Team GB facing curling exit after third straight Winter Olympics loss to Canada leaves semi-final hopes in doubt
Updated 17/02/2026 at 23:45 GMT
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Great Britain suffered a third successive defeat in the men's curling round robin at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games, losing 9-5 to Canada with one match remaining. The defeat meant that their hopes of securing a top-four spot and advancing to the semi-finals took a hit as Bruce Mouat's rink look to build on the silver medal they won at the Beijing Games in 2022. Watch every moment on discovery+.
Team GB rue 'tactical mistakes' but promise to 'battle' on
Video credit: TNT Sports
Team GB's men lost 9-5 in a damaging curling round-robin defeat to Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Britain started the day joint-third in the standings, level with Norway and the USA on four wins each, but have now dropped to fifth in the race for the top four and a semi-final spot.
Another defeat means that their fate hangs in the balance, with the final match against the USA on Wednesday (13:05) - who also have four wins and four losses - a crucial one.
Even victory for Team GB might not be enough to see them through as they have to hope other results fall in their favour.
"We are doing a lot of good things, I don’t think it’s all negative," Team GB skip Bruce Mouat told TNT Sports.
"If we do what we need to do tomorrow then we still have a decent chance of qualifying so we just have to battle and hope for the best."
Grant Hardie added: "You have no option but to go out there and put a good performance together. We have a few little things to figure out, it’s not miles away, but not good enough at the moment."
Canada got off to a flying start as they capitalised on a rare mistake from Bruce Mouat to move 2-0 ahead, but GB quickly got on the board in the following end to halve the early deficit, despite an excellent double-takeout from Canada.
Mouat also executed a double takeout in the third leg but Brad Jacobs ensured that Canada restored their two-point advantage with a single stone. GB then pulled level after four ends following the use of the big compass to determine two yellow stones for the British rink.
After a Canada mistake in the fifth end, Jacobs recovered to earn a point, but Team GB surged ahead for the first time in the contest when Jacobs’ mistake allowed Mouat in for two.
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'Really don't know why he played it' - Mouat confuses with shot choice
Video credit: TNT Sports
With four ends to go, Canada claimed a massive three following an unfortunate ricochet on Mouat’s effort. Jacobs made the most of the chance and added another stone for a 7-5 lead.
Canada added another point to their advantage as they closed in on victory before wrapping up the match 9-5.
After an excellent start to the round-robin campaign, Team GB have seen their hopes of challenging for a podium place diminish.
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Switzerland have booked their place in the semi-finals with seven wins from seven, while the victory for Canada placed them second in the standings with one match to play.
Italy, Norway, Great Britain and the USA are vying for third and fourth position, but Italy and Norway have played one fewer match.
That means Team GB will have to win their final clash against the USA and hope other results go their way should they continue their quest to improve on the silver medal that they won at the Beijing Games in 2022.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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