How Sweden DESTROYED the Swiss sportsyear 2018

Sweden

People often mix up Sweden and Switzerland. In 2018, there should be no question about what team is the dominant nation when it comes to important stuff, such as team sports. The two nations have faced each other in the Olympic Hockey, the Hockey World Championship and lately, the round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup. Sweden has won each game, leading to another gold medal in the World Championship, and an advancement to the quarter final of the FIFA World Cup.

Sweden vs Switzerland: Ice Hockey

Sweden has become a nightmare for Swiss ice hockey. Zürich is one of our favorite places to play the Hockey World Championship with golds both in 1987 and 1998. We have eliminated Switzerland numerous times, like in the 2006 Olympics in Torino where Switzerland managed to win their group, only to be eliminated in the quarterfinal. Sweden later won the Olympic gold that year. In the 2013 Hockey World Championship, Switzerland reached their first final ever, only to be defeated by Sweden. In 2018, history repeat itself, with a Swedish final win in the shootout in the final. Although we hope to see Switzerland go all the way some day, it won’t be against Team Sweden. Earlier this year, Sweden also beat Switzerland in the group stage of the Olympic games. However, both teams were eliminated by Team Germany in the playoffs.

Sweden vs Switzerland: Football

Before the round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup, Switzerland had only 2 losses in 25 games. In the group stage they managed to play a 1-1 tie against Brazil, finishing 2nd in their group. However, in the playoff game against Sweden, the Swiss attack was effectively neutralized. A disciplined Swedish defensive 4-4-2 lineup stood firm, as we have done so many times before. Emil Forsberg’s 1-0 in the beginning of the second half was enough for a victory and a place among the top eight teams in the world who will play the quarterfinals.

Although no official rivalry exists between our nations, Sweden has surely become a nightmare opponent for Switzerland when it comes to team sports. Read more about the difference between Sweden and Switzerland.

IIHF World Championship 2017: Quarter finals

The group stage of the Hockey World Championship 2017 is over and a total of eight teams have advanced to the playoffs. The following teams will face each other in the quarter finals on Thursday May 18:

Switzerland – Sweden

A NHL-reinforced Three Crowns advanced to the playoffs without any major issues. On the other hand, Sweden lost to both Russia and the United States, which were the biggest competitors in the group. Sweden has played a bit sloppy and has suffered from many unnecessary penalties. However, the years when Sweden has won the gold, they have usually done so after a poor group stage, followed by excellent playoffs. Switzerland grabbed a spot in the playoffs after some mixed achievements, an overtime win over Canada perhaps being the biggest one. Sweden has good experiences of playing Switzerland in the playoffs; the gold years 1998 and 2013, and the Olympic Games in Torino 2006. The winner faces the United States or Finland in the semifinal.

Canada – Germany

One of the host nations, Germany, advanced to the playoffs. The World Championships are played in Cologne and Paris. Unfortunately, France did not succeed in advancing from the group stage this year, despite a convincing win against Finland. Canada won its group comfortably and is one of the favorites of the gold, together with Russia and Sweden. The winner faces Russia or the Czech Republic.

Russia – Czech Republic

Russia finished second in the group after losing against the United States in the last match. In the quarterfinals, the Czech Republic is difficult to assess: they have many reinforcements from the NHL but have not more than they should in the group stage. The winner faces Canada or Germany.

USA – Finland

Finland is the disappointment of the tournament so far, including a 1-5 (!) loss against France. The lions barely made it to the quarterfinals and here they will face USA who has played an convincing game so far, winning their group ahead of Russia and Sweden.On the other hand, Finland can play completely without pressure and expectations, so you never know. The winner faces Switzerland or Sweden.

We believe these teams will meet in the semifinals:

Sweden – USA
Russia – Canada