In three straight World Championships, the Damkronorna have been eliminated by powerhouse Canada in the quarterfinals.
But this year, they avoid "Lönnlöven" and the USA, as they easily advanced from the group stage in the Czech Republic with four straight wins.
Instead, they face Finland in a tough rivalry match on Thursday morning.
It's going to be huge fun, it's an arch-rival and a team we always want to defeat. We shouldn't focus too much on who we're facing, but we should take with us that we were group winners and bring the confidence from that, says Sweden's Jenna Raunio to Jönköpings-Posten.
Low behind the SM gold
However, some focus needs to be placed on stopping a certain SDHL star who was instrumental in Frölunda's first SM gold on the women's side, won in March: Michelle Karvinen.
The 35-year-old forward scored the 2–0 goal in Finland's last group stage match against Switzerland and became the top scorer in the Damlejonens' World Championship history, with 61 points.
It feels incredible right now. I never thought I'd come close to this record. Before this tournament, I had no idea it was even close, she said to the International Ice Hockey Federation's website.
I feel very honored.
Tight match last time
In the end, it was a Finnish victory with 2–1 against Switzerland in a group stage where they also won against the host nation the Czech Republic – but lost big against Canada and the USA.
And now, the Damkronorna await.
A national team they played a training match against before the World Championship and won after penalties. The last time they met in a World Championship context was in 2023 when Finland won a placement match with 3–1.
We had a small goal to win the group and to advance to the quarterfinals. Now we're there and we'll see how far we can take it from there, says the Damkronorna's Hilda Svensson to Jönköpings-Posten.
+ Quarterfinals
Finland–Sweden, April 17, 10.00.
USA–Germany, April 17, 13.30.
Czech Republic–Switzerland, April 17, 17.00.
Canada–Japan, April 17, 20.30
+ Semifinals
To be played on April 19, 15.00 and 19.00. The draw will be decided after the quarterfinals, where the teams will get new seeding.
+ Final
To be played on April 20, 18.00.
Venue for all playoff matches: Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
TV: SVT.
