Ice Hockey World Championship
Switzerland defeats the big favorite and is in the final
Status: 25.05.2024 | Reading time: 2 minutes
Host country Czech Republic is dreaming of its first title in 2010 at the Ice Hockey World Championship after its landslide victory in the semi-final against Sweden. Switzerland, on the other hand, which prevailed against top favorite Canada, is hoping for its first title.
Hosts Czech Republic and Switzerland will face off in the final of the Ice Hockey World Championship on Sunday (8:20 p.m./ProSieben and MagentaSport). Germany’s conquerors Switzerland beat record champions Canada 3-2 in Prague after a penalty shootout and can dream of their first World Championship title. Before that, the Czech Republic beat Sweden 7-3 in an exciting first semi-final and are hoping for their 13th World Championship title. Sweden will fight for bronze against Canada beforehand (3:20 p.m./ProSieben and MagentaSport).
The 17,000 spectators in the Czech capital were treated to the best World Cup game so far by the numerous NHL stars of the Czechs and Sweden. The northern Europeans took the lead through Marcus Johansson (4th minute). After that, the goals came almost every minute. Dominik Kubalik equalized for the Czechs (8th minute). Sweden were ahead again just 20 seconds later through Marcus Pettersson. One and a half minutes later, David Kampf was able to equalize again for the effective Czechs.
Czech Republic delivers a gala performance against Sweden
Source: AFP/MICHAL CIZEK
While Sweden had significantly more shots on goal (39:23), the hosts shocked coach Sam Hallam’s team with their merciless effectiveness. After three goals in three minutes by Ondrej Kase (27th) and the outstanding Martin Necas (27th) and Kubalik (30th), the match seemed decided. Joel Eriksson Ek was able to shorten the lead again (36th). Then came Lukas Sedlak’s big performance. The striker from first division club Dynamo Pardubice shot the Czechs into the final with two goals (46th/54th).
Swiss goalkeeper excels against Canada
After scoring two goals against Canada, Switzerland saw itself on the direct path to its third World Cup final after 2013 and 2018. Kevin Fiala of the Los Angeles Kings (16th) and Nino Niederreiter (19th) were successful for the Swiss in the first period. The Canadians, who had been disappointing up to that point, only really got into the game in the middle period. Brandon Tanev equalized after 35 minutes.
In the final third, the strong Swiss goalkeeper Leonardo Genoni saved his team from equalizing for a long time. He had no chance against John Tavares’ shot in the 58th minute. In the penalty shootout, Fiala and Sven Andrighetto were successful for the Swiss. Only Connor Bedard scored for Canada.
