Sweden's junior ice hockey team, fresh from winning the world championship gold, faces delays in their return home due to heavy snow in Amsterdam. The team is now expected to arrive on Thursday instead of Wednesday. No public celebration is planned upon their arrival.
Sweden's U20 ice hockey team, known as the Juniorkronorna, clinched the world junior championship gold with a 4-2 victory over Czechia in the final. The celebration was in full swing when the news broke: their return trip to Sweden is canceled due to heavy snow in Amsterdam, where the team was set to change flights.
The original arrival at Arlanda Airport was scheduled for Wednesday morning Swedish time. However, the weather has caused chaos, and it's unclear exactly when the team can proceed. According to the latest reports, a larger number of players are expected to return home on Thursday.
Team captain Jack Berglund expressed his hope for a celebration in Sweden: 'I really hope it will be in Stockholm,' he told Expressen. Despite the gold, there will be no public event upon homecoming, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association announced. Instead, the team is invited to the Beijer Hockey Games in Ängelholm in May, as part of Tre Kronor's home tournament, to be honored there.
The delays hit the new world champions right in the midst of their joy over the victory, but the association emphasizes that the team will receive a proper tribute later.
