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Curling, men's Italy starts with a smile

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The men’s national curling team won the first match of the elimination round at Milano Cortina 2026: Joel Retornaz, Amos Mosaner, Sebastiano Arman and Mattia Giovanella (with Alberto Pimpini on the team as ‘alternate’) defeated Sweden 7-6 in Wednesday night’s match played at the Olympic Curling Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Despite missing eight games, the start bodes well for the Azzurri, who are aiming to replicate the successes of the mixed doubles composed of Mosaner himself and Stefania Constantini, bronze medalists in this edition of the Games.

Nothing to do for the Swedish team, composed of skip Niklas Edin as well as Oskar Eriksson, Rasmus Wranaa, Christoffer Sundgren and alternate Simon Olofsson. Decisive, in Italy&#8217s favor, was the eighth hand, which put the Azzurri ahead 7-5. Sweden tried a tailspin in the finale, but the comeback attempt stopped just one point short of a potential tie. The home team can therefore go into the day off on the strength of a victory that immediately puts pressure on their opponents.

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"I was inspired by them from day one, from the time we stepped on the ice together"

"Look at what we did" said the 24-year-old, moved
"Mom and Dad, this is for you. From the moment my name was announced during the warm-up, I felt the'energy and cheer"
"I feel that today it was my parents who guided me"

"I still can’t believe what just happened"

"I think it will take me a couple of d'hours or maybe a couple of weeks to figure it out"
"With every slip and step I made on the ice, I couldn’t help but feel their support"

In the day’s other games, Canada beat Germany 7-6 after playing an extra hand, the United States defeated the Czech Republic 8-7, and Great Britain dominated against China, winning with a clear 9-4 victory. Great Britain, Canada, the United States and Italy thus lead after the first day of competition. The tournament will continue on Thursday with a match between Norway and Germany, one between China and Switzerland, and one between Great Britain and Sweden.

Italy will instead return to the ice on Friday, Feb. 13, taking on the British in the morning and Germany in the late afternoon. The Azzurri will then play on Sunday the 15th against Norway and the Czech Republic, Monday the 16th against the United States, Tuesday the 17th against China, Wednesday the 18th against Canada, and Thursday the 19th against Switzerland.

The Italian team will play the United States on Sunday the 15th.

The single ten-team round will be completed on February 19 itself.

The top four will play for medals in the knockout stage, which includes two semifinals before the finals for bronze and the final for gold. Reigning champion is Sweden, which beat Great Britain 5-4 in the final in Beijing.

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