Olympics 2026 – women's curling: Team GB v Italy recap as GB win but miss out on semi-finals thanks to American victory
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Updated 19/02/2026 at 18:07 GMT
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There were mixed emotions for Team GB on Thursday afternoon, as they beat Italy in their final curling match of the round-robin stage, but results elsewhere saw fail to make the semi-finals. Rebecca Morrison led her rink to a 7-4 win over Italy, but the USA's victory over Switzerland ended their hopes of a medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games.
Watch: GB get vital win at the death after 'absolutely stunning' stone
Video credit: TNT Sports
Team GB secured victory over Italy in women's curling, but it was not enough to earn them a spot in the semi-finals.
Olympics live: That's all from us
Only for now, though! Remember, Team GB's men have made the curling semi-finals and they are in action later, taking on Switzerland.
That will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+ at around 18:30 UK time - it's scheduled for 18:05 but the matches have all been delayed by the bad weather in Cortina that hampered athletes' travel to the rink.
We will also have live text coverage of that match and if you want to keep up with the other Olympic action in the meantime you can follow our Milano Cortina 2026 live blog right here!
Olympics live: Gutting for GB
GB 7-4 Italy (Final score)
Cameras immediately cut to Dodds, who was in the interview zone watching that final American stone. She cannot believe it, and neither can an emotional Morrison who comes in to comfort her.
Olympics live: USA win, Britain are out
GB 7-4 Italy (Final score)
The USA win, by a matter of inches! That means they will advance alongside Canada to the semi-finals, taking the last two spots in the final four.
Ultimately, Paetz's slight error opened the door for Peterson and though her draw was not perfect, it sat inside the four-foot ring just enough.
Olympics live: Over to America
GB 7-4 Italy (Final score)
Oh no!
Alina Paetz's shot is slightly too central, so the US just need to draw it to the centre of the house, and they will progress ahead of Britain.
Olympics live: All or nothing
GB 7-4 Italy (Final score)
Switzerland lie one, but the US have the hammer.
It's probably a slight advantage to Switzerland but this match - and Britain's hopes of progressing - will come down to which team plays their final stone better.
Olympics live: An opening for the US
GB 7-4 Italy (Final score)
Switzerland try to guard their pair on the button, but it runs too deep, which opens up the house for America.
Cory Thiesse goes for a takeout, but she can't really shift the key stones, and the pendulum swings again.
Olympics live: Missed doubles
GB 7-4 Italy (Final score)
It couldn't happen, could it? Switzerland have two stones on the four foot ring and a guard in place, while the US keep missing their doubles.
With three stones each to go, the Swiss have called a timeout.
Olympics live: Poor setup by the US
GB 7-4 Italy (Final score)
The US waste one of their first shots while Switzerland have thrown a very useful centre guard.
Olympics live: Switzerland have done it!
GB 7-4 Italy (Final score)
Switzerland have kept GB's hopes alive for another end at least! They produced a magnificent pair of final shots to win the end by three, tying up the match that they need to win for Britain to advance.
However, the US have the hammer.
Olympics live: All on this
GB 7-4 Italy (Final score)
Tabitha Peterson couldn't nail her final shot for the US, so against all the odds, if Switzerland make a tough last shot then they will take the match to a final end...
Olympics live: Team GB win!
GB 7-4 Italy (10th end)
Italy score one in a very defensive end for the reigning champions.
And it looks like that title defence is about to come to an end as Switzerland need to beat USA at least 3-0 in the final end to give Britain a chance.
We'll keep you updated with that game until it finishes, while Team GB's men have reached the semi-finals and take on Switzerland (ironically) at around 18:30 tonight.
It was scheduled for 18:05, but all games have been delayed today. There will be live text coverage of that on the TNT website, and you can watch it live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Olympics live: On the verge
GB 7-3 Italy (10th end)
Italy have two stones in the house and two to go. All Britain need to do is knock one of those four out, and they're guaranteed victory.
Olympics live: All on red
GB 7-3 Italy (10th end)
The USA won their end by a point, so Britain need Switzerland to win the final end by at least three points with the hammer.
Back in this match, Britain made a hideous first shot and with five stones to go for each team, Italy have the only two in play.
Olympics live: Almost game over
GB 7-3 Italy (9th end)
Italy miss a pivotal takeout shot and leave Britain lying two with the hammer. Morrison produces a perfect draw and Britain will lead by four going into the last end, where Italy have the hammer.
The ninth end of the US-Switzerland game is still going on.
Olympics live: Timeout Italy
GB 4-3 Italy (9th end)
There's a cluster around the four-eight ring and Italy have called their one and only timeout to assess the situation. They can clear out Britain's stones, but GB can just do the same to them, and Italy need points.
If a round is blank, the team with the hammer retains it for the last end so Italy need to score - even giving up one to GB may be preferable at this stage.
Olympics live: And... breathe...
GB 4-3 Italy (9th end)
Sinclair just about knocks out an Italian guard, and breathes a massive sigh of relief, as she may well have doubled her own stones there if it hadn't kissed the yellow.
That leaves the Italians with the lie, but it should be easy for Britain to reset if required.
Olympics live: Britain crashing out
GB 4-3 Italy (9th end)
It's another blank by Britain and despite winning in this match, right now Great Britain's women will not reach the semi-finals.
Britain retain the hammer, but Switzerland missed the chance to score three in their match against the USA, meaning the Americans are set to grab one of the last two places in the final four alongside Canada, who are beating South Korea in a winner-takes-all clash.
Olympics live: In or out?
GB 4-3 Italy (8th end)
Italy do take out Britain's lone stone and lie three, requiring Britain to shatter the house, and it's all to play for with two shots to go for each team.
There's one stone sitting right on the edge of the 12-foot ring and GB want to believe it's in. The overhead shot disagrees though.
Olympics live: In the balance
GB 4-3 Italy (8th end)
While Switzerland continue to flounder against America, it's tough to call this end. Britain have the lie, but Italy can easily clear out that stone and have an advantage of three.
Olympics live: Britain on the brink
GB 4-3 Italy (7th end)
GB blank the end and appear pleased with the result, though their advantage remains slender.
More problematically, the Americans took two more points in that end, so it's looking more and more like the result of this match will be irrelevant.
Switzerland have the hammer this end and need to produce a miracle.
Olympics live: Two misses
GB 4-3 Italy (7th end)
Italy miss a double, leaving Britain with the house open to take command of the end, but Dodds plays an awful throw, attempting a takeout that instead cannons into Britain's own stone.
That means Italy can lie two with their next stone. This end could end up being a blank.
Olympics live: Finely poised
GB 4-3 Italy (7th end)
Sinclair's shots leave just a lonely yellow in the house. It's looking like it'll be very difficult for Italy to steal anything from this end but can GB extend their advantage?
Olympics live: Italy hit back!
GB 4-3 Italy (6th end)
Ultimately, that cluster of reds is what costs Britain! They're too tightly packed together and Constantini nails her shot to clear them all out, meaning Italy pull two back!
Switzerland have also pulled one back against the USA, they're still losing 3-2 though and the Americans have the hammer.
Olympics live: Britain looking stronger and stronger
GB 4-1 Italy (6th end)
The house is a sea of red with a couple of shots to go for each side. Britain could steal another one here.
Olympics live: Britain looking stronger and stronger
GB 4-1 Italy (6th end)
Britain have a lovely trio just above the tee line. The worry is whether they can be smashed out of the way by the Italians, but their own guard may work against them.
Olympics live: America in the ascendency
GB 4-1 Italy (5th end)
Annoyingly, the Americans have also stolen one. Switzerland have the hammer in the next end and NEED to hit back for Britain to have a shot at the semi-finals.
Olympics live: Britain steal one
GB 4-1 Italy (5th end)
Constantini misses her final shot after a beautiful effort from Morrison, and she missed by quite a margin too.
That means Britain can steal another point with Morrison's final stone sitting right over the Olympic rings at the middle of the tee!
Olympics live: Commanding position for Britain
GB 3-1 Italy (5th end)
Dodds plays two strong shots to leave Britain lying two, both guarded with the second making a big swing across. Italy can freeze against the second but if Morrison can nail the same shot, Team GB could steal.
Olympics live: Seesaw end
GB 3-1 Italy (5th end)
An Italian stone almost flies all the way out of the house, with Sophie Jackson helping it on its way. That leaves Britain with three well-positioned stones after Sinclair's next throw, but Giulia Zardini Lacedelli responds with a fantastic double for Italy. It's still all to play for.
Olympics live: A HUGE miss by Italy
GB 3-1 Italy (4th end)
Italy looked to knock that Morrison stone out but to do that they need to curl around the far side of their guard.
And Stefania Constantini misses! She kisses her guard, which sends the shot flying wide of Britain's stone, and they place their final shot right in the middle of the house to go two up in this must-win match!
In the other key game, USA once again won their end 1-0 against Switzerland, who have the hammer next end, so should be able to equalise.
Olympics live: A foot away
GB 1-1 Italy (4th end)
Dodds had the chance to finally get the lie, but it won't quite slide far enough right, so with their penultimate stone, Italy can knock it clear.
There have been a few times where Italy just haven't been accurate enough. Morrison will need to nail her last two shots now.
Olympics live: Strong Italian setup
GB 1-1 Italy (4th end)
Britain have been trying to guard their stone in the house, but they've been struggled to get it settled.
Italy lie one at the moment, but it's unguarded, Britain have the hammer so we may well be on for another 1-0 advantage in the end.
Olympics live: Italy score one
GB 1-1 Italy (3rd end)
Britain can't blank the end, but a superb shot by Morrison means the hosts are forced to settle for one.
This match is mirroring the America-Switzerland match which is also tied up at 1-1, GB need the Swiss to improve.
Olympics live: Another tense end
GB 1-0 Italy (3rd end)
Each team has two to play, Italy lie one, but it's unguarded. Morrison can give GB the advantage, but the shot will need to be perfect to nestle in behind the cluster to the left... And she does! Britain could blank the end now.
Olympics live: Costly misses?
GB 1-0 Italy (3rd end)
Italy attempt a multi-takeout shot, but it only gets rid of their own stone.
That gives Britain the chance to lie three, but Sinclair then misses her shot, leaving the Italians lying one.
Olympics live: Interesting British setup
GB 1-0 Italy (3rd end)
Italy have twice frozen on Britain's stones. It should be an intriguing second half of the end with so many stones still in play.
Olympics live: GB lead
GB 1-0 Italy (2nd end)
Britain make the hammer count, and they're on the board! It was a tricky but well-executed final shot off an Italian stone to take the 1-0 lead. Italy will have the hammer in the next end.
Unfortunately, the US lead Switzerland by the same margin in their match too. For those that are also watching, you want to hear more cow bells than 'USA! USA' chants from the crowd.
Olympics live: Italy lie one
GB 0-0 Italy (2nd end)
Dodds misses a triple takeout that spins agonisingly past the closest stone in the house. Italy are looking good to take the lead after this end.
Olympics live: Up and down for Sinclair
GB 0-0 Italy (2nd end)
Sinclair fires a rapid takeout shot down that knocks two of the Italian stones askew and somewhat resets the end, with Italy only lying one.
However, she then misses a cannon to hand Italy the advantage. GB need to get some stones in the house.
Olympics live: Strong start by Italy
GB 0-0 Italy (2nd end)
Now the hosts have the advantage and they've position three stones on the centre-line, with GB's stone nestled in between the last two.
Britain retain the hammer.
Olympics live: First shots
GB 0-0 Italy (1st end)
Britain opt to deliberately blank this end, so it will be 0-0 heading into the second end.
Morrison knocks the only Italian stone out with her final shot, Switzerland also blanked the first end against the USA.
Olympics live: Britain hold the advantage
GB 0-0 Italy (1st end)
Team GB look set to win this end 1-0. They've been playing for that lead since their first stone, knocking Italy's stones out with every shot.
There's now two shots each to go, and Team GB have the hammer.
Olympics live: aggressive start
GB 0-0 Italy (1st end)
Britain have been knocking Italy out of the rink at every opportunity so far. Each side now has five stones to go - will we see that tactic change?
Olympics live: First shots
GB 0-0 Italy (1st end)
Both teams have fired down their first shots, Britain have the hammer in the first end.
Olympics live: Great Britain win the DSC
Were you paying attention earlier? Hope so, because Britain have just taken a major step towards the semi-finals by retaining the best DSC in the round robin.
They got slightly worse with their draw today, but not enough to make a difference, so as long as Britain beat Italy and Switzerland beat the USA, Team GB will qualify for the semi-finals!
Olympics live: Team GB are in the house
We're not far away from getting underway in Cortina now!
Olympics live: The permutations
Team GB have to beat Italy, and if they do then that's when the fun starts.
The TLDR version is this:
If the US beat Switzerland, Team GB are OUT whatever else happens.
If Switzerland beats the US and Team GB beat Italy, then Morrison and co. are through whatever else happens, as long as they retain the best DSC score.
Despite Britain sitting fourth in a four-horse race heading into the day's play, there are still a good proportion of scenarios that see them qualify.
However, they need Switzerland to beat the US. Switzerland have definitely qualified for the semi-finals and though they can't leapfrog Sweden to finish top of the round robin, they will still want to enter the knockouts on a high.
If America do win, then they will join Switzerland, Sweden and the victor of Canada versus South Korea in the semis and Britain will be locked out.
However, if the US lose, then as it stands, victory over Italy guarantees a place in the semi-finals.
That's because this would trigger a three-way tie and, thanks to their victories over Canada and the US, no team could have more wins than them in that scenario. So the tiebreaker would drop to which team has the best DSC and, unless anything changes in the last set of matches, Britain possess the best one.
Olympics live: The standings
In the event of a two-team tie, whoever beats the other in the round-robin stage finishes higher.
If more than two teams are tied, then the record between the teams is calculated - so if GB were tied with Canada and the US and had beaten both, while Canada beat their rivals, then GB would top the trio and the Americans would bring up the rear.
However, if all three had won one game each, then they're split by everyone's favourite: the Draw Shot Challenge (DSC).
This is an accuracy test that teams do before each game to determine which team gets the choice of the hammer - a bit like ‘play to serve’ for table tennis or badminton with your mate. Judges keep track of how accurate the stones are though, and that's the ultimate score used to break a tie in the standings.
For this score, lower is better. And with all that preamble out of the way, here are the standings with one draw to go (Sweden and Denmark have played all their games already):
1. Sweden (Qualified) - 7 wins-2 losses, 25.806 DSC
2. Switzerland (Q) - 6-2, 39.229
3. USA - 5-3, 37.621
4. Canada - 5-3, 18.557
5. South Korea 5-3, 20.064
6. Great Britain 4-4, 16.764
7. Denmark 4-5, 37.875
8. China 2-6, 46.329
9. Italy 2-6, 26.329
10. Japan 1-7, 27.957
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Inspired Sweden rock USA to take mixed doubles curling gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
Olympics live: start delayed
And to just ramp up the tension even further, heavy snow in Cortina has hampered athletes moving around the Olympic Village, so the start has been delayed by 30 minutes. We'll keep you updated right here, of course.
And if you want to see what else is going on around the rest of Milano Cortina 2026, you can follow our live text covering all of the day's action across every sport right here.
Olympics live: Hello and welcome
To judgement day in the women's curling round robin and a pivotal match as Team GB takes on Italy.
The defending champions must win to have a chance at reaching the knockouts though even then, they need results to go their way in one of two other Draw 12 matches to advance to the semi-finals.
More on that soon, but you can tune in on TNT Sports and discovery+ right now to catch the build up, and that's where you can watch all the live action which gets underway at 13:05 UK time.
More on that soon, but you can tune in on TNT Sports and discovery+ right now to catch the build up, and that's where you can watch all the live action which gets underway at 13:05 UK time.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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