Team Sweden Faces Do-or-Die Test Against Latvia at Milano Cortina: “We’ve Got to Be the Best Team”
It’s crunch time for Team Sweden at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. After a rocky stretch of games that’s left them teetering on the edge of elimination, the Swedes now find themselves in a win-or-go-home scenario. Despite a roster stacked with NHL talent, led by veterans like Victor Hedman and Rasmus Dahlin, they’re staring down what could be their most disappointing Olympic run since 2002.
The challenge now? Survive a physical Latvian squad that’s known for grinding out wins and making opponents earn every inch of ice.
Hedman: “We’ve Got to Be the Best Team”
Victor Hedman, the Tampa Bay Lightning stalwart and one of Sweden’s most experienced voices, didn’t sugarcoat the situation. The Swedes may have the edge on paper, but Hedman knows that paper doesn’t win hockey games.
“They're physical. They play with their hearts,” Hedman said.
“You look on paper, we're probably favorites to win the game, but at the end of the day, it's the best team that wins. We've got to go out there and be the best team.”
That’s not just a rallying cry-it’s a reality check. Sweden’s individual skill is undeniable.
They’ve got the puck movers, the snipers, and the defensive depth. But Hedman emphasized that talent alone won’t be enough.
Not in a high-stakes game like this.
“We know that our individual skill can take over a game,” he continued, “but at the same time, we can't take it easy on certain things. … I'm sure we're going to be ready to go.”
Physicality: The Missing Piece?
Sweden has traditionally leaned on its structured, skill-heavy style. But against a team like Latvia, that won’t be enough.
Latvia thrives in the trenches-winning board battles, finishing checks, and disrupting flow. If Sweden wants to punch its ticket to the quarterfinals, they’ll need to meet that physicality head-on.
Coach Sam Hallam is expected to make adjustments, but Hedman’s comments suggest that the real shift needs to come in mindset and intensity. This isn’t about systems anymore-it’s about urgency.
Sweden’s last meeting with Latvia came at the 2025 World Championship, where they cruised to a dominant 6-0 win in the prelims. But this is a different stage, and Latvia has proven they can elevate their game when it matters most.
Dahlin Echoes the Call
Rasmus Dahlin, one of Sweden’s brightest young stars and a key piece on the blue line, is on the same page as Hedman.
“They grind. They make it hard for the other team, and then they've got some skill too,” Dahlin said.
“It won't be easy. We're going to have to really bring our 'A' game, that's for sure.”
Dahlin knows firsthand how quickly a game can shift if you let your foot off the gas. Latvia’s not just here to play spoiler-they’re here to win. And they’ve got the kind of tenacity that can frustrate even the most disciplined teams.
All Eyes on Sweden
This is a defining moment for Coach Hallam and his group. With so much top-tier NHL talent in the locker room, expectations were high coming into Milano Cortina.
But now, with their backs against the wall, it’s about fight over finesse. Grit over glamour.
If Sweden can match Latvia’s intensity and lean into the physical side of the game, they’ve got the firepower to make a deep run. But if they come out flat, this could be the end of the road.
One thing’s for sure: the margin for error is gone. It’s time to find out what this Swedish squad is really made of.