CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Defending champion Sweden was eliminated from semifinal contention in the men's curling competition at the Winter Olympics with two matches to spare Tuesday after what skip Niklas Edin described as a “horrible week.

Two teams with differing expectations meet in the first round of the knockout stage, as Lucas Raymond and Sweden take on Latvia in the men’s playoff qualifiers at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

In an elimination game with a berth to the quarterfinals on the line, Adrian Kempe helped lead Sweden past Latvia, scoring a goal and building his case as one of the tournament’s most reliable two-way wingers.

While Norway rules the 2026 medal table, its hockey teams are at home — a stark difference from its Nordic neighbors Sweden and Finland.

Latvia’s Teddy Blueger tried to make a pass out of his defensive zone, but the puck hit the skates of Nylander and went to the stick of Sweden teammate Joel Eriksson Ek, whose shot on goal hit Kempe’s right skate and went in for a 1-0 lead at 10:55.

Canada's curling team fires back at Sweden after the Swedes accused Canadians of cheating at the Winter Olympics. Marc Kennedy alleged Sweden planned to catch teams breaking rules.