Sweden's women's team broke a 12-year quarterfinal curse by defeating Czech Republic 2–0 in the Olympic quarterfinal in Milan. Hanna Olsson and Hilda Svensson scored the goals, while goalkeeper Ebba Svensson Träff secured the shutout. The semifinal against the USA is scheduled for Monday.
Sweden's women's ice hockey team, the Damkronorna, advanced to the Olympic semifinal for the first time since 2014 after a 2–0 victory over Czech Republic in the quarterfinal in Milan. The match was dramatic, with Czech Republic dominating the first period and creating numerous chances in the Swedish zone. The Swedes blocked shots sacrificially, and the 29 shots that reached the goal were stopped by 21-year-old Ebba Svensson Träff from Linköping, who was praised for her heroic performance.
Hanna Olsson from Frölunda scored 1–0 on a power play at 4:47 of the second period, Sweden's first extra-man opportunity. In the third period, a goal by Anna Kjellbin was disallowed due to goaltender interference on Thea Johansson, resulting in a Swedish penalty. With 25 seconds left, Hilda Svensson sealed the 2–0 win into an empty net.
Winning defenseman Maja Nylén Persson expressed the joy to TV4: “The feeling is indescribable. So many years we have fought for this, and now we have cleared this step. I am so damn proud of the group, how we blocked shots, Ebba (Svensson Träff) in goal is just… I have no words.” The goalkeeper herself said: “What a damn group we have. We can go far” and “Now we are going for it.”
The curse was broken after five straight quarterfinal losses since 2022, four to Canada and one to Finland. The last semifinal was in 2014 in Sochi, where Sweden finished fourth. The team has an average age of just over 24 and has shown robust defense and tactical awareness. The USA, which beat Italy 6–0, awaits in the Monday semifinal. The last medal was a 2007 World Championship bronze.
