Swedes Cement Mixed Curling Dominance

With files from World Curling • World Curling images by Don Gibbons

Sweden has successfully defended their World Mixed Curling Championship title in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The team of Simon Granbom, Rebecka Thunman, Johannes Patz and Mikaela Altebro, claimed the gold medal by edging Japan 5-4 in the championship final.

The Swedes rolled undefeated through the week, scoring 11 straight wins.

It marked the second straight title for Sweden, and at the same venue. A year ago in Aberdeen, a different Swedish team scored another undefeated win.

The 2025 competition will not be held, but will return in 2026.

Months ago, World Curling quietly announced the 2025 postponement and pointed to additional quadrennial championships on next season’s fall calendar—the Olympic Qualifying Events (OQEs) for both men’s and women’s fours and for mixed doubles.

In the championship final, Japan opened with a single point but Sweden held a 3-1 advantage after four ends of play.

Japan, led by skip Hase Hinako (with Ichitsubo Shun, Hasegawa Hiroki and Tokoyoda Chihiro) put up a strong second half, tying the game 4-4 after seven ends.

In the final end, Sweden guarded their shot stone which was buried on the button, and Hinako tried a slash. The throw over curled, meaning Sweden didn’t have to throw their final stone and were crowned World Mixed champions.

Despite the loss, Japan celebrated a historic moment as they captured their first-ever World Mixed fours curling medal.

Sweden is a current mixed curling power, as the nation also owns the current World Mixed Doubles Championship title.

In the bronze medal game, Switzerland’s Nora Wueest overcame Spain’s Sergio Vez with a 4-2 victory, after a steal in the final end.

The Spaniards attempted a long raise takeout but just missed, resulting in a fourth-place finish for last year’s finalists.

Canada lost in the round of 16 to the Netherlands.

Shaun Meachem’s Saskatchewan outfit had won their pool with an unblemished 7-0 won/loss record. 

Quebec’s Jean-Michel Menard claimed gold for Canada in 2023.