasn’t deterred, tying the game 4-4 with a deuce in the sixth. The teams then engaged in a series of strategic maneuvers, blanking the seventh and eighth ends in a bid to maintain control.
Canada regained the lead with two points in the ninth, but Germany immediately retaliated with a pair in the tenth, tying the game once again. The tension reached its peak in the extra end, where Canada needed a clutch shot from Jacobs to secure the win.
Jacobs Delivers Under Pressure
After a runback double attempt by Kennedy narrowly missed, leaving Germany sitting three, Jacobs delivered a masterful double takeout followed by a precise hit and stick, sealing the victory for Team Canada.
“They gave us everything we could handle,” Jacobs said after the match. “Getting it done in eleven ends is good for us. I think the more we can go deep into games, make the last shot to win like that, the better for us. You want to get comfortable doing that and to do it in Game 1 is great.”
Other Results from the First Draw
- Italy defeated Sweden 7-6
- Great Britain beat China 9-4
- United States overcame Czechia 8-7
Team Canada will continue their Olympic journey on Friday, facing China in the morning and Sweden in the evening. The 10-team round robin will continue until February 19th, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals. The bronze medal game is scheduled for February 20th, and the gold medal match will take place the following day.
Stay up-to-date with Team Canada’s performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games!
Visit the Canadian Olympic Committee website for more information.
You can also learn more about the sport of curling on the Curling Canada website.
