Final farce: Finland is world champion – but only for 10 minutes

After video evidence and a lot of back and forth, the German referee Nicole Hertrich took back the supposed 2-1 winning goal in extra time. The Finns had to collect their equipment again and continue playing - they lost 1-2 in the penalty shootout against the big favorites USA.

“We were so close, we could already taste it: Holy crap, we are world champions. And then they took it away from us," said goalkeeper Noora Raty: "It would be easier if we had lost 0:5." Captain Jenni Hiirikoski complained: "Sport is sometimes unfair. But you have to accept what’s on the scoreboard.” Decision highly controversial The decision was highly controversial: Hiirikoski had shot on goal, American goalkeeper Alex Rigsby blocked the puck. The two collided outside the goal area and Petra Nieminen flicked the disc into the net. Finland, already a sensational 4-2 winner in the semifinals against record world champions Canada and in the final for the first time, was, according to a Twitter entry from the world association IIHF, world champions, and the 7000 fans in the sold-out arena cheered wildly.

Hertrich, who refereed her sixth World Cup final and also officiated the final at the 2018 Olympics, decided on goal together with her Canadian colleague Lacey Senuk. Then the video judge spoke up and, after a long discussion, overruled the referees - because of goalkeeper interference. Curious: Goalkeeper Rigsby received a two-minute penalty for tripping. However, there was no penalty against Hiirikoski.

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Final farce: Finland is world champion – but only for 10 minutes

Gloves and sticks flew through the air, the Finnish ice hockey players hugged each other and celebrated their first world title. But ten minutes later the disillusionment followed.

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