Head-to-Head Record
Last 10 Games
Czech Republic win: 3
Czech Republic overtime win: 2
Draw: 0
Sweden overtime win: 1
Sweden win: 4
Goals: Sweden 35-32 Czech Republic 32:35
The matchups have become much more balanced than they were not long ago. Three years ago, when Czechia faced Sweden in the Semi-finals, they had only one win from their previous 10 meetings. Now, they have five.
This will be the fifth consecutive medal-round clash between these teams. And here too, the record is split evenly. Each side has won one Semi-final and one bronze medal game each.
Recent Form
Sweden
Tre Kronor are the only team that didn’t drop a single point in the Group Stage. In the Semi-final against Finland, they held the lead throughout, then survived elimination in the final shootout series.
Czech Republic
The loss to Canada and the hard-fought win over Finland in the Group Stage are now forgotten. After a sluggish opening period against Switzerland, the team found their spark. In both Playoff games, they scored six goals.
Attack
Sweden
Much better powerplay efficiency than the Czechs (40.9% vs. 28.0%). Their attacking strength is also more evenly spread out. The team’s three top scorers come from the first, second, and third lines.
Czech Republic
Most shots on goal of any team (221). In the Quarter-final against Canada, their dominance in this area was clear (37:24). Only once so far have the team scored fewer than four goals (against Finland, 2:1 OT).
Defence
Sweden
As is tradition for the Yellow & Blue, they rely on a solid defence. They’ve allowed just 14 goals, an average of 2.27 per game - the best in the tournament.
Czech Republic
Czech Republic has allowed the fewest shots on their goal (126). Except for two games against Canada, who scored 11 goals against them in total, they never conceded more than twice in a game.
Discipline
Sweden
They’ve spent the most time shorthanded of any team (38:52), and after Germany, have the second-highest number of penalties conceded (22). However, their penalty kill is more effective than the Czechs' (77.3% vs. 68.4%).
Czech Republic
In both Playoff games, four players from Patrik Augusta’s team ended up in the penalty box. Against Switzerland, they conceded once; against Canada, twice, and even gave up a penalty shot. That’s a concern.
Three Players in Form
Sweden
He’s living up to his status as Sweden’s biggest star. With five goals, he’s the tournament’s top scorer, three of which came on the powerplay. He opened the scoring in three games, including just 10 seconds in against Latvia.
After the goalie from relegated Denmark, he’s faced the most shots at the World Championship, yet has the second-highest save percentage (90.7%). He shone in the shootout against Finland, stopping seven of eight attempts.
He proved himself a true captain in the shootout. In the fifth round, he had to score or Sweden would be out. He didn’t flinch. With a +9 rating, he leads the tournament in plus/minus.
Czech Republic
At one point, the defender was the tournament’s top scorer. He’s always looking to join the attack, just as modern hockey demands from defensemen. His crucial goal against Switzerland was the team's spark in the Quarter-final.
With two goals in the semifinal against Canada, he became Czechia’s top scorer (4). The first one, where he beat the defender with a solo move, was especially brilliant.
A creative centre, leader of the first line, and captain. With seven assists, he’s also the team’s top playmaker. It was his brilliant pass in overtime against Finland that set up Adam Jiricek for the winning move.
From the Flashscore Database
From one extreme to another. An 18-year wait for a junior championship medal - the longest in history - has been replaced by the most successful era ever. With a fourth straight medal, Czech Republic has matched the record set by Czechoslovakia. Between 1982 and 1985, the juniors won three silvers and a bronze, with legends like Dominik Hasek and Vladimír Ruzicka among those celebrating.
The 50th edition of the junior championship will feature the first-ever gold medal game between the Czech and Swedish youngsters. The two teams have only previously met in the final of the senior World Championship, where in 2006 Sweden prevailed 4-0. That remains the Czechs' only defeat in a senior final in history.
Sweden has the worst win rate in junior world championship finals. They’ve played for the title 14 times, but have only won gold twice (1981 and 2012). Czech Republic also has two titles (2000 and 2001), along with six final losses.