Switzerland vs Finland: Olympic Quarterfinal Goes to Overtime | Kicker

A closely contested Olympic quarterfinal match saw the Swiss national team face off against Finland, ultimately decided in overtime. The Swiss team demonstrated a fighting spirit throughout the game, but were unable to secure a victory.

Early Swiss Dominance

Switzerland got off to a strong start, weathering an early penalty and establishing a solid defensive presence. In the 15th minute, a misplay by Finnish goaltender Juuse Saros behind his own net led to Ken Jäger gaining possession. Jäger quickly passed to Damien Riat, who scored into the empty net as Saros couldn’t recover in time.

Just 74 seconds later, Switzerland extended their lead. Pius Suter assisted Nino Niederreiter, who scored with a shot that deflected off the right post. This marked the first goal of the tournament for the Swiss flag bearer, aided by a Finnish player obstructing Saros’s view.

Finnish Resurgence and Tie

The second period saw a shift in momentum, with Finland increasing the pressure and generating more shots on goal. While Switzerland had five shots in the first period, Finland responded with four. Despite the increased offensive effort from Finland, Leonardo Genoni maintained his composure, skillfully directing rebounds and blocking shots. Switzerland held a 2-0 lead at the end of the second period.

A power play opportunity at the beginning of the third period failed to extend Switzerland’s lead, as the only shot on goal during the advantage came from Finland. It became clear that a continued strong defensive performance would be crucial for Switzerland to advance to the semifinals. With eight minutes remaining, Genoni made two key saves against Mikael Granlund.

Overtime Heartbreak

Finland finally broke through in the 54th minute. Sebastian Aho scored with a shot from the right side, using Jonas Siegenthaler as a screen. With two and a half minutes left in regulation, Genoni again proved vital, stopping shots from Kaapo Kakko, and Granlund. Finland then called a timeout and replaced their goaltender, Juuse Saros, with an extra attacker.

This gamble paid off as Miro Heiskanen’s shot deflected off Jonas Siegenthaler and into the Swiss net, tying the game and sending it to overtime. In overtime, Sven Andrighetto had a chance to win it for Switzerland, but his shot was unsuccessful. Shortly after, Artturi Lehkonen scored for Finland, winning the game with a shot under the crossbar.

Game Statistics

Finland – Switzerland 3:2 n.V. (0:2, 0:0, 2:0, 1:0)

Finland: Saros – Heiskanen, Lindell; Mikkola, Ristolainen; Määttä, Matinpalo; Jokiharju – Granlund, Hintz, Rantanen; Lehkonen, Aho, Teräväinen; Luostarinen, Lundell, Kaako; Tolvanen, Haula, Armia; Kiviranta

Switzerland: Genoni – Josi, Moser; Siegenthaler, Kukan; Marti, Glauser; Berni, Fora – Kurashev, Hischier, Meier; Andrighetto, Suter, Niederreiter; S. Schmid, Thürkauf, Bertschy; Knak, Jäger, Riat

Tore: 0:1 (15.) Riat (Jäger), 0:2 (16.) Niederreiter (Suter, Kurashev), 1:2 (54.) Aho (Luostarinen, Lindell), 2:2 (59.) Heiskanen (Hintz, Rantanen) EN, 3:2 (64.) Lehkonen (Lundell, Lindell)

Schiedsrichter: Campbell (CAN)/Dwyer (CAN)

Strafminuten: Finnland 4, Schweiz 4

Zuschauer: 3.090

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the game?

The final score was Finland 3 – Switzerland 2 in overtime.

Who scored the winning goal for Finland?

Artturi Lehkonen scored the winning goal for Finland in overtime.

How many shots on goal did Switzerland have in the first period?

Switzerland had five shots on goal in the first period.

Given the Swiss team’s strong start and resilient defense, what do you think will be the key focus for them as they move forward in future competitions?