Playoff Positions Decided by Razor-Thin Margins at CO-OP Tour Challenge
NISKU, Alta. — October 17, 2025
The preliminary rounds of the CO-OP Tour Challenge wrapped up Friday with drama befitting the high stakes, as several teams found themselves locked in tiebreakers to determine the final playoff positions heading into Saturday’s knockout rounds.
Canadian Powerhouses Face Elimination Showdown
In what promises to be a compelling all-Canadian battle, Brad Gushue’s 15-time Grand Slam champion squad will face Mike McEwen’s team for a coveted spot in the men’s quarterfinals. Gushue punched his ticket to the tiebreaker with a commanding performance against Matt Dunstone, erupting for four points in the seventh end en route to a 9-5 victory in Friday’s final draw.
The international contingent also faces do-or-die scenarios, with Germany’s Marc Muskatewitz squaring off against Scotland’s Kyle Waddell for the other remaining men’s berth.
Women’s Side Equally Unsettled
The women’s competition features its own share of tiebreaker intrigue. Japan’s Satsuki Fujisawa takes on South Korea’s Eun-ji Gim, while Momoha Tabata’s Japanese squad battles Isabella Wranå’s Swedish team for the final two quarterfinal positions.
Strategic Mastery on Display
Perhaps the most tactically fascinating match of the day saw Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg demonstrate elite-level strategic thinking in her 6-5 shootout victory over Canada’s Kerri Einarson.
Having already secured her playoff position, Hasselborg made the calculated decision to deliberately waste her final stone in the seventh end, surrendering a point to trail 5-4. The unconventional move ensured she would retain hammer advantage in the decisive eighth end.
“We had the privilege of being 3-0, so we knew a win in a shootout is a good result for us,” explained Hasselborg, who locked up the second playoff seed. “Statistically, that is really good for us.”
The gambit nearly produced a two-point victory before Einarson executed a spectacular slash double with her final throw, forcing Hasselborg to settle for a single and overtime. However, the Swedish skip’s strategy paid an additional dividend—a practice draw to the button immediately before the shootout.
When the pressure peaked, Hasselborg delivered a textbook draw that settled comfortably in the eight-foot circle, though she covered the pin for good measure. Her teammate Agnes Knochenhauer confirmed the release looked clean, allowing the eight-time Grand Slam champion to step aside with confidence.
Swiss Breakthrough Continues
Xenia Schwaller’s Swiss team secured their quarterfinal berth with a hard-fought 6-5 triumph over previously undefeated Stefania Constantini, handing the Italian team its first loss of the tournament.
The victory marked Schwaller’s second consecutive Grand Slam playoff qualification after breaking through at last month’s AMJ Masters. For a team that struggled in last season’s Slam events, the consistency represents significant progress.
“That was our goal coming into this season,” said Schwaller, who has captured 10 tour titles over the past two years. “We had a tough season last year in the Slams. We weren’t able to qualify, so that was a big goal for us to make the quarterfinals.”
Theft dominated the contest, with Schwaller stealing the opening end when Constantini clipped a guard. After trading points through the middle ends, Schwaller swiped consecutive singles in the sixth and seventh ends to build a 6-4 cushion that proved insurmountable.
The win sets up an immediate rematch, as both teams finished 3-1 and will meet again in the quarterfinals.
Family Affair
The Schwaller clan has turned the CO-OP Tour Challenge into something of a family reunion. Xenia’s sister Zoe and father Andi both serve on her bench, while cousin Yannick competed just sheets away with his men’s team.
“It’s a lot of fun to have them around here with me, especially when you’re on tour for so long,” Xenia said.
The Swiss skip also benefits from the guidance of coach John Epping—when his own playing duties permit.
“He’s so cool. We can learn a lot from him,” Schwaller noted. “He brings the energy to the team that we need, so it’s great.”
Millimeters Matter
Sweden’s Niklas Edin and Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller delivered the day’s most excruciating finish, with Edin prevailing 5-4 in a shootout decided by the slimmest of margins.
After Edin drew to 5.0 centimeters from the pin, Schwaller’s Benoît Schwarz-van Berkel landed on the lid but rolled fractionally deep—5.2 centimeters. Two millimeters separated victory from defeat.
Both teams qualified for the playoffs, with Edin earning eight points through three regulation wins and Schwaller collecting seven points with two wins and the shootout loss.
Playoff Picture
Women’s Quarterfinals:
- Silvana Tirinzoni (12 points, 4-0) vs. tiebreaker winner
- Anna Hasselborg (11 points, 4-0) vs. tiebreaker winner
- Rachel Homan (9 points) vs. Kerri Einarson (7 points)
- Xenia Schwaller (9 points) vs. Stefania Constantini (9 points)
Men’s Quarterfinals:
- John Epping (12 points) vs. tiebreaker winner
- Bruce Mouat (9 points) vs. tiebreaker winner
- Joël Retornaz (9 points) vs. Yannick Schwaller (7 points)
- Matt Dunstone (9 points) vs. Niklas Edin (8 points)
Saturday Schedule
Tiebreakers begin at 8:30 a.m. MT (10:30 a.m. ET), followed by women’s quarterfinals at noon MT (2 p.m. ET) and men’s quarterfinals at 4 p.m. MT (6 p.m. ET). Semifinals for both draws commence at 8 p.m. MT (10 p.m. ET).
All matches stream live on rockchannel.com, with Canadian viewers able to watch on Sportsnet One and Sportsnet+.
