ICE HOCKEY (4)

The World Ice Hockey Championships have just finished in Slovakia.

For much of the tournament, it looked like being a repeat of last year's events, where the Czech Republic beat Russia in the final. The Czechs played well, the Germans played surprisingly well, the Finns played poorly, the Russians played surprisingly poorly, and the Swedes moved unobtrusively through the qualifiying rounds. There was even a repeat quarterfinal, where the Russians upped their game to beat Canada.

Things then changed in the semi-finals. Sweden gained revenge over the Czech Republic; while the Finns stifled the Russians 3-0, following an opening "lacrosse-style" goal, that was one of the highlights of the tournament. That left the two Nordic nations facing off against each other for the fifth time in a world or Olympic final.

Since the IIHF changed to the playoff system in 1992, Finland have been the perennial also-rans, with six silver medals and three bronzes. Only once, in 1995, have Finland become world champions. That was in Sweden, and against the host nation. The Swedes had otherwise won the three other finals, the last time in the Olympic Games in 2006.

After a goalless first period, the Swedes took charge in the second, scoring for a 1-0 lead and hitting the post shortly thereafter. But with just 7 seconds left in the period, the game changed completely, as the Finns equalised on a power play slapshot. They then came out charging in the third, and scored two quick goals. The Swedes were forced to open up, leaving counterattacking opportunities, where the Finns could take advantage. They scored three more goals for a resounding 6-1 victory, and a lifting of that "also-ran" tag from their shoulders.

Sweden had three of the six players in the tournament "all-star" team, including their goalie as the MVP. But Finland got the title that mattered. There will be celebrations in Helsinki.

Walter Blotscher