Winter Olympics 2026: GB’s men into curling semi-finals but women edged out

The women’s team – European silver medallists last year – had really grown into this tournament since losing their opening two matches.

Needing three closing wins to put themselves into the semi-final conversation, they snatched an incredible final-stone win over the United States and executed a composed dismantling of Japan – both on Wednesday.

Italy – their closing round-robin opponents – were below them in the standings but had also belatedly found form and wanted to end their home Games in style.

Morrison’s rink controlled throughout, though.

They were 4-1 ahead after four ends and, although the Italians did cut that lead, the Scottish quartet managed the game well and eased clear again late on to earn a fifth win in their last seven matches.

However, after the immediate celebrations, they could only watch on askance as the already-qualified Swiss fell just short in the extra end and allowed the US to dash the British team’s dreams of an incredible medal with a 7-6 win.

“We’re absolutely gutted by so, so proud,” skip Sophie Jackson told BBC Sport, standing next to her tearful team-mates. “We have a tough start to the week and we did everything but we could but just left it too late.”