The Czech Republic has reached the quarterfinals of the Ice Hockey World Championships in Finland.
The twelve-time world champions beat the USA 1-0 (1-0, 0-0, 0-0) in Group B in Tampere and are now the third team in the group after Olympic champions Finland and eleven-time title holders Sweden Eight.
Switzerland and Germany have also safely qualified for the knockout stages in Group A.
In the last group game on Tuesday (3:20 p.m.) against Norway, USA, third in the World Cup, needed a point, i.e. a defeat after extra time, to progress in fourth.
Otherwise, Latvia could overtake the Americans with a win over Sweden on Tuesday.
Italy, on the other hand, is the first to be relegated in the 85th title fight.
The world number 16.
lost the direct duel in Group A with previously pointless Kazakhstan 2:5 (1:2, 1:1, 0:2) in Helsinki and will have to fight for promotion in Division I next year.
Also this Monday (7.20 p.m.) there will be another direct relegation duel in Group B.
Last-placed Great Britain (1 point) will need a regular-time win against penultimate Austria (4) to avoid relegation.
Hungary and Slovenia rise
Slovenia and Hungary have already been confirmed as climbers from Division I.
It is still unclear how Russia and Belarus will be dealt with, who were excluded from the World Cup because of the aggressive war against Ukraine.
A decision by the World Federation IIHF is still pending.
The 16 places in the top division are completely taken by the two climbers.