Triples, Stones, and the San Siro Show: The Games Ignite — Day 0 Preview

Milano-Cortina 2026: Let the Skating begin— Day 0 Preview

The torch hasn't reached the stadium yet, but the ice is already taking a beating. While the world waits for the pageantry of the Opening Ceremony at the San Siro tonight, the actual competitive grind of Milano Cortina 2026 is moving into a higher gear. There are no medals on the line today, but for the skaters and curlers, the margin for error has already vanished.

The Curling Grind: Sessions 5 & 6

Session 5 Preview (10:05 CET)

  • Sweden vs. Great Britain: A great game between two of the strongest pairs who are both playing at an elite level, with Great Britain sitting at a perfect 3–0 and Sweden at 2–1 following their shock loss to Estonia. Mouat and Dodds were very fortunate to beat Czechia with a brilliant last shot from Dodds, bailing them out of the last end. Sweden losing to Estonia was a shock, but Estonia are certainly not a bad team and is capable of beating anyone on their day, so i dont think the Swedes will be too disheartened by their loss.
    Prediction: Sweden 7-6 Great Britain

  • Italy vs. Switzerland: A crucial bounce-back game for the defending champions. After being dismantled by Canada, Constantini and Mosaner need to find their rhythm early against a Swiss pair that looked sharp in their win over Korea. Given that both are sitting in mid-table currently, a win is crucial for both, but this game feels especially important for Italy, given their loss to Canada was this pair's first-ever Olympic loss after a 14-game win streak, so we're yet to see how Mosaner and Constantini bounce back after a defeat.
    Prediction: Italy 9-4 Switzerland

  • Canada vs. USA: The game of session 5, as both are undefeated. Canada (3–0) looks unstoppable after a 5-point opening end against Italy, but the Americans (2–0) have been the surprise package of the tournament, beating Norway and Switzerland to be sitting in the top 4 currently. The shot success of Jocelyn Peterman (CAN) vs. Cory Thiesse (USA) will likely decide the winner.
    Prediction: Canada 9-7 USA

  • Norway vs. Czechia: Both teams are 0-3, so this is a must-win for both if they still harbour hopes of making the top 4 and progressing, Norway was one of the fansied teams coming into these Olympics given this pair had medaled at the previous two games but have been poor although they have played the three undefeated teams in the USA, GB and Canada. Czechia has played better than its record suggests, particularly against GB in a game it should have won, but it is still an underdog against a Norway team that should be better than 0-3.
    Prediction: Norway 8-5 Czechia

Session 6 Preview (14:35 CET)

  • Czechia vs. USA: 

  • Italy vs. Estonia: Italy were the pre-tournament favourites, and coming off a wobble against Canada, this is not a kind set of fixtures against two teams in Switzerland and Estonia, who are not expected to figure in the medals but can and will beat anyone when they play to their potential, as shown by the Estonians beating Sweden yesterday, this will be a tight nervy affair but given the home crowd advantage the Italians should have enough to get over the line.
    Prediction: Italy 8-6 Estonia

  • Korea vs. Great Britain: No matter what the result of GB's session 5 game vs Sweden, they should be too strong for Korea, who have failed to get to grips with the speed and turn of the ice so far and look by far the weakest team at this Olympics, Great Britain should have too much for the Koreans with this loss they would effectively be eliminated.
    Prediction: Great Britain: 10-2 South Korea

  • Sweden vs. Norway: The classic winter sports rivalry, no matter what sport it is when Sweden and Norway meet in a winter sport its always good viewing, but with Norway sitting at 0-3 after Thursday and Sweden at 2-1, but with GB in the morning, this game could be an effective knockout game for both if results dont fall their way in session 5. If Norway beat czechia like they should im expecting a charge to come from them in the back half of the tournament, whereas Sweden will be solid throughout and finish with 5 or 6 wins. Given they can beat or lose to anyone, this is a toss of a coin match.
    Prediction: Norway 7-6 Sweden.

Figure Skating: The Team Event Begins

The Figure Skating Team Event begins today at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. Unlike individual competition, this is a points-race where nations are ranked 1 to 10 in each discipline (10 points for 1st, 1 point for 10th). Only the top five nations after the short programs advance to the free skates. The pressure is on the favourites, USA and Japan, to avoid upset and get into the top 5, while Italy, Canada, France and Georgia will also expect to get into the top 5 to advance to the free section. Expect Poland and Great Britain to struggle, but have high points with Fear and Gibson in ice dance, especially.

Today’s Schedule:

Ice Dance – Rhythm Dance - 9:55 CET
Pairs – Short Program - 11:35 CET
Womens singles – Short Program - 13:35 CET

Prediction:

  1. USA
  2. Japan
  3. Italy
  4. Georgia
  5. Canada

Ice Hockey

France vs. Japan (12:10 CET)

France’s Olympic debut today started perfectly with a power-play goal from Gabrielle de Serres, but they were eventually overwhelmed by Italy’s physical play and outshot 46–15. Now they face a Japan team that is fresh and famously fast. Japan’s style relies on high-volume shooting and transition speed, which could be a nightmare for a French team that looked tired by the third period today. France will need goaltender Alice Philbert to repeat her 42-save heroics from today just to keep this competitive.

Prediction: Japan 5–1 France

Czechia vs. Switzerland (16:40 CET)

Czechia is coming off an expected loss to the USA, but looked good for stretches of the game. Switzerland hasn't played yet, but this game should be close between the assumed 4th and 5th placed teams in group A behind the USA, Canada and Finland. The Czechs have the momentum of the "new era" with stars like Adéla Šapovalivová and Kristýna Kaltounková, who is the top scorer in PWHL this season, but Switzerland’s Alina Müller is one of the best players in the world and has a habit of carrying her team in big moments. Expect a tight, defensive struggle where the first goal is everything in a potential quarterfinal preview.

Prediction: Czechia 3–2 Switzerland

As the San Siro prepares to light the cauldron tonight, the narrative of these Games is already being written on the ice. In the curling hall, the "Powerhouses" are facing a reality check, while the USA looks to prove its undefeated start isn't a fluke. On the figure skating rink, the Team Event will immediately separate the serious medal contenders from the rest of the pack. Meanwhile, the hockey rink sees a huge game between France and Japan, with the winner getting the front row seat to 3rd place and a quarterfinal berth out of group B.

— Daniel Mott





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