Sweden holds off Czechia to win World Junior Championship

Published: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 6:11 am

Sweden Claims World Junior Hockey Championship Gold

In a thrilling final, Sweden defeated Czechia 4-2 to win the World Junior Hockey Championship, marking their first gold medal in 14 years. The victory, played on Monday, was a significant moment for Sweden, a team that has often been a bridesmaid in this tournament, holding the record for the most silver medals.

Sweden's coach, Magnus Havelid, emphasized the importance of teamwork and role acceptance within the team, highlighting their strategy of focusing on collective effort over individual star power. The Swedes built a 3-0 lead before Czechia mounted a late comeback, scoring twice in quick succession. However, Ivar Stenberg sealed the victory with an empty-net goal. Samuel Drank, Victor Eklund, and Casper Juustovaara also scored for Sweden. Love Harenstam, the Swedish goaltender, made 27 saves, while Michal Orsulak of Czechia stopped 31 shots.

Czechia, despite the loss, showcased resilience, with Adam Jiricek and Matej Kubiesa scoring goals. The Czech team's coach, Patrik Augusta, acknowledged the strength and physicality of the Swedish team, noting that many Swedish players compete in their country's top men's league. Czechia's forward, Vojtech Cihar, was named the tournament's most valuable player.

In the bronze medal game, Canada defeated Finland 6-3. Canada, which was favored before the tournament, secured the bronze medal with Sam O'Reilly scoring two goals. Zayne Parekh broke the Canadian record for WJC points by a defenseman.

BNN's Perspective:

The Swedish victory underscores the value of a well-rounded team approach. While individual talent is important, Sweden's success highlights the power of a cohesive unit, a lesson that can be applied to many aspects of life. The Czech team's strong performance, despite the loss, also demonstrates the growing competitiveness of international hockey.

Keywords: Sweden, Czechia, World Junior Championship, Hockey, Gold Medal, Canada, Finland, Ivar Stenberg, Love Harenstam, Samuel Drank, Victor Eklund, Casper Juustovaara, Adam Jiricek, Matej Kubiesa, Vojtech Cihar, Magnus Havelid, Sam O'Reilly, Zayne Parekh

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