Team GB Meets Canada in Men’s Curling Final, Chasing First Gold Since 1924
Updated (5 articles)
Historic Final Sets Up Britain‑Canada Showdown On Saturday, Bruce Mouat’s British rink will face Canada in the men’s curling gold‑medal match at the Cortina Curling Stadium, the first Olympic final for GB since the 2014 Sochi showdown and the first chance for a men’s gold since 1924 [1][3][4].
Quadruple Roster Maintains Cohesion After Nine‑Year Union The team of Mouat (skip), Grant Hardie, Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie, who insisted on staying together when they joined British Curling, have remained intact for nine seasons, a continuity the federation approved and credited for their recent dominance [3][4].
World Champions Defeat Switzerland 8‑5 to Secure Final Spot In the semi‑final, GB overcame an unbeaten Swiss side 8‑5, a victory described by Lammie as the “hardest‑fought win” of their careers, guaranteeing a fourth British medal at the Games and setting the stage for the Canada clash at 18:05 GMT [4][1].
Canadian Team Faces “Double‑Tapping” Allegations Amid Tournament Sweden lodged a protest accusing Canada of illicit “double‑tapping” stones and illegal filming, adding controversy to the final’s backdrop while the Canadians remain the sport’s traditional powerhouse [1].
BBC Broadcast Draws Record Viewership and Provides Comprehensive Coverage The men’s final will be streamed on BBC iPlayer, with radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; the semi‑final attracted a peak audience of 3.4 million, reflecting heightened public interest in Britain’s curling quest [1][2].
Sources
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1.
BBC: Team GB Faces Canada in Men’s Curling Final at 2026 Winter Olympics – Details the semi‑final win, upcoming final against Canada, and the historic 102‑year gold drought .
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2.
BBC: Winter Olympics 2026 Day‑by‑Day Schedule Highlights Team GB Prospects – Outlines GB’s overall medal goals, event timings, and broadcast plans for the Games .
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3.
BBC: Team GB’s Curling Quartet Targets First Olympic Gold in 102 Years – Profiles the four‑man team’s background, dominance since Beijing, and their aim to end the century‑long drought .
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4.
BBC: GB men secure Olympic curling final as women miss out – Reports the 8‑5 semi‑final victory over Switzerland, women’s elimination, and quotes from players on the significance of the win .
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5.
BBC: GB Curling Teams Keep Medal Hopes Alive After Triple Wins – Covers earlier round‑robin victories, reliance on other match outcomes, and the precarious position of both British teams before the semi‑finals .
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Timeline
1924 – Britain wins the inaugural Olympic men’s curling gold, establishing a historic benchmark that remains unchallenged for a century [2].
2002 – The British women’s curling team captures Olympic gold, later repeating the feat in 2022 and highlighting the nation’s curling pedigree [1].
2014 – Canada defeats Great Britain in the Olympic men’s final at Sochi, reinforcing Canada’s dominance and setting a rivalry that resurfaces in 2026 [2].
2017 (≈ nine years ago) – Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie form a unified rink, insisting on staying together as a unit before being accepted by British Curling [1].
2022 – Mouat’s rink upgrades a Beijing silver to a near‑miss, losing the men’s final and fueling a vow to claim gold in the next Games [4].
2022‑2025 – The quartet dominates internationally, adding two World Championships, multiple European titles and a record 12 Grand Slam victories, cementing their status as the world’s top men’s team [1].
Feb 6, 2026 – The 2026 Winter Olympics open in Milan‑Cortina, featuring 53 British athletes across 90 nations and targeting ten medals, including the coveted men’s curling gold [3].
Feb 18, 2026 – GB men crush the United States 9‑2 while the women edge the U.S. 8‑7, keeping medal hopes alive; the men’s skip warns, “This is a horrible position to be in, watching other games and hoping results go our way,” underscoring their reliance on other results [5].
Feb 19, 2026 – GB defeats unbeaten Switzerland 8‑5 to reach the Olympic final, with Bobby Lammie calling it “probably the hardest‑fought win we’ve ever had”; the women’s team is eliminated after Switzerland beats the USA [4].
Feb 20, 2026 – Team GB eyes its first men’s curling gold in 102 years, emphasizing squad cohesion, innovative sweeping and open‑air Cortina venue; Hammy McMillan notes teammates can “call out mistakes” and that they tailor communication for peak performance [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – GB faces longtime rivals Canada in the gold‑medal match at 18:05 GMT, the first British men’s curling final since 1924; Canada is mired in a stone‑tapping controversy, adding drama to the showdown [2].
Feb 22, 2026 (closing ceremony) – The Games conclude with a ceremony in Verona’s Roman amphitheatre, where the Olympic flag passes to the French Alps team for the 2030 Winter Olympics [3].