(Paris) Olympic and world champion, Finland is the big favorite to succeed him at the World Hockey Championships, disputed from Friday between Tampere and Riga.
Finalists of the last three editions, each time against Canada, the Leijonat (Lions) dream of a fifth world title, on May 28 on the ice of the Nokia Arena.
They will be able to count, for the first time since the coronation of 2019, on their nugget Kaapo Kakko. The 22-year-old New York Rangers forward is eliminated from the NHL playoffs with his franchise, a condition to be able to participate in the World Cup.
In the absence of the Russians, suspended since the invasion of Ukraine and whose possible return must be decided in March 2024, only Canada seems able to upset the host country.
The two behemoths would only meet in the final if they finished, as expected, first in their respective groups.
Unless the entry clash between Finland and the United States in Group A on Saturday (4:20 p.m. local time) upsets these predictions.
Worlds program
- Group stage: May 12-23
- Quarter-finals: Thursday 25 May
- Semi-finals: Saturday May 27
- Final and match for third place: Sunday, May 28