'Just human beings': Team Sweden HC Ulf Lundberg's comment comes back to bite him in humiliating loss to Americans at Olympic semifinal

Team Sweden women's hockey head coach Ulf Lundberg must now regret giving Team USA bulletin-board material.

Before the Swedes played the Americans in the Olympic semifinal on Monday, the coach said his team didn't fear its opponent, even though it had been boat racing through the tournament. 

What did Ulf Lundberg say before Olympic semifinal?

"The [Americans] are just human beings," Lundberg said after a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Czechia, via John Wawrow of the Associated Press. "It's a fantastic challenge. And I don't really think the U.S. team wants to meet us right now." 

Clearly, Lundberg felt confident after shutting out three straight opponents. However, the tables turned on him in Monday's game, where the coach quickly discovered that the Americans are "just human beings," but they're playing like hockey-winning machines.

Team USA's domination of Sweden furthers its case as clear gold-medal favorite

Team USA dismantled Sweden 5-0 at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The Americans will now face Team Canada or Team Switzerland in the gold-medal game on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. ET. The Swedes, meanwhile, will play the loser of that matchup in the bronze-medal game. 

Team USA's stingy defense could carry it to another win in the gold-medal game. Following the victory over Sweden, the Americans have now shut out five straight opponents, the longest streak in women's Olympic history. They last allowed a goal in their opening game against Czechia, which they won 5-1.