Defending champions Finland are seeking a third successive title, but faced the prospect of an upset against the Czech Republic.

Goals from Adam Hemerka and Marek Benes gave the Czech Republic a shock 2-0 lead after the first period of their match at the Hartwall Arena.

The start appeared to have put the Czech team on course to reach the final for the first time since 2004.

Finland recovered in the second period in front of a tournament-high crowd of 10,263.

Justus Kainulainen and Peter Kotilainen scored in a five-minute spell to level the contest heading into the final period.

A 59th-minute strike from Sami Johansson proved decisive as Finland completed the comeback to win 3-2.

Rivals Sweden had booked their place in the final in comfortable fashion earlier in the day.

An own goal and an effort from Tobias Gustafsson gave Sweden a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period against Switzerland, before Claudio Laely reduced the deficit in the second.

Sweden maintained their record in appearing in all men’s World Championship finals when Kim Nilsson, Johan Samuelsson, Casper Backby and Alexander Galante Carlstrom scored in the third period to secure a 6-1 victory.

Tomorrow’s final will mark the 11th time in 13 editions of the tournament Sweden have played Finland.

Sweden have won six of those matches, but Finland have won the past two finals between the nations.

All four semi-finalists have secured qualification to the Birmingham 2022 World Games through the World Championships.

Norway and Latvia will meet in the fifth-place playoff to determine the final qualifier.

Latvia beat Slovakia 6-2 today to keep their hopes alive, while Norway required an overtime period to overcome Estonia 5-4.