It was Latvia in the quarter-finals after Sweden lost the last group game against the United States. And it would turn out to be a nightmare for Tre Kronor.
At the score of 1-1, Latvia got to a conversion and after a delicious draw, Miks Indrasis pushed in 2-1 that made the home crowd in Riga explode. Sweden had previously been allowed to play the power play for five minutes after Martins Dzierkals received a match penalty.
But it was desperately difficult to get dividends. Instead, the Latvians put the Latvians 3-1 in a numerical advantage with just over six minutes left of regular game time, and then it was goodnight, Sweden.
It will thus be another medal miss for Tre Kronor who have now played four straight World Championships without taking home any of the denominations. That hasn't happened since the 1930s. It is also only the second loss to Latvia.
"Sweden should win against Latvia. They are too unskilful to create the dangerous scoring chances. Really bad last period, says expert Mikael Renberg in SVT's broadcast.
Latvia is set for its first ever World Cup semi-final.
The text is updated.