Oslo, May 24, 2026 – The Europe Today: Norway national ice hockey team produced a major upset by defeating Sweden national ice hockey team 3–2 at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Switzerland, in a result that puts Sweden’s quarter-final qualification in serious doubt.
The match, played at the BCF Arena in Fribourg, saw Sweden concede two goals while on the power play, a key factor in their narrow defeat.
Norway opened the scoring through Noah Steen, who struck on the power play in the first period. Sweden responded in the second period through Ivar Stenberg, who equalised during a power play of his own.
However, momentum swung back in Norway’s favour when Steen scored again, this time while shorthanded, restoring their lead at 2–1.
Sweden levelled once more in the third period through Lucas Raymond, but defensive errors proved costly as Norway’s Eirik Salsten capitalised on a turnover to score the decisive 3–2 goal.
After the match, Swedish goalkeeper Arvid Söderblom described the result as “overall, too bad,” speaking to Viaplay.
The victory marks Norway’s first win over Sweden in a World Championship context in 15 years, last achieved in 2011 in Košice when Norway won 5–4 on penalties against their Scandinavian rivals.
The result leaves Norway in a strong position in Group B, moving ahead of Sweden as the race for the top four quarter-final spots intensifies. Sweden, now fifth in the group, faces a crucial final group-stage match as their qualification hopes hang in the balance.
