Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the IIHF World Championship match.
Switzerland are targeting a second consecutive appearance in the IIHF World Championship final, with their focus firmly on capturing the gold medal. Denmark, meanwhile, have emerged as the tournament’s biggest surprise package. However, their run to the semi-finals appears to be more of a one-off than the product of sustained form. Despite the compelling narrative surrounding Denmark, the objective analysis points to Switzerland as the stronger side.
Switzerland
Switzerland have reinforced their title credentials with each match. In the group stage, the squad collected 19 out of a possible 21 points, before delivering a dominant 6:0 win over Austria in the quarter-finals. Their roster features six NHL players, including standout performers Kevin Fiala and Timo Meier, who have combined for 17 points (6+11). The two sides have already met at the 2024 World Championship, with Switzerland recording an emphatic 8:0 win. Earlier this year, they also posted a 5:2 victory over Denmark.
Denmark
For Denmark, simply reaching the semi-finals marks a landmark achievement. It is the first time in their history Denmark have reached the final four, having stunned Canada with a last-minute comeback — scoring with just 88 seconds on the clock. However, Denmark have shown significant defensive frailties, conceding 25 goals — the poorest defensive record among all teams to reach the play-offs.
Switzerland vs Denmark Prediction
Switzerland have played with structure and consistency throughout the tournament, and few opponents have managed to test them seriously. For Denmark, this semi-final represents a historic breakthrough, but their inexperience and defensive instability are likely to be telling factors. The expectation is that Switzerland will progress to the final and score at least four goals in the process.
