3 Takeaways From Sweden’s Golden Win Over Czechia

In the second period, the best power play in the tournament went to work. Sweden capitalized on the opportunity presented, and Victor Eklund potted a power-play goal, tucking it in on the short side past Michal Orsulak, making it 2-0.

Sweden’s penalty kill went 4/4, but the short-handed goal by Juustovaara, following the impressive work by Berglund, is what really made the penalty kill so crucial. Eklund’s power-play goal put Czechia out of contention.

Talent vs Hard Work

Sweden was one of the most talented teams coming into the tournament. A top-three pick in Anton Frondell (Chicago Blackhawks), a first-round selection in Bouemedienne (Winnipeg Jets), and Eklund (New York Islanders), another player taken in the first round. The team had 14 other draftees selected in the last two drafts (2024 and 2025). Plus, two projected first-round picks in Stenberg and Viggo Bjorck for the 2026 Draft.

Czechia, however, is a different story. They had three first-round selections on their team in Jiricek (St. Louis Blues), Vaclav Nestrasil (Chicago Blackhawks), and a top-ten pick in Radim Mrtka (Buffalo Sabres). They have 11 other draft picks, significantly fewer than Sweden and other opponents they’ve faced throughout the tournament.

Czechia liked their team coming into this tournament, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re big bullies; they’ve out-worked nearly every nation they’ve faced so far. They’re physical; they wear you down. Their forecheck is overwhelming and persistent, as seen with Canada in the semifinals; they struggled the whole game.

However, Sweden came into the game prepared. They weren’t overwhelmed with the forecheck and looked comfortable, always in the right position. The Swedes weren’t afraid to throw the body around either, and met the Czechs with the same tenacity. Not only did Sweden beat them with their talent, but they out-worked them and beat Czechia at their own game.

A Perfect Tournament

Sweden went 7-0 throughout the World Junior Championship. They were front and center the whole way, and the big shootout win against Finland gave them all the confidence they needed to come into the gold medal game against Czechia and dominate them, even with the little scare in the end with goals by Jiricek and Matvej Kubiesa.

The power play, which went 10-for-23, with a 43 percent power-play percentage, led the way for Sweden. Alfons Freij quarterbacking, Bjrock with his strong zone entries, Berglund with his big body in front of the net, Eklund in the corner, and the all-dangerous Frondell on the right side, just waiting to slap a one-timer home. The penalty kill was on point, too, and was one of the main reasons they won.

Sweden prided itself on blocking shots. If you could get the puck through, it then had to go by Love Harenstam. Harenstam was one of the best goalies in the tournament, and he won a couple of the games for Sweden throughout the championship. 

They also made the right choice with their captain, Berglund, who showed up huge in the gold medal game, having two points and leading them to victory. Berglund represented Sweden well; he should be proud. 

Overall, nearly everything went right for Sweden, and they earned their first gold medal since 2012, and their second in 45 years.