Finally, the "number of cases" that advanced to the semifinals of Korea has appeared! Expectations explode ↑ Why the match against Canada is more important than Sweden today (18th) [Milan Olympics]

*This content was translated by AI.

The "number of cases," which was often encountered only at the FIFA World Cup, has finally appeared in curling at the Winter Olympics. Will Korea dramatically advance to the semifinals.

The Korean women's curling team, consisting of skip Kim Eun-ji, third Kim Min-ji, second Kim Su-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun and Phipps Seol Ye-ji, will play the eighth round of women's curling round robin at the 2026 Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics against 'Kangho' Sweden at Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, at 5 p.m. on the 18th (Korea time).

South Korea got off to a shaky start with a painful 4-8 upset loss in its first game against the United States. However, South Korea defeated Italy (7-2) and England (9-3) in turn. He was then beaten by Denmark (3-6), but he beat Japan (7-5) and China (10-9) in a good mood to reach the fourth victory.

Then, he lost to Switzerland 5-7 the previous day (17th), putting him in a situation where he was determined by the number of cases.

First of all, a total of 10 women's curling teams participated in this Olympics. Of these, only four teams, except six, can advance to the semifinals and try to win medals.

The current ranking (as of the morning of the 18th) confirmed Sweden's advance to the semifinals regardless of the results of the remaining two games with 6 wins and 1 loss (six points).

After Sweden, Switzerland and the United States are tied for second place with 5 wins and 2 losses. First, Switzerland and the United States clash in Game 9. Therefore, one of the two teams will definitely win a ticket to the semifinals.

Next is Korea and Canada. They are tied for fourth with four wins and three losses. Denmark is then ranked sixth with three wins and four losses, closely trailing South Korea and Canada.

It doesn't seem easy for the 7th to 10th place to advance to the semifinals. China and Britain tied for seventh with two wins and four losses. Italy is ninth with two wins and five losses, and Japan is virtually eliminated with one win and six losses.

If the win or loss is tied, the winner's winning principle is considered first. Therefore, even if there is a team that loses consecutive games (5 wins and 4 losses) between Switzerland and the United States, Korea cannot outpace them because Korea has already lost against both teams.

In the end, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States have actually gained an advantage in advancing to the semifinals, while South Korea and Canada are competing for the remaining one ticket. Of course, Denmark will also be ahead of South Korea in the winner-win principle with 5 wins and 4 losses if it wins the rest of the game.

Sweden, which meets Korea today (18th), is a traditional curling powerhouse. He won a gold medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Canada, Korea's final opponent, is also a strong team ranked second in the world.

For South Korea, the best-case scenario is to defeat both Sweden and Canada. Then, Korea will reach the semifinals unconditionally with 6 wins and 3 losses.

Conversely, the worst-case scenario is losing to both Sweden and Canada. In this case, Canada has secured at least five wins and South Korea's elimination from the semifinals will be confirmed.

One win and one loss are a little complicated. If Korea wins 'one win and one loss', it must catch Canada rather than Sweden unconditionally. Even if they beat Sweden, if they lose to Canada, South Korea will lose to Canada in accordance with the winner's winning principle.

Therefore, even if it loses to Sweden, if it beats Canada, Korea has a good chance of advancing to the semifinals. Canada will play its eighth game against Italy on the morning of the 19th and then meet South Korea on the same evening. Even if Canada catches Italy, if it loses to South Korea, it will be 5 wins and 4 losses side by side, and South Korea will advance to the semifinals according to the winner's winning principle.

However, it is Denmark because there is a variable. Denmark will play China in Game 8 on the 18th and Switzerland in the final match on the 19th. If Denmark defeats China and Switzerland one after another, it will be 5 wins and 4 losses. At this time, if South Korea wins 1 win and 1 loss, the two teams will have the same points (5 points), and Denmark will advance to the semifinals according to the winner's winning principle.

In the end, it is a must-win scenario for Korea to win two games or Denmark to lose one of the two remaining games and at the same time, Korea to catch Canada unconditionally.

South Korea desperately needs the revival of skip Kim Eun-ji. Kim Eun-ji's shot success rate against Switzerland was only 76%, the second-lowest among players from both teams. While "Dopa Min-ji" Kim Min-ji saved the team from the crisis several times while using accurate shots, Korea's second consecutive win will never be a dream if Kim Eun-ji, who throws the last stone every end, survives. Will Korea dramatically join the women's curling semifinals at the end of the tournament.

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*This content was translated by AI.