In a remarkable achievement, Marc Muskatewitz and his German curling team secured their first gold medal in two decades by defeating Scotland 9:7. This victory not only ended a long dry spell but also earned them a spot in the 2025 World Championship. With aspirations for the 2026 Olympics, the team aims to solidify their elite status after missing two previous Olympic events. Their journey reflects growth and determination, showcasing their potential for future successes.
Historic Gold Win for German Curling Team
In a thrilling culmination of talent and perseverance, Marc Muskatewitz and his German curling squad have clinched the gold medal for the first time in two decades. The final match showcased an intense showdown against what many consider the ‘best team in the world’, resulting in a narrow but triumphant victory. Along with the prestigious title, the team has secured their spot in the upcoming 2025 World Championship.
The jubilant German curlers, led by skip Marc Muskatewitz, exchanged oversized cheese pieces—an amusing nod to their EM sponsor—for gleaming gold medals. The young team from the German Curling Association (DCV) wrapped up their dream week in Finland with a remarkable 9:7 victory over Scotland, the reigning champions and record holders. After two decades of waiting, this unexpected triumph brings a long-awaited end to their dry spell.
Path to the 2026 Olympics
“It feels fantastic. Everything aligned perfectly this week. Winning feels almost surreal,” Muskatewitz shared, reflecting on their stunning performance that left the Scottish team visibly disappointed. “We had nothing to lose today against the top team globally. We simply focused on playing our best curling.” This victory marks a significant milestone for the DCV men’s team, as they aim to reclaim their status among the world’s elite after nearly twenty years without a top finish at major championships and missing two consecutive Olympic Winter Games.
Along with their gold medals, the team, under the guidance of head coach Uli Kapp, has already secured their entry to the 2025 World Championship in Moose Jaw, Canada. Muskatewitz and his teammates, including Kapp’s son Benjamin, Felix Messenzehl, and Johannes Scheuerl, achieved this qualification during the preliminary rounds. The upcoming World Championship will play a crucial role in determining the teams that will compete in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, marking the first Olympic appearance for a DCV team since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
As they set their sights on the 2026 Olympics, Lohja serves as a vital stepping stone. “Our objective is crystal clear: the Olympics in 2026,” stated sports director Markus Tröger in a pre-final interview. The groundwork for their potential Olympic return was laid last spring when Muskatewitz and his team achieved fifth place at the World Championship in Switzerland, the best finish for DCV men since their silver medal 17 years ago.
Tröger believes that an eighth-place finish at the 2025 World Championship in Moose Jaw will be sufficient for direct Olympic qualification, although an additional opportunity will be available at the end of 2025 if needed. The team’s resurgence didn’t come as a complete surprise to Tröger. “It had been evident throughout the season. Muskatewitz’s team received multiple invitations to compete in the Grand Slams against the world’s elite in Canada,” he noted.
The promising future of this surprise team is bright. In addition to the seasoned Muskatewitz, Kapp’s son, Messenzehl, and Scheuerl—who were junior vice-world champions in 2022 and 2023—bring immense potential for growth. After a rocky start in Lohja against Norway, the DCV team, initially considered underdogs, advanced to the semifinals with an impressive record of six wins and three losses. Following a rematch victory against Norway, the team faced a tightly contested final against Scotland. When the last stone was delivered, the ecstatic celebrations of Muskatewitz’s team echoed throughout the venue.