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The Olympics are going out with a bang as the women’s curling final is set for a Saturday 8 ET showdown between two powerhouse clubs: Team Great Britain and Team Japan. If you’re looking for your new favorite sport, we’ve got you
*In my best Stefon from SNL voice* Curling has everything: hammers, broomsticks, 40-pound rocks, buttonholes, removable rubber soled shoes, and it all takes place in a giant aquatic center filled with ice.
If you can pick the winner in our Bet of the Day, you’ll have a chance to earn a Gaming Society prize
Wait, where’s Team USA?
Sadly, our squad didn’t make it to the final BUT they had a solid showing overall. Led by Tara and Tabitha Peterson, aka our curling Arya-Sansa duo, Team USA finished one game out of the semifinals following round robin play, which was the second-highest finish ever for our women’s squad!!
Tabitha, a 32-year-old pharmacist and Tara, a 30-year-old former dentist, were coming off of a bronze in the 2021 World Championships with high hopes. “We expect to win,” Tara confidently stated earlier, “Our goal is to get on the podium at the Olympics.”
The sisters, who trained at the Southern California Curling Center before heading off to Beijing, proved that they belonged. They had the seventh-best odds to win gold entering the tournament but still fought in competitive games against both finalists.
Team Japan is making history no matter what
In seven Olympic tries, their highest finish was a bronze medal in 2018. Now, they’re vying for gold.
After taking fourth in round robin play, Japan heated up at the right time. They knocked off the No. 1 seed Swiss in the semifinals despite losing to them two days prior. After being down early, Japan scored a remarkable four points in the fifth end and handed the Swiss just their second loss of the Olympics. Now, Team Japan is set to face Great Britain… the same GB that they beat to win the 2018 bronze.
Team Great Britain is eyeing revenge
Eve Muirhead of Perth, Scotland was born a 30-minute drive northeast of the birthplace of curling in Dunblane. It just feels right she’s finally competing for gold. Great Britain has won gold once before (2002), but has only come home with one bronze in four Olympics since.
Their semifinal matchup against two-seeded Sweden was curling’s version of a Diana Taurasi-led Phoenix Mercury vs. Jewell Loyd Seattle Storm shootout. Great Britain took a large lead into the final end after scoring four (!!) points in the ninth, then Sweden scored three and TIED IT. The chaos meant free curling. GB prevailed, scoring the lone point in the extra end and won 12-11. Now one team stands in the way of capturing the country’s second gold.
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Why we rooted for the Peterson sisters
1. Because did we mention one of them is a REAL LIFE DENTIST?!?
I wonder if AEW’s Britt Baker is a fan?
2. Because she had us at Dog Mom
Meet Tabitha’s German Shepard, the illustrious Lou.
3. Because Tabatha takes great photos of humans as well…
Have we tried saying ‘cheese’?
4. Because Tara knows how to take a joke
AGAIN! WE GOT A DENTIST PEOPLE! TEAM DENTIST!!!
5. Because Tabitha knows when someone compares you to the goat, you tweet about it.
#Winnie4Lyfe