Swedish Women's Ice Hockey Team Advances to Olympic Semifinals After Controversial Win Over Czech Republic

The Swedish women's ice hockey team, known as Tre Kronor dam or Damkronorna, earned a significant victory by advancing to the semifinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics after a 12-year gap. They triumphed over the Czech Republic with a 2-0 win in the quarterfinals on February 13, 2026. Hanna Olsson scored the opening goal, while goalie Ebba Svensson Träff stood out for her exceptional performance, securing her third consecutive shutout in the Olympics.

The team dedicated this milestone win to their late former equipment manager Benny Andersson, who passed away in 2024. His birthday coincided with the match day, making the victory especially poignant. Olsson expressed the team's emotional connection, saying, "He sits with a beer in heaven and enjoys right now... we miss him, this win was for him." Fellow players Maja Nylén-Persson and captain Anna Kjellbin also noted that Andersson's memory motivated the team throughout the game.

However, the match was marked by controversy surrounding Czech players' conduct. Swedish player Mira Jungåker criticized the referees for not penalizing Czech players for diving tactics, which she said "destroys the game." Jungåker's mock smile at Czech players and her post-whistle confrontations highlighted the tensions. Captain Kjellbin added that the Czech team likely trained to draw penalties through such antics, lamenting that referees often fell for these tactics. Czech coach Carla MacLeod dismissed the criticism, stating she was unconcerned by the allegations.

With this victory, Sweden is set to face the United States in the semifinals. The team’s combination of skill, resilience, and emotional drive from honoring a beloved figure appears to be fueling their progress in the Games.