* Czech champions crush U.S. 4-0
* Sweden too strong for Germany
By Martin Santa
BRATISLAVA, May 11 (Reuters) - A hat-trick by Jaromir Jagr led Czech Republic to a 4-0 win over a young United States team on Wednesday, setting the holders up for a semi-final meeting with Sweden at the world ice hockey championship.
Sweden went through with a 5-2 demolition of Germany in the day's other quarter-final.
Former Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers winger Jagr recorded his first treble for the Czechs while Tomas Plekanec of the Montreal Canadiens also netted.
Jagr put the champions in front with a slap shot late in the first period and pounced on an assist by Plekanec to make it 2-0 after 25 minutes.
Plekanec added a third goal before Jagr completed the rout with four minutes to go.
Netminder Ondrej Pavelec shone for the Czechs, with the Americans having 29 shots on goal.
"I don't think we played that well," Jagr told reporters. "It looked like we were tired and we skated less."
The U.S. were left to reflect on a wasted opportunity when they had a 5-3 powerplay in the first period.
"It's a disappointment. We had a good team and I think we played better today," said captain Mark Stuart.
"He (Jagr) has still got it. He is hard to play against and is still playing at the top level.
Patrik Berglund of the St Louis Blues set up Martin Thornberg after 27 seconds and he gave Sweden an early lead against Germany.
Alexander Barta replied 90 seconds later but Berglund then restored Sweden's advantage.
Niklas Persson and Loui Eriksson tallied in the second period before Michael Wolf pulled a goal back for Germany.
Thornberg effectively ended the game as a contest when he scored again with 11:06 to go.
"The Czechs are tough opponents, they play good hockey," said Thornberg.
Finland meet Norway and Canada play Russia in Thursday's quarter-finals.
* Sweden too strong for Germany
By Martin Santa
BRATISLAVA, May 11 (Reuters) - A hat-trick by Jaromir Jagr led Czech Republic to a 4-0 win over a young United States team on Wednesday, setting the holders up for a semi-final meeting with Sweden at the world ice hockey championship.
Sweden went through with a 5-2 demolition of Germany in the day's other quarter-final.
Former Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers winger Jagr recorded his first treble for the Czechs while Tomas Plekanec of the Montreal Canadiens also netted.
Jagr put the champions in front with a slap shot late in the first period and pounced on an assist by Plekanec to make it 2-0 after 25 minutes.
Plekanec added a third goal before Jagr completed the rout with four minutes to go.
Netminder Ondrej Pavelec shone for the Czechs, with the Americans having 29 shots on goal.
"I don't think we played that well," Jagr told reporters. "It looked like we were tired and we skated less."
The U.S. were left to reflect on a wasted opportunity when they had a 5-3 powerplay in the first period.
"It's a disappointment. We had a good team and I think we played better today," said captain Mark Stuart.
"He (Jagr) has still got it. He is hard to play against and is still playing at the top level.
Patrik Berglund of the St Louis Blues set up Martin Thornberg after 27 seconds and he gave Sweden an early lead against Germany.
Alexander Barta replied 90 seconds later but Berglund then restored Sweden's advantage.
Niklas Persson and Loui Eriksson tallied in the second period before Michael Wolf pulled a goal back for Germany.
Thornberg effectively ended the game as a contest when he scored again with 11:06 to go.
"The Czechs are tough opponents, they play good hockey," said Thornberg.
Finland meet Norway and Canada play Russia in Thursday's quarter-finals.
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