The floorball World Cup semi-final between Sweden and Finland went all the way to a penalty shootout. The seventh pair brought victory to Sweden, and Finland has a bronze match ahead of them after a break of years.
18:05•Updated 18:26
In a wild thriller, Finland lost to Sweden in the floorball World Cup semi-finals. Thus, Sweden continues its streak to the finals, but Finland’s fate is the bronze medal match. Alexander Galante Carlström decided the victory for Sweden in the penalty shootout.
The beginning of the match was really touching. Both teams wanted to hold the ball for a little longer and find a rhythm for the match. After the start, Finland’s second chain created two dangerous places in a short time, but Mikko Leikkanen the team didn’t get any closer to scoring than the top bar shot.
Sami Johansson’s a two-minute cooldown gave Sweden a chance for the opening goal, but Finland withstood Sweden’s heavy pressure. Keeper Lassi Toriseva was confident in the Finnish goal for the entire first period.
Tempo favored Sweden in the second set
In the second period, the goal taps opened. Sweden took the lead at the end of a quick counterattack when Linus Nordgren was able to hit the loose ball in.
Sweden wounded Finland with otherwise fast counterattacks in the second set. Justus Kainulainen brought Finland level with a superior shot. Kainulainen shot Nico Salon pass to the back top corner of the ball.
Sweden succeeded at a fast pace twice, and thus already led the match 3–1. Sweden’s goals finished Tobias Gustafsson and experienced Kim Nilsson.
However, Finland responded brilliantly when, after a great attack, captain Salo completed the 2-3 reduction. This is how the set, which glowed hot from time to time, ended with Sweden in the lead.
– It’s been cool to play, a huge amount of audience. You can’t help but enjoy. Let’s play easy with the ball, yes those spots will come and you just have to nail them, Kainulainen commented in an interview after the set.
The faster second set suited Sweden, as the team won the set shots 13–5.
Finland failed to use its opportunities
Sweden also started the third period strongly. Lassi Toriseva solved one situation after another, when Sweden had the seams to hit several times.
Finnish coaching management Petteri Nykyn led made the last batch of chain changes. Peter Kotilainen dropped out of the second chain that created dangerous positions in the match. Kotilainen’s place in the second chain came up Oskari Heikkilä and to the triple chain Aaro Astala.
In the first half of the third period, Finland was not able to create any dangerous positions. Toriseva, on the other hand, made several important saves in Sweden’s goal posts.
Finland rose to the levels when Otto Lehkosuo played to a great launching point, and the man did not make a mistake. At the end of the period, Finland had one more chance to decide the match, but there was no goal and thus the thriller went to overtime.
The overtime progressed evenly, and neither team managed to get out of their positions. Finland had one shot on goal, Sweden none.
– Close to the game plan. There were still a few things that I didn’t like. It was not possible to play fresh enough at all points, head coach Nykky assessed after the match.
Finland took the lead in the penalty shootout, when both of Finland’s first three shots were successful Mika Kailiala that Eetu Sikkinen. Sweden’s first success was the third shot Linus Malmstrom.
After this, no Finn succeeded. From Sweden they still succeeded Robin Nilsberth as well as those who decided the win Galante Carlström.
According to Nyky, everything up to the opponent’s goalkeepers had been reviewed in advance regarding the referees.
Toriseva played the match of her life
The goalkeepers shone throughout the match. Jon Hedlund In Sweden’s goal, he saved 14 times and kept five of Finland’s tough players clean. Toriseva was the best player of the entire Finnish team and offered her team a chance to win.
– The match of his life. It hasn’t been an easy autumn. There has even been criticism as to whether he should even be picked for the team. A really, really great match, but so was the official brother in Sweden’s goal, ‘s expert Toni Lötjönen said after the match.
A moved Toriseva was satisfied with her own moves in the semi-final after more difficult times.
– Quite a good game. You could say that there were no easy goals. From last season to this moment, a long distance has been traveled in a short time, Toriseva said in an interview after the match.
In the second semi-final, the Czech Republic and Switzerland will play for the final place.