The 2003 Bandy World Championship was a competition for bandy playing nations for men. The championship was played in Arkhangelsk, Russia from 24 to 30 March 2003. Sweden won the championship. There were 9 countries participating in the 2003 championships: Finland, Kazakhstan, Norway, Russia, Sweden (group A) and Belarus, Estonia, the Netherlands and the United States (group B).

The competition was originally intended to be played in Norway. However, on 7 January 2002, the Bandy Association of Norway met and decided to not host the competition. Both Russia and Sweden showed their interest to host. The decision fell on Russia. By playing the tournament in late March, severe cold was avoided, unlike the 1999 World Championship when the tournament was played in late January and early February.

Squads

Group A

Premier tour

• 24 March

• Finland – Kazakhstan 4 – 2

• Russia – Norway 8 – 1

• 25 March

• Sweden – Finland 9 – 4

• Kazakhstan – Russia 3 – 12

• 26 March

• Norway – Kazakhstan 5 – 6

• Russia – Sweden 2 – 6

• 27 March

• Finland – Norway 5 – 1

• Sweden – Kazakhstan 6 – 1

• 28 March

• Sweden – Norway 6 – 2

• Russia – Finland 5 – 1

Final Tour

Semifinals

• 29 March

Semifinals

1. Russia – Finland 7 – 3

2. Sweden – Kazakhstan 6 – 1

Match for 3rd place

• 30 March

• Finland – Kazakhstan 1 – 4

Final

• 30 March

• Russia – Sweden 4 – 5

Group B

Premier tour

• 24 March

• Estonia – Belarus 4 – 21

• 25 March

• USA – Netherlands 18 – 0

• 26 March

• Netherlands – Estonia 3 – 7

• 27 March

• USA – Belarus 4 – 6

• 28 March

• Estonia – USA 0 – 15

• 29 March

• Netherlands – Belarus 1 – 9

Play off matches

Match for 7th Place

• February 28

• USA – Estonia 19–3

Match for 5th place

• February 28

• Norway – Belarus 7–3

References