Finland’s men’s ice hockey team has once again etched its name into Olympic history, securing a bronze medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics — the nation’s sixth medal overall.
In a decisive match held at Milan’s Santagiulia Arena on February 21, the Finns triumphed over Slovakia, winning 6–1. This victory not only marks a proud moment for Finnish hockey but also meets a modest medal target set by the Finnish Olympic Committee, especially poignant following a medal-less performance in the 2024 Paris summer games.
As of Sunday morning, neighboring Norway leads the medal count at these Italian Games with an impressive total of 40, including 18 gold medals. Sweden, another Nordic rival, has claimed 16 medals thus far.
This elusive hockey medal adds to Finland’s distinguished legacy in Olympic men’s hockey, bringing their total to eight. Notably, it’s the country’s first medal in any men’s international tournament since 2022. Finland previously captured the gold in 2022 in Beijing, alongside silvers in Calgary 1988 and Turin 2006, and bronzes in the years 1994, 1998, 2010, and 2014.
A Strong Showing in NHL-Enhanced Tournaments
This event marked the sixth participation of NHL professionals in the Olympics, with Finland emerging as the most successful team in hockey at these Games — collecting five medals. Remarkably, the Lions have never lost a match for an Olympic bronze medal, although their quest for gold this year fell just short. They narrowly missed entering the final after leading 2–0 against Canada in the semi-finals, only to succumb to a last-minute defeat, ending the game at 2–3.
As the closing moments of the Winter Olympics unfold, Canada and the United States are set to clash in the all-North-American final, set to be broadcast on Yle TV2 and Areena at 3 PM on Sunday. Ahead of that, three Finnish athletes, including Kerttu Niskanen, bronze medalist from the Beijing Olympics, will compete in the Women’s 50km classic cross-country ski race.
The grand finale of this thrilling event will culminate with the closing ceremony at 9:30 PM, marking the end of yet another unforgettable chapter in Olympic history.