Medal games set at World Juniors 2026

The semi‑finals of the World Junior Curling Championships 2026 took place today at the Taarnby Curling Club, with the women’s and men’s fields all settling their places in the gold and bronze medal games.

Women’s semi‑finals

Sweden and China met in the opening women’s semi‑final in what became a tightly contested affair. After six ends, the teams were deadlocked 4‑4, with both sides trading scores in a back‑and‑forth battle.

Sweden took control after this, scoring two in the eighth end before stealing one in the ninth to lead 7‑4 heading into the final end. Needing three to force an extra end, China’s skip Wang Zhuoyi attempted a runback with her last stone but could was unsuccessful, handing Sweden another steal of one and the victory.

Moa Tjaernlund and Maja Roxin, Sweden © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Swedish skip Moa Dryburgh said after the win, “I’m so proud of the team. It’s a lot of pressure that we put on ourselves, building up to this moment. We’ve been so good all week so I’m really happy that we came out and had such a good game.”

In the second semi‑final, United States led 3-2 against Korea in the first half of the game. Korea then pulled ahead with two in the eighth end before the Americans countered with two of their own. The game came down to Korea’s final shot, with skip Bobae Kang making a light‑weight hit for two to secure the win and a place in the Gold Medal final.

Team Korea © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Kang said, “We’re very proud that we get to go to the final again. We had a big year last year, so we are relieved to go to the final again.”

Sweden and Korea will face each other in the women’s Gold Medal game on Wednesday March 3 at 09.00, while United States and China will meet in the Bronze Medal match at the same time.

Find the women’s competition schedule and all results here.

Allory Johnson, United States © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Men’s semi‑finals

The first men’s semi‑final featured Scotland and Italy in another dramatic contest. Scotland came out strong, scoring three in the third end to lead 5‑1 at the halfway break. Italy answered with their own three points in the sixth end and a stolen point in the seventh to tie the game.

In the tenth end, Italy executed two perfect draws to the four foot to set up the win, forcing Scotland to attempt a difficult draw to the button. Scotland’s final stone came in heavy, giving Italy an 8‑6 victory and a berth in the Gold Medal game.

Stefano Gilli, Italy © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Italian skip Stefano Spiller reflected on the comeback, saying, “In the first half, even if we had played perfectly, they [Scotland] completely dominated us. They would have deserved a chance to play in the final, but in the end we won.”

He also thanked the Italian supporters in Denmark: “Thank you to our families who came to cheer for us. When I saw the flags, I couldn’t resist but to be happy.”

The second men’s semi‑final saw Canada take on United States. The sides traded singles early before the Americans gained a 5‑3 lead by the sixth end. Canada scored one in the seventh, with United States replying with a single in the eighth to maintain their edge.

Jackson Bestland, United States © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

With the score tied 6‑6 going into the tenth, United States held hammer. Canada attempted a tap to sit shot but could not move the American stone far enough, leaving United States in scoring position and securing their place in the final without needing to throw their last stone.

United States vice-skip Jackson Bestland said, “We did a lot of work mentally to prepare for losing and winning, so I think we were definitely in the right headspace no matter what the outcome was.

“There is a lot of happy emotion, especially getting to experience this with my team for the first time ever as it’s our first worlds and we ended up making the finals.”