Sweden beats Czechia 4-2 for its 3rd world junior hockey title

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Casper Juustovaara and Viktor Eklund scored first-period goals and Sweden won its third world junior hockey title, beating Czechia 4-2 on Monday night in the first all-European final since 2016.

“It was time for a gold, and we did it,” said forward Antron Frodell, drafted third overall by Chicago last summer. "It’s amazing. We’re a big family. We love each other. We did the right things for the team to win."

Sweden also won in 1981 and 2012. Czechia won its lone titles in 2000 and 2001.

Sascha Boumedienne gave Sweden a 3-0 lead at 3:47 of the third.

Adam Jiricek and Matej Kubiesa scored for Czechia, with Kubiesa striking with 24 seconds left. Ivar Stenberg capped the scoring with an empty-netter with eight seconds left.

“I think Sweden played better from the beginning,” Czechia coach Patrik Augusta. “Our legs weren’t going and the game against Canada last night took a lot of energy from us, not just physically but mentally. We were looking for a little spark, and it didn’t come until the last couple of minutes, which was too late.”

In the third-place game, Sam O'Reilly scored twice, Gavin McKenna and Michael Hage each had four points to help Canada beat Finland 6-3.

McKenna had a goal and three assists, and Hage had four assists. Zayne Parekh had a goal and an assist to break the Canadian record for points by a defenseman with 13 on six goals and seven assists. Alex Pietrangelo had 12 in 2010.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Sweden Jack Berglund (26) and Leo Sahlin Wallenius (4) celebrate after winning an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game against Czechia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Czechia goalie Michal Orsulak (30) and defenseman Vladimir Dravecky (9) react after losing an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game to Sweden, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Sweden players celebrate after winning an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game against Czechia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Sweden's Linus Eriksson celebrates after winning an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game against Czechia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Sweden's Ivar Stenberg (15) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the third period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game against Czechia, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Finland goalie Petteri Rimpinen, left, greets Canada goalie Carter George after an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Finland scores on Canada goaltender Carter George (30) while Finland's Jasper Kuhta (29) stands in front of the net, during the first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canada's Sam O'Reilly, center, scores on Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) while teammates Kasper Pikkarainen (20) and Max Westergard, second from right, defend during the first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canada forward Cole Beaudoin (26) shoots against Finland forward Matias Vanhanen (37) during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Canada forward Sam O'Reilly (23) celebrates with teammates after a power play goal against Finland during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 2, 2026--

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) today unveiled limited-edition America250 Coca-Cola cans at its Jacksonville manufacturing facility—one of the select locations in the country producing commemorative packaging representing all 50 states ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260402409814/en/

“Coca-Cola has been a unique and deeply rooted part of Americana for nearly 140 years,” said Troy Taylor, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Coke Florida. “As we celebrate this milestone, we’re proud to join our fellow bottling partners and The Coca-Cola Company in bringing these commemorative cans to life. This effort reflects our shared commitment to celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary while continuing to create meaningful connections with the communities we serve across Florida and beyond.”

Federal, state and local officials joined community leaders and Coke Florida associates for the unveiling event, which offered a first look at the commemorative cans as they moved through production lines—connecting Florida manufacturing directly to a once-in-a-generation national celebration.

Beginning April 6, the America250-themed Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar mini cans will be available at retailers across Florida. Consumers will find patriotic branding on various Coca-Cola packages and other brands distributed by Coke Florida, such as smartwater and Gold Peak. Specially wrapped Coke Florida delivery trucks will also travel throughout the state, extending the visibility of the campaign into local communities.

Following the unveiling, guests toured the Jacksonville facility, gaining behind-the-scenes access to the scale and precision of Coke Florida’s operations, from production and packaging to warehousing and distribution, underscoring the company’s role in delivering a beverage for every occasion across the state.

As a Signature Partner of America250, The Coca-Cola Company is helping bring people together to mark this historic milestone—continuing a legacy that dates back to 1886 of being part of moments that unite communities across generations. In addition to the production of commemorative packaging, Coke Florida will further support America250 through planned community engagement initiatives and local activations to be rolled out throughout 2026.

For more information about the unveiling event or inquiries related to Coke Florida’s America250 celebration activities, visit cokeflorida.com/america250.

About Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) is a strategic bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company and a growth-focused consumer packaged goods company. We are one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States with an exclusive territory that covers forty-seven counties in Florida. Coke Florida makes, sells, and distributes a portfolio of beverages for every occasion including sparkling soft drinks, waters, teas, sports drinks, energy drinks, juices, and value-added dairy drinks. We drive positive economic impact in the communities we serve through employing over 5,000 associates and operating four GreenCircle Certified production facilities and eighteen distribution centers. Our investments in sustainability, education, and economic empowerment are the foundation of our commitment to helping build stronger communities. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Tampa, Coke Florida is also one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States. The company has been recognized as a US Best Managed Company Gold Standard Winner by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. To learn more, visit www.cokeflorida.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Limited-edition America250 Coca-Cola mini cans produced by Coca-Cola Beverages Florida will be available starting April 6th across Florida.

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida celebrates the launch of America250 Commemorative Coca-Cola cans in Florida.