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Finland crash out of ice hockey world championship

The QF defeat to Sweden means Finland end the tournament in eighth place, their worst ranking since 1955.

Photo shows Finland's players after the defeat to Sweden.
Finland's players after the defeat to Sweden. Image: Lehtikuva
Yle News

Finland's men's ice hockey team are out of this year's world championship after losing 2-1 to Sweden in Thursday evening's quarter-final.

A tight game was still tied at 0-0 going into the third and final period, until a goal by Rasmus Dahlin gave Sweden the lead.

Finland however equalised through Hannes Björninen in dramatic fashion in the very last minute of regular time.

Sweden were not to be denied, and an overtime goal by Joel Eriksson Ek set up a semi-final with hosts Czech Republic while Finland's Leijonat (Lions) head home.

"I have to say they're a good team. They're a great team. They're definitely contenders. At the same time, we're pretty proud of the fight we gave today and it stings a lot to lose like that. But that's hockey sometimes," Finland's stand-in captain Olli Määttä said.

The quarter-final exit means Finland finish in eighth place in this year's championship, their lowest placing in the annual tournament since 1955, when they placed ninth.

The Lions last won the world title in 2022, following previous victories in 1995, 2011 and 2019.

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