Day 4 meant the conclusion of the group stages as things started to become more clear and set in Malmö at the 15th Men’s World Floorball Championships.
Canada – Philippines
On the fourth day of the WFC at the Baltic Hall, the first match between Canada and the Philippines kicked off. The conditions were clear. For Canada, only three points would do. The Philippines could advance and achieve their best-ever placement with just one point. It was set to be a crucial match, where every decision and movement could make the difference between victory and defeat. Both teams threw themselves into the battle, giving it their all. But with high stakes came a payoff when, halfway through the period, the Philippines scored a goal during a power play, taking a 1-0 lead. It would remain the only goal of the first period, despite chances on both sides.
With the lead, the Philippines played confidently, controlled the ball, and looked secure. After holding onto possession for a while, they extended their lead to 2-0. For anyone who had followed the Philippines’ journey so far, the familiar chant “Let’s Go Philippines, Let’s Go” could be heard echoing through the arena as the game continued. Canada, however, soon took control and scored a crucial 2-1 goal during a power play—something they had worked hard for. With brave and selfless play from both teams, the match remained uncertain. The Philippines had a chance to increase their lead with a penalty shot, but the Canadian goalkeeper made a last-minute save with a leg block. With a 2-1 score, the Philippines entered the third period with a narrow advantage.
The fast-paced play from the Philippines slowed down slightly in the third period, suggesting they wanted to secure their lead and focus on counter-attacks. This allowed Canada more opportunities to possess the ball and create dangerous scoring chances. With great patience, the Philippines extended their lead to 3-1. Canada continued to create opportunities, but the Philippines were quick to block shots, earning cheers from the crowd and their bench. The celebrations didn’t stop when the Philippines scored again to make it 4-1.
When the Philippines lost focus for a few seconds, Canada seized the opportunity and pulled one back to make it 4-2. With just five minutes left on the clock, the tension was at its peak. Canada made it 4-3 under heavy pressure, and after yesterday’s dramatic outcomes, everyone knew that anything could happen. After more drama until the final moments, the final whistle blew, confirming that the Philippines had managed to handle the pressure and secured three important points.
With the result, the Philippines will achieve their best-ever placement in the World Floorball Championships and has also secured a spot in the World Games 2025. They head to the Playoffs against Latvia whilst Canada will fight for 13-16th place at the WFC 2024.
Slovenia – Poland
Slovenia got off to a dream start in their match against Poland in Malmö Arena. After 4 minutes Luka Peklaj found his teammate Blaz Tomc who scored 1-0. Despite the deficit, it was Poland that was leading the game, but a fantastic defense work by Slovenia meant that the score remained the same throughout the period.
Poland came out to the second period with a good energy. Two quick goals by Robert Krawczyk and Ludvig Wu would turn the score in the match. The quick turnaround ignited both Poland and Slovenia. The latter found several good opportunities to equalize, but Polish goalkeeper Maciej Jastrzebski made some great saves. Slovenia found a good combination play as Blaz Kohne was last on the ball and found the net to tie things up with a crazy high looping pass falling nicely onto the stick of Kohne.
During the last twenty minutes of the game, the two teams offered both fast-paced floorball and chances in both directions. In the third period, however, it took just over seven minutes before the first goal came. Luka Cazar got a nice hit and the ball found its way into the net. Slovenia had regained the lead.
The game then continued mostly in Slovenia’s half. For almost ten minutes, the Slovenians’ solid defense was able to hold out before Poland would equalize again. The equalizer gave more taste and another goal, signed Ludvig Wu, came only twenty seconds after the equalizer.
Poland looked to be heading for victory, but with 18:56 on the clock Slovenia responded again. It wasn’t enough for the Slovenians however as a win which they so needed was just out of reach leaving Poland to finish in 2nd place in the group. Poland is through to the play-offs and will play their next match on December 11 against Germany. Slovenia plays a match for places 13-16 in the tournament. That game will also be played on December 11.
Switzerland – Norway
The Swiss took on Norway knowing avoiding defeat would all but certainly confirm their progression to the Quarterfinals as a top 2 placement team. After the opening stages, the game was evenly matched, with both teams creating chances going forward. After just over 18 minutes, Switzerland equalized. In the final moments of the period, Norway had a chance to regain the lead on the power play, but the goal was absent, and the teams went into the intermission with the score tied.
In the second period, it was a battle of positions, with the play swinging back and forth. Both teams had a chance on the power play, and it was the Swiss who would prove to be the sharper. After a situation that required video review to confirm the puck hadn’t crossed the line, Jan Zaugg unleashed a slap shot shortly after that left no doubt. The puck found the top corner, and Switzerland had taken the lead in the match. Despite Switzerland’s turnaround, the Norwegians never backed down, and after 16:06, Lukas Joaquin Garcia Haugen was quick to even the score once again.
The third period continued to deliver intense competition. After four minutes, Norway was awarded a power play, which they capitalized on well. Andreas Grönli scored with a one-timer following a pass from teammate Markus Lindgjerdet. The match remained fast-paced, with both teams creating goal-scoring opportunities, reflected in the scoreline. Another equalizer came from Manuel Maurer when the clock showed 11:42.
Switzerland then seemed to be on the verge of winning the match, scoring a 4-3 goal with less than a minute remaining. Jan Zaugg was once again in the right place, sending the puck into the net. However, the crowd barely had time to settle before the final goal of the match came. Norway made a final comeback, and William Andersson scored to make it 4-4, which became the final score. Switzerland advances to the quarterfinals as second in Group A. As for Norway, they will face the play-off with Denmark their first opponents.
Czechia – Germany
Czechia and Germany were the teams that stepped into the Baltic Hall for the final match of the day. Although both were newcomers to this particular arena, they were far from beginners when it came to the task ahead. Both teams, full of experience, knew exactly what was at stake in this encounter.
Czechia, fresh off a second-place finish at the last WFC, showed their skills right from the start. In the first minute of the match, they took the lead with a 1-0 goal. Czech goalkeeper Bauer was tested early with several shots, but he stood firm, stopping every attempt. Instead, it was Czechia who seized control, and with goals making it 2-0 and 3-0 as they showed the kind of quality you expect from silver medalists. With two teams determined to win, the game quickly picked up pace. The Czech team continued their goal spree later in the period, making it 4-0, followed by 5-0. As the first period ended, both teams had a chance to regroup and prepare for the second.
In the second period, the goalkeepers from both teams played like unbreakable walls, keeping the score intact in the early stages. After a well-deserved break, the white team came out with energy, but the start to the period was more measured. Czechia, however, shifted gears, becoming more effective and finding creative ways to keep the offensive pressure high. Midway through the period, the Czech goal-scoring machine kicked back into gear, and before the buzzer, they added two more goals—6-0 and 7-0.
The final period began much like the second: with patience and precision, and Czechia had no reason to rush. Germany kept fighting hard, hitting the post and crossbar but still unable to break through. Instead, Czechia added two more goals, extending their lead. The game ended with a 9-0 scoreline in favor of Czechia.
It was a comfortable victory overall for Czechia, who, with this victory, were crowned group winners. Both teams can now look ahead to the playoffs, the Czechs straight to the Quarterfinals as they win Group A with the Germans set to take the longer route via the Playoffs, with Poland their first opponents.
Finland – Sweden
A yellow sea coloured the stands at Malmö Arena when the rivalry match between Sweden and Finland took place. The host nation controlled the game in the first period. The first real scoring chance of the match came after 11 minutes when Gabriel Kohonen had a rebound that hit the post. With four seconds left in the first period, the Swedes were the first to celebrate. Malte Lundmark opened the scoring for the evening, hitting the crossbar to make it 1-0.
At the start of the second period, Finland began to take over the game. They created several goal-scoring opportunities, which eventually led to an equalizer. Sami Johansson fired a powerful shot that hit the crossbar and went in at 06:35. After the equalizer, the match became evenly balanced. Finland then regained control of the game, and with two minutes remaining in the period, Heikki Iiskola scored to make it 2-1.
Sweden came out strong in the third period. After five minutes, the equalizer was close. Jesper Sankell tried with a one-timer, but Oskari Falden in goal made a great save. Finland regained control of the match, and at 07:02, Joona Rantala made a dream strike. A minute and a half later, Finland extended their lead. Aaro Astala sent a pass to Nico Jonaeson, who scored to make it 4-1.
Although Finland had good control of the match, both teams and the crowd were entertained. Sweden pulled one back when Hampus Ahren found a well-positioned Malte Lundmark, who redirected the ball into the net to make it 4-2 with just under two minutes remaining. Sweden kept pushing forward, but with just over 40 seconds left, Aaro Astala scored into the empty net, sparking muted but joyful celebrations on the Finnish bench.
The match ended 5-2 in Finland’s favor, making Finland Group B winner with Sweden second. Next, Sweden and Finland will play their quarterfinals on December 12 and 13.
