Sweden vs Finland Hockey: A Rivalry Rekindled at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics
The anticipation is building as Team Sweden and Team Finland prepare to face off at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. This isn’t just another preliminary round game; it’s a continuation of a storied rivalry steeped in history and national pride. For the players, and fans alike, this match holds a special significance.
A History of Heated Competition
Twenty years ago, in Turin, Italy, the Sweden-Finland rivalry reached a fever pitch. Sweden emerged victorious in the 2006 Olympic gold medal game, defeating Finland 3-2 in a nail-biting finish. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist’s crucial save against Olli Jokinen remains etched in the memories of Swedish fans. The current Swedish roster is acutely aware of this pivotal moment.
“They talk about it,” Sweden coach Sam Hallam revealed after practice. “They know about it. They’ve seen all the clips. They’ve seen the goals. They’ve seen the last minute. It’s a huge game. It’s like Finland’s world championship in ’95. It’s one of those games, one of the biggest games in Swedish hockey history.”
Finland remembers the sting of defeat. While the silver medal in Turin was their best Olympic finish with NHL players, the loss remains a painful memory. “It was a heartbreaker,” said Finland forward Mikko Rantanen, recalling watching the game with his family.
A Rivalry That Runs Deep
The Sweden-Finland hockey rivalry transcends mere competition; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Sweden defenseman Erik Karlsson emphasizes the deep-rooted nature of the rivalry. “I think it’s something that’s been going on for longer than I can remember,” he said. “We grew up with a big rivalry between Finland and Sweden. We have a lot of similarities, but obviously, we’re very different people. Over the years, you cross paths with great players and coaches, and we try to learn from each other.”
This is the sixth Olympic tournament featuring NHL players since 1998, and the first since Sochi in 2014. In that 2014 tournament, Sweden defeated Finland 2-1 in the semifinals. Several players from both teams have experienced this rivalry firsthand in previous Olympic games, including Marcus Johansson, Gabriel Landeskog, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Karlsson (Sweden), and Mikael Granlund, Olli Maatta (Finland).
Medal Count and Recent Encounters
Interestingly, while Canada boasts three gold medals in the five Olympic tournaments with NHL players, Finland leads in overall medals with four – one silver and three bronze. Sweden has secured one gold medal, adding to the competitive landscape.
In a recent 4 Nations Face-Off matchup last season, Finland edged out Sweden with a 4-3 overtime victory, thanks to a goal from Mikael Granlund. “It’s awesome,” Granlund said. “All the players love to play these games, and they’re always tight games. It’s going to be a fun one for us players, but for all the Finns and Swedes too.”
Tournament Outlook
The Olympic tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups. The top four teams overall will receive a bye into the quarterfinals. Group B opened with Slovakia defeating Finland 4-1 and Sweden defeating Italy 5-2. As Erik Karlsson points out, “Somehow, it always seems that for either country to do well, we have to go through each other.”
Coach Hallam believes the key to success in this rivalry isn’t necessarily star power, but rather structure, work ethic, and the ability to maintain composure in a high-intensity environment. “The team that can stay smart in that high-tempo, high-physical environment is probably the team that is going to win tomorrow.”
Stay up-to-date with the latest Men’s Hockey action at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
