Sweden Faces Tough Challenge in Olympic Knockout Stage
Team Sweden is gearing up for a challenging journey in the knockout stage of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The Swedish team, seeded seventh, must face two demanding opponents to reach the semifinals. They need to win against Team Latvia and Team USA on consecutive days.
Upcoming Matches and Schedule
The match against Latvia is set for Tuesday at 3:10 p.m. ET at the Santagiulia Arena. This matchup is crucial, as the victor will advance to the quarterfinals against Team USA, scheduled for Wednesday at the same time.
Historical Context
A defeat to Latvia would mark a significant disappointment for Sweden. It would be their earliest Olympic exit since they lost 4-3 to Team Belarus in the quarterfinals of the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Historically, Sweden has never been eliminated from an Olympic tournament involving NHL players before reaching the quarterfinals.
Previous Encounters with Latvia
- In the 2023 IIHF World Championship, Latvia defeated Sweden 3-1.
- That match was coached by Sweden’s Sam Hallam, who remains undeterred by past results.
Only one player from the current Olympic roster, Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings, participated in that game held in Riga, Latvia. The Swedes dominated with a 41-15 advantage in shots but still fell short.
Recent Performance Against Latvia
Despite this setback, Sweden has shown strength in recent encounters against Latvia. They secured victories of 7-2 in Ostrava, Czech Republic, in 2024 and 6-0 in Stockholm in 2025, both during preliminary rounds. However, Team Latvia poses a serious threat.
Key Players and Challenges
Latvia boasts a strong goaltending duo, including Arturs Silovs and Elvis Merzlikins. Silovs was instrumental in Latvia’s upset in 2023, making 40 saves. “A good goaltending duo,” said Forsberg. “They play together for much of the year, which leads to strong chemistry.”
As Sweden prepares for these critical matches, the team recognizes the big challenge ahead. Success hinges on their ability to perform under pressure and adapt to the skillful play of their opponents.
