ST. PAUL, Minn. — Excitement builds as the stage is set for the medal games at the 2026 World Juniors, following an exhilarating day of semifinals. Sweden triumphed over Finland in a nail-biting showdown that went to overtime and required an eight-round shootout. Meanwhile, Czechia delivered a stunning performance by defeating Canada for the third consecutive year in the elimination round.
In the semifinal match, Sweden edged out Finland 4-3 in a dramatic shootout, with Anton Frondell (Chicago Blackhawks) clinching the victory on his third attempt after a thrilling back-and-forth contest. Key contributions came from Ivar Stenberg (draft-eligible, 2026) and Eddie Genborg (Detroit Red Wings), both of whom recorded two points during the match. Finland’s Joona Saarelainen (Tampa Bay Lightning) scored a late equalizer to force overtime, but it was not enough to secure the win.
Czechia advanced to the gold medal game by overcoming Canada 6-4, with standout player Vojtech Cihar (Los Angeles Kings) netting two goals to earn the player of the game title. Cole Reschny (Calgary Flames) was recognized for Canada, scoring one of their four goals.
Sweden’s two draft-eligible forwards, Stenberg and Viggo Bjorck, have been key to their success throughout the tournament. In the semifinal, Stenberg displayed creativity and offensive drive, while Bjorck was relentless, even managing four breakaways during overtime, although none resulted in a goal. Their performances solidified their status as top prospects, with Bjorck vying for a potential lottery pick and Stenberg boosting his arguments for being the No. 1 overall pick.
Looking ahead to the gold medal game, this will mark Sweden’s 15th appearance in the championship match, yet they have secured only two gold medals historically. With key players such as Frondell, Stenberg, and Bjorck, along with strong defensive options like Leo Sahlin Wallenius (San Jose Sharks) and Sascha Boumedienne (Winnipeg Jets), Sweden aims to conquer its past shortcomings and seize the gold against Czechia.
Czechia displayed remarkable depth and resilience, outmuscling Canada in the semifinals. Despite not boasting a star-studded lineup, they leveraged their size and competitive spirit effectively. The Czech defense, led by Radim Mrtka (Buffalo Sabres), Adam Jiricek (St. Louis Blues), and Max Psenicka (Utah Jazz), proved formidable throughout the tournament, making life difficult for opponents. This team effort has propelled Czechia to another gold medal opportunity.
The medal game schedule is set for the Grand Casino Arena on Monday: the bronze medal game between Canada and Finland will commence at 3:30 p.m. CT, followed by the gold medal matchup featuring Czechia against Sweden at 7:30 p.m. CT. As teams prepare for these pivotal matches, the anticipation continues to build for an unforgettable conclusion to the tournament.