In the event of a loss against the Russians tonight, Sweden will miss the sensational World Cup final for the first time since the current system was introduced in 1992.

Another major nation that is in a bad situation is the Czech Republic, which today faces Denmark.

The Czechs opened the tournament with losses against ROC and Switzerland, but have since lined up three straight victories.

Among other things against Sweden where they turned 0-2 to 4-2 in the third period.

- We did not start very well.

We may have met the two best teams in the group, but we lost and shot ourselves in the foot because we gave them the winners given our mistakes.

We have put ourselves in this seat, says Filip Chytil to SVT Sport and continues:

- Now we have won three straight matches, but there are still two tough matches left where we have to work hard to reach the playoffs.

"It's fun for the fans"

The Czech Republic is one of the really great hockey nations of all time and if you look at the history books, only Canada (50), Russia / Soviet Union (47) and Sweden (47) have more World Cup medals than the Czechs' 46.

How much pressure do you players feel?

- The people of the Czech Republic expect us to reach the playoffs and finish first or second in the group, but all years and all matches do not look the same.

This tournament has been very different.

Now it is up to us to win these two matches, says Filip Chytil and continues:

- The worse teams on paper have beaten the more well-known teams several times in this tournament.

But it's just fun for the fans with an even and tough tournament.

Rival meeting against Slovakia awaits

In the last group game on Tuesday, Slovakia is waiting.

For geographical and historical reasons, their meetings are characterized by a deep rivalry.

Depending on today's results, that match may also mean winning or losing for both teams.

- It is special to meet them because we have such a great rivalry.

There is something in the air in those meetings.

And it does not matter if one team has played poorly early in the tournament because there are always tough matches when we meet.

You really want to take three points against them and show that you are the better team, says Filip Chytil.

HIGHLIGHTS: Sweden-Slovakia

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Sweden beat Slovakia.

Photo: Bildbyrån