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2014 Winter Olympic curling schedule: Team USA faces tough challenge against Canada

Sessions 10 and 11 kick off on Sunday, with Team USA facing tough challenges against medal-favorites Canada and Sweden.

by Scott Coleman

Feb 16, 2014, 6:00 AM UTC

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

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Winter Olympics 2014, Day 11: Ice hockey & figure skating take center stage

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With the first week of action in the books, we are getting closer to the medal matches in men’s and women’s curling. With sessions 10 and 11 ready to go for Sunday, there should be plenty of action to keep an eye on throughout the day and night.

Men’s early session

Three matches -- including Team USA’s first appearance of the day -- are scheduled to begin at midnight ET. The United States will take on Canada, which is sure to be a real challenge as they look to pull off the upset. Canada has a chance to really help themselves out against the Americans with a couple of tough challenges still remaining on their schedule.

The other two early pairings will pit Sweden against Russia and Great Britain against Norway. Sweden and Great Britain have to be considered two of the favorites to medal in Sochi, and their final seeding could prove to be the difference between gold or bronze.

Women’s session

There are four matches set on the women’s side of things beginning at 5 am ET. In what will be their toughest challenge of the Winter Games, Team USA will take on Canada. The Canadians are considered the favorites to win gold, and an upset win would be huge for the United States’ chances after a roller coaster ride in round robin play thus far.

The other matchups will pit Sweden against Russia, Denmark against South Korea and Japan against Switzerland.

Men’s late session

There will be a lengthy break involved, but Session 11 will finally begin at 8 am ET. Team USA will take the ice for the second time at 8 am ET as they take on a very solid Sweden squad.

The match to keep an eye on will be China against Canada. Both teams came into Sochi as candidates to take home the gold medal, and a win could go a long way towards seeding in the quarterfinals. The other two pairings include Noway vs. Switzerland and Germany vs. Denmark.