Sweden will play for gold

Sweden will face the winner of the other semi-final match between Finland and Russia on Friday.

"Today we played our best game so far, and if we can play like this, we'll have a good chance on Sunday," said Swedish captain Mats Sundin.

After mentioning the importance of a quick start Sweden got exactly what they were hoping for as they jumped out to the lead a minute into the first period through a Fredrik Modin slap shot. The Czechs struck back two minutes later to even the score. Filip Kuba finished the well weighted pass from Martin Straka.

Sweden's Per Johan Axelsson capped off the scoring in the first period in the 18th minute when he deflected a slap-shot from Nicklas Lidstrom.

The shootout continued in the second period as Sweden got four of the six goals in the period. Henrik Sedin took a pass in the neutral zone and skated into the left face-off circle. He passed to Daniel Sedin whose shot was turned away by Czech starting goaltender Milan Hnilicka. The rebound came out to a streaking Henrik Sedin who slammed home the first goal of the period.

Two minutes later Sweden widened the lead through Christian Backman's powerful slap shot.

Hnilicka was taken out of net in the 27th minute after Jorgen Jonsson redirected a Kenny Jonsson shot from the point. The Czechs went a man down after holding was called on Straka and Sweden converted their second power play opportunity.

"We didn't give Milan much help. It doesn't matter who is in net, if you don't help them, especially against a team like Sweden, you are not going to win," said Czech defenseman Tomas Kaberle.

The Czech Republic were not finished though and pulled themselves into the game on 30 minutes with a goal from Ales Hemsky and another two minutes later from Vaclav Prospal.

5-3 is the closest that the Czechs would get as Daneil Alfredsson scored inthe last minute of the second period.

Ales Kotalik dug the loose puck out behind the Czech net and passed to an unmanned Alfredsson who beat Vokoun stick side.

The Czechs poured on the pressure in the final period but NHL rookie Lundqvist was too much in the Swedish net.

With five minutes remaining in the match Sweden scored again. At the left face-off circle Henrik Zetterberg flung a no-look pass to Tomas Holmstrom on the other side of the ice. Holmstrom sent Vokoun's water bottle flying with a rocket of a slap-shot to finish the offensive onslaught.

The win marks the first time since winning gold in Lillehammer that the Swedes have reached the Olympic final.

"We've got one more to go. This team is playing well together, we really believe we can win gold," said defenseman Niklas Lidstrom.