Sweden take home another TWG title, as they win the Men’s final against Finland. Finland get their long-time waiting gold to take home from Chengdu on the Women’s side after beating Sweden in the final. Czechia take home the bronze medals on the Men’s side and Switzerland on the Women’s side.
The World Games 2025 Men’s Bronze Medal Match
Czechia 7 – Switzerland 2
Chengdu, China – Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Czechia claimed the bronze medal in men’s floorball with a commanding 7-2 victory over Switzerland. Playing in front of a packed crowd of 2,000 spectators, the Czech team delivered a clinical performance to secure third place and their first medal at The World Games, marking a historic achievement for Czech floorball.
Match Summary
Czechia established dominance from the opening whistle, with Adam Zubek scoring just 1:23 into the match, assisted by Langer. The early goal set the tone for Czech control, and Adam Hemerka doubled the lead at 1:55 with help from Zakonov. Jakub Bursik made it 3-0 at 5:57, assisted by Zubek, before Zubek completed a devastating first period with his second goal at 12:03, assisted by Bursik.
Switzerland called a timeout immediately after Zubek’s second goal, trailing 4-0 and desperately needing to regroup. However, the damage was already substantial as Czechia had effectively decided the contest within the opening period.
The second period saw Czechia add to their commanding lead when Zubek completed his hat-trick at 16:17, assisted by Nemecek, giving the Czechs a seemingly insurmountable 5-0 advantage heading into the final period.
Swiss Fightback Attempt
Switzerland showed character in the third period, finally breaking their duck when Levin Conrad scored at 34:55, assisted by Hermle, to make it 5-1. The Swiss continued their late rally with Pascal Schmuki adding another at 38:58, assisted by Seiler, giving Switzerland hope of a dramatic comeback.
However, Czechia quickly extinguished any Swiss revival hopes. An own goal at 43:01 restored their four-goal cushion at 6-2, before Adam Delong sealed the victory with a short-handed goal at 44:31, assisted by Langer, despite Tomas Hanak being penalized for hitting just seven seconds earlier at 43:24.
Outstanding Individual Performance
Adam Zubek emerged as the star of the match with a hat-trick and one assist, demonstrating clinical finishing and creative playmaking throughout. His three goals came at crucial moments, effectively deciding the bronze medal contest within the first period and adding the decisive fifth goal in the second.
Disciplinary Issues
The match’s closing stages featured some tension when Tomas Hanak received a 2-minute penalty for hitting at 43:24. However, rather than capitalize on the power play, Switzerland conceded a short-handed goal to Delong just over a minute later, highlighting Czechia’s superior execution under pressure.
Match Officials
Swedish referees Glenn Boström and Hakan Soderman managed the bronze medal match efficiently, maintaining control throughout the encounter despite some late-game physicality as Switzerland’s frustrations mounted.
Historical Achievement
This bronze medal represents a landmark moment for Czech floorball, securing their first medal at The World Games and establishing them as a major force in international men’s floorball. The comprehensive nature of their victory demonstrates the depth and quality of Czech floorball development.
Tournament Context
Czechia’s third-place finish caps off a successful World Games campaign that saw them narrowly lose to Sweden in a thrilling semifinal before bouncing back to claim bronze. For Switzerland, the 4th place finish represents their best international result and provides a strong foundation for future tournaments.
The 2,000-strong crowd witnessed a memorable bronze medal match that showcased the excitement and skill level that has made floorball’s inclusion at The World Games such a success.
The World Games 2025 Women’s Bronze Medal Match
Switzerland 4 – Czechia 3
Chengdu, China – Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Switzerland claimed the bronze medal in women’s floorball with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Czechia at The World Games 2025. In front of a capacity crowd of 2,000 spectators, the Swiss team held their nerve in a dramatic encounter to secure third place and their first medal at The World Games, marking a historic achievement for Swiss women’s floorball.
Match Summary
Switzerland drew first blood when Isabelle Gerig scored at 1:51 to give the Swiss an early 1-0 lead. However, Czechia responded quickly in the first period when Anna Bruchackova equalized at 2:20, assisted by Klubalova, ensuring the teams went into the first break level at 1-1.
The second period proved pivotal as Switzerland seized control of the match. Despite Sarka Stankova receiving a 2-minute penalty for holding at 18:18, Switzerland managed to take the lead through Doris Berger at 22:39. The Swiss extended their advantage with two quick goals from Marcia Wick (27:28, assisted by Wyss) and Nina Metzger (27:29, assisted by Gerig), giving Switzerland a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the final period.
Dramatic Third Period
Czechia mounted a spirited comeback attempt in the third period, making the final stages incredibly tense for the Swiss. Anna Bruchackova struck again at 35:32 to make it 4-2, cutting Switzerland’s lead in half and giving the Czechs hope of a remarkable turnaround.
The pressure intensified when Nela Jirakova received a 2-minute penalty for hitting at 34:58, putting Czechia down to four players at a crucial moment. However, despite the numerical disadvantage, Czechia continued to push forward in search of more goals.
Nail-Biting Finish
The drama reached its peak in the final minutes when Karolina Klubalova scored with just 23 seconds remaining at 44:37, assisted by Stankova, making it 4-3 and setting up a frantic finale. Czechia immediately called a timeout at 43:25 to strategize for the final desperate push.
In the dying seconds, Czechia pulled their goalkeeper for an extra attacker, creating a chaotic finish as they threw everything at the Swiss defense in search of an equalizer. However, Switzerland’s defense held firm to secure their historic bronze medal victory.
Key Performances
Doris Berger, Marcia Wick, and Nina Metzger were instrumental in Switzerland’s second-period dominance, while Anna Bruchackova’s two goals kept Czechia in contention throughout the match. Karolina Klubalova’s late goal nearly sparked an incredible Czech comeback.
Match Officials
Finnish referees Thomas Ellis and Janne Sjogren managed an intense bronze medal match, maintaining control during the dramatic final period as tensions mounted and both teams fought desperately for the medal.
Historical Achievement
This bronze medal represents a watershed moment for Swiss women’s floorball, securing their first medal at The World Games and establishing Switzerland as a competitive force in international women’s floorball. The victory caps off an impressive tournament campaign for the Swiss team.
Tournament Context
Switzerland’s third-place finish demonstrates the competitive balance in women’s floorball at The World Games, with the bronze medal match providing a fitting climax to an exciting tournament. For Czechia, the narrow defeat was heartbreaking but their performance throughout the tournament showed their continued development in the sport.
The capacity crowd of 2,000 spectators witnessed a memorable bronze medal match that exemplified the drama and excitement that has made floorball’s debut at The World Games such a resounding success.
World Games 2025 Men’s Floorball Final
Sweden 2 – Finland 1
Chengdu, China – Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Sweden claimed the inaugural men’s floorball gold medal at The World Games 2025 with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Finland in a classic Scandinavian showdown. Playing in front of a capacity crowd of 2,983 spectators, the Swedish team held their nerve against their Nordic rivals to make history as the first-ever World Games men’s floorball champions.
Match Summary
The final began as a cagey affair between two familiar foes, with both teams showing the respect that comes from knowing each other’s capabilities intimately. Sweden broke the deadlock in the first period when Filip Eriksson scored at 14:09, assisted by Holmgren, giving the Swedes a crucial early advantage in the championship match.
Sweden doubled their lead early in the second period through Oscar Magnusson Lindholm at 20:08, with Weissbach providing the assist. The goal seemed to give Sweden the control they needed in such a high-stakes encounter, but Finland was far from finished.
Finnish Fightback
The second period became increasingly physical as Finland desperately sought a way back into the match. The tension was evident when Juho Repo received a 2-minute penalty for hitting exactly at the 30:00 mark, the start of the third period, putting Finland immediately on the back foot in the decisive final period.
Despite the early penalty, Finland showed their championship mettle with a dramatic late goal. Luukas Hyvarinen struck with just 38 seconds remaining at 44:22, assisted by Rantala, to set up a frantic finale and give Finland hope of forcing overtime.
Dramatic Finish
Finland immediately called a timeout at 43:39 to organize their final desperate push for an equalizer. In the dying seconds, Finland pulled their goalkeeper for an extra attacker, creating a tense finish as they threw everything at the Swedish defense in search of the goal that would extend the match.
However, Sweden’s experienced defense, having navigated several high-pressure situations throughout the tournament, held firm under the intense Finnish pressure to secure their historic gold medal victory.
Match Officials
Czech referees Tomas Kostinek and Martin Reichelt officiated the final with distinction, managing the intense Nordic rivalry while maintaining control during the dramatic closing stages when emotions and stakes were at their highest.
Tournament Context
This final represented the pinnacle of The World Games 2025 floorball competition, bringing together two of the sport’s traditional powerhouses in a fitting climax to the tournament. Both teams had navigated challenging semifinal encounters to reach this stage, with Sweden surviving a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against Czechia, while Finland dominated Switzerland 4-0.
Historic Achievement
Sweden’s victory marks them as the inaugural World Games men’s floorball champions, adding another prestigious title to their extensive collection of international honors. The narrow margin of victory reflects the competitive balance between the Nordic nations and the high level of play that has characterized the entire tournament.
For Finland, the silver medal represents a creditable achievement, though the narrow defeat will undoubtedly sting given how close they came to forcing extra time with Hyvarinen’s late goal.
Legacy
The capacity crowd of 2,983 spectators witnessed a memorable final that showcased the excitement, skill, and drama that has made floorball’s inclusion at The World Games such a resounding success. This inaugural tournament has established floorball as a worthy addition to The World Games program and sets the stage for future editions.
World Games 2025 Women’s Floorball Final
Finland 3 – Sweden 2
Chengdu, China – Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Finland claimed the inaugural women’s floorball gold medal at The World Games 2025 with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Sweden in front of a record crowd of 3,500 spectators. The Finnish women produced one of the greatest comebacks in World Games history, overturning a 2-0 deficit in the final period to make history as the first-ever World Games women’s floorball champions.
Match Summary
The opening period remained scoreless as both Nordic powerhouses felt each other out in the championship match. Sweden broke through in the second period when Hanna Nordstrand opened the scoring at 21:25, assisted by Rasmussen. Nordstrand struck again just four minutes later at 25:22, this time unassisted, giving Sweden what appeared to be a commanding 2-0 lead heading into the final period.
Finland responded early in the third period when Milla Nordlund pulled one back at 29:48, assisted by Saario, reducing Sweden’s advantage to 2-1 and giving the Finnish team hope of a comeback.
Dramatic Finnish Comeback
The final period exploded into life as Finland mounted their championship charge. Emilia Pietila leveled the score at 35:35, assisted by Valtola, setting up a frantic finale with the gold medal hanging in the balance.
Just 13 seconds later, in one of the most dramatic moments in World Games history, Veera Kauppi completed Finland’s remarkable comeback by scoring the winning goal at 35:48, assisted by her sister Oona Kauppi. The Kauppi sisters’ combination proved decisive in the championship-winning moment.
Tense Final Minutes
With Finland leading 3-2, both teams recognized the critical nature of the remaining time. Sweden called a timeout at 44:16 to organize their final desperate push for an equalizer, while Finland responded with their own timeout at 44:49 to prepare for Sweden’s last-ditch effort.
The final moments saw Sweden pull their goalkeeper for an extra attacker, creating a chaotic finish as they sought the goal that would force overtime. However, Finland’s defense held firm under intense pressure to secure their historic gold medal victory.
Key Performances
The Kauppi sisters emerged as Finland’s heroes, with Veera scoring the championship-winning goal and Oona providing the crucial assist. Hanna Nordstrand’s two goals had given Sweden what seemed like a winning position, but Finland’s character in the final period proved decisive.
Match Officials
Swiss referees Erik Hasselberg and Christian Friemel officiated the final with distinction, managing the intense emotions and high stakes of the championship match while maintaining control during the dramatic final period.
Historic Achievement
Finland’s victory makes them the inaugural World Games women’s floorball champions, capping off a perfect tournament run that included dominant victories in their semifinal. The comeback victory demonstrates the mental strength and resilience that defines championship teams.
Tournament Impact
The record crowd of 3,500 spectators witnessed one of the most memorable finals in World Games history. Finland’s dramatic comeback from 2-0 down showcased the unpredictable nature of floorball and provided a fitting climax to the sport’s successful debut at The World Games.
For Sweden, the narrow defeat was heartbreaking after leading 2-0, but their silver medal represents a strong performance in the inaugural tournament. The 13-second gap between Finland’s equalizer and winning goal will likely be remembered as one of the most dramatic moments in World Games history.
Legacy
This final established women’s floorball as a marquee event at The World Games, with Finland’s comeback victory providing the kind of drama and excitement that makes for legendary sporting moments. The tournament’s success ensures floorball’s continued place in future TWG editions.
