Finland has etched its name once again on the global stage by clinching the men's floorball World Championship title with a stunning comeback against Sweden. The dramatic final, which took place at Malmö Arena, saw Finland overcome a staggering 0-4 deficit, eventually winning 5-4 after overtime—a feat never before achieved by any team against Sweden on its home turf.
It was Miska Mäkinen, making his World Championship debut, who emerged as the hero of the evening when he scored the decisive goal during the extra period. His first goal of the tournament couldn't have come at a more opportune moment, securing Finland's fifth title after previous victories in 2008, 2010, 2016, and 2018. "Suomi salibandy maailmanmestari. Huikeeta!" exclaimed Finnish hockey legend Teemu Selänne, celebrating the victory on his Instagram, echoing the excitement felt across the entire nation.
The match started with Sweden taking control early, with Albin Sjögren and Johan Samuelsson quickly putting their team up by two goals, followed by Emil Johansson who extended their lead to 4-0 by the second period. Many fans, including those not fully versed in floorball, were left questioning if Finland had any hope of clawing back from such a significant deficit. But this was Finland's moment to shine. Head coach Esa Jussila expressed immense pride for his team's resilience, saying, "A glorious comeback shows the true spirit of Finnish floorball!"
Finland's pathway to glory involved more than just sheer willpower. After Sweden's Malte Lundmark scored to make it 4-0, the tide began to turn. Finland switched goalkeepers, bringing on Markus Laakso to replace Oskari Fälden, and it proved to be the right call. The team began to find their footing, and Heikki Iiskola put Finland on the scoreboard, followed shortly by Justus Kainulainen's two back-to-back goals, reducing the deficit to 4-3.
Then came the equalizer at 4-4, finished by Aaro Astala, sending the fans—mostly Finnish—into raptures. Spectators noted the shift following Finland’s courageous plays. Mäkinen recounted the pivotal moment: "Ruotsi avasi (Albin) Sjögrenille huonoon asentoon ja päätin iskeä siihen. Tökkäsin pallon Heikille (Iiskola), painoin täysiä takatolpalle ja toivoin että hän löytää mut sieltä." (Translation: "Sweden left (Albin) Sjögren open, and I decided to strike. I tapped the ball to Heikki (Iiskola), raced to the back post, and hoped he’d find me there.").
The tension rose as the match pressed toward overtime, both teams eager to clinch the title. At the moment Finland scored the winning goal, the arena erupted—an electrifying atmosphere where jubilation from Finnish supporters merged with disbelief from the Swedish side. It was the first loss for Sweden on home soil during World Championship finals, marking not only the end of their reign but also the start of celebrations for Finnish players and supporters.
Mäkinen reflected on the surge of emotions, dedicacing the victory to his late father who he believed was watching over his team from above. “That goal was dedicated to him,” Mäkinen stated. “I believe strongly it was his influence, and I’m just grateful my mom and I can share this joy together.”
The response from the Finnish government was equally triumphant. President Alexander Stubb took to social media, congratulating the team, stating, “Onneksi olkoon miesten salibandyn maailmanmestareille. Loistava nousu finaalissa takamatkalta. Suomalaista salibandysisua parhaimmillaan.” (Translation: "Congratulations to the men's floorball world champions. A fantastic comeback from behind. Finnish floorball spirit at its best.")
With the tournament concluding, Finland's victory is not just another medal; it's symbolic of resilience and national pride—a triumph not seen since their previous championship win. The excitement is palpable, with Finnish players like Kainulainen, who was instrumental throughout the tournament, feeling elated at the title's return. Many fans hope this victory will inspire future generations.”
Undoubtedly, the atmosphere throughout the competition was charged, marked by both elation and pressure as the Finnish players proved they could rise to the occasion. Both the fans and newcomers to this uniquely exciting sport now look forward to the next championship, fueled by this incredible victory and the rich history of Finnish floorball.
