Four more nations clinch the last Olympic Qualification Event spots
The Pre-Olympic Qualification Event 2025 in Aberdeen, Scotland delivered a dramatic conclusion to the road to Kelowna, with four nations securing the final available berths for the Olympic Qualification Event (OQE) in Canada. On a day packed with playoff intensity, Poland’s men, Germany’s women, New Zealand’s men, and Australia’s women earned the right to compete at the last qualifier in Kelowna, advancing the quest toward Milano Cortina 2026.
Germany’s women weather a late surge to seal the win
Germany, skipped by Sara Messenzehl, began the morning with a 9-7 victory over Hungary in a back-and-forth affair that showcased the volatility of playoff curling. The German quartet jumped to a 5-2 lead after five ends, but Hungary’s Vera Kalocsai-van Dorp sparked a comeback with a two-point seventh-end. A crucial two-point end by fourth Kim Sutor in the eighth restored Germany’s cushion, and the teams traded blows into the 10th. Sutor again delivered a decisive take-out and stay to remove a Hungarian stone, enabling Germany to close out the game with two more points for the win.
“It was kind of a rollercoaster,” Messenzehl said after the match. “We’ve been a bit shaky, but in the end we managed to get the win, and it was a perfect 10th end.” The victory also marked progress for a young German team building toward Milano Cortina 2026, with hopes of further Olympic returns looming on the horizon.
Poland delivers late heroics to edge New Zealand
In a tense clash that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, Poland toppled New Zealand 7-6 in an extra-end thriller. After a promising 5-2 lead through seven ends, New Zealand appeared poised to close out the match. Poland surged back with a four-spot in the eighth, shifting momentum. An exposed end in the 10th left New Zealand needing a narrow guard decision, but Anton Hood’s attempt fell short, allowing Poland to force an extra end.
With the hammer in the 11th, Poland’s Konrad Stych executed a precise hit-and-roll to score the single point and claim the win. The result sent Polish fans into a jubilant celebration and solidified their path to Kelowna. Stych reflected on the late surge: “End number 10 was really tough, really close. We were happy to go to the extra end with the hammer.” The victory carried emotional weight, signaling Poland’s ascent in a highly competitive field and their dream of competing in Canada, a land they’ve long eyed as a curling stronghold.
New Zealand bounces back with a convincing win over Denmark
New Zealand’s men responded decisively after their morning disappointment, sealing their OQE berth by routing Denmark 7-1 in the second playoff set. The Kiwis struck early—scoring in the first end and stealing in the second, third, and fifth to race to a 4-0 lead. Denmark interrupted the rhythm with a single in the seventh, but Hood and his team regained control in decisive fashion, delivering a game-changing take-out and roll for three in the eighth to extend the advantage. The white-hot form on display reinforced Hood’s assertion that the team’s growth and the support staff’s dedication were pivotal to this success.
“Excited is an understatement,” Hood said post-match. “We’ve played exceptionally well this week, and it’s a huge relief to secure Kelowna.” The win completed New Zealand’s journey from a challenging morning to a celebration in the playoffs, cementing their status as a rising force in the sport.
Australia’s women overcome Hungary to grab the last OQE berth
On the women’s side, Australia rallied to overturn a Hungarian lead and earned the final OQE spot with a 7-4 victory. After Hungary went quiet after the fifth end, Australia found their scoring gears with strategic steals and singles. A string of one-point ends in the later stages, including steals in the seventh and two in the eighth and ninth, built a decisive advantage that Hungary could not overturn by the final end. Skip Hannah Williams and her teammates celebrated a historic milestone for Australian curling, a nation still building its ice infrastructure and competitive profile in the sport.
Williams, reflecting on the achievement, highlighted the broader significance for Australian curling: “It’s a very exciting win for us as a team but also for Australia as a curling nation with no curling ice. We’ve been here for nearly three weeks and the support we’ve received from local rinks has been incredible.” The team now heads to Kelowna with renewed confidence and a platform to push for Olympic representation.
What’s next for the eight teams heading to Kelowna
The six teams from the Aberdeen Pre-OQE—Poland, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, plus others not listed here—will join the strong field in Kelowna for the final Olympic qualifier. The OQE will determine the last two NOC quotas for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, with men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles competitions shaping the field. The broader curling calendar continues to ramp up as nations chase the dream of Olympic glory in Canada, a country with a storied curling heritage that has long welcomed international competition.
Key dates and context
The OQE in Kelowna will set the stage for Milano Cortina 2026, with the curling events commencing February 4, 2026. National Olympic Committees have the final say on team selection, meaning athletes’ appearances depend on their NOC’s decisions.
