Leo’s Global Hockey Report: Sweden and Finland renew their rivalry on hockey’s biggest stage

Finland's Jusse Saros saves a shot from Sweden forward Joel Eriksson Ek (Credit: Geoff Burke/Reuters)

One of the top rivalries in international hockey was renewed at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy. On Feb. 12, Finland took on Sweden in what was a feisty affair from beginning to end.     

The match started in Finland’s favour. During the game, defenceman Nikolas Mantipalo put home a blast from the point. The shot bounced off the post and found room under the crossbar, fooling Sweden’s Filip Gustavsson. 

Anton Lundell extended the lead a few minutes later. Finland ended the first frame with a 2-0 lead. 

Sweden finally got on the scoresheet early in the second period. Rasmus Dahlin put home a power-play marker, thanks to a perfect shot from the point. 

However, Joel Armia restored Finland’s two-goal lead on the penalty kill late in the frame.  

The period ended with a scrum in front of the Finnish net. Three players from each side received a roughing minor, adding to the already passionate undertones of the game. 

Carolina forward Mikko Rantanen iced the game with an empty net goal late in the third.

The marker helped Finland vault into second place in Group B, while Sweden moved down from first place to third.   

"We worked really hard," Finland forward Sebastian Aho told reporters. "This was a highly competitive, emotional game."

“We're happy to get the win … you never know when the intensity level will rise, but we had the feeling when we walked into the arena today that it's going to be a big one."

When Finland and Sweden play each other, regardless of where they play or who wins, the games are much more than just your garden-variety game. Instead, several factors have gone into making the rivalry one of great importance. 

Hockey is the national winter sport in both countries. Therefore, when Finland and Sweden play each other, both countries come to a standstill to watch their beloved squads fight for regional glory. Every game presents an opportunity to prove that you are the dominant country. 

Both countries have a certain relative dynamic, almost like they are siblings fighting for the TV remote. The oldest feels the need to have authority in the household, leading to fights with the youngest over every little thing that arises. 

Sweden would be considered the older brother. The country’s National Hockey Team was established in 1920, competing in their first Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium that same year. 

Nine years later, Finland’s National Hockey Team was born. 

Finland has long been considered the underdog against Sweden. This underdog nature comes from Sweden’s track record of producing top-class players, many of whom have gone on to have long and successful National Hockey League careers and play a more technically sound game.  

Sweden has historically gotten the better of Finland in head-to-head matches.

In the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Sweden defeated their rivals 4-3 to win the gold medal for Men’s hockey. That team featured players like Daniel Alfredsson and Mats Sundin.

Sweden also found victory during the Sochi Olympics in 2014. They defeated Finland in the semifinals to make the gold medal game against Canada.  

Over time, Finland has felt the need to prove themselves and outdo their older brother, Sweden. 

They have built their game on a certain vision of grit and determination, wanting to be tough for their opponents to play against. Therefore, a victory over Sweden serves as proof of their relentless drive and passion for the sport. 

The gap between the two teams has closed in recent years. Finland has taken games against Sweden to overtime in five of the last six meetings. 

Many of those games took place at one of the four major international hockey events, such as the Winter Olympics and the IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship. Finland won two of those games. 

The last time Finland and Sweden took the ice at the Olympics was in 2022 in Beijing. 

Both teams played in the round robin. Finland went down 3-0 after two periods.

However, the squad stormed back to tie the game at three, sending the game to overtime. Forward Harri Pesonen ended things early in the extra frame.  

Finland took first place in their group, eventually winning the gold medal.   

"We score on the power play, we get another [power play] and we are on our way back," Sweden coach Sam Hallam told reporters after Friday's game. "Instead, they score on their [penalty kill] … It feels like that is where this game was decided."