The Czech Republic’s U20 national team has reached the IIHF World Championship final for the first time since 2023. In a dramatic semi-final, the Czechs beat Canada 6-4 and will now meet Sweden.
The Czech U20 national team has secured a place in the World Championship final for the first time since 2023. In the exciting semi-final, coach Patrik Augusta’s boys defeated Canada 6-4 and will now face Sweden, who beat Finland 4-3 after a penalty shootout.
The semi-final between the Czech Republic and Canada offered top-class ice hockey and remained open until the very last minute. With the score at 3-3, Vojtěch Čihař initially put the Czechs ahead, but the Canadians responded just moments later: captain Porter Martone equalised to 4-4 just under three minutes before the end.
The decisive goal was eventually scored by Tomáš Poletín in the 58th minute and 46 seconds, when a puck deflected off Max Curran and unfortunately ended up in the net. Just before the end, Čihař sealed the 6-4 final score with a goal into the empty Canadian net.
For the Czech Republic, the match now represents a chance for a third gold medal in U20 World Championship history. In their previous final appearances, the Czechs triumphed on two occasions: in 2000 in Skellefteå (Sweden) with a 1-0 win against Russia, and in 2001 in Moscow (Russia) with a 2-1 victory over Finland. With their progression to the final, the Czech Republic also extends its medal streak to four consecutive years: silver in 2023, bronze in 2024 and 2025, and now the opportunity for gold in 2026.
2026 IIHF World Junior Championship Final
Sweden vs. Czech Republic
5 Jan 2026 | Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
19:30 local time | 2:30 a.m. (6 Jan 2026) Czech time
Watch Live in the Czech Republic:
ČT Sport | 6 Jan from 2:30 a.m.
2026 IIHF World Junior Championship
26 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 | USA
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