Finland Advances to Semi-Finals, Overcoming Sweden in Quarter-Finals of IIHF Women’s World Championship

Ceske Budejovice, 17 April 2025 — Finland’s women's ice hockey team secured a spot in the semi-finals of the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship with a tense 3-2 victory over Sweden in the quarter-finals held in Ceske Budejovice. The win keeps Finland's hopes for a medal alive, while Sweden faces another disappointment after not earning a medal since their bronze finish in 2007. ## Match Highlights

The match presented a thrilling back-and-forth contest, marked by intense play and strategic maneuvers. Finnish forward Jenniina Nylund opened the scoring at 8:35, demonstrating excellent skill by maneuvering into the left faceoff circle and beating Swedish goalie Emma Soderberg with a shot high to the glove side. Nylund expressed her surprise at the open space she found, stating, “I was happy to see it go in.”

Finland doubled their lead later in the first period with a goal from Ronja Savolainen at 17:15. Savolainen, who is playing in her ninth Women’s World Championship, showcased her talent with a rapid wrist shot from the center point. After this strong start, Finland led 2-0 going into the second period.

Sweden's Comeback Attempts

Despite the early setbacks, Sweden exhibited determination and answered with renewed vigor as the second period began. Just 50 seconds in, Ebba Hedqvist scored, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Hedqvist displayed her promising skills by converting a pass from Sara Hjalmarsson and firing a shot that eluded Finnish goalie Sanni Ahola.

The momentum continued to swing as Sweden equalized at 5:54 with a goal from Josefin Bouveng, who capitalized on a rebound after a shot from teammate Jenna Raunio. However, Finland responded effectively, regaining the lead at 11:46 when Susanna Tapani found the net after a rebound from an Elisa Holopainen shot, making it 3-2. Tapani’s goal marked her first point of the tournament, and she highlighted the importance of scoring "dirty goals" – those that are made from rebounds or scrappy chances.

Closing Minutes and Final Tensions

The remaining minutes saw intense gameplay as both teams battled for control. Even with Sweden pulling Soderberg for an extra attacker in a last-ditch effort, they were unable to break through Finland's defense. The final moments shifted to physical play, reflecting the rivalry tension that has marked previous encounters between the two Nordic nations.

Both teams faced challenges, including injuries, as Swedish player Lisa Johansson required assistance following a collision late in the game. Despite the on-ice tensions, Finnish players expressed concern for their counterparts, emphasizing the competitive yet respectful nature of hockey.

Reflecting on the Match

In post-game comments, Tapani remarked, “I think we have grown during this tournament. We need to get better in the next one, but I’m pretty happy for what we did today.”

For Sweden, this loss forestalls another chance for a medal but reflects an upward trajectory in their development. Captain Anna Kjellbin stated, “We couldn’t go all the way, but again, we definitely took one more step on our journey.”

Finland remains a formidable contender in the tournament, continuing their positive momentum after earning bronze medals at the 2022 Olympics and the 2024 Women’s World Championships. Their next challenge will define their journey toward the medal rounds as they build on this hard-fought victory over their historic rivals, Sweden. The match also underscored Finland's historical edge over Sweden in past Women's Worlds playoffs, further enriching this storied rivalry.

The Finnish team will now prepare for the semi-finals, aiming for yet another shot at the podium. Meanwhile, the Swedes will compete in the fifth-place match, seeking to end their tournament on a high note.