Power Rankings - W18

 #BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings - Week 18

World Championship Fields Set + Olympic Qualification Update

It has been a hot minute since the #TwineTime blog connected with the curling community.

And A LOT has happened over the past few weeks.

Pan Continental Curling Championships wrapped up in Lacombe with NEW champions crowned.

A #gsoc event took place...with familiar winners standing tall.

And the European Curling Championships concluded this past weekend in Finland with one #DefendTheIce moment followed by the ultimate #TeamUpset celebration.

Plus there may have been a personal vacation trip to Paris 😉

What does it all mean?

Well the 2025 world championship fields have now been set. We at least know the nations heading to Korea (women) and Canada (men).

We also can do a deep dive into what those fields look like towards the 2026 Winter Olympic qualification process.

Plus the #PowerRankings mountain has been watching...and watching...and watching over the past few weeks. The mountain is ready for an update!

There is PLENTY of curling to talk about rock heads.

We better slide out of the hack and get this blog started with our opening rocks.

#ButFirst, in fine blog tradition, here is a quick recap of what happened on the ice over the weekend:

#TheRunback

🥌 European Curling Championship: A-Division (Men) - Germany (Team Muskatewitz) def. Scotland (Team Mouat): In what was considered one of the most balanced and competition Euro men's fields in years, a surprise champion emerged with Germany knocking off the defending champions Scotland to claim the first Euro title for Germany since 2004. Scotland ran away with the RR, finishing atop the table with an 8-1 record. There would be a 5-way tie for the final 3 playoffs spots with Norway earning 2nd, Germany 3rd and Switzerland 4th. Sweden and Italy, also with 6-3 RR records, would miss the playoffs due to Head 2 Head Win/Loss TB. In the playoffs, Germany defeated Norway to avenge an earlier RR loss before surprising Scotland in the final. Worth noting, German second Felix Messenzehl's father, Markus, was also a member of the last German team to win the Euro title in playing lead for Team Stock in 2004. Scotland defeated Switzerland in the other SF. Norway's Team Ramsfjell would rebound to win bronze over Switzerland's Team Schwaller. Netherlands and England were relegated to the 2025 B-Division.

🥌 European Curling Championship: A-Division (Women) - Switzerland (Team Tirinzoni) def. Sweden (Team Hasselborg): It was another perfect week of curling for Switzerland's Team Tirinzoni as they successfully defended their European championship. The Swiss went 9-0 in the RR before picking up a SF win over Italy to reach the final. Sweden qualified for the playoffs in 2nd place with a 7-2 record and recorded a SF win over Scotland. Scotland's Team Morrison would rebound to win the bronze medal, defeating Italy's Team Constantini. Estonia and Hungary were relegated to the 2025 B-Division.

🥌 European Curling Championship: B-Division (Men) - Denmark (Team Schmidt) def. Poland (Team Stych): Group B proved to be the stronger grouping in the competition as both finalists, and 3 of the 4 SF, came from this group. Denmark qualified for the playoffs with a 6-1 record, finishing 2nd in the group behind Ireland. Poland advanced to the playoffs with a 5-2 RR record, losing to both Denmark and Ireland. In the playoffs, Denmark defeated Belgium (QF) and Spain (SF) to advance to the final while Poland defeated Turkey (QF) and Ireland (SF). Both nations earned promotion to the 2025 A-Division. On the other side of the coin, Latvia and Bulgaria were relegated to the C-Division.

🥌 European Curling Championship: B-Division (Women) - Czechia (Team Paulova) def. Germany (Team Messenzehl): It was a short stay in B-Division for Czechia and Germany, the two nations relegated from 2023. Both nations were the class of the B-Division field, posting identical 8-1 RR records to finish atop the table. Czechia's lone RR loss was against Austria while Germany lost to Czechia. Czechia defeated Poland in the SF while Germany knocked off Netherlands. Poland's Team Lipinska defeated Netherlands' Team Bomas to win the bronze medal. Of note, Netherlands were 1 win away from finding themselves going from C-Division to A-Division in one season. Finland and Ukraine were relegated to the C-Division.

🥌 Canadian Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials Qualifier (MD) - Team Homan/Bottcher (AB) def. Team Wasylkiw/Konings (ON): A perfect weekend of mixed doubles curling for Rachel Homan and Brenden Bottcher resulted in a ticket earned to the Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials at the end of December in Nova Scotia. The duo went 3-0 to qualify for the playoffs via the A-side. In the playoffs, they knocked off #CSideGrind qualifiers Team Just/Cherpin (QF) and Team Neil/McDonald (SF) to reach the final. Awaiting them in the final would be another C-qualifier in Team Wasylkiw/Konings. After taking the long road to the playoffs, they would defeat A-qualifier Team Zheng/Pietrangelo (QF) and B-qualifier Team Walker/Muyres (SF) to reach the final.

🥌 Madtown Doubledown (MD) - Team Kaldvee/Lill (EST) def. Team Gill/Hewitt (AUS): An international affair would be contested in the championship final with Europe vs. Oceania. The final would also be a rematch of the A-qualifier, won by the Australians. After also dropping the B-qualifier, the Estonians would rebound in the C-qualifier to reach the playoffs. The Estonia duo would earn revenge from their B-qualifier loss when they defeated Team Daly/Violette in the QF and would then defeat C-qualifier Team Martin/Laycock in the SF before earning their revenge in the championship final. For the Aussies, their path to the final included wins over C-qualifier Team Bear/Oldenburg (QF) and B-qualifier Team Thiesse/Dropkin (SF).

🥌 DEKALB Superspiel (W) - Team Kang (KOR) def. Team E. Kim (KOR): An all-Korean championship final went the way of the young up and coming Team Bobae Kang as they knocked off the experienced Team Eunjung Kim to claim the title in Morris, MB. Both teams qualified for the playoffs via the B-side bracket. In the playoffs, Kang defeated C-qualifiers Team McMakin (QF) and Team Watling (SF) to reach the final. For Kim, their path to the final included victories over fellow B-qualifier Team Strouse (QF) and C-qualifier Team Kitazawa (SF).

🥌 DEKALB Superspiel (M) - Team Calvert (MB) def. Team Walter (MB): The women's final was an all-Korean affair but the men's final was a battle among home province rivals. Calvert reached the playoffs via the B-side bracket and would make the final with playoff victories over B-qualifier Team Sampson (QF) and A-qualifier Team McDonald (SF). For Walter, they would take the C-qualifier long road to the playoffs where they would continue their winning ways with playoff wins over B-qualifier Team Lee and fellow C-qualifier Team Hodek.

🥌 Stu Sells Living Waters Collingwood Classic (W) - Team McCarville (ON) def. Team Duncan (ON): A classic A-qualifier vs. #CSideGrind qualifier final between two strong Ontario-based teams took place in Collingwood. McCarville took the fast track path to the playoffs, qualifying via the A-side. Duncan to the long and bumpy C-side road to the playoffs. In the playoffs, McCarville defeated C-qualifier Team Howard (QF) and B-qualifier Team Corrado (SF) to reach the final. For Duncan, they defeated A-qualifier Team Ladouceur (QF) and C-qualifier Team Huerlimann (SF) to qualify for the final.

🥌 Stu Sells Living Waters Collingwood Classic (M) - Team Epping (ON) def. Team Brunner (SUI): Something had to give when two undefeated A-qualifiers faced off in the championship final. For Team Epping, home ice was extra nice as the Ontario team won the title over their Swiss counterparts. Epping's path to the final included playoffs wins over C-qualifier Team King (QF) and A-qualifier Team Howard (SF). Brunner's playoff path to the final saw victories over C-qualifier Team Beuk (QF) and B-qualifier Team Mooibroek (SF).

🥌 Moose Jaw SaskTour Spiel (W) - Team Barker (SK) def. Team Englot (SK): A battle of undefeated teams highlighted the championship final in Moose Jaw. Both teams entered the final with identical 6-0 records after qualifying for the playoffs with 4-0 RR records and securing 2 playoff wins each. Team Barker's playoff path included wins over Team Holland (QF) and Team McCartney (SF) while Team Englot's playoff bracket had victories over Team Ward (QF) and Team Tisdale (SF).

World Championship Fields Set

With the European Curling Championships wrapping up this past weekend, the fields for the upcoming 2025 world championships have now been finalized.

Here are the nations qualified to compete the World Men's Curling Championship and World Women's Curling Championship in early 2025.

#WMCC

Canada (Host)

China

Japan

USA

Korea

Germany

Scotland

Norway

Switzerland

Sweden

Italy

Austria

Czechia

#WWCC

Korea (Host)

Canada

China

Japan

USA

Switzerland

Sweden

Scotland

Italy

Denmark

Turkey

Norway

Lithuania

The big eye-openers here are Austia's men and Lithuania's women qualifying for the world championships.

This will be Austria's 4th ever world championship appearance and 1st since 2002 (10th place).

Lithuania will be making their world championship debut, going from 2023 Euro B-Division to 2025 world championship.

It is also worth noting the return of China. The Chinese men and women last competed at the world championships in 2021. Both teams rightfully earned their spot in the 2025 field by finishing on the podium at the 2024 Pan Continental Curling Championships, where the men won gold and the women won bronze.

With Austria, Lithuania and China moving into the fields, it meant nations who competed in 2024 were left on the outside looking in.

For the women, it would be Estonia and New Zealand.

For the men, it would be Netherlands and New Zealand.

What does this mean for Olympic qualification standards?

The blog highlighted the Olympic qualification system in the Season Preview blog post.

As noted, the Top 7 nations combined finish at the 2024 and 2025 world championships will earn direct tickets to the 2026 Winter Olympic field. Remember, those placements do not include Italy, which earns an automatic ticket to the games as the host nation.

On the men's side, Netherlands failing to qualify for the 2025 world championships creates a HUGE opportunity. Heading into the season, the Dutch were sitting in 7th place overall. They were holding down the FINAL direct ticket to the games.

As they will not be in Moose Jaw competing in 2025, they will drop down the standings and will have to settle for the last-chance Olympic Qualification Event to earn a ticket to Italy.

But their loss will be another nation's gain.

Czechia (8th), Norway (9th) and Japan (10th) are in the best position to "steal" the direct entry ticket. Whichever of those 3 nations finishes higher in the standings in Moose Jaw could earn them a ticket to Italy.

Of course, in Japan's case for instance, they not only need to finish higher but also a few positions higher as they are 2 points back of Czechia and 1 point back of Norway.

Remember, the final placement at a world championship equals the points earned from the event. If you finish in 7th place, you earn 7 points as an example.

Sweden, Canada, Great Britain (earning points via Scotland results), Germany, USA and Switzerland sit in the Top 6 and are in a good position to earn a direct Olympic ticket.

For the women, the Top 10 nations in the current standings have all qualified for the world championships in Korea.

Canada, Switzerland, Korea, Sweden, Denmark, USA, Great Britain occupy the coveted Top 7 spots...for now.

Should any of those nations falter in Korea and fail to make the playoffs and/or replicate their Top 7 final placement from 2024, another nation could swoop in and "steal" their ticket(s).

Norway, Turkey and Japan are in the best position to do so right now.

As for those nations who qualified in 2025 but did not qualify in 2024, their qualification path could get easier.

While a direct ticket is out of reach, nations who finish the combined rankings in the 8th to 13th placement will earn a spot in the last chance Olympic Qualification Event.

For those nations who finish outside the Top 13 AND have competed in a Pan Continental and/or Euro A-Division in the past two seasons (2023 OR 2024), they will take the long road to the Olympics and have to first survive the Pre-Qualification Event.

Nations like New Zealand (men and women) and Estonia (women) may see their placement drop outside the Top 13 due to failing to qualify for the world championships.

The Netherlands, they will be watching the men's world championship anxiously while cheering for those nations already ahead of them in the standings and hoping those nations below them struggle so they can retain their spot in the OQE while avoiding the Pre-Qualification Event.

Got all that? Don't worry, the blog will tackle it all again in the world championship preview posts in 2025. 😉😉 

Lets climb curling's most talked about mountain ⛰

Remember, the parenthesis number behind each team is where they were ranked in last Power Rankings post.

#PowerRankings

NATION

1. Switzerland (3)

Recent: ECC - Champions (W) and 4th place (M)

Another strong Euro result from the Swiss, each team reaching the playoffs and the women coming away with a second straight Euro title.

This is coming off a strong bronze medal performance at the World Mixed Curling Championship too.

2. Canada (9)

Recent: PCCC - Champions (W) and 4th place (M) 

It may have been a disappointing final result for the two-time PCCC men's champions but it was also a breakthrough for the women in claiming their first PCCC title.

3. Sweden (1)

Recent: ECC - Finalist (W) and 5th place (M)

The women made a run to the final in Finland while the men succumbed to a cumbersome playoff TB procedure that saw them just be on the wrong side of the cut line.

4. China (NR)

Recent: PCCC - Champions (M) and Bronze (W)

Welcome back to international competition China! They made their presence known in Lacombe, AB with both teams finishing on the podium.

They were also the ONLY nation to walk away with 2 medals.

5. Scotland (NR)

Recent: ECC - Finalist (M) and Bronze (W)

The only nation to land both teams on the podium in Finland at the European Curling Championships.

6. Japan (2)

Recent: PCCC - Finalist (M) and 4th place (W)

Japan continues to impress and prove to be one of the fastest rising curling nations. We have already seen it on tour with an increase in top-ranked Japanese teams.

And their strong results are continuing on the international stage.

7. Norway (5)

Recent: ECC - Bronze (M) and 7th place (W)

Norway continues to prove they should be in the playoff discussion at any international championship event...in any discipline.

8. USA (7)

Recent: PCCC - Bronze (M) and 5th place (W)

The Americans showed up when they needed to in Lacombe. The men shocked the system with the bronze medal win over Canada while the women picked up the wins needed to secure their ticket to the world championship and keep their direct-entry Olympic hopes alive.

9. Poland (8)

Recent: ECC (B-Division) - Finalist (M) and Bronze (W)

Coming off a strong QF appearance at the world mixed, Poland is putting together quite the #growthesport story for the season.

The men earned promotion to the Euro A-Division next season while the women also landed on the B-Division podium with a bronze medal performance.

10. Italy (HM)

Recent: ECC - 4th place (W) and 6th place (M)

The Italians will surely be a bit disappointed in seeing both teams miss the podium in Finland. But, overall, Italy is still in the discussion as one of the most dangerous nations in any international competition.

Honourable Mention: Germany, Denmark, Czechia, Korea, Spain  

MEN

1. Team Muskatewitz (6)

Last Week: ECC - Winners

What a season the Germans are having!!

They continue to surprise the world with their results...but perhaps the Euro championship win will silence any critics of their spot on this mountain while also gaining them new fans.

Knocking off the hottest team in the world in the final, who also happened to be the defending champions, is an extra "chef's kiss" to the result.

Lets see how they fair at the slam as they make their #GSOC debut this week...fresh off a career-defining championship win.

2. Team Mouat (1)

Last Week: ECC - Finalist

You cannot win them all in sports. And Scotland's Team Mouat was on the wrong side of the scoreline for the first time in awhile, especially in a championship final.

BUT, they have dominated the #gsoc circuit this season and will be looking to rebound on The Rock this week.

Can they complete the Golden Slam Season?

3. Team Gushue (4)

Last Week: Did Not Compete (DNC)

While they faltered at PCCC, missing the podium, they rebounded the following week at the Canadian Open in reaching the final.

And now they will be the home town team this week at The National.

4. Team Dunstone (5)

Last Week: DNC

Matt Dunstone seems to have found the hop in his step recently. The playoff appearance at the Canadian Open was followed up by a tour title in Red Deer.

They arrive at The National on a 5-match winning streak and looking very confident now.

5. Team McEwen (3)

Last Week: DNC

McEwen came up short at the Canadian Open a few weeks ago, losing a tough TB against budding rival Team Dunstone.

Lets see how they respond this week in St. John.

6. Team Epping (9)

Last Week: Stu Sells Living Waters Collingwood Classic - Champions

Team Epping is on fire! A finals appearance in Red Deer followed up by a championship win in Collingwood.

And remember they reached the QF at the Canadian Open too.

It is unfortunate they missed the cut off to compete this weekend at The National. But these boys are playing their best curling of the season right now.

Watch out!

7. Team Schwaller (7)

Last Week: ECC - 4th place

Another Euros. Another playoff appearance. Another disappointing SF loss. And remember they also reached the SF at the Canadian Open.

The Swiss continue to be on the of the best in the world. And continue to have the SF monkey on their backs.

But final results aside, Team Schwaller remains one of those teams nobody wants to see in their draw at an event.

8. Team Ramsfjell (HM)

Last Week: ECC - Bronze

Welcome back to the Top 10 Team Ramsfjell!

What a performance this past week in Finland. The Norwegians wrapped up the RR in 2nd place and ended up leaving the European championships with a bronze medal.

Could this be the exact confidence boost they need to take their results to the next step?

If there was a nation on the outside of direct Olympic qualification who others should be worried about, it is Norway and this team!

9. Team Hoesli (2)

Last Week: DNC

Maybe the Power Rankings mountain jinxed the up and coming Swiss team heading into the Canadian Open in claiming all they do is make playoffs this season.

They ended up going 2-2 and JUST missing the playoff bracket in Nisku.

But that does not eliminate the fact they reached 3 straight championship finals before the slam.

Lets see how they respond in St. John this week at The National.

10. Team Whyte (8)

Last Week: DNC

Just because we have not seem them compete in a few weeks does not mean we have forgotten about them.

Team Whyte is still one of the best teams in the world this season and they will arrive in St. John fresh off QF appearances at their past 3 events.

Plus a shout out to vice Robin Brydone who recently announced growing his family with fiancée Clancy Grandy. Congratulations to them both!

Honourable Mention: Team Xu, Team Retornaz, Team Jacobs, Team Edin, Team Calvert

WOMEN

1. Team Homan (1)

Last Week: DNC

After making #HERstory with the gold medal win at the Pan Continental Curling Championships and continuing to dominate the #GSOC season with another slam title, the skipper was back on the ice this past weekend earning an Olympic trials spot in mixed doubles.

Is there anything the Homan Empire cannot do?

2. Team Tirinzoni (5)

Last Week: ECC - Champions

Winning a Euro title is amazing.

Winning it back-to-back is stunning.

Winning it by going undefeated is jaw dropping.

Welcome back to the upper echelon of curling elite Team Tirinzoni.

The question now will be whether they have jet lag arriving in St. John this week or not?

3. Team E. Kim (3)

Last Week: DEKALB Superspiel - Finalist

Ok so they missed a championship win in Morris, being upset in the final. BUT, they still reached the final and continue to show they are one of the most consistent teams on tour this season.

We saw them reach the SF at the last slam too. Dangerous, Dangerous, Dangerous!!

4. Team Hasselborg (7)

Last Week: ECC - Finalist

A run to the Euro final will be a competitive boost in the slider for Team Hasselborg.

They made the decision to skip the last slam to train and prepare for Euro's and the decision paid off with a strong week of consistent curling.

We are starting to see the return of the Hasselborg determination look we saw in past seasons.

And that is very scary for their opposition.

5. Team Gim (2)

Last Week: DNC

They were unable to defend their PCCC title and slipped up at the last slam with a 1-3 record, missing the playoffs.

Is this the first time in a few seasons where we see Team Gim looking vulnerable?

6. Team Skrlik (10)

Last Week: DNC

Since the last Power Rankings viewing, Team Skrlik won back-to-back tour titles and reached another QF.

Are we still overlooking this team as one of the hottest teams on tour this season?

Are they STILL flying under the radar?

Remember, just because we do not see a team on the #gsoc ice does not mean they are not one of the best teams on curling ice folks.

7. Team Fujisawa (4)

Last Week: DNC

We saw Japan's Team Fujisawa reach the QF at the Canadian Open and followed it up with a tour final appearance in Red Deer the following week.

Always a crowd favourite, they will be a team the fans in St. John will naturally rally behind and cheer for this week at The National.

8. Team Black (6)

Last Week: DNC

Speaking of being a fan favourite, how about Nova Scotia's Team Black?

What have they been up to since winning the Tour Challenge Tier II you ask?

Reaching 3 straight finals and winning 2 titles. No big deal 😁

Are they ready to become #TeamUpset flag bearers on Tier I ice this weekend in St. John?

9. Team Ha (NR)

Last Week: Saville U25 Challenge - SF

Remember when Team Ha won the Korean championships a few seasons ago and reached the final of the inaugural Pan Continental Curling Championships?

Remember how many were asking who this team was and wondering if they had staying power as an up and comer?

I think they have answered those questions this season.

They reached the SF of the Tour Challenge Tier II, reached the SF at the Canadian Open and reached another SF this past weekend as a tune up for The National this week.

We may want to stop overlooking this team.

10. Team Morrison (NR)

Last Week: ECC - Bronze

Talk about a #TeamUpset end result in Finland?!

Scotland's Team Morrison was not a team many predicted to be on the podium coming into the 2024 European Curling Championships.

Maybe not even considered a playoff qualifier.

Yet they were consistent all week and were rewarded for their outstanding curling by leaving Finland with a bronze medal.

And remember, they won a tour title in Halifax as their tune-up for the Euro's.

They are riding quite the momentum train right now and should not be overlooked.

Honourable Mention: Team Wang, Team Yoshimura, Team Einarson, Team Tabata, Team McCarville

#StayTuned

Another slam event highlights the final week of November as all eyes will be on St. John for The National.

You can bet the arena will be packed with curling fans, especially when local fav Team Gushue is on the ice.

But also expect big crowds cheering on dark horse Team Black.

The blog will return with a full preview post.

Happy Monday!