Finland's men's ice hockey team have beaten Slovakia 2-0 in Friday's Olympic semi final and will progress to play either Sweden or the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in Sunday's final.
A goal in the first period by Sakari Manninen had given the Lions an early lead which they defended resolutely, with netminder Harri Säteri making a series of fine saves as Slovakia dominated the second and third periods.
Harri Pesonen eventually clinched victory with a second goal in the dying seconds, sliding the puck into an empty net as Slovakia had sacrificed their goalkeeper in search of an equaliser.
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Finland has only once previously reached an ice hockey Olympic final — in 2006 in the Italian city of Turin — when they lost 2-1 to neighbours Sweden. They also won silver in 1988, when the tournament was played in a round-robin format, and have four bronze medals (1994, 1998, 2010, 2014).
The current crop of Lions have a perfect record going into Sunday's decider, having previously beaten Slovakia 6-2 in the group stages, followed by wins over Latvia (3-1), Sweden (4-3 having trailed 3-0), and in the quarter finals against Switzerland (5-1).