Sweden and Czechia will look to end long droughts when they meet on Monday, Jan. 5 in the gold medal game of the world junior hockey championship.
Sweden last won the tournament for the world’s best under-20 players in 2012. They last appeared in the gold medal game in 2024. They had lost four of the previous five semifinals but got past Finland, 4-3 in a shootout, on Sunday, Jan. 4. The Swedes are unbeaten after defeating Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, USA, Latvia and Finland.
Czechia last won it all in 2001 and last was in the gold medal game in 2023. It lost to Canada that year but has beaten the Canadians in the playoffs for three consecutive years, including 6-4 on Sunday. Czechia lost to Canada in the opening game of this year’s tournament, but since has beaten Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Switzerland and Canada.
Here’s what to know about today’s gold-medal game between Sweden and Czechia at the world junior hockey championship, including how to watch:
Ivar Stenberg puts it away
The draft-eligible forward tucks in an empty-netter. Sweden 4, Czechia 2
Czechia scores again
Matej Kubiesa scores with 23 seconds left. Sweden 3, Czechia 2
2 minutes left
Czech goalie out. It’s 6-on-5 again.
Czechia breaks through
Adam Jiricek scores on a one-timer with 2:24 left. Sweden 3, Czechia 1.
Czechs pull goalie
It’s 6-on-5
5 minutes left
3-0 Sweden, which leads 35-20 in shots.
Czechia power play
Linus Eriksson is called for holding. Needless to say, Czechia needs to score here. They don’t. No shots. Several Sweden blocks. About 12 minutes left.
Sweden goes up 3-0
This is why Ivar Stenberg is getting so much draft attention. He stickhandles down the ice and around the Czech zone before feeding Sascha Boumedienne for a one-timer. Sweden 3, Czechia 0
Early third period
Still not a lot of space out there, but Czechia gets a couple shots.
Third period underway
Sweden controlling play so far.
End of second: Sweden 2, Czechia 0
Another special teams goal for Sweden. And they look good on the penalty kill, too. Sweden is limiting Czechia’s chances. Just 11 Czech shots so far. Twenty more minutes of this, and Sweden gets gold.
Czechia power play
Loke Krantz is called for interference. Sweden kills it off, blocking several shots.
Sweden scores on power play
Another nice assist by Jack Berglund. Victor Eklund capitalizes. Sweden 2, Czechia 0
Sweden power play
CIHAR Vojtech Cihar is called for cross-checking.
Sweden pressuring
Ivar Stenberg hits the post.
Second period underway
1-0 Sweden.
End of first: Sweden 1, Czechia 0
Giving up a short-handed goal is never good and Czechia didn’t look good in its coverage. That mistake is the difference in this game. Shots are 10-6 Sweden.
Sweden scores short-handed
Jack Berglund puts on a stickhandling display and then feeds Casper Juustovaara for a short-handed goal. Sweden 1, Czechia 0
Czechia power play
Sascha Boumedienne is called for delay of game.
Czechia power play
Ivar Stenberg is called for holding the stick. It’s killed off. One shot.
Lucas Pettersson in Sweden lineup
He had missed Sunday’s game because he was ill.
Game underway
Sweden’s Love Harenstam vs. Czechia’s Michal Orsulak, Both played in Sunday’s semifinals.
What channel is Sweden vs Czechia world juniors hockey gold-medal game today?
TV channel: NHL Network
Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.
Watch world junior championships on Fubo
What time is Sweden vs Czechia world juniors hockey gold-medal game today?
Date: Monday, Jan. 5
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 local time)
The Sweden-Czechia game is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild. The start time could be delayed if the bronze medal game runs long.
World juniors hockey gold-medal game: How to watch, stream
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 5
Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
TV: NHL Network
Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.
World junior championships medal games today
Monday, Jan. 5
All times p.m. ET
Canada 6 Finland 3 (Canada wins bronze)
Sweden, Czechia lines
Sweden players to watch
Forward Anton Frondell is the No. 3 overall pick of the Blackhawks. He has five goals. Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Bjorck are eligible for the 2026 NHL draft.
Czechia players to watch
Vojtech Cihar entered the day tied for the tournament lead with 11 points, though Canadian players have passed him. He scored twice in the semifinals. Defenseman Tomas Galvas, passed over in the NHL draft, has nine points.
Sweden’s recent record in gold medal games
Sweden last won gold in 2012. More recently, it has lost four times in gold medal games: to the USA in 2024, Canada in 2018, Finland in 2014 and USA in 2013.
Czechia will win fourth consecutive medal
The Czechs are guaranteed at least a silver medal. In the three tournaments before this, they won bronzes in 2024 and 2025, plus silver in 2023.