2026 Olympic women’s hockey quarterfinal preview: Switzerland vs. Finland
It’s quarterfinals time in the women’s hockey tournament at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics. While all eyes are on Canada and the United States, could this be the year another country forces an upset? Both Switzerland and Finland will hope they can, as they face each other in a quarterfinal, with a win securing them a chance to play for a medal.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Finland made their way into the knockout round as potential bronze medal favorites after picking up a 3-1 win over Switzerland in the group stage. Despite two 5-0 losses to Canada and the U.S., and a disheartening 2-0 defeat to Czechia, they will look to reach the semifinals.
For Switzerland, they relied on a thrilling 4-3 win over Czechia in their tournament opener to clinch their spot in Group B, despite following it up with losses to Canada, the U.S. and Finland. Regardless, the win against Czechia will give them ample hope that they can find a result against Finland this time around.
WHEN THEY LAST MET
It has not been long since these two teams met on the Olympic stage; their last meeting was Switzerland’s group stage finale on Tuesday. Sanni Vanhanen potted a goal and an assist, and Viivi Vainikka and Julia Liikala also scored for Finland, as they outshot the Swiss 31-15 in a relatively dominant effort. Finland, however, enters off the back a few days less rest, given they played their final game against Canada on Wednesday.
TOP SCORERS
Switzerland
- Alinu Müller – 2G, 1 A
- Lara Christen – 1G, 0A
- Laura Zimmerman – 1G, 0A
- Rahel Enzler – 0G, 1A
- Lara Stalder – 0G, 1A
Finland
- Sanni Vanhanen – 1G, 1A
- Julia Liikala – 1G, 0A
- Viivi Vainikka – 1G, 0A
- Jenniina Nylund – 0G, 1A
- Michelle Karvinen – 0G, 1A
SCOUTING REPORT
Switzerland
Switzerland should be entering this game with plenty of confidence, given the opportunity at hand. Not only do they enter with more rest, but they have the confidence of knowing what Finland offers from their loss earlier in the tournament. Should they prevail, they would play for a medal for just the third time in their Olympic history, after winning bronze at the Turin 2006 Games.
Alina Müller is the key danger attacker for them and will be critical to any success. She’s already scored twice at the tournament, the only player entering this game with two goals and three points, and has established herself as one of the best in the world with the PWHL’s Boston Fleet over the past several seasons.
A key for the Swiss will also be staying out of the box. As much as Finland’s offensive weapons aren’t as dangerous as some of those they faced in the preliminary round, Switzerland enters with a 58 penalty kill percentage, the worst in the Olympic tournament by a significant margin.
Outside of Müller, they may need Lara Stadler to step up more significantly and bring some of the offensive touch that has seen her tear it up in the Swiss league with EV Zug this season, recording 21 goals and 32 assists for 53 points in 27 games.
Finland
Sanni Vanhanen and Viivi Vainikka were two of the key players in Finland’s win over Switzerland earlier in the tournament and could be relied upon again in this quarterfinal. Outside of those two, they will look for PWHL and veteran leadership from Vancouver Goldeneyes forward, Michelle Karvinen, who is still seeking her first goal at her fifth Olympic tournament.
While they may be coming off less rest and a trouncing loss against Canada, they also enter this game with experience navigating quarterfinals, having won two bronze medals at the last two World Championships and a podium finish at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
“I don’t think we should compare the last game to what the next game will look like,” Finland captain Karvinen said. “It’s a quarterfinal, everything is on the line, and it’s going to be a totally different game.”
Should they find a power play opportunity, that could also be the difference. So far, they’re operating at a 25% clip and would be poised to take advantage of Switzerland’s struggling penalty kill.
BURNING QUESTIONS
Can Müller Take Over?
Alina Müller has two goals and nine points with Boston in the PWHL this season, and in her Olympic career, she has 14 goals and 26 points across 23 games. While she has played by far the most of any Swiss forward, including 20 minutes against Finland, she has yet to truly take over a game. If she does, she’s the most significant difference maker in this quarterfinal matchup.
Can Finland’s PWHL leaders stand out?
Ronja Savolainen is a valuable defender with the Ottawa Charge and has been vital so far in the tournament, even if she hasn’t built on the three goals and five points she has in PWHL play this season, while goaltender Sanni Ahola also has played some PWHL minutes, but has so far split starts with Anni Keisala in the Olympic tournament. With many other teams bolstered with PWHL talent, Finland’s need for its stars to stand out is critical.
PREDICTION
Maybe it’s a bold take, but it feels like Müller is bound to have a game, and Finland’s rest level could come into play. By most accounts, Finland should be the better team given their talent and experience, but I struggle to grasp the idea of Müller ending these Games with her lowest-ever Olympic output, should it come to an end in the quarterfinals.
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