Finland – Norway
The sun was shining over Norway’s capital, Oslo, and the wind was calm. Despite the cold, both teams were ready for the game, and the audience was excited in a crucial match for both nations. The Finns demonstrated physical strength, but Norway managed to break through the Finnish defense when Bendik Gommerud scored Norway’s first goal after an assist from Herman Nordby. Both teams created chances, but both Eirik Rye Pedersen and Henri Mattila made excellent saves.
In the second period, Milo Laurent conceded a penalty and, in the same situation, received a 6-minute expulsion. Number 15, Herman Sundheim, stepped up for Norway and didn’t miss from the penalty spot, putting Norway in a two-goal lead. The Finns tried to get back into the game but ended up causing another penalty. Once again, Sundheim showed composure from the penalty spot! No more goals were scored, and Norway secured a well-deserved 3-0 victory in the good weather against Finland. Finland’s best player: Ilmari Pesonen. Norway’s best player: Herman Sundheim.
Norway – Sweden
Norway is coming off a solid victory against Finland in the early hours, while the Swedes have rested their bodies after yesterday’s matches. And they truly exploited this against the host nation, Norway. Just 1:30 into the game, the Swedes take the lead with Albin Bysell. Norway then holds their ground well, defending solidly, with goalkeeper Pedersen keeping the Norwegians in the game. The teams go into halftime with the score at 1-0.
Just 3 minutes into the second period, Bysell extends Sweden’s lead, and a few minutes later, Vilgot Müller makes it 3-0. It really seems like the air is going out of the Norwegian players, and the goals quickly pour in. First, Bysell completes his hat-trick before Wilhelm Frimodig makes it 5-0. The Norwegian bench takes a time-out, but this doesn’t affect the outcome. Bysell scores his fourth goal of the match, and in stoppage time, Colin Dahlberg seals the final result. Sweden wins convincingly 7-0. Sweden’s best player: Albin Bysell. Norway’s best player: Herman Nordby.
Sweden – Finland
Before the last match, Sweden had already secured their spot in the World Championship final, and Finland needed a win to face Sweden in Sunday’s final. Snow was falling heavily at Ullernbanen, and in the first half, the ice was covered with snow – visibly affecting the game. Sweden takes the lead 1-0 in the snowy weather with Oskar Alfredsson, before Filip Svennas equalizes 5 minutes before halftime. The snowfall starts to diminish towards the end of the half, and there are no more goals before the teams go into halftime with the score tied at 1-1.
The ice is fixed, and the snow is cleared. The snowfall has stopped, and the ice looks good in the second half. We once again witness fantastic bandy at Ullernbanen. Finland plays with their backs against the wall, working intensely for a goal. Touko Tähtinen takes responsibility, carries the ball towards Sweden’s goal, and shoots from a distance. He smashes the ball into the nearest top corner. Finland leads 2-1. A minute later, we see another fantastic individual performance. Jonathan Hyttinen dribbles past several Swedish players and finishes precisely low into the far corner. Finland really starts to see the possibility of a World Championship final. But the Swedish players had a different plan. First, Vilgot Müller reduces the score to 3-2, before he also secures a Swedish equalizer. Suddenly, it’s Finland that needs a goal. But in stoppage time, Rasmus Gustafsson sets the final result. Sweden wins 4-3, and Norway is through to the World Championship final. Sweden’s best player: Gustav Doktare. Finland’s best player: Jonathan Hyttinen.