A viewing party of NBC Sports Network’s telecast of Friday evening’s Olympic gold medal men’s curling match between the U.S. and Sweden will be held at the Story Tavern in Burbank.

The party will begin at 9:30 p.m. and the telecast at 10 p.m. The tavern is located at 150 S. San Fernando Blvd.

The party is organized by Hollywood Curling, which will be holding introductory curling classes Sunday at Ice Station Valenica at 6:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

This is the first time the U.S. has reached the championship final of the Olympics or world championships since 1981.

The U.S. lost four of its first six matches in round-robin play, then won its next three to qualify for the semifinals, in which it defeated Canada, 5-3. Canada won the gold medal in men’s curling each of the past three Olympics.

The U.S. lost to Sweden, 10-4, on Feb. 15 in its third round robin match.

The U.S. is assured of winning at least a silver medal, its highest Olympic finish in curling. The only other U.S. medal came in 2006 when the U.S. won a bronze. Curling was held in the inaugural 1924 Winter Olympics, was dropped for the 1928 Games and returned in 1998.

–City News Service

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