PRAGUE, Czechia — Two unexpected combatants get set to battle it out in the Gold Medal Game of the 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship, as host Czechia faces off with Switzerland.
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GOLD MEDAL GAME
Czechia vs. Switzerland
- When: Sunday, May 26
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Where: Prague Arena (Prague, Czechia)
- Channel: NHL Network
- Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream
Given their semifinal matchups, neither the Czechs nor the Swiss were expected to be playing in the final game.
As good as Switzerland was during the group stage, they lost to Canada, and were underdogs heading into Saturday’s semifinals. However, thanks to the brilliance of goaltender Leonardo Genoni, the Swiss stole a shootout win. This will be the first time Switzerland has played for gold since losing to Sweden in 2018. The country is 0-3 in championship games.
Czechia is in the final for the first time since they won it all in 2010. After falling to third in Group A, they managed to pull out a win against undefeated Sweden in the semis, winning big, 7-3. Dating back to when the team competed under the Czechoslovakia banner, the Czechs are 12-13 in gold medal games.
Czechia hopes to become the second host nation to win the world championship in three years, as Finland won gold in Helsinki in 2022.
Switzerland beat Czechia in a shootout in the group stage.
BRONZE MEDAL GAME
Canada vs. Sweden
- When: Sunday, May 26
- Time: 9 a.m. ET
- Where: Prague Arena (Prague, Czechia)
- Channel: NHL Network
- Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream
Canada is hoping to win a medal for the fourth consecutive tournament, and its first bronze since 1995. Sweden hasn’t taken home third since in 10 years, and haven’t finished with a medal of any kind since winning gold in 2018.