Loss against arch-rival Finland in the group and a long, shaky match against Germany in the quarterfinals (5–2), but against the Czech Republic in the World Championship semifinals at Malmö Arena, the Swedish floorball men showed off their register.
The teams met in the last World Championship final in 2022 and then it was Swedish gold after 9–3 in Zurich, Switzerland. There was never really a chance for revenge for the Czechs.
"The arena exploded"
Already after 1.42, Sweden's goal king Malte Lundmark broke the deadlock. The forward could, via a solo raid, score the leading goal. It was Lundmark's seventh goal in this year's World Championship.
When Malte made it 1–0 there and the whole arena exploded – then you felt somehow that we're going to be heavy today, says team captain Tobias Gustafsson.
A little more than halfway into the period, Hampus Ahrén extended to 2–0 when Sweden counter-attacked. The Czech Republic had a lot of ball possession, but Sweden was strong in defense and in goal, Jon Hedlund played a great game.
Jon has a great game in goal and takes away the little hope they have, says Tobias Gustafsson.
Hedlund and the defense continued to be flawless in the second period. Up front, back Niklas Ramirez could extend to 3–0.
Sakarias Ulriksson made it 4–0 at the start of the third period, and the Czech Republic never got closer than a 1–4 reduction. Sweden won 6–1 – the last two goals were scored by Lundmark and Albin Sjögren in an empty net after the Czech Republic had taken out their goalkeeper.
Despite the team having received criticism for their play at times during the tournament, the 15th World Championship final – out of a possible 15 – is a fact for the blue and yellow floorball men.
"Very self-critical"
We are very self-critical, too. When we're not satisfied, nobody else is satisfied either. Now we're going to play the World Championship final and have this match in our backs. The rest is forgotten, says Tobias Gustafsson.
Forward Malte Lundmark is the top scorer so far in Sweden with eight goals.
I think I'm in good form, but I haven't won anything yet. So I'm not satisfied, says the 23-year-old.
On Sunday, it could be a third consecutive World Championship gold and the eleventh total for Sweden.
To win in front of a boiling crowd here would have been wonderful, says Malte Lundmark.
In the final, Finland awaits, who beat Latvia 7–2 in their semifinal. The nations have met in eleven World Championship finals before – Sweden has won seven of them and Finland four.
2022: Sweden–Czech Republic 9–3
2021: Sweden–Finland 6–4
2018: Finland–Sweden 6–3
2016: Finland–Sweden 4–3 after penalties
2014: Sweden–Finland 3–2
2012: Sweden–Finland 11–5
2010: Finland–Sweden 6–2
2008: Finland–Sweden 7–6 after overtime
2006: Sweden–Finland 7–6 after overtime
2004: Sweden–Czech Republic 6–4
2002: Sweden–Finland 6–4
2000: Sweden–Finland 5–3
1998: Sweden–Switzerland 10–3
1996: Sweden–Finland 5–0
