“It’s an unbelievably euphoric feeling,” said Jalonen. “We are incredibly proud of this team. This is Mikko Koivu’s team. Everyone else follows his lead. The will to win is so strong, and each player’s commitment to his own role is so high.”

Sweden went into the lead in the second period of the final, but after that Finland equalised and went ahead. Jarkko Immonen’s equalizing goal seven seconds before the end of the second period was crucial.

“It was a good goal for us, of course, psychologically,” noted Jalonen. “I believe that we would have come back anyway. We patiently focus on our own game, and it has brought results. It’s great to have this win to show for it. Usually we soil our trousers and lose, but not now. This is a very strong team, mentally.”

Finland has waited 16 years for a victory, and hopes are high that the next win will not be so long in coming.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” cautioned Jalonen. "But let’s just enjoy this moment. Hopefully the Finnish people will celebrate our success. There was a long wait after 1995. Now we can progress again.”