2026 Olympic Quarterfinal Preview: Sweden’s Surge Meets Czechia’s Resolve

As the best-on-best women's hockey tournament at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics shifts into the knockout rounds, Czechia and Sweden face off with very different paths and momentum. Both teams punched their tickets to the quarterfinals, but how they got here and what they need to do during the February 13 matchup tells the story of contrasting Olympic campaigns.

Road to the Quarter Finals

Czechia entered the Olympics in Group A, a pool that included the U.S., Canada, Finland, and Switzerland. The Lionesses struggled early against the elite North American teams, falling 5-1 to the United States and 5-1 to Canada, results that left them with work to do to stay in contention. A tight shootout loss to Switzerland early in the tournament slowed their start and tested their resilience. The Lionesses finally broke through with a 2-0 victory over Finland, registering their first win and securing enough points to finish third in Group A and clinch a quarterfinal berth.

In Group B, Sweden was a picture of balance and precision. The Damkronorna went undefeated in four games, outscoring their opponents by a wide margin (18-2) en route to topping the group. Their offensive output was strong in every game — a 4-1 win over Germany, 6-1 victory over Italy, 4-0 shutout of France, and 4-0 win over Japan — showing a consistent attack paired with tight defense. Sweden’s group performance has them entering the quarterfinals as one of the hottest teams.

Where We Stand

While these teams have not yet met at the Olympic level, broader head-to-head history in international women’s hockey favors Sweden slightly — both in overall results and recent international matchups. Sweden enters the quarterfinals riding confidence from its unbeaten preliminary round and the opportunity to avoid the top North American teams until later in the bracket. Their strength has come from controlling possession and generating high-quality scoring chances against mid-tier Group B opponents, while limiting opportunities against them. That blend of efficient offense and structured defense has them in a strong position heading into knockout hockey.

Czechia’s narrative is one of keeping pace in a stacked Group A. Their win over Finland was crucial — not just for points but for confidence after early setbacks. Facing heavy shots and a relentless pace from the U.S. and Canada tested their defensive schemes and goaltending depth, but the team showed enough grit and opportunistic play to advance. Their quarterfinal hinges on tightening defensive gaps, staying disciplined in their own end and generating chances off transition rather than relying on extended zone possession.

The contrast in styles is clear: Sweden has shown cohesive, confident hockey with consistent pressure and puck movement, while Czechia has been more reactive and opportunistic, grinding results out against teams they can match up with. For Czechia, a win here would be among the biggest in program history and a chance at a medal bout that eluded them in recent Olympics. For Sweden, it’s a chance to reinforce their credentials as serious Olympic medal threats before a semifinal matchup with one of the North American giants.