The 2015 winners, who reached the last eight of the competition with an unbeaten group stage record, were forced to fightback from behind as the Finnish side moved into a 2-1 lead.

Despite peppering the Finland defence with wave after wave of attacks, the Czechs couldn’t quite a way through until they managed to draw the thrilling contest level.

From then on, there was only one side who were going to emerge victorious and the Czech Republic duly scored a winning goal to set up a semi-final meeting with the United States.

Dominika Vopravilova, Petra Vojtechova and Dominika Laskova all got on the scoresheet to ensure the Czechs maintained their pursuit of a second consecutive Inline Hockey World Championships crown.

They face a tough test if they are to reach the final as they will go up against the Americans, who lifted the trophy in 2013 and 2014.

The US were involved in a high-scoring affair with Namibia and were able to edge through to the last four after they ended on the right side of a 6-4 scoreline.

Elsewhere, 2015 bronze medallists Spain were dumped out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage after they were beaten 2-1 in a close contest with France.

Camille Pineau and Marion Mousseaux had put the French two goals up early on and, although Spain halved the deficit through Laura Lopez, they clung on to clinch victory.

Canada, who last topped the podium in 2012, await in last four for France after they thrashed hosts Italy 5-1.

The semi-finals are scheduled to take place tomorrow.