Sweden’s women’s curling team has reached new heights after capturing their second Olympic gold medal on Sunday, with team captain Anna Hasselborg declaring the squad is at peak performance following their historic victory in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
The Swedish team edged Switzerland 6-5 in the final match, making Olympic history as the first women’s curling squad to secure three total Olympic medals. This latest gold joins their 2018 Pyeongchang victory and their 2022 Beijing bronze medal.
“Everything we’ve been working for the last four years – we’re going a little bit harder without the hammer, going aggressive, really putting rocks in play – everything just came together this weekend,” Hasselborg explained after the victory.
“Technically, we’re so strong, but I think the key one thing is our team spirit, and the trust we have for each other, and all the fun we’re having…”
“Eight years later (after Pyeongchang), I think this is the strongest we have ever been, mentally, technically, strategically and just that we have believed in each other for the whole way. It’s never been a doubt. It’s just unreal,” the team leader added.
The path to gold wasn’t expected to be easy for Sweden, as they entered the Games without favored status. The team faced significant personal challenges during the previous Olympic cycle, including roster changes and the fact that three players, including Hasselborg, welcomed babies in 2023.
The squad gradually regained their competitive edge leading up to the Games, securing their third European Curling Championships crown in November. Their Olympic performance was dominant, finishing with a strong preliminary round and becoming the first team to advance to the semifinals.
In the semifinals, they defeated Canada, the world’s top-ranked women’s team and two-time world champions, before claiming the gold medal match.
Hasselborg, 36, had previously characterized her team as a “circus” due to their large traveling family group, and she emphasized how meaningful this victory was with her children watching from the stands.
“It’s everything I ever dreamt of. Becoming a mother, it’s not always easy to find that balance and motivation, because becoming a mom is so much more important than everything else,” she reflected.
“But we found that, we found that at the right time. We just found the balance that was perfect… I think they (children) have had a really fun weekend. They were also taken by the moment. They understood there was something big happening.”
“Especially my daughter, who is a little bit older. I’m so proud to be able to show them that anything is possible, with the support of the family. You can do anything,” Hasselborg concluded.
