After a week of Swedish victories – one more clear-cut than the other – Sweden had to struggle hard to secure their second consecutive World Championship gold in the final.
Although Sweden got a flying start. It didn't even take five minutes before Oscar Wikblad received Martin Landström's long pass and scored 1–0 on a half-volley.
But Finland (which was defeated 8–3 in the group stage on Friday) showed that they are the only World Championship opponent capable of seriously disturbing Sweden. After a couple of saves, Henrik Kjellson had to capitulate when Tatu Ässämäki equalized after a corner in the 35th minute.
Two quick ones
Sweden quickly replied. Vladimir In-Fa-Lin scored a rebound in the 38th minute and Martin Hammarberg bombed in a free kick in the 41st minute – and with a 3–1 lead at halftime, the path seemed open for Sweden's second consecutive World Championship gold.
Emil Fedorov brought the Finns a bit closer with his reduction early in the second half. The response came quickly again, when 38-year-old goal machine Christoffer Edlund scored 4–2.
In the middle of the second half, Oscar Wikblad then missed a penalty kick, when he practically had the chance to settle the final in front of over 3,000 spectators.
Instead, there was drama in the final minutes. Fedorov scored 3–4 with five minutes left and Finland then chased an equalizer to take the match to extra time.
When only seconds remained – and Finland had squandered their last chance – Wikblad countered to make it 5–3. The gold celebration could begin.
It was tough in the end, we got a bit tired and mixed it up with the classic thing when you're leading – that you defend, but we managed it, says Martin Karlsson to SVT.
Second consecutive without Russia
This week's tournament in Lidköping has not been particularly competitive on the men's side. Russia, which won six of its last seven World Championships, was not allowed to participate due to the country's invasion of Ukraine, just like in 2023. Now, Kazakhstan was also missing, which withdrew late after not receiving any economic support from the country's tourism and sports department.
Sweden won the first World Championship in 1983 and now takes its total to 14 World Championship golds. Finland remains at one gold (2004).
