From May 9 to May 25, 2025, Sweden and Denmark jointly hosted the IIHF World Championship, welcoming sixteen formidable hockey nations to Stockholm and Herning . Throughout the tournament, fans witnessed two of the most unforgettable and emotionally charged stories in recent ice hockey history: the United States ending a 92-year wait for gold, and Denmark defying all odds with a quarterfinal upset that stunned the hockey world.

In a breathtaking final held in Stockholm at the Avicii Arena, Team USA edged Switzerland 1–0 in sudden-death overtime, as Tage Thompson fired home the decisive goal just two minutes into OT . This marked their first gold medal at the IIHF World Championship since 1933, and only their third overall in the tournament’s history . The win sparked jubilant celebrations and capped off a dramatic campaign for the Americans.

Meanwhile, in Herning, host nation Denmark pulled off what was widely hailed as the greatest upset in tournament history. Trailing Canada 1–0 late in the third period, the Danes surged to life: Nikolaj Ehlers tied the game with just 2:17 remaining, and Nick Olesen delivered the winning goal with 49 seconds to go, sparking pandemonium in the packed arena . Goaltender Frederik Dichow was a wall in between the pipes, stopping 39 of 40 shots and helping preserve a comeback for the ages . The victory sent the Danes into their first-ever semifinal appearance and ultimately ensured a fourth-place finish, their best ever at the Worlds .

This tournament wasn’t just about results—it was about legacies and history in the making. For Team USA, the long drought from the top of the podium ended with precision, perseverance, and unforgettable euphoria. For Denmark, a smaller hockey nation, their quarterfinal against Canada became the kind of fairy-tale upset that echoes through the ages. Both stories converged to make the 2025 IIHF World Championship one of the most dramatic and inspiring chapters in international hockey.