The feeling is completely indescribable. So many years we have fought for this, and now we have made it this far. I am so incredibly proud of the group - how we blocked shots. Ebba Svensson Träff in goal is absolutely... I have no words, says defender Maja Nylén Persson to TV4.
Since 2022, Damkronorna have reached the quarterfinals of the Olympics and World Championships on five occasions. Four times Canada has stood in the way and once, in the most recent World Championships, Finland.
Now the curse was broken.
For the first time since the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Damkronorna have reached the semifinals of a championship. That time, the Swedes finished fourth.
Svensson scores
It has to sink in. But with this group, I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else, says Nylén Persson.
The last international medal dates back even further: bronze at the 2007 World Championship, the year after their silver at the Turin Olympics.
Sweden is the first team in the tournament to qualify for the semifinals.
Frölunda forward Hanna Olsson scored 1–0 on the power play after 4:47 of the second period, and Hilda Svensson made it 2–0 with an empty-net goal with 25 seconds left.
In the first period, the Czech Republic, which has won two World Championship bronze medals in the last four years, dominated and kept the play in the Swedish defensive zone.
Strong goalkeeping efforts
But the Swedes played with sacrifice, blocked many shots, and those that reached the goal were dealt with by Linköping goalkeeper Ebba Svensson Träff.
In the second period, Damkronorna began to move forward and create chances as well, partly after some Czech penalties.
Hanna Olsson scored on Sweden's first power play - and at the end of the period was only millimetres away from her second goal, but Brynäs goalkeeper Klara Peslarova saved with her stick.
Disallowed goal
The third period was similar to the first, the Czech Republic pressed, but the Swedes covered shots and played tight in front of Svensson Träff.
Sweden celebrated a 2-0 goal from Anna Kjellbin, but it was instead overturned and Thea Johansson was sent off for goalie interference.
Instead, Hilda Svensson's 2-0 came in the final seconds and punctuated the match.
We work so damn hard for each other. It's so cruel.
Now we're going for it, says goalkeeper hero Ebba Svensson Träff.
The semi-finals will be played on Monday.
