A Curling European medal as the crowning achievement

Corrie Hürlimann from Zug and her team from the Curling Club Zug have won bronze for Switzerland at the Women's Curling European Championships in Lohja, Finland. For her, it's the greatest success of her career.
 

After winning the Swiss Championship title in February, 27-year-old Corrie Hürlimann celebrated another major success with her team from the Curling Club Zug this past weekend. Following their first national gold medal at the elite level at the Swiss Championships, the team, led by skip (the team captain in curling) Corrie Hürlimann, caused a surprise at the Women's Curling European Championships in Finland this past weekend by winning the bronze medal (with an 8-4 victory over Norway in the 3rd-place final). This international event will remain unforgettable for the quartet of skip Corrie Hürlimann, Celine Schwizgebel (26), Stefanie Berset (28), and Marina Loertscher (26),.

"The European Championships were a first for us as a team, and we didn't expect to be rewarded with a medal in our very first appearance. The dream of a medal is always there, but a lot has to come together perfectly. This is a moment that will remain unforgettable," said Corrie Hürlimann, who lives in Holzhäusern and was still full of emotion on Sunday morning after returning to Switzerland.

Demonstrating mental strength
This completes the Swiss women's medal collection at the European Championships. After two gold and one silver medal in the last three years by the Curling Club Aarau (skip Silvana Tirinzoni), Corrie Hürlimann and her crew have now won the bronze medal.

Corrie Hürlimann, the daughter of curling Olympic champion Patrick Hürlimann (Nagano 1998), cites the following reasons for the greatest success of her career: "A large part of it came down to team spirit. Everyone pulls together, everyone gives their all for each other." The pressure is there when you play for Switzerland. Medals are always expected at international competitions, she continued.

"But that's understandable. We’re a curling nation. But we were able to master the pressure, and got back on our feet after the 5-8 defeat against Scotland in the semi-finals. We demonstrated mental strength in the bronze medal match," she said happily. She continued: "We had already focused intensively on this European Championship in the summer, and were well prepared for Finland."

The curlers from the Curling Club Zug and winners of the European Championships in Finland, from left: Skip Corrie Hürlimann, Marina Loertscher, Stefanie Berset, and Celine Schwizgebel                    Photo: Swiss Curling Association

The 2030 Olympics as a long-term goal
And how did she experience the atmosphere in Lohja, Finland? Corrie Hürlimann: "Family members, friends, and federation officials were there and supported us. Both morally and mentally." Corrie's mother, Janet Hürlimann (coach), and Tatjana Diener (mental coach) also played a major role in her success. "They are important cornerstones and pillars of our team."

Corrie Hürlimann aims to defend her title at the Swiss Championships in Bern at the end of February, which would also mean qualification for the 2026 World Championships in Calgary, Canada (March 14-22). "The World Championships are our big goal, the next dream we want to fulfill."

A long-term goal is also participation in the 2030 Olympics in France, while Silvana Tirinzoni and her team will represent Switzerland at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy (February 2026).

The Swiss men’s team won the silver medal, losing to Sweden 5 – 4 in the final.  

For a review of the finals from the SRF (in German):
https://www.srf.ch/sport/mehr-sport/curling/curling-em-in-finnland-team-huerlimann-holt-bei-premiere-bronze