Final day of the Men’s World Floorball Championships in Malmö, Sweden saw many emotions and the new World Champions as Finland took home the gold after winning the final against Sweden in overtime.
Germany – Norway
The play-off game for 7th place between Germany and Norway began with high tempo. After high pressure from Norway, they managed to win the ball on their attacking side of the field. Number 7, Marcus Hamrin, used this opportunity to put the ball in the goal and Norway takes the lead. The goal resulted in a confidence boost for Norway, and they started to increase the tempo further. Some dangerous chances were created but Germany decided to tag along and the overall tempo of the game intensified. During a two-minute penalty for Germany, Norway capitalized on the one-man advantage and increased their lead. Still Germany had no plans on giving up and soon after the Norwegian powerplay Germany managed to reduce the score to 1-2. The game got more and more exciting with multiple scoring chances created. In the end Germany managed to turn the game around and the first period ended with Germany on top, 3-2.
Just over 20 seconds into the second period the Norwegians won the ball and on a counterattack number 8, William Andersson, put the ball in the top corner and Norway had evened out the game. The score highly reflected the gameplay and both teams kept on playing methodical yet aggressive and showed a great will to finish in seventh place in the tournament. Even though Norway had a one-man disadvantage they managed to score a goal, through a counterattack, to take the lead and the match had once again turned around. Norway kept on pushing with high speed and showed technical skills that gave them momentum which resulted in them increasing their lead all the way to 3-7. Physically tough and intense second period.
The third period started with five minutes consisting of relatively few chances but after a good save from the German goalkeeper Norway, on the return, once again increased their lead. Norway then created multiple goalscoring opportunities and time after time they challenged the German defence. The game ended with a Norwegian win 5-12 which means Norway finished in seventh place.
— It’s a great feeling, the second and third period was really great. I think the team did excellent, said Norway’s Christoffer Gjodalstuen after the game.
Slovakia v Switzerland
In the game for fifth place between Slovakia and Switzerland, The Swiss quickly took control of the ball possession. They played mostly on their attacking side looking for a first goal. Though, in the fifth minute, Slovakia won the ball with high pressure on their attacking side and managed to take the lead, 1-0 Slovakia. Soon after the Slovaks had an opportunity to extend their lead on a penalty, but the Swiss goalkeeper stood for a great save and the score remained for the moment. The game looked to slow down a bit for a while but eventually Switzerland managed to even out the score. With the momentum from Switzerland’s goal, they pushed through and a few minutes later, they scored again to take the lead. Just before the end of the first period Slovakia evened out the score once again. The referees chose to look and an instant replay to confirm the goal, which they then did. The first period in the fight for fifth place ended with the result 2-2.
The second period turned out, for both teams, to be a careful yet intensive balance between wanting to take the lead and not allowing the opponent to score. Both the Swiss and the Slovaks tried to make sure that when they won the ball, they kept it, so a more strategical and methodical gameplay developed with quite few goalscoring opportunities. Towards the second half of the period, both teams showed great technical skills and a more aggressive playing style. In the 34th minute Slovakia’s number 4, Michal Dudovic, put the ball behind the Swiss goalkeeper through a volley to put Slovakia in the lead. The Swiss players had no plans on giving up and just before the end of the period number 61, Jan Zaugg, evened out the score. A period that left no one bored.
In the last period Switzerland began by testing the Slovak goalkeeper multiple times with tough shots, but he managed to keep the ball out of the goal with some great saves. Slovakia managed to fight their way back and created some good chances themselves but had a hard time finding the goal. It turned out to be a thrilling game that intensified the closer it got to the end. A tough battle between two teams with a strong will to secure fifth place. Eventually Switzerland scored three more goals in the second half of the last period and came out on top to secure the fifth place. They also qualified for The World Games 2025.
— I think first, and last period were quite okay, but the atmosphere helped us in the end to win the last game, said Switzerland’s Jan Zaugg after the game.
Czechia v Latvia
Latvia and Czechia were the teams battling for the bronze medal. Latvia was playing in the match for the first time ever, while Czechia had two silver medals and three bronze medals on their record. In a game where everything was at stake, both teams did everything they could to secure third place.
The match started in the best possible way for Czechia, who took the lead just 26 seconds in. During the following period, Latvia fought valiantly to withstand the constant Czech pressure, and their efforts started to pay off. By the halfway point of the period, it was still Czechia’s early goal that shaped the game, but Latvia, dressed in white jerseys, began to find their rhythm much more. It was an intense battle, with Latvia’s defensive play and fighting spirit giving hope for a fast-paced and even match. After sustained offensive pressure, Czechia eventually broke through the tight Latvian defence to extend their lead to 2-0. Latvia responded by putting pressure on the Czech goalkeeper several times, and when they had the chance to play on the power play, they managed to score a long-awaited goal to make it 2-1. With the score at 2-1, everything suddenly seemed possible, and the tension in the bronze medal match was higher than ever.
The second period began with Latvia playing with a man advantage, where they created several scoring opportunities and took control of the game. However, they were unable to capitalize, and the score remained 2-1 when the fifth Czech player returned to the floor. Both teams’ goalkeepers made incredible reflex saves and leg stops, keeping their teams in the game. Latvia came out with renewed energy, chasing the equalizer that would give them a chance at the bronze. Both defences worked tirelessly, and despite numerous chances, the score remained unchanged for a long time.
Finally, Czechia managed a quick counterattack where Ondrej Nemecek received the ball. His shot was clinical and went straight into the top corner, rattling the net. Latvia, however, responded quickly in a match full of drama. After a successful ball steal, they broke into the Czech zone and reduced the deficit to 3-2. But with three minutes left in the period, Czechia was back on their toes. The pass ended up in front of Latvia’s goal, and the Czech players were first to it, extending their lead to 4-2. After a penalty situation, the red-clad team pulled ahead even further, making it 5-2. These were the final scores of the period, and both teams went into the break.
The third period began, and it was now all on the line. After a high-class individual performance, Czechia extended their lead and found themselves in a more comfortable position with a four-goal lead. Latvia, however, had no energy to spare and continued to challenge the opposition in their zone. The experienced Czech team made sure not to leave anything to chance, patiently playing the ball around with very few mistakes. Eventually, another power play goal put the score at 7-2. With seven minutes left in the game, Czechia made it 8-2 after a well-executed free hit play. When the final whistle blew, it was clear that Czechia had secured third place, and Latvia ended up in fourth place in the championship. The Czech team captain, Ondrej Nemecek, had a positive view of the team’s performance and the conclusion of the championship:
– I think we deserved the win today.
Sweden v Finland
After countless group stage matches and placement games, there was only one destination left for the tournament – the final. Sweden and Finland were the teams battling for the world championship title. With everything at stake, this match could easily be considered a true rivalry between two well-known teams.
The match started at a high pace, with tremendous support from the crowd, eager to help their respective teams claim victory. The Swedish team, dressed in their yellow kits, immediately tested the Finnish goalkeeper. After several chances, however, the goalkeeper, along with the tight Finnish defence, ensured that the match remained goalless. But after a long ball played from Sweden’s own corner, Albin Sjögren managed to control it and break the deadlock, making it 1-0. The sea of yellow erupted in celebration as Sjögren quickly made his way over to join them, sharing the joy of the first goal of the final. Eventually, the home crowd had another reason to cheer when a ball recovery high up on Finland’s half led to another opportunity, which resulted in another Swedish goal.
Finland kept working hard but was hindered in their efforts to reduce the score due to a penalty. Sweden’s powerplay was effective, giving them a 3-0 lead, and the Swedish players celebrated once again.
Suddenly, it was Finland’s turn for a powerplay advantage. Despite a strong defence and a phenomenal performance from the Swedish goalkeeper, Finland couldn’t capitalize on several dangerous chances. After a highly eventful first period, the score stood at 3-0 as both teams headed into the break.
When the second period began, the crowd truly showed themselves as a sixth player on the field, with every play on the field sparking new chants and cheers. Finland came out with renewed energy, controlling possession and creating constant threats on goal. Like in the first period, the way to the net remained difficult, with Sweden’s goalkeeper, Jon Hedlund, continuing his solid performance. Sweden, however, was still making the most of their chances and, five minutes into the second period, extended their lead to 4-0.
After a Finnish counterattack, the ball finally slipped past the talented Swedish goalkeeper, and Finland reduced the score to 4-1. Finland then successfully defended against a Swedish powerplay, keeping the score at 4-1 until it was their turn for a powerplay. That’s when Justus Kainulainen stepped up, and after several close calls, he fired in a goal to make it 4-2. The result kept the match’s intensity high.
The third period began with Finland playing five-on-four, and this advantage quickly paid off. With a powerful shot into the top corner, Finland made an impressive comeback, now only one goal away from equalizing. The two teams continued to provide an entertaining and dramatic match, true to the spirit of a final. Finland pressed on, hunting for the equalizer, while Sweden, by the smallest of margins, managed to defend their lead. After some hard work, Finland finally completed their comeback and scored the equalizer, making it 4-4 in a match whose tension seemed to never end. The score brought a more cautious style of play, as both teams did everything, they could to avoid mistakes that might give their opponent an advantage. After several thrilling sequences, the match moved into overtime, where its fate would be decided.
The overtime didn’t disappoint the traveling fans either, as both teams created dangerous chances. But with two outstanding goalkeepers, the match stayed alive. Eventually, the ball ended up in Sweden’s half but in Finnish hands. It was carried along the left wing and then played diagonally across to the far post, where Miska Makinen was waiting. The ball rolled toward the goal in what felt like slow motion, and despite everyone’s efforts to clear it, it landed perfectly for a clinical finish. With a composed strike from Makinen, the ball sailed into the net, and the Finnish players erupted in celebration. The ball had gone in, and Finland was crowned world champions. Finnish captain, Nico Salo, described the feeling as truly special:
– It is definitely one of the most amazing feelings to be a world champion and I am very proud of our team. We had a tough start but stayed strong and had a huge comeback.
