After a really strong third period, where the team went from 1–1 to 4–1, the Damkronorna took the important scalp after three straight losses in the first tournament of the season in Switzerland at the end of August.
Against a team that the Swedes had lost eight times in the last nine international matches. The Czech Republic has won two World Cup bronze medals and has been in two more bronze medal matches in the last four years.
“A team you want to beat”
And that's where the Ladies' Crowns want to go.
The victory means a lot. We play against them so often, it's a team you start to... not hate, but it's a team you want to beat, says Hilda Svensson.
The sharp scorer has left HV71 and moved to the USA to play and study for the top college team Ohio State.
There, Svensson has been successful and poured in goals and points – 7 goals and 18 points – in the first eleven games.
She took that form with her to the Catena arena, where only 931 spectators had found their way.
"It's fun to be back in Sweden and it was really fun to play tonight. You always want to play in front of a lot of people, especially when it's back home in Sweden, but it's fun that some people are coming. There might be more this weekend," she says.
“Riding out the storm”
Hilda Svensson scored the 2-1 goal at the beginning of the third period and had previously played defender Ida Karlsson to the lead goal before the Czechs equalized.
Svensson then gave Mira Hallin an open goal to make it 3–1 in game five against three before Nicole Hall made it 4–1.
The Tre Kronor women played a good match apart from the first ten minutes of the match when the Czechs dominated greatly, but goalkeeper Ebba Svensson Träff, Linköping, played great.
We are riding out the storm, finding the right positions and growing little by little. So it is very strong. It is important to show ourselves that we can perform. It is about winning matches and we have had a number against the Czech Republic where it has been the odd goal against, says national team captain Ulf Lundberg.
Sweden's remaining two matches are played against Switzerland on Friday and Finland on Saturday.
Goran Sundberg/TT
Facts: Women's Olympic season
TT
August 25–31: Euro Hockey Tour (Switzerland). Sweden finished last after three straight losses.
November 5–8: Lidl Hockey Games (Ängelholm).
8–14 December: Euro Hockey Tour (Finland).
February 5–22: Olympics (Milan).
