Finland

This one was for the old guys, the group that ripped away the "chicken Swede" label their predecessors had borne and proved that Swedes could win battles in the corners of an NHL rink and any corner of the world. It was for Mats Sundin, 35, the first European player chosen first overall in the NHL draft, in 1989. For Peter Forsberg, 32, who has given his spleen and his knee cartilage in service of his hockey career.

Throughout the ages, Finns have had mixed emotions about Swedes. Sweden ruled Finland from about 1200 to 1809, and the Swedish language was taught in Finland's schools. Governmental affairs in Finland were conducted in Swedish too, until a surge of Finnish nationalism revived old customs and language. In hockey, as well, Finland has been overshadowed by Sweden.

If he'd grown up in the United States, he would have been playing ball in his backyard, dreaming of hitting the game-winning home run in Game 7 of the World Series. But Teemu Selanne grew up in Finland, so he played in pickup hockey games on an outdoor rink, calling his guys Finland and the other guys Sweden. "We won," Selanne said. Game on, for real, with the world watching. Here Sunday, the Baltic neighbors collide for the Olympic gold medal.

Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya became the best of friends during their six seasons as teammates on the Mighty Ducks, so Selanne couldn't resist the chance to needle his buddy Thursday. With Selanne leading Finland into tonight's semifinals in Olympic men's hockey, has Kariya called to wish him good luck? "No," Selanne said. "He knows how expensive overseas calls are." Kariya won a gold medal four years ago, as Canada beat the United States in the championship game.

Canada won the gold medal four years ago and the United States won the silver, but neither will repeat this year after both were ousted in Wednesday's quarterfinals. The Mighty Ducks' Teemu Selanne leads undefeated Finland against Russia in one of tonight's semifinals, with Sweden facing the Czech Republic in the other.

No smarts, no fire, no luck. No good. Yankees go home. After Finland sent the United States packing from the Olympics with a 4-3 victory Wednesday, the Finns weren't sure whether to mock the Americans or rip them. "We can beat anybody we play at this level," Teemu Selanne said, "and we didn't even have to play that well tonight." The Americans lost their last four games here, beating only Kazakhstan.

Finland and Slovakia each finished undefeated in the five games of pool play, with the quarterfinals to get underway tonight. Finland outscored its opponents, 19-2, and plays the United States, which posted one victory, one tie and three losses. Slovakia plays the Czech Republic, Canada plays Russia and Sweden plays Switzerland.

In sheer numbers, America rules. For every person in Finland, there are 60 people in the United States. Give Goliath a puck and a stick, however, and Finland hardly trembles. After finishing pool play Tuesday with another loss, the United States draws undefeated Finland in the quarterfinals of the Olympic hockey tournament today. The Finns outscored opponents 19-2 in their five pool games. The Americans won one, tied one and lost three, and a loss today sends them home. "They eat the same food.

There was a bronze medal, after four years of training for gold. And there was joy, if only through the eyes of a 5-year-old. As Jenny Potter skated around the rink, victory in hand and daughter Madison in her arms, the kid tugged at her mom. "Did you win a medal?" Madison asked. "Can I have it?" The U.S. women's hockey team came here on a mission -- play Canada for the gold medal, and win.

For Teemu Selanne and his Finnish teammates, their 2-0 victory over defending Olympic champion Canada on Sunday was not an upset. "I don't see any reason why we can't beat them," said Selanne, who has scored a tournament-leading six goals. "We compete against them on a daily basis. We eat the same food and drink the same beer.... The only thing that matters is, we believe, and we know how good we can be."