Second last day of matches in the 2024 Men’s World Floorball Championships in Malmö, Sweden. The 2024 WFC will see a classic floorball final when Sweden and Finland battle it out for the first place and WFC-gold tomorrow.
Norway – Switzerland
In the play-off game for 5-8th place between Norway and Switzerland the later immediately took control of the ball possession. Meantime Norway put high defensive pressure and did not offer many goal scoring chances. Norway then slowly but steady grew into the game and the game seemed to even out. In the 12th minute Switzerland managed to break through and finds number 8, Noah Siegenthaler, who scores the first goal of the match, 0-1. After the first goal Switzerland played with confidence and made it difficult for the Norwegians to keep up. Switzerland managed to score two more goals and when the first period ended, they led with 0-3.
The second period started similar to the first with Switzerland taking control of the possession. Though, Norway played with higher intensity than the first period and created some good goalscoring opportunities. In the 27th minute of the game Switzerland got a 2-minute penalty and Norway started to look for their first goal of the game. Switzerland defended efficiently and managed to keep Norway from scoring during the penalty. After the box play Switzerland quickly got back into the game and Pascal Schmuki dribbles his way through the Norwegian defense and finishes the attack off by putting the ball in the net. The second period therefore ended 0-4.
In the third period Norway showed that they had no plan to give up. They fought hard and created some good chances but the Swizz goalkeeper, Yanick Flury, saved shot after shot. Eventually Switzerland instead increased their lead through number 61, Jan Zaugg. Switzerland ended the game with one additional goal, 0-6.
– It was a tough game mental-wise but I think we did a good job, said Yann, .m,ic Fitzi from Switzerland after the game.
Slovakia – Germany
In the play-off game for 5-8th place between Slovakia and Germany both teams started the game with high intensity and created about equally many goal opportunities. The teams took turns controlling the ball. Germany had an early shot on goal hitting the crossbar and Slovakia had a shot on goal with a great save from the German goalkeeper, Jan Lemke. The first period continued to be eventful and in the 16th minute Slovakia got a penalty which number 38, Matus Gajdos, confidently put in the net, 1-0 Slovakia.
In the second period the game continued to be driven by technical play and high intensity. Both teams were bold in their attacking play but no obvious goalscoring opportunities were to be seen. Though, the will for Slovakia to increase the lead and Germany to even out the score was clear. In the 30th minute Germany got a two-minute penalty but during the boxplay they defended efficiently and managed to keep Slovakia from increasing their lead. After a powerbreak it looked like Germany increased the tempo and created many close chances. Though during a boxplay Slovakia managed to increse their lead on a counterattack even though they were one man short. Short after Germany closed the gap and scored, 2-1.
In the third period Germany seemed eager to even out the score to turn the match around, but Slovakia played calmly yet with confidence and looked to be able to keep the score. Both teams continued to play creatively which resulted in an interesting and eventful game. In the 55th minute Slovakia, through number 37, Michal Sifra, increased their lead to 3-1. It was a physical game throughout, and it was clear that both teams were there to win but, in the end, Slovakia was more efficient and won the game with 4-1.
-All the praise should go to the guys who put their blood and sweat on the floor, said Slovakia’s Adam Kohut after the game.
Sweden – Czechia
In the first semifinal of the day, Sweden was set to face Czechia – a match that was already predicted to be a nail-biter. Sweden, playing on home turf and never having missed a final, entered the game with high expectations. On the other side, Czechia had been in incredible form throughout the tournament, with their attack in full flow. You could feel the tension building as the teams lined up, knowing that this could very well be a semifinal for the history books.
The first period started with both teams hungry for victory, each doing everything they could to come out on top. The crowd was electric, with both fan sections showing their support, but it was the yellow supporters in the arena who were the first to celebrate when Malte Lundmark took the ball forward and scored, giving Sweden a lead just under two minutes into the game. The Czechs played patiently, finding creative solutions and combinations to break through Sweden’s defense, but in goal stood none other than Jon Hedlund, who had no intention of letting the red team back into the game just yet. In the opening minutes, he made a series of spectacular saves against Czech efforts.
Halfway through the first period, Sweden regained possession and displayed their offensive efficiency, with the ball moving smoothly between opponents and in to the net. The result was a 2-0 lead, with Hampus Ahrén scoring. As the first period neared its end, the Czechs had one last opportunity, firing a shot on goal as the clock wound down. The crowd held its breath, but Hedlund calmly collected the ball, ensuring that Sweden would head into the second period with a 2-0 lead.
After an eventful first period, the game continued with the same intensity. Czechia came out strong and appeared to have found renewed energy during the break. Four minutes into the second period, they had the chance to play a power play. However, Sweden’s solid defense held firm, and the Czechs couldn’t break through. With seven minutes left in the period, Markus Jonsson delivered a laser-like pass to Ramirez, who finished the play with a goal, making it 3-0. The Czechs were awarded another power play, but again, Sweden’s defense, led by their giant in goal, kept them at bay. As the second period came to a close, Sweden held a commanding three-goal lead going into the final, decisive period.
The last period began with the crowd fully energized, having witnessed top-tier floorball. Suddenly, Sweden broke into attack, and before the Czechs could react, the ball was fed to another Swedish player, who slotted it home to make it 4-0. However, the Czechs refused to back down and, after several close attempts, finally got on the scoreboard following a long offensive sequence, making it 4-1. The match maintained its physical edge, with both teams fighting relentlessly for a place in the final. With eight minutes remaining, the Czechs pulled their goalie in a last-ditch effort to turn the game around. Sweden, however, remained calm and composed, never letting the pressure get to them. The Czechs pushed hard for another goal, but Sweden’s defense held firm. Just like in the opening moments of the game, it was Lundmark who sealed the deal, sending the ball into the empty net for 5-1. And with a final 6-1 score in the open goal, the game was over. The Swedish fans erupted in wild celebration as victory was secured. Jon Hedlund, who delivered a remarkable performance and was named Player of the Match, explained why the team thrives under this kind of pressure.
– There was everything on the line, just like it always is in a semifinal. That creates the extra tension we need to play our best game.
This means that Sweden will play in the final tomorrow at 15:50 and Czechia will play for the bronze at 12:50.
Latvia – Finland
The second semifinal was between Latvia and Finland. The former team comes off a historic achievement as they are guaranteed to secure their best placement in the championship ever. Finland has looked strong throughout the tournament and is a seasoned semi-final and final team. Both teams had everything to play for, and nothing would be left to chance.
The match began with Finland being allowed to hold a lot of possession. Latvia set up defensively and went all in for counterattacks with their speed and sharp finishing. Finland struggled for a long time without registering a shot on goal as Latvia blocked many of their attempts. Eventually, Finland began to find the target, with no Latvian defender in the way. But then another obstacle appeared: a skilled Latvian goalkeeper. After eleven minutes, Finland suffered another setback as a post denied a one-on-one opportunity that had the entire crowd holding its breath. The match maintained a steady pace, with Finland having more possession, but Latvia remained dangerous on the counter, creating several close chances. Both teams seemed familiar with the numbers on the scoreboard and didn’t want to part ways with them. Thus, they entered the second period tied.
The second period began with intense pressure from Finland, who seemed intent on winning the ball higher up the field. Latvia fought bravely in their own zone but could not hold off the Finnish attack, and Finland scored to make it 1-0. After the first long-range shot found the back of the net, it seemed the blue team gained momentum, and when they made it 2-0 with another long-range shot, the Finnish fans erupted in celebration. Suddenly, the floodgates opened for the Finnish team as they scored both 3-0 and 4-0, despite Latvia’s hard defensive work. Despite the red-and-white team’s efforts, Finland seemed to find more and more energy as the game progressed, adding a fifth goal with a low shot. Two more goals followed, making the scoreline even more decisive as Finland entered the final period with a commanding lead.
When the final period began, the first seven minutes passed without a goal. Eventually, Latvia earned a free hit in front of the goal, and after some hard work in front of the Finnish net, they managed to score, which sparked a huge cheer from the Latvian fans. The goal seemed to energize Latvia, and soon after, they had one or two chances to reduce the
deficit. Finally, Latvia managed to score one more goal, bringing the score to 7-2, which would be the final result. Finland’s Player of the Match, Eemeli Akola, now looks ahead to the ultimate task: the final.
– Sweden is a big nation and team that has many star players. But so do we. The plan is to go and take it all in, enjoy it and in the end lift the trophy.
This means that Finland will play in the final tomorrow at 15:50 and Latvia will compete in the bronze medal match at 12:50.
