World Cup of Hockey 2016 Results: Team Europe vs. Sweden Score and Reaction

Team Europe continued its unlikely run at the World Cup of Hockey on Sunday, upsetting Sweden 3-2 in overtime to reach the best-of-three finals against Canada.

The European team, which has representatives from nine countries—Germany, Slovakia, Denmark, Switzerland, Slovenia, Austria, Norway, France and Italy—received a goal from Marian Gaborik in the second period and a pair of goals from Tomas Tatar, including the game-winner in overtime.

Nicklas Backstrom and Erik Karlsson scored for Sweden.

After a scoreless opening period, things heated up in the second frame.

The NHL shared the highlights:

Backstrom's goal came with controversy, as Scott Burnside of ESPN.com noted:

Team Europe appeared to take control in the third period, however, as Tatar scooped up his own rebound just 12 seconds in and fired home to give his team a 2-1 lead.

Not to be outdone, however, Karlsson scored from the blue line, rifling a shot through traffic, which appeared to take a slight deflection, to beat goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

Karlsson's goal was clutch, but his play throughout the game was impressive, as Jeff Veillette of the Leafs Nation tweeted:

That set up overtime, with a spot in the finals on the line.

Anze Kopitar's centering pass found the onrushing Tatar, who didn't bury his first chance but slammed home the rebound again to give Team Europe the win.

The goal was reviewed, as it appeared as though Tatar may have pushed the puck into the net with his skate. But the goal stood, and Team Europe celebrated, as the NHL shared:

While Sweden, Canada and Russia, among others, have the luxury of playing together regularly, Team Europe is a mishmash of talent from across the continent. Regardless of the result, that fact impressed Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com:

Team Europe will face its stiffest challenge yet against Canada, however, with games on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, if needed. The talented Canadians have outscored their opponents 19-6 in four games.

Canada beat Team Europe when they met in the group stage, 4-1, so the Canadians will be the heavy favorites in the finals.

Don't expect Team Europe to care, though. It has defied expectations to this point and is capable of doing so again.

Postgame Reaction

After the game, attention naturally turned toward Team Europe's impending showdown with Canada.

Kopitar discussed the fact that Canada is undefeated in the tournament to this point, per Curtis Rush of the New York Times: “We’re going to try to change that. Do we think it’s doable? Yeah, for sure.”

Head coach Ralph Krueger commented on what his team will need to do to beat the Canadians, per Rush: “It’s going to take something magical for anybody to take them out of the tournament.”

Team Europe will look for some of that magic next time it takes the ice.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.