Poland, Germany, New Zealand and Australia clinch final Olympic qualifiers in Aberdeen
The Pre-Olympic Qualification Event 2025 in Aberdeen delivered a dramatic Saturday as four more teams earned spots in the forthcoming Olympic Qualification Event (OQE) in Kelowna, confirming the final field for a path to Milano Cortina 2026. Poland’s men and Germany’s women booked entries from the first set of playoff games, while New Zealand’s men and Australia’s women secured qualification from the second set, ensuring their NOCs a chance to reach the last qualifying tournament.
Germany’s women edge a rollercoaster against Hungary
Skippered by Sara Messenzehl, Germany opened strong with a 5-2 lead after five ends but found themselves pressed by Hungary as the game swung back and forth. A decisive take-out and stay by fourth Kim Sutor in the eighth end gave Germany a two-point cushion, yet Vera Kalocsai-van Dorp’s two-point end drew Hungary level again. The fatal blow came in the 10th end, when Germany, with the hammer, carved out a two-point scoring opportunity and then a late take-out to seal a 9-7 victory. “It was kind of a rollercoaster,” Messenzehl said afterward. “We’re a really young team, it’s our first season on the women’s stage, and just to get the qualification to go to Kelowna, it means a lot to us.”
Poland edges New Zealand in a tense playoff
Poland survived a late Kiwi surge to advance, securing the win 7-6 in a nervy extra end. After taking a commanding 5-2 lead through seven ends, New Zealand’s Anton Hood and his rink pressed Poland late, forcing a tense finish. With the hammer in the 11th, Poland’s Konrad Stych executed a precise hit and roll to score the single point needed for victory, and with it, a trip to Kelowna. “End number 10 was really tough,” Stych admitted. “We were confident we had a shot to win and we did.” The result marked a landmark for Poland as they chase further success on the world curling stage.
New Zealand’s Hood powers through Denmark to book Kelowna berth
After the morning heartbreak, New Zealand rebounded with a commanding 7-1 win over Denmark in the second playoff set. The Kiwis took control early, scoring in the opening end and then stealing in the second, third and fifth ends to race out to a 4-0 lead. Danish resistance dwindled as Hood delivered a measured take-out and roll in the seventh to extend the advantage. The result ensured New Zealand would compete for a final Olympic qualifier spot and continued Hood’s breakout storyline in Aberdeen. Hood reflected on a week of highs and lows and the relief of securing a Kelowna berth.
Australia’s women complete the final OQE slot
Australia’s women answered a mid-game stumble against Hungary by flipping momentum and closing out the match with a flourish. After trading blows to reach 4-3 in favor of Hungary, Australia blanked the sixth, then stamped their authority with a three-point seventh end and two points in both the eighth and ninth ends to reach 7-4. With Hungary unable to recover in the 10th, Australia clinched the last available OQE berth. Skip Hannah Williams celebrated the achievement with gratitude toward the local rinks and coaches who sustained the team during nearly three weeks of intensive preparation away from home. “It’s a very exciting win for us as a team and for Australia as a curling nation with no curling ice,” she said, highlighting the hard work of the entire squad and their support network.
The road to Kelowna and Milano Cortina 2026
The six teams advancing from Aberdeen join the field heading to the Olympic Qualification Event in Kelowna, where the final two NOC quota spots for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games will be determined. The OQE will feature three competitions: women’s, men’s and mixed doubles. National Olympic Committees will decide which athletes represent them at Milano Cortina 2026, with selections finalised closer to the event dates. The Chicago-style drama at Aberdeen underscored the unpredictability and resilience required to reach the Olympic stage, and the curling world will be watching as Kelowna hosts the concluding phase of the qualification race.
Author’s note
The Pre-Olympic Qualification Event continues to be a crucible for up-and-coming teams, offering a clear lens on the depth of talent preparing for the Olympic stage. As teams secure their berths, the road to Milano Cortina 2026 becomes clearer, with Kelowna set to showcase a global curling relay of precision, strategy, and nerve.
