Denmark’s Hockey Dreams Face Sweden’s Challenge in Semifinals

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Denmark‘s national ice hockey team is set to make history as they reach the semifinals of the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship for the first time. They will face off against host nation Sweden, a dominant force in international hockey, on Saturday at 18:20 CEST.

Denmark secured a spot in the semifinals after a thrilling quarterfinal victory over Canada, winning 2-1 and cementing their status as a surprising contender in the tournament. “This feels totally different, our families are here, and now we’re playing for medals,” said Denmark’s captain Jesper Jensen Aabo.

Sweden, the 11-time champion, leads the tournament with an impressive goal difference of 33-10 and boasts a deep offensive lineup, including NHL stars like Mika Zibanejad and recently added William Nylander. They have only lost once thus far and will be seeking to repeat their home advantage.

“There’s more room for players to make plays on the big ice,’ said USA defender Alex Vlasic, referring to the implications of the larger rink size. Meanwhile, USA also seeks to end their medal drought that dates back to 1933.

Despite past domination by the Swedes, the Danes believe they can challenge their opponents. “We just have to keep the adrenaline going and believe in it,” said Jensen Aabo. Denmark hopes to capitalize on their momentum and the support of their fans in Stockholm.

As Denmark prepares for the semifinal clash, all eyes will be on how they continue to defy expectations and if they can secure their first-ever IIHF medal.