Poland, Germany secure last Olympic qualifier tickets in Aberdeen
Four teams added their names to the field for the Olympic Qualification Event (OQE) 2025 after a suspense-filled day of playoff curling at the Pre-Olympic Qualification Event in Aberdeen, Scotland. Poland’s men and Germany’s women captured the final spots from the Pre-OQE round, while New Zealand’s men and Australia’s women advanced in the second playoff set to ensure their NOCs will be represented at the last qualifier in Kelowna.
Morning drama sets the stage
The opening playoff matches pitted the second and third-place finishers from the round robin against each other. Germany, skipped by Sara Messenzehl, edged Hungary 9-7 after a tight battle that swung back and forth. Poland, led by Konrad Stych, battled to a 7-6 victory over New Zealand in an extra end, a win that came down to the wire and showcased the pressure of qualification on the line.
Germany seized control early with a 5-2 lead through five ends, only to have Hungary claw back with a one-point end and a two-point steal in the seventh. A pivotal two-point finish by fourth Kim Sutor in the eighth gave Germany momentum, but Hungary answered with a two-point end of their own in the following frame. The drama culminated in a decisive 10th end where Sutor again made the game-changing take-out and stay to clear the Hungarian shot rock and seal the win, 9-7.
For Poland, the match against New Zealand was equally tense. Poland trailed and then surged with a decisive four-ender in the eighth, shifting the momentum firmly in their direction. With the hammer in the 11th end, Stych and his team executed a critical hit-and-roll, forcing New Zealand to attempt a difficult double and slipping through by a single point, 7-6. Stych summed up the mood after the game, highlighting the team’s belief: “End number 10 was really tough, really close. We were confident we could capitalize with the hammer.”
New Zealand and Australia bounce back to claim Kelowna tickets
New Zealand’s men rebounded from their morning loss to defeat Denmark 7-1 in the second playoff set, clinching a spot for the New Zealand Olympic team. The Kiwis took control early, scoring in the opening end and then stealing in the second, third and fifth ends to build a 4-0 lead before Denmark managed a single in the seventh. A precise take-out and roll by skip Anton Hood in the eighth extended New Zealand’s lead and sealed the win as Denmark conceded after the ninth end.
Speaking after their win, Hood emphasized the relief and pride of the moment: “Excited is an understatement. We’ve played hard all week and the support staff have been incredible.” He noted a few days of rest and preparation ahead before Kelowna, as the team prepares to represent New Zealand on the world stage once more.
On the women’s side, Australia completed their path to Kelowna by turning the tables on Hungary. Trailing 4-3 after five ends, the Australians redirected the match with a run of steals and small scores. A two-ender in the seventh and a single in the eighth and ninth put Australia ahead 7-4, a margin Denmark could not overturn in the 10th end. Skip Hannah Williams paid tribute to the team’s perseverance and the local support network, thanking ice rinks in Kinross, Perth, and Forfar for sustaining their Olympic push during a lengthy winter training period away from home ice.
What comes next: Kelowna and Milano Cortina 2026
The six teams that qualified at Aberdeen will join the broader field at the OQE in Kelowna, Canada, where the final two NOC quota spots for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will be decided. The OQE programme includes events across women’s, men’s and mixed doubles disciplines, reflecting curling’s expanded Olympic footprint.
organizers remind fans that national teams decide their own Olympic representation, meaning individual athletes’ participation is contingent on NOC selection and national policies. The road to Milano Cortina 2026 continues next year with Kelowna set to stage the final qualifying clashes.
Related notes
The Aberdeen results underscore the growing depth of curling across Europe and the southern hemisphere, with Poland and Germany both showcasing strong domestic pipelines. New Zealand’s men and Australia’s women demonstrate a renewed drive to compete on the world stage, even as several nations continue to refine their Olympic strategies.
Final thought
As the OQE in Kelowna looms, the weekend’s play offered a vivid reminder of curling’s unpredictability and the pressure-filled magic of a single shot deciding a country’s Olympic fate. The 2025 Pre-OQE produced four more stories of perseverance, teamwork and national pride amid the sport’s fastest-growing territories.
