For the third consecutive time, Finland are through to the semifinals at the Women's Worlds. In this afternoon's game in Esbjerg, the Finns won 6-0 and were in complete control for all 60 minutes and had little trouble taking down Germany, who looked like they had left both their optimism and fighting spirit back in the preliminary round.

Finland had the first good spell of the game five minutes in, when Germany were pinned in their own zone following a display of excellent skating from Emmu Nuutinen and a good shot by Sanni Rantala.

Shortly after, Emmi Juusela got involved around the net, but goalie Abstreiter looked to be picking up right where she left off in the preliminary round.

The Finns also had a decent look from Susanna Tapani, while Germany's only real scoring chance in the opening 10 minutes came when Emily Nix, in true Nix fashion, tried to grind her way to the front of the net and create something. It was a good effort, but Sanni Ahola was there to shut the door.

Just over 14 minutes into the first period, Finland's top line showed exactly what teamwork is all about. The play started deep in their own zone and was carried all the way up the ice. All five players on the ice touched the puck before Michelle Karvinen finished it off to make it 1-0.

With just over three minutes left in the period, Finland served up another piece of hockey magic. This time, it was an individual effort.

Julia Schalin used three or four German players as cones before throwing herself forward and lifting the puck into the far corner to make it 2-0. That was also how the first period ended.

Jenniina Nylund had the first big chance of the second period when she broke free for a one-on-one with Abstreiter. However, Nylund failed to get a shot away, and shortly after, Michelle Karvinen took the first penalty of the game.

Could this be Germany's chance to get back into the game? Not quite. An effective Finnish penalty kill shut that opportunity down, not allowing a single shot on goal during the two minutes. Instead, Finland struck on their very first power play.

It took just 12 seconds before Vivii Vainikka hammered the puck into the top corner on the short side. And when Bomfunk MC's Freestyler blasted through the speakers shortly after, it felt like an all-Finnish afternoon in Esbjerg.

The second period was completely dominated by the Finns, and Germany would need something special in the final 20 minutes if their dream of reaching their first semifinal since 2017 was to become a reality.

Finland continued to dominate in the third period, with Petra Nieminen making it 4-0 before the Finns came up with another beautifully worked goal. This time, it was Krista Parkkonen who finished off a textbook team effort to make it 5-0. Elisa Holopainen made it 6-0 - final result - just before the last buzzer. 

A strong performance from the Finns, who came into the game focused and motivated and will now head back to Herning for their semifinal.

Germany, meanwhile, can still go home with their heads held high despite the defeat, having beaten both Czechia and Switzerland earlier in the tournament.

Those wins are proof that Germany have established themselves as a solid and competitive part of the machinery at the Women's Worlds.