ARTICLE

Sweden Cruises Past Slovakia to Secure Semi-Final Spot

Aug 13, 2025 | Adam Chawner

Sweden remains unbeaten at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and confirmed their dominance with a convincing 7:0 win over Slovakia. The Swedes scored four goals across the first two periods, prompting a goalie change from the Slovak bench. But it had little effect – Sweden added three more goals in the third and comfortably advanced to the semi-finals. Slovakia finish third in their group and will go on to battle for fifth place overal.

Game #3  •  We 13.8.2025  •  19:00
Slovakia
0:7
( 0:2, 0:2, 0:3)
Sweden
Slovakia: Hrenák (29. Čelko) – Goljer, Maršálek, Floriš, Kovalčík, Černák, Dedík, Stančík – Tariška, Hybský, Ozogány – Bernát, Kubat, Rausa – Rezničák, Stankoven, Zvolenský – Obušek, Lukáčik, Plančár – Ďurčo.
Sweden: Tjärnlund (Nilsson) – Elofsson, Lidén, Knights, Gustafsson, Cilthe, Palme, Nicolaysen – Hermansson, Holmertz, Meijer – Bartholdsson, Zirath, Nordmark – Karlsson, Kim, Isaksson – L. Andersson, A. Andersson, Holtet – Josbrant.
Goals and assists: 6. Gustafsson (L. Andersson, A. Andersson), 17. Bartholdsson (Nordmark, Lidén), 25. Nordmark (Zirath, Elofsson), 29. Hermansson (Elofsson, Isaksson), 44. Holtet (A. Andersson, Nicolaysen), 58. Hermansson (Elofsson, Holmertz), 59. Nordmark (Gustafsson, Bartholdsson).
Shots: 26:37 (9:10, 7:20, 10:7).
Penalties: 6:7. PP goals: 0:4. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Stano, Štefik – Durmis, Tichý. Attendance: 3148.

Report

After fending off an early Slovak push, Sweden struck first. Ludvig Andersson set up Malte Gustafsson in the slot for the opener. Slovakia failed to capitalise on a powerplay and were punished again when Marcus Nordmark found Nils Bartholdsson for a well-placed finish. Slovakia had a late first-period push, but Adam Obušek couldn’t beat the goalie on two tries.

Sweden kept control in the second. Nordmark surprised Samuel Hrenák with a sharp-angle shot during a powerplay and Elton Hermansson added another man-advantage goal soon after to make it a 4:0 goal. Slovakia changed goalies, bringing in Denis Čelko, but Sweden continued to dictate the pace.

That didn’t change in the final period. Isak Holtet beat Čelko with a low shot to make it 5:0 and though Mikael Kim missed a penalty shot, Sweden weren’t done. After a Slovak chance was denied by Milo Tjärnlund, Nordmark broke in again but was stopped. Sweden added two more goals late – Hermansson scored on a 5-on-3, and Nordmark capped things off from the left circle, scoring Sweden’s seventh goal of the game.

Sweden’s 7:0 win secures them top spot in the Trenčín group and a chance to battle for more medals.

In brief

The playoffs begin

15.8. - The playoffs and battles for placement in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup begin today. Who will make it to the finals? Read the preview here.

End of groups

14.8. - The group stage is over. Who made it to the semifinals? Read here.

Second day

13.8. - The teams have completed their second day of play, which saw the groups become more dramatic. Read more here.
History of the hockey legend

Information about Ivan Hlinka

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