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2026 IIHF World Junior Championship

Sweden Defeats Czechia 4-2 For First World Juniors Gold Since 2012

Sweden Defeats Czechia 4-2 For First World Juniors Gold Since 2012

Read the game recap and watch scoring highlights for Sweden vs Czechia on Monday, Jan. 5.

Jan 6, 2026 by Andy Schamma
null

That was it.

Sweden and Czechia were the final teams left standing with a chance at securing the 2026 World Junior Gold medal.

The two return to Europe with the top medals for the first time since 2014 when Finland beat Sweden. The last time the final excluded Team USA or Canada? 2016.

En route to this grand finale of the tournament was a gauntlet of the best junior level hockey players in the world filled with thrilling action, devastating upsets, and it put the future of professional hockey on full display.

Sweden is the only team left that didn't lose—and they took home the gold. They held their opponents to a tournament-low 16 goals total. 

Czechia took lumps along the way, losing to Canada during the preliminary round but found revenge in the playoffs, knocking down Canada for a third year in a row.

Both were looking for the pure bliss of becoming World Juniors champions, but both already won quite a lot along the way.

Before they battled, Canada defeated Finland 6-3 for the Bronze medal in a strong quick turnaround performance by Michael Hage and Sam O'Reilly.

Sweden Defeats Czechia 4-2 For First World Juniors Gold Since 2012

Read the game recap and watch scoring highlights for the 2026 World Juniors Gold Medal game between Sweden and Czechia below.

Stenberg Scores On Empty Net, Secures Gold for Sweden

Things escalated quickly for the Czechs with the empty net but they weren't able to withstand Sweden's efforts forever.

Ivar Stenberg made the turnover in the neutral zone and chased down the puck near the net to sweep it in for the 4-2 lead over Czechia.

Sweden wins the World Juniors Gold for the first time since 2012.

Czechs Pull Goalie Again, Kubiesa Scores - 0:23 3rd

Sweden 3, Czechia 2

After the Jiricek goal, Orsulak immediately headed back to the bench to give them a chance at a second quick goal.

The Swedish bench started cheering loudly for Harenstam and their defense with a minute remaining.

The Czechs came through, though, with 23 seconds remained on the clock. 

Kubiesa slung the puck up high into the back of the net to close the deficit to just one goal for the gold.

Orsulak Heads To The Bench, Jiricek Scores - 2:24 3rd

Sweden 3, Czechia 1

Czechia brings on the extra attacker for the last three minutes. Jiricek scored from his spot at the point with 2:24 left off a D-to-D pass from Jakub Fibigr.

Harenstam Continues To Impress - 7:00 3rd

Sweden 3, Czechia 0

As was true in the first period, the same is true now. It's been almost impossible for Czechia to get a puck in clear through to Harenstam. When they do get a clear look, he's there to make the stop.

His .906 svs% during the tournament has been a huge asset for the Swedes en route to this three goal lead in the World Juniors final.

Total shots on goal:

  • Sweden: 35
  • Czechia: 20

Eriksson Holds, Czechs Get 4th Power Play But Come Up Empty Handed - 14:42 3rd

Sweden 3, Czechia 0

Czechia goes on their fourth power play of the game looking for some life with a three goal deficit and just 15 minutes remaining on the last game of the year.

No shots on goal for the power play.

Total shots on goal:

  • Sweden: 31
  • Czechia: 15

Stenberg Sets Up Boumedienne For Third - 16:13

Sweden 3, Czechia 0

Stenberg made the entry and walked the puck all the way around the offensive zone and back to the blue line before passing it up to Boumedienne under the circle to elevate it up past Orsulak for the three-goal lead.

Final 20 Minutes of Regulation Is Live - 18:45 3rd

Sweden 2, Czechia 0

Time to see if Czechia can strike back and turn down Sweden's hot game if they want to take home the gold.

End of 2nd: Sweden In Control After Two

Sweden has been wearing Czechia down using their speed and physicality. They've been able to control the puck for much of the period, forcing the Czechs to defend in their end for extended periods of time, causing visible frustration on their bench.

Twenty minutes more and Sweden will have the Gold in their hands.

Shots on goal:

  • Sweden: 28
  • Czechia 11

Big Chance Squandered For Czechia On The Power Play - 7:20 2nd

Sweden 2, Czechia 0

Benak got smashed into the boards by Krantz ahead of the puck which drew a penalty on Sweden.

No shots on goal during the power play.

Sweden's penalty kill continued to show their dominance on defense despite being down a man.

Eklund Scores, Swedes Take 2-0 Lead - 10:39 2nd

Sweden 2, Czechia 0

New York Islanders first-rounder Victor Eklund gave Sweden the lead with a quick shot into the wide open net on the power play.

Eklund's 7th point in as many games.

Orsulak tried to make the move over from left to right but it was too late.

Stenberg and Berglund assisted.

Cihar To The Box, Sweden Power Play - 11:29 2nd

Sweden 1, Czechia 0

The best power play in the World Juniors gets to take a shot at the power play after Cihar cross checked Stenberg dangerously into the boards.

Czechia Forces The Issue - 12:18 2nd

Sweden 1, Czechia 0

Rounding into the halfway point of the period, Czechia started mounting its best offensive push of the game. Adam Jiricek found the post after an extended shift in Sweden's end.

Sweden's defense has been solid, continuing to block shots and maintaining the forecheck until this point.

Shots on goal:

  • Sweden: 12
  • Czechia: 10

2nd Period Started - 20:00 2nd

Sweden 1, Czechia 0

Off to the middle frame of this gold medal game between the two top World Juniors teams in the world.

Czechs pushed out of the gates but Sweden matched with their own dangerous chances. Namely a Stenberg chance that found the post from the doorstep.

End of 1st: Sweden Swarming After Shorty

Sweden 1, Czechia 0

Casper Justovaara scored his first goal of the tournament to give Sweden the first lead of the gold medal game.

The opportunity came from a breakdown and turnover by Czechia trying to get set up on the power play.

Following Justovaara's goal, Sweden spent much of the rest of the period pressuring Orsulak deep in the Czech end.

Nestrasil opened a last chance of the period for the Czechs with just 30 seconds left. A shot in the last seconds from Jiricek caught a defender in front of the net before being cleared to send the two teams into the locker rooms.

Shots on goal:

  • Sweden: 10
  • Czechia: 6

Sweden Opens Scoring With Shorthanded Goal - 5:14

Sweden 1, Czechia 0

Czechia gave up defending in their own end after getting a delayed penalty called on them as Sweden push the puck deep.

Jack Berglund was behind the net and gave it up to Casper Juustovaara who was surrounding Orsulak and forced the puck in.

Boumedienne Launches Puck Out, Czechs On PP - 5:50 1st

Sweden 0, Czechia 0

The physicality started picking up officially after a huge hit by Tomas Poletin onto Swedish captain Jack Berglund.

Czechia earned their second power play of the first period after Boumedienne tried to send the puck down the ice but it went straight out of play.

Sahlin Wallenius went back to the bench in a lot of pain after the first shift of the power play. He took a hard shot to the shin.

Sweden Kills Off Weird Penalty Call On Stenberg - 8:30 1st

Sweden 0, Czechia 0

Cihar's stick was stuck in Stenberg's visor but Ivar was called for holding the stick to send Czechia on their first power play of the game.

Frondell Gets Things Going For Sweden - 12:13 1st

Sweden 0, Czechia 0

Chicago Blackhawks' Anton Frondell almost got the first goal of the game, adding to his already 5 goals and 3 assists in the tournament. Orsulak made the save.

First Five: Czechia Earns First Few Shots - 15:00 1st

Sweden 0, Czechia 0

Zero shots on goal for Sweden after the first five minutes fell off the clock. They did get some attempts but they all found a body. Czechia was credited for the first two shots on goal, coming from Jiricek and Fibigr to give Harenstam his first test of the game.

Puck Drop Is Next On This Historic Gold Medal Matchup

It's been 14 years since Sweden won their last gold medal—Czechia's last was in 2001. Tonight, one of these teams will make history.

Orsulak and Harenstam between the pipes.

Team Czechia Projected Lines Vs. Sweden

Here are the projected lines.

Forwards

Vaclav Nestrasil (CHI) - Vojtech Cihar (LAK) - Petr Sikora (WSH)

Maxmilian Curran (COL) - Adam Benak (MIN) - Tomas Poletin (NYI)

Adam Titlbach - Adam Novotny (2026) - Stepan Hoch (UTA)

Matej Kubiesa - Samuel Drancak - Jiri Klima

Danny Chludil

Defense

Adam Jiricek (STL) - Jakub Fibigr (SEA)

Radim Mrtka - Tomas Galvas

Matyas Man - Max Psenicka (UTA)

Vladimir Dravecky (2026)

Goalies

Matyas Marik

Michal Orsulak

Team Sweden Projected Lines Vs. Czechia

Here are the projected lines.

Forwards

Anton Frondell (CHI) - Linus Eriksson (FLA) - Victor Eklund (NYI)

Ivar Stenberg (2026) - Viggo Bjorck (2026) - Eddie Genborg (DET)

Lucas Pettersson (ANA) - Jack Berglund (PHI) - Loke Krantz (SEA)

Wilson Bjorck (VAN) - Eric Nilson (ANA) - Casper Juustovaara Karlsson

Liam Danielsson

Defense

Felix Carell - Leo Sahlin Wallenius (SJS)

Sascha Boumedienne (WPG) - Felix Ohrqvist

Alfons Freij (WPG) - William Hakansson

Victor Johansson (TOR)

Goalies

Herman Liv

Love Harenstam (STL)

'We Were Hungrier' Czechia Head Coach Patrik Augusta Talks Semifinal Win Against Canada At The WJC

Czech head coach Patrik Augusta and Team Czechia are headed to the gold medal game at the 2026 World Juniors after a statement win against Canada in the semifinals.

Watch the QMJHL Live Streams On FloHockey

Every QMJHL game is streaming live on FloHockey. Click here to see the full event schedule.

Canada Defeats Finland, 6-3, To Secure Bronze Medal At 2026 World Juniors

"The opening minutes of the bronze-medal match were a sight to see as Canada and Finland traded back and forth goals a multitude of times to make the score 3-2 in Canada's favor heading in to the second period of regulation. 

In the second period, the energy was still the same but Canada continued to assert its dominance and make the big plays where it counted and ended the second period up by two goal, 5-3. 

The third period was a little calmer as Canada knocked in one more goal to secure the medal. 

For Canada, Sam O'Reilly came up with a massive game with two of the six goals. Michael Hage had a huge night in the assist category with four assists. Gavin McKenna also had three assists. 

For Finland, Julius Miettinen, Heikki Ruohonen and Arttu Valila each had one goal. Multiple team members had one assist for Finland in the game."

Read the full game recap andwatch scoring highlights by FloHockey's Maddy Mendoza.

Sweden vs Czechia: World Juniors By The Numbers

Here are the team stats for Czechia and Sweden during the 2026 World Juniors tournament.

  • Shots on Goal
    • SWE: 220
    • CZE: 221
  • Power Play
    • SWE: 40.9%
    • CZE: 28.0%
  • Penalty Killing
    • SWE: 77.3%
    • CZE: 68.4%
  • Goalkeeping SVS%
    • SWE: 91.7%
    • CZE: 85.7%
  • Goals For
    • SWE: 31
    • CZE: 30
  • Goals Against
    • SWE: 14
    • CZE: 18

How to Watch Sweden vs Czechia World Juniors In Canada, US

All games during 2026 World Juniors tournament will be broadcast live on the NHL Network for viewers in the US. 

The network will air live game telecasts of the World Junior Championships plus analysis, highlights, and interviews about the tournament.

If you live in Canada, you can watch each game on TSN.

You can also follow along on FloHockey for the latest news throughout the tournament.

When Is The Sweden vs Czechia World Juniors Game?

The puck drops at Grand Casino Arena at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 5. You can follow live updates right here throughout the evening.

Sweden World Juniors Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Jack Berglund, C/W, Färjestad BK (PHI)
  • Viggo Björck, C/W, Djurgårdens (2026)
  • Wilson Björck, LW, Colorado College (VAN)
  • Viktor Eklund, RW, Djurgårdens (NYI)
  • Lunus Eriksson, C, Timrå IK (FLA)
  • Anton Frondell, C/W, Djurgårdens (CHI)
  • Eddie Genborg, RW, Timrå IK (DET)
  • Milton Gästrin, C, MoDo Hockey (WSH)
  • Casper Juustovaara Karlsson, C/W, Luleå HF
  • Loke Krantz, RW, (SEA), Linköping HC U20
  • Eric Nilson, C/W, Michigan State (ANA)
  • Lucas Pettersson, C/W, Brynäs IF (ANA)
  • Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frölunda (2026)

Defense

  • Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (WPG)
  • Felix Carrell, D, Mälmo Redhawks
  • Alfons Freij, D, Timrå IK (WPG)
  • Viggo Gustafsson, D, AIK (NSH)
  • William Håkansson, D, Luleå HF
  • Victor Johansson, D, Leksands IF (TOR)
  • Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö Lakers HC (SJS)
  • Felix Ohrqvist, D, Linköping HC

Goalies

  • Måns Goos, G, Färjestad U20 (DAL)
  • Love Härenstam, G, Södertälje SK (STL)
  • Herman Liv, G, Almtuna IS

Czechia World Juniors Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Adam Benak, C, Brantford Bulldogs (MIN)
  • Vojtech Cihar, LW, Kelowna Rockets (LAK)
  • Max Curran, C/LW, Edmonton Oil Kings (COL)
  • Samuel Drancak, C, Red Deer Rebels
  • Stepan Hoch, LW, HC Motor Ceske Budejovice (UTA)
  • Adam Jecho, C/RW, Edmonton Oil Kings (STL)
  • Jiri Klima, LW, Shawinigan Cataractes
  • Matej Kubiesa, RW, HC Ocelari Trinec
  • Vaclav Nestrasil, RW, UMass (CHI)
  • Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough Petes (2026)
  • Tomas Poletin, LW, Kelowna Rockets (NYI) 
  • Petr Sikora, C, HC Ocelari Trinec (WSH)
  • Adam Titlbach, C/LW, Vancouver Giants
  • Richard Zemlicka, F, Youngstown Phantoms

Defense

  • Vashek Blanar, D, HV71 (BOS)
  • Vladimir Dravecky, D, Brantford Bulldogs (2026)
  • Jakub Fibigr, D, Brampton Steelheads (SEA)
  • Tomas Galvas, D, Bili Tygri Liberec 
  • Adam Jiricek, D, Brantford Bulldogs (STL)
  • Matyas Man, D, Prince Albert Raiders
  • Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (BUF)
  • Max Psenicka, D, Portland Winterhawks (UTA)
  • Jakub Vanacek, D, Tri-City Americans (2026)

Goalies

  • Matyas Marik, G, HC Motor Ceske Budejovice
  • Michal Orsulak, G, Prince Albert Raiders
  • Jakub Milota, G, Blainville-Broisbriand Armada (NSH)

2026 World Juniors Scores

It's been an incredible year of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. Here are the scores:

Friday, Dec. 26

  • Sweden 3 - 2 Slovakia
  • Finland 6 - 2 Denmark
  • USA 6 - 3 Germany
  • Canada 7 - 5 Czechia

Saturday, Dec. 27

  • Slovakia 4 - 1 Germany
  • Canada 2 - 1 Latvia (OT)
  • USA 2 -1 Switzerland
  • Czechia 7 - 2 Denmark

Sunday, Dec. 28

  • Sweden 4 - 2 Switzerland
  • Finland 8 - 0 Latvia

Monday, Dec. 29

  • Sweden 8 - 1 Germany
  • Czechia 2 - 1 Finland (OT)
  • USA 6 - 5 Slovakia
  • Canada 9 - 1 Denmark

Tuesday, Dec. 30

  • Switzerland 4 - 0 Germany
  • Latvia 6 - 3 Denmark

Wednesday, Dec. 31

  • Switzerland 3 - 2 Slovakia
  • Czechia 4 - 2 Latvia
  • Sweden 6 - 3 USA
  • Canada 7 - 4 Finland

Friday, Jan. 2

  • Germany 8 - 4 Denmark (Relegation)
  • Sweden 6 - 3 Latvia
  • Czechia 6 - 2 Switzerland
  • Finland 4 - 3 USA (OT)
  • Canada 7 - 1 Slovakia

Sunday, Jan. 4

  • Sweden 4 - 3 Finland (SO)
  • Czechia 6 - 4 Canada

World Juniors 2026 Group Stage Standings

Here are the group stage standings.

(Points) W-OTW-OTL-L

Group A

  1. Sweden (12) 4-0-0-0
  2. USA (9) 3-0-0-1
  3. Switzerland (6) 2-0-0-2
  4. Slovakia (3) 1-0-0-1
  5. Germany (0) 0-0-0-4

Group B

  1. Canada (11) 3-1-0-0
  2. Czechia (8) 2-1-0-1
  3. Finland (7) 2-0-1-1
  4. Latvia (4) 1-0-1-2
  5. Denmark (0) 0-0-0-4

IIHF World Juniors Hockey: Past Champions

Here's who won the Gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship since 2000.

  • 2025: United States
  • 2024: United States
  • 2023: Canada
  • 2022: Canada
  • 2021: United States
  • 2020: Canada
  • 2019: Finland
  • 2018: Canada
  • 2017: United States 
  • 2016: Finland
  • 2015: Canada
  • 2014: Finland
  • 2013: United States 
  • 2012: Sweden
  • 2011: Russia
  • 2010: United States
  • 2009: Canada
  • 2008: Canada
  • 2007: Canada
  • 2006: Canada 
  • 2005: Canada
  • 2004: United States
  • 2003: Russia
  • 2002: Russia
  • 2001: Czech Republic
  • 2000: Czech Republic

2026 World Junior Championship Teams

View the list of teams, by group, for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Group A

  • USA
  • Germany
  • Switzerland
  • Sweden
  • Slovakia

Group B

  • Canada
  • Czechia
  • Latvia
  • Denmark
  • Finland

Follow FloHockey's Coverage Of The 2026 World Junior Championship

FloHockey will be on site for complete coverage of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can expect game-by-game coverage of both Team USA and Team Canada from FloHockey's experts, interviews with key players and coaches and much more. Follow FloHockey's WJC coverage here.

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

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