Finland Advances to Semi-Finals After Narrow Victory Over Sweden in IIHF Championship

Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic - April 17, 2025

In a thrilling quarter-final match, Finland defeated Sweden 3-2, ensuring their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship. The victory marked a significant milestone for the Finnish team, who continue their pursuit of a medal after strong performances in previous international competitions.

Finland's Jenniina Nylund opened the scoring for Finland early in the first period, a play that energized her team and fans alike. Celebrated for her efforts, Nylund fired a well-placed shot into the net at 8:35, using a gap created by traffic in front of the Swedish goalie, Emma Soderberg. "I was kind of surprised with the space I got up there," Nylund remarked after the game. Her focus and awareness paid off as she initiated a strong start for the Finns.

The Finnish team quickly doubled their lead just minutes later when Ronja Savolainen scored at 17:15 with a quick wrist shot from the center point. This marked Savolainen's third goal in the tournament, further establishing her as a key player for Finland. "This was our best game so far," Susanna Tapani stated, reflecting on the team’s growth throughout the tournament.

Despite the early setbacks, Sweden displayed resilience. The team, which had previously topped Group B with a perfect record, clawed their way back into the match. Ebba Hedqvist put Sweden on the scoreboard with a goal just 50 seconds into the second period. Capitalizing on a breakout opportunity, Hedqvist’s skillful play gave Sweden hope. Later, Josefin Bouveng scored during a chaotic moment in the Finnish zone, leveling the match momentarily at 2-2. However, Finland regained control when Susanna Tapani scored her first goal of the tournament, responding to Sweden's equalizer with a go-ahead goal at 11:46 of the second period. This goal, assisted by Elisa Holopainen, shifted momentum back to Finland. Tapani emphasized the importance of scoring from rebounds, which proved crucial to their success in this match.

Goalkeeping played a vital role in the outcome, as Finland's Sanni Ahola secured the win with ten saves, while Emma Soderberg recorded 22 stops for Sweden. The Finnish goaltender’s performance was especially notable in the third period, as she successfully thwarted several Swedish attempts to equalize.

As the game neared its conclusion, tensions mounted between the two teams, especially after a heavy collision left players from both sides injured. Although both Lisa Johansson and Ronja Savolainen exited the ice, no penalties were called, which highlighted the intensity of this rivalry.

With this victory, Finland continues their journey in the tournament, having previously secured bronze medals at both the 2022 Olympics and the 2024 Women’s Worlds. In stark contrast, this loss leaves Sweden reflecting on a challenging tournament, as they have not medaled since 2007. Sweden’s captain, Anna Kjellbin, noted the team’s progress during the tournament, despite the disappointment of falling short in the quarter-finals. "We’ve been on a journey now these last couple of years... We couldn’t go all the way, but again, we definitely took one more step on our journey," she said.

Finland’s win sets the stage for their semi-final matchup, as they remain hopeful about their prospects in the tournament. The Finnish team will be looking to build on this momentum in their next game, with aspirations to secure a championship title that has eluded them in the past.

The tournament continues, and as both teams reflect on their performances, the competitive spirit remains high as they gear up for future play.