As the 2009 IIHF World Championship entered the decisive stage, Tre Kronor raised to the occassion and beat Czech Republic 3-1 after an impressive tactical performance.

In his presentation for the game, Bengt-Åke Gustavsson, the Swedish head coach, stipulated various tactics centered around a tight Swedish defense to shut down the Czech offense. The players in yellow and blue followed his instructions to near-perfects, bare a nervous five-minute strech in the third period that followed after the players had been over-confident and allowed a short-handed goal on a two-man advantage.

In a penalty-ridden first period, the only thing that didn't go according to plan was the Swedish powerplay. But like in previous tournaments, Bengt-Åke Gustavsson masterfully made the adjustments necessary to make this part of his strategy work as well. In the intermission between the first and second period, Gustavsson replaced two players (forward Loui Eriksson and derfenseman Carl Gunnarsson) on the first powerplay unit to form a superline with Tony Mårtensson, Mattias Weinhandl and Kristian Huselius as forwards and Magnus Johansson and Dick Tärnström on the blue line. The new PP unit was steller and converted on the two opportunies it got in the second period.

With around 10 minutes remaining of the game, Tre Kronor's superpowerplay unit got their third opportunity to score and close the game with a two-man advantage. But this time, the players became over-confident and allowed a Czech two-man rush. Tomas Rolinek made a perfect pass to Petr Cajanek who beat Jonas Gustavsson between the legs. This Swedish error allowed the Czechs to come back into the game and they were close to tying the game when Patrik Elias hit the post. With 2 minutes left, Sweden's captain, Kenny Jönsson, made a point shot that eluded Stepanek. This goal sealed the game.

Sweden has now beaten the Czech Republic five times in the IHWC and Olympics since 2006.

Jaromir Jagr, Petr Cajanek and Marek Zidlicky were honoured as Czech Republic's best players of the tournament.

Sweden - Czech Republic 3-1 (0-0, 2-0, 1-1)
7 May 2009, Postfinance Arena, Berne,Att: 10,415
1-0 23:53 Mattias Weinhandl 5 (M. Johansson) PP2
2-0 38:49 Dick Tärnström 2 (Weinhandl, Mårtensson) PP1
2-1 48:48 Petr Cajanek 3 (Rolinek) SH2
3-1 57:46 Kenny Jönsson 3 (M. Nilson, N. Persson)
SWE 11x2, CZE 11x2, SOG 20:34 (7:13, 7:10, 6:11)
Best players: SWE: Jonas Gustavsson, CZE: Patrik Elias

SWE: Jonas Gustavsson; Johnny Oduya (2), Dick Tärnström (2), Rickard Wallin (2), Marcus Nilson, Kristian Huselius - Magnus Johansson (2), Carl Gunnarsson (2), Tony Mårtensson (4), Loui Eriksson, Mattias Weinhandl (2) - Kenny Jönsson, Anton Strålman, Martin Thörnberg, Linus Omark (2), Johan Harju (2) - Nicklas Grossman, Johan Åkerman (2), Patrik Berglund, Johan Andersson, Niklas Persson.
CZE: Jakub Stepanek; Marek Zidlicky (2), Petr Caslava, Petr Cajanek, Ales Hemsky, Jaromir Jagr (2) - Karel Rachunek, Miroslav Blatak (4), Milan Michalek (4), Thomas Plekanec, Patrik Elias (2) - Roman Polak, Ondrej Nemec, Jakub Klepis (2), Jaroslav Hlinka (2), Josef Vasicek - Roman Cervenka, Ales Kotalik, Jan Marek, Tomas Rolinek (2), Rotislav Olesz.
Refs: Rick Looker & Thomas Strerns (USA)
Linesmen: Peter Feola (USA) / Antti Orelma (FIN)