Sweden vs USA 2026 Olympic Mixed Doubles Curling Gold Medal Match Prediction
Updated July 9, 2026
The gold medal match in mixed doubles curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics between Sweden and the United States will go down in the history of the sport. After an intense round‑robin and semifinal phase at the Milano‑Cortina curlring venue, both teams have punched their tickets to the Olympic final and are just a win away from gold. Here, I break down this gold medal match and make my Sweden vs USA prediction on the sheets in Italy.
The road to the final has been a grind for both of these teams. The U.S. duo of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin have steadily improved their performance throughout the tournament, battling through close matches and performing under pressure when it counted most. In a critical round‑robin clash, they edged Sweden 8‑7 in a thrilling contest that saw Thiesse and Dropkin seize control late and ultimately secure the win in a tightly contested final end. The Americans upset the defending champions and hosts Italy in the semifinals, proving that they belong in the gold medal match.
Sweden’s campaign, led by siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wranå, has been defined by peaks and valleys. They rebounded from early setbacks and secured important victories, including a powerful come‑from‑behind win over the reigning Olympic champions Italy in round‑robin play. The Swedes’ overall round‑robin record and semifinal success against a previously-undefeated England underscored their capacity to prevail against top‑flight opposition. The Swedes are underdogs here, but that hasn't prevented this duo from winning throughout this tournament.
This is the first medal for the United States in mixed doubles curling, with the question being whether that medal will be gold or silver. Sweden won the bronze medal in mixed doubles in 2022, but this is their first appearance in the gold medal match. These are uncharted waters for both teams, and the winner here will cap off an unexpected gold medal run after Italy came into this tournament as the favorite.
Execution under pressure has distinguished the final four teams from the others. That will be the case again here with the gold on the line. In a sport where the smallest variables can decide a match, this one could simply come down to who is best able to keep their nerve in the deciding ends.
Pick: United States to win ATS PRO
Confidence: 4/5
Assessing mixed doubles curling at the Olympic level requires balancing tactical savvy with shotmaking precision. The United States has combined these elements effectively, particularly in late ends where games are often won or lost. Their semifinal performance demonstrated an ability to maintain their composure and seize control when matches hang in the balance. Sweden’s path to the final is deserving of respect, but the Swedish duo has displayed moments of vulnerability in high-pressure situations. I'll go with the Americans to win gold here in what should be another tight matchup in the final ends.
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
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