Sweden vs. Slovakia: A Preview of the 2024 World Junior Championship Opener
The highly anticipated World Junior Championship (WJC) is set to commence with a clash between Sweden and Slovakia. The puck drops at 6:00 PM CET at TD Place in Ottawa, Canada, the designated venue for all of Sweden’s group stage matches. This game marks the beginning of a challenging tournament for both teams, each hoping to make a strong initial statement.
Sweden enters the tournament following mixed results in their pre-tournament exhibition games. A 4-2 loss against tournament co-favorite Canada exposed some defensive vulnerabilities, despite Sweden holding a 2-1 lead at one point. However, they rebounded with a resounding 11-1 victory over Germany, showcasing their offensive firepower. The team will be looking to carry that momentum into the tournament but will unfortunately be without forward Jack Berglund, who suffered a broken finger and hand bone in the game against Germany, requiring surgery and ending his WJC campaign before it even began.
Slovakia also experienced a less-than-ideal pre-tournament run, suffering significant defeats against Finland (0-6) and the USA (2-6). The absence of their captain, Dalibor Dvorsky, undoubtedly impacted their performance. They will be hoping to have him back in the lineup for the crucial opening game against Sweden. The Slovaks will need a significant improvement in their defensive play to compete against the offensively potent Swedes.
Historically, Sweden has dominated the recent head-to-head meetings against Slovakia. In their last five WJC encounters, Sweden has emerged victorious every time. These victories include a 6-2 win in 2020, a 5-2 win in 2019, a close 3-2 quarterfinal victory in 2018, an 8-3 quarterfinal win in 2017, and a dominant 6-0 quarterfinal shutout in 2016. While history favors Sweden, Slovakia will be determined to break this trend and start their tournament on a positive note. Their last medal, a bronze, came in 2015, ironically against Sweden.
Slovakia’s journey in the previous WJC began with promise, defeating the Czech Republic 6-2. However, a loss to the USA placed them second in their group. Their tournament run ended in a heartbreaking overtime loss to Finland in the quarterfinals, with the Finns scoring the decisive goal just 44 seconds into the extra period. This year, they aim to progress further in the tournament and challenge for a medal.
This year’s WJC features two groups. Group A consists of Canada, USA, Finland, Germany, and Latvia. Group B includes Sweden, Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. Canada and the USA are considered the top contenders for gold, setting the stage for intense competition throughout the tournament. The game between Sweden and Slovakia will be broadcast on SVT2 and SVT Play in Sweden, with coverage beginning at 5:30 PM CET. Other games on the opening day include USA vs. Germany (Viaplay, 8:30 PM CET), Czech Republic vs. Switzerland (Viaplay, 11:00 PM CET), and the highly anticipated matchup between Finland and Canada (SVT1/SVT Play, 1:30 AM CET). The WJC promises thrilling action and high stakes, and the opening game between Sweden and Slovakia is sure to be a captivating start.
