TURIN, Italy — Finland had plenty to celebrate: The hockey team had just completed a one-sided drubbing of a talented Russian team. And in the process, the Finns put themselves in position to capture their country's first-ever gold medal in hockey.
But they were just as enthusiastic about their championship opponent: Sweden.
“Obviously, if you were born in Finland, you want to play Sweden,” Finland's Ville Nieminen said. “That's the ultimate. The situation can't get any better, can't get more exciting. It's the ultimate goal for Finnish people.”
Finland and Sweden advanced to the gold-medal game by winning their semifinal matches Friday with little struggle. The gold medal match will take place Sunday (CBC, 8 a.m. ET).
Antero Niittymaki made 21 saves in Finland's 4-0 victory over Russia, while Sweden scored four goals in a powerful second period of its 7-3 win over the Czech Republic.
The Swedish team skated circles around the seemingly exhausted Czechs. The Swedes hadn't even taken off their jerseys before considering the delicious possibility of a grudge match with their not-always-friendly antagonists.
“It's rivals like the U.S. and Canada for sure,” Swedish forward Tomas Holmstrom said. “It's pretty much the same. It's going to be good.”
It's a rivalry that goes back centuries, and players said it's the type of matchup they have always dreamed about.
“It's huge, it's a big thing,” said Finland forward Niko Kapanen. “Especially back home, they are going to be so excited. They are probably partying, it's Friday night. They are probably going crazy right now.”
Both teams got off to strong starts in the semifinals. Sweden's Fredrik Modin scored on a sublime cross-ice pass from 1994 Olympic hero Peter Forsberg just 34 seconds in, while Finland got a power-play goal from Ville Peltonen in the opening minutes.
In fact, the Russians and Czechs both lost the same way — with out-of-character lapses and style deviations. Russia played surprisingly reckless, physical hockey while Finland stuck to its disciplined two-way plan for its fifth shutout of the Olympics.
And when scoring chances arose, the Finns didn't waste them. Evgeni Nabokov, the Russian goalie who had been nearly flawless in Turin, had no chance to stop three of Finland's four goals, thanks to poor defensive help.
“Every time we get another win, we just get more confidence,” Finnish defenseman Kimmo Timonen said. “I'll be honest and say I thought we were the better team. I've never been on a team this tight and together.”
Finland still hasn't been beaten in the Olympics, a feat the players credit to years of togetherness on national teams. Sweden claims the same vibe, with several star forwards in their 30s probably making their final runs at international glory.
“It's great to have a chance to go out the right way,” Sweden's Daniel Alfredsson said.
The championship is also an unlikely culmination of an event dominated by big stars from big nations just four years ago. The Canadians and Americans were finalists in Salt Lake City in 2002, but their stars are headed home — and their quieter NHL teammates are ready to take the world's centre stage.
Finland and Sweden last played in the medal round in 1998, a 2-1 victory by Finland in the quarterfinals of the first Olympics with mostly NHL players. Finland has never won a gold, but did get the bronze in 1988. Sweden won gold in 1994 behind Forsberg's heroics.
