Finland is Sweden's major antagonist in World Championship history and it is highly likely that the neighboring countries will meet in the final at Malmö arena next Sunday.
Sweden dismissed Slovakia with 12–4 in Saturday's premiere – Finland decided in the final stage against Latvia (4–3).
"Stable"
Sweden did not have it as tough against the Latvians on Sunday. After the first period, the host nation led 2–0 after Johan Samuelsson initiated the goal scoring and Rasmus Enström extended.
There are certain periods in the period that are a bit of swings, but overall it's stable, says Johan Samuelsson, who made his 154th national team appearance, to SVT.
In the second period, Sweden definitively headed towards victory. Already after 30 seconds, Gabriel Kohonen sent in 3–0 – just over two minutes later, Albin Sjögren extended. Ludwig Persson managed to set 5–0 before Latvia scored a consolation goal.
The work morale is better today. But I think we still slack a bit, says Albin Sjögren to SVT after the 6–1 lead after two periods.
Meet in eleven World Championship finals
Although Latvia reduced the score by nearly seven minutes into the final period, a few minutes later Linus Malmström set 7–2 in numerical superiority and Sweden headed towards a major victory.
Before the final goal fell, twelve different Swedish players had written themselves into the goal protocol, but Johan Samuelsson both initiated and concluded the goal scoring in the match. In the final stage, the veteran secured the victory to 13–2.
The victory means that Sweden has secured a direct spot in the quarterfinals, but before that, the group stage will be concluded on Tuesday. Then, a Finland match awaits at Malmö arena.
Sweden has played all 14 finals in World Championship history and has won ten gold medals. In eleven finals, Finland (four gold medals) has stood as the opponent.
The men's floorball World Championship is being decided in Malmö. The two top teams in groups A and B will go directly to the quarterfinals. The third and fourth teams in the two groups will meet the first and second teams in groups C and D in a playoff for a quarterfinal spot.
Sweden's matches in group A (Malmö arena):
Saturday: 12–4 Slovakia.
Sunday: 13–2 Latvia.
Tuesday: Finland (19.00).
Playoff matches will be played on Wednesday, quarterfinals on Thursday and Friday. If Sweden advances directly, the team will play the quarterfinal on Thursday at 17.30.
Semifinals will be played on Saturday. The bronze match (12.50) and the final (15.50) will be decided on Sunday.
