China celebrated its first victory in the men’s curling round-robin at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games, defeating host Italy with a strong 11-4 score.Therefore, the Chinese team started the match with energy, quickly taking a 4-0 lead. Italy fought back in the fourth end, but China regained control with a decisive four-point fifth end.
This win boosted team confidence and marked China’s first triumph of the tournament.Skip Xu Xiaoming said the team drew extra motivation from the approaching Chinese New Year. “Everyone was excited, especially on the eve of the Chinese New Year. Facing the host nation with a large cheering crowd created pressure. We stayed calm, focused on our performance, and won the game,” Xu explained. He added that the team concentrated on their own play instead of thinking about medal expectations.
The victory gave China a strong start in the men’s curling competition. In other matches, Germany defeated 2022 Olympic champion Sweden 7-3 to keep semifinal hopes alive. Canada beat the Czech Republic 8-2, and Norway narrowly overcame Britain 7-6. Switzerland leads the standings with five wins. Canada follows with a 5-1 record, while Norway and the United States are tied at 4-2.
In the women’s tournament, Sweden remained unbeaten with a 6-4 victory over world No. 1 Switzerland. Switzerland later bounced back with a 10-6 win against Britain, improving to a 4-2 record. Other results included South Korea edging China 10-9, Italy defeating the United States 7-2, and Canada beating Japan 9-6.
China’s men’s curling team now aims to build on this first win as the round-robin progresses. The team hopes to reach the semifinals for the first time at the Olympics. Xu Xiaoming emphasized the importance of focus, composure, and consistent performance in every match.
China’s strong start at the Milan-Cortina Games demonstrates the growing prominence of curling in the country, as the team combines technical skill, strategic planning, and relentless determination to challenge Europe’s traditional leaders.
