#malmo-redhawks

#malmo-redhawks

Viktor Gyokeres slammed home from close range after a frantic scramble in Denmark's box, securing Sweden's place in the World Cup.

"It's more positive, but, of course, it's been a few months since then. We've tried to put it behind us and focus on this match we have here, and hopefully another one in Stockholm in a few days."

Seeing all these huge teams come to little Bodo is amazing but, of all of them, I like least to lose to Tromso. It is a rivalry as curious as it is passionately contested, with the two clubs lying some 300 miles apart, such is the vastness of the Norwegian north.

Bodø/Glimt were already admired for their ascent through the Norwegian system-returning to the top flight only in 2017 and winning four league titles in the years that followed. But their leap into the Champions League spotlight this season has been extraordinary. As tournament debutants, they arrived with curiosity surrounding them-but they quickly replaced intrigue with astonishment.

The last time Sweden won gold at the Winter Olympics was in 2006. That men's hockey entry, captained by Mats Sundin, rallied from a third-place group stage finish and to eventually secure the gold medal. Since that point, the men's national hockey program won just one silver medal while making it to the bronze medal game once. They also haven't won gold at the IIHF World Championship since 2018.

We've all seen basketball halftime shows with highly trained poodles that can walk tight ropes and unicycle riders stacking bowls on their heads but we've never seen this kind of entertainment at hockey game.

Since that year's Winter Olympics, the team has seen a slow yet pronounced decline in its overall performance. In the four editions of Olympic hockey following that 2006 tournament, Sweden lost the bronze medal game twice (2010, 2014), finished seventh in 2018 and finished eighth in 2022. That 2022 finish marked the Swedes' worst performance yet in an Olympic women's hockey tournament.

"I don't think he lost the changing room. The players have got to take responsibility. I had a chat [with them]- a few home truths. It's sad that Jimmy's lost his job, but the games are coming thick and fast and I've got to pick them up for tomorrow. It's a clean slate, a fresh start. I'll pick the team that I think is good enough to get a result."

At just 18, Smilla Holmberg found herself at the European Championships, scoring against Germany and then standing over a decisive penalty with Sweden's tournament on the line. She missed, and Sweden were out. For many young players, that would linger. Instead, the Hammarby academy graduate continued shining at club level - something that ultimately earned her a move to Arsenal in January 2026.

Offensively, Finland will have one of the deeper units in the tournament. From the Dallas Stars, Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz will look to translate their ability to score at will and in the biggest moments towards the Olympic stage; the former was able to score a Game 7 hat trick in the first round of the 2025 playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche.

Entering Saturday's action, Sweden needed to win by three goals or greater to secure the top place in Group B. Slovakia won its previous two games, and held a commanding divisional lead. Dalibor Dvorsky scored for Slovakia with 39 seconds left, to preserve its entry into the quarterfinal. If Finland defeats Italy in regulation, Slovakia will capture Group B. Any other result, and Sweden will win the group.