Two nations, both alike in dignity, in fair Brampton where we lay our scene, from decades’ grudge break to new rivalry, where Nordic skates make Nordic talent gleam.
It’s a given that every sports fan loves a good rivalry. The adrenaline, the trash talking, the breathtaking moments of glory and heartbreak that live on long after the final whistle blows.
Everyone with a passing knowledge of women’s hockey knows about the United States vs. Canada rivalry, bald eagles, maple syrup, friendly neighbors until the puck drops and civility goes out the window faster than you can say freedom. The USA-Canada matchup always makes for some good hockey, but it’s far from the only show playing on the Worlds stage In fact, on April 9, the tournament’s other great rivalry will write another chapter in its epic story when Finland and Sweden take the ice. The Naisleijonat and the Damkronorna, the lady lions versus the lady crowns. Buckle up.
Why Are They Rivals?
The easiest answer has to do with proximity. Much like the United States and Canada, Finland and Sweden share borders, historical ties, good-natured jokes about each other’s quirks, and a lot of common values while still maintaining their own distinct national identities.
Both are proud hockey nations itching to end the North American stranglehold on international glory once and for all, and while that breakthrough moment hasn’t quite happened in a sustained fashion yet, both have had incredible triumphs: Sweden won a historic silver medal at the 2006 Olympics and Finland won silver (cough it was gold they were robbed fuck you IIHF cough) on home ice at Worlds in 2019.
Many of these players share club teams across the region, predominately in Sweden’s SDHL. They know each other well; they’re teammates and often friends, so they’re well aware of the other’s skill and show it the respect it deserves.
Notable Players
Jenni Hiirikoski, Finland The Naisliejonat captain and best defender in the world recently celebrated a milestone 400 games with the national team.
Lina Ljunblom, Sweden On April 8 Ljungblom became the first player to score four goals in a single Worlds game since Marie-Philip Poulin did it in 2013. Three of those goals came in the first period against Hungary, in just 10 minutes and eight seconds.
LJUNGBLOM GETS THE HATTY! 🚨🎊🎉😆
With an assist from Svensson!
SVENSSON and LJUNGBLOM can’t be stopped!@Trekronorse leads 3-2 over @hockeyhungary #WomensWorlds #SWEHUN pic.twitter.com/7pQIT24FOz
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) April 8, 2023
She might be good at hockey, y’all.
What Does The Record Look Like?
Including the current tournament, the Women’s World Championship has been held 22 times since its inception in 1990.
Finland has won 13 bronze medals and one silver, while Sweden has won bronze twice, first in 2005 on home ice and then repeating in 2007 (no tournament was held in 2006 due to the Olympics).
That might seem like a big disparity, but here’s where it gets fun: both of Sweden’s bronze wins came against Finland, and six of Finland’s bronze wins came against Sweden. Out of those eight games, three of them were decided by one goal.
At the Olympic level, Sweden won bronze in 2002, as well as the aforementioned silver medal from 2006. Finland has four bronze medals, in 1998, 2010, 2018, and 2022. Sweden won their bronze against Finland 2-1, while Finland beat them 3-2 in overtime in 2010.
But Do They Date Each Other?
But now, onto the real question…does love transcend nationality? Do the Finns and the Swedes, in the grand Sapphic tradition of the Americans and the Canadians, date across enemy lines?
Reader, I am delighted to tell you they do.
Finnish defender Ronja Savolainen and Swedish defender Anna Kjellbin celebrated their third anniversary this past December.
Okay, I’m Sold. When Do They Play?
Puck drops at 11 AM EST on April 9. So get comfortable, crack open a Lonkero, get some meatballs and salmiakki, and settle in for a great game.
