South Korea’s women’s curling team secured a crucial victory against Japan at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on , bolstering their hopes for a medal. The win places the team in a competitive position within the ten-nation round-robin tournament.
Representing the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Team, the South Korean squad – comprised of Skip Gim Eun-ji, third Kim Min-ji, second Kim Su-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun, and fifth Seol Ye-eun – defeated Japan 7-5 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The victory brings their record to 3 wins and 2 losses, positioning them in a tie for fourth place with Denmark.
The match saw a fluctuating lead, with South Korea initially establishing a 2-0 advantage after scoring points in the second and third ends. Japan responded in the fourth end, leveling the score at 2-2. The teams continued to trade points in the subsequent ends, maintaining a tight contest.
A pivotal moment arrived in the eighth end. Recognizing the importance of maintaining the hammer – the last stone advantage – South Korea strategically opted for a ‘blank end’ in the seventh, sacrificing a point to retain control for the eighth. This tactical decision proved decisive. Third Kim Min-ji executed a precise double takeout, removing two Japanese stones, and Skip Gim Eun-ji followed with a skillful shot, resulting in a significant three-point gain and a 6-3 lead.
Japan mounted a challenge in the ninth end, scoring two points to narrow the gap to 6-5. However, South Korea capitalized on their hammer in the tenth and final end, securing a crucial point to close out the game with a final score of 7-5.
The win is particularly significant as it comes at the halfway point of the round-robin stage. With nine matches remaining, the top four teams will advance to the semifinals, scheduled for . Currently, Sweden leads the standings with a 5-0 record, followed by the United States at 4 wins and 1 loss. Switzerland holds the third position with 3 wins and 1 loss.
This Olympic appearance carries added weight for South Korea, as they aim to replicate – or surpass – their silver medal performance in the women’s curling event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The team’s performance in Milan-Cortina will be closely watched by a nation with a growing passion for the sport.
South Korea’s next challenge is against China on , at 3:05 AM local time. The match presents another opportunity for the team to solidify their position in the standings and continue their pursuit of a medal.
The Korean team’s success is a testament to the dedication and skill of its players, and the strategic acumen of Skip Gim Eun-ji. The team’s ability to adapt to changing game conditions, as demonstrated by their tactical blank end in the seventh, highlights their competitive edge. As the tournament progresses, their performance will be a key factor in determining the medal contenders in women’s curling at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
