Sweden Misses Medal at 2025 Women's Floorball World Championship for the First Time

The Swedish women's floorball team experienced a historic setback at the 2025 Women's Floorball World Championship, failing to win any medal for the first time in nearly three decades. Traditionally a dominant force, Sweden lost the bronze medal match to Finland 6-4 after a surprising semifinal defeat against Switzerland. This marks the first occasion since the championship's inception in 1997 that Sweden has come home empty-handed.

In the bronze match, Sweden initially took the lead but quickly conceded three goals in the first period. Although the team managed to equalize 3-3 early in the second period, they were unable to sustain the momentum. Finland secured the win with critical goals, denying Sweden a place on the podium.

The semifinal loss to Switzerland, 6-3, shocked many as Sweden had been the nine-time consecutive gold medal winners until last year, boasting a remarkable record of 11 golds, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals overall in the tournament's history. Switzerland went on to secure the championship by defeating the Czech Republic 2-0 in the final.

Ellen Bäckstedt, a member of the Swedish team, has been part of this storied legacy but could not prevent the disappointing outcome. Veteran player Anna Wijk described the tournament performance as a "fiasko" and a "failure," remarking on the difficulty finding words to explain a result so far below expectations. Wijk emphasized the unacceptability of missing out on medals for a team traditionally known for gold.

This unprecedented result signals a significant moment in Swedish floorball history, ending an era of dominance and prompting reflections on the team's future trajectory. The Swedish team now returns home to reassess as the sport evolves internationally, facing increased competition from rising teams like Switzerland and Finland.