Sweden's women's curling team Hasselborg has secured a spot in the Olympic final after a 6-3 victory over Canada in the semifinal. Families, dubbed Cirkus Hasselborg, provided strong support from the stands in Cortina. The final against Switzerland is set for Sunday morning.
In Cortina, Italy, Team Hasselborg dominated the semifinal against reigning world champions Canada, winning 6-3. The match was even until the sixth end, when Sweden took control and Canada couldn't keep up. National team captain Fredrik Lindberg described it as the team "going in and dominating, making them hit tough shots." He felt "surprisingly calm" during the game.
After the victory, emotions erupted. Skipper Anna Hasselborg showered her children Mira and August with kisses and hugs. She explained her tears to her daughter: "I'm just crying because I'm so happy, sweetie." Sara McManus shared a touching moment with her three-year-old son Mac, who clung to her. "Do you know, we've secured an Olympic medal," she told him, before he asked why they were there.
The families, staying separately from the players during the Olympics, have been a vital source of support. Dubbed Cirkus Hasselborg, they rule the stands. McManus praised them: "It means so incredibly much to have them here." The team, formed ten years ago, has a strong Olympic record with gold in Pyeongchang 2018 and bronze in Peking 2022. They now secure a third consecutive medal.
The players are Anna Hasselborg, Sara McManus, Agnes Knochenhauer, Sofia Scharback, and reserve Johanna Heldin. Coach is Kristian Lindström. Final opponent Switzerland beat the USA 7-4. Hasselborg looks forward to the match: "We'll analyze Switzerland and make an equally fine match as today." Lindberg calls it a "dream final" for curling fans.
