The Latvian women’s curling team achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 European Curling Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, by winning the bronze medal. This finish marks the first time a Latvian women’s team has ascended the podium at a European championship, Lasi.lv reported.
The team, led by skip Evelīna Barone, secured the third-place finish by defeating Scotland 8–6 in the bronze medal match. The victory served as a capstone for a tournament that saw the Latvian side—ranked 22nd by the World Curling Federation—compete against established international programs with significantly more resources.
Path to the Podium in Ostrava
Latvia’s journey to the bronze medal required a resilient performance throughout the tournament’s round-robin phase. After opening with a narrow 3–5 loss to Germany, the team rebounded with an 8–4 victory over Norway and an 11–4 win against the host nation, Czech Republic. An 8–6 win over Italy later in the group stage guaranteed Latvia a spot in the semifinals, according to Sportacentrs.com.
Though the team fell 3–7 to Sweden in the semifinal, their performance against Scotland in the medal match demonstrated consistent tactical execution. Latvia established an early 5–1 lead after three ends. Despite a brief surge from the Scottish side, which narrowed the gap, the Latvian squad maintained their composure to close out the match 8–6.
Latvian Curlers Balance Jobs with Elite Training
The success of the Latvian team is notable given the disparity in training infrastructure compared to the sport’s leading nations. As reported by LSM, most members of the Latvian squad balance their athletic careers with full-time employment or university studies. While top-tier international teams typically train five to six times per week, the Latvian athletes often manage two to three evening sessions, supplementing their ice time with maximum dedication and self-belief.
The roster features a mix of experience and emerging talent, including Evelīna Barone, Rēzija Ieviņa, Katrīna Gaidule, Daina Barone, and Betija Gulbe, guided by coach Deivids Remzijs. For team member Betija Gulbe, who works as a judicial assistant at the Riga District Court, the achievement validates years of early morning and late-night training sessions, according to Tiesas.lv.
Latvian Team Prepares for World Qualification Tournament
The 2026 European Championships introduced an expanded format, featuring 12 teams in both the men’s and women’s divisions, divided into two groups of six. By finishing in the top tier of their group, the Latvian team demonstrated their ability to compete with higher-ranked opponents, including their semifinal appearance against Sweden, the eventual champions.
The Latvian team is scheduled to return to competition on November 19, when they head to Sweden for the World Championship qualification tournament. This upcoming event represents the next checkpoint for the squad as they look to build on their performance in the Czech Republic.
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