Norwegian Hockey in Ecstasy: 'Everyone' Believes in First VM Quarterfinal in 14 Years

The Norwegian ice hockey team is riding a wave of euphoria following their historic victory over Sweden, fueling widespread belief that they can reach the World Championship quarterfinals for the first time since 2012.

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I have faith in the quarterfinals! Now we just have to continue with the same job.

Captain Andreas Martinsen is confident, stating, "I believe in the quarterfinals! Now we just have to continue with the same job." This optimism stems from Saturday's groundbreaking win, where Norway defeated their long-time rivals, Sweden, in regulation time for the first time ever in a counting international match. "It's absolutely fantastic. I've never done it before, so it was very fun to achieve it before I get old and gray," said acting head coach Petter Thoresen after the game.

This victory over Sweden adds to an already impressive tournament performance, where Norway has secured points against Canada and is close to securing a quarterfinal berth. VG's hockey expert, Bjørn Erevik, shares the optimism, noting that while Sweden faces Slovakia, Norway might need to secure points against Denmark, their "nemesis," even if they defeat the Czech Republic.

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It's absolutely fantastic. I've never done it before, so it was very fun to achieve it before I get old and gray.

Norway faces the Czech Republic on Monday. A strong performance in that game, coupled with a Swedish loss to Slovakia on Tuesday, would virtually guarantee "the Norwegian ice warriors" a place in the quarterfinals. Erevik added, "With the way Norway is playing now, they can take points against the Czech Republic too."

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With the way Norway is playing now, they can take points against the Czech Republic too.

Since the introduction of the modern playoff format in the Ice Hockey World Championships in 1992, Norway has only reached the quarterfinals on three occasions: 2008, 2011, and 2012. Players like Eirik Salsten, the match-winner against Sweden, are focused on the immediate goal: "We go into every game from now on with the belief that we can win, so we won't say we have ambitions to win the World Championship, but now we just have to keep going. Lower the shoulders and just go for it, really." He added, "Quarterfinals are the goal from before, so we have to start there."

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We go into every game from now on with the belief that we can win, so we won't say we have ambitions to win the World Championship, but now we just have to keep going. Lower the shoulders and just go for it, really. Quarterfinals are the goal from before, so we have to start there.