Sweden went undefeated and superior through the group play in the World Cup in Switzerland. Especially impressive was the big win with 10-2 against tough Czech Republic. Now the quarterfinals await tomorrow against Germany.
For Finland, tuning has not been as easy. Surprisingly, they fell against the host nation in the group stage and in Thursday's quarterfinals, they were pressed extensively by Slovakia.
So it will be a surprisingly early meeting between the Nordic rivals.
- Meeting Finland is always fun. It will be tough, but we feel very prepared as a team. It has to be really daring, that's what it will be about, says Iza Rydfjäll, who plays in the Swiss league in Kloten-Dietlikon Jets every day.
Swedish national team captain Åsa Karlsson sees nothing against Sweden taking their seventh straight World Cup gold.
- At the moment, this is no no. It feels very good in the team and such, but it is Finland then. Everything can happen in individual matches. We must be humble before the task. It will be tough.
One that has definitely not given up in advance is Finland's star Oona Kauppi, one half of the sharp sister duo in the Umeå team Iksu.
- It is fun to play against Sweden. I'm loaded and tagged to play. We know it's not an easy match, but we have the opportunity to win.
- Sweden has much more to lose. We can only enjoy playing in the semi-finals, ”she says.