The Finnish national ice hockey team, affectionately known as the Lions, is gearing up for a crucial match against Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the Olympics. Expert Topi Nättinen emphasizes that Finland is favored to win, but he warns that Switzerland poses a significant challenge, being ranked just below Canada and the USA in the tournament. With a strong roster consisting of nearly half NHL players and seasoned members from their previous silver medal teams, Switzerland’s collective strength should not be underestimated.

Over the past two years, Switzerland has consistently earned silver at the World Championships, indicating a robust and cohesive team. Nättinen highlights Finland's excellent preparation, noting that the Lions have maintained good health and their performance has shown marked improvement leading up to this critical match. The goalkeeper situation, which was a point of concern before the tournament, appears to now be in good order, adding to the team's confidence as they approach this high-stakes competition.

Nättinen assesses that Finland has managed to enter the quarter-finals from an advantageous position despite taking an unconventional route to get there. This sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and challenging game as the Lions aim for victory against a strong Swiss team and continue their quest for Olympic glory.