The Finnish men's ice hockey team, commonly known as the Lions, is poised for a strong showing as they approach the final matches of the preliminary round. With a match scheduled between the USA and Germany, the outcomes of this encounter will finalize the standings and determine the matchups for the quarterfinals. The Lions are in a favorable position, likely becoming the best second-place team, which would secure their direct advancement to the quarterfinals.

However, the situation remains complicated as the identity of their quarterfinal opponent hinges on the results of other matches. Currently, if Finland secures the best second-place ranking, they will face off against the winner of a match between the fifth and twelfth ranked teams. Presently, the fifth-ranked team is Switzerland, which could drop in ranking should Latvia win against Denmark and Germany pull an upset against the USA. This adds an element of unpredictability to Finland's path forward in the championships.

With significant implications for Finland’s ice hockey ambitions, the players and fans await the outcomes of these crucial matches. The anticipation builds not just for the Lions, but for rival teams like Sweden who face dire circumstances depending on the outcomes. If the situation unfolds unfavorably for Sweden, terms like "fiasco" are being thrown around in discussions, reflecting the high stakes of this tournament and the turbulent nature of competitive ice hockey.