Following a loss to Iceland and a draw with Hungary in their last two matches, semi-final qualification was out of Sweden's hands at the start of the final day of Main Round fixtures, as they sat third in Group II, needing a win and for other results to go there way.
However, Iceland's win over Slovenia meant Sweden could not overhaul them, owing to the head-to-head record, then Croatia's victory over Hungary meant they were guaranteed to top the group and finish at least a point clear of Sweden.
Those results ensured Sweden were certain to finish third and head to the fifth-place match, no matter the result against already-eliminated Switzerland. To add insult to injury, Sweden cruised to an eight-goal win over Croatia in the preliminary round, and remain the only team to beat them.
When throw-off arrived, Andreas Palicka was still up for the challenge - he saved the only two Swiss efforts on goal in the first five minutes, though Sweden weren't exactly ruthless in attack either, scoring just twice through Eric Johansson and Oscar Bergendahl, before Lenny Rubin finally got Switzerland on the board.
Turning to Rubin was a good move for the Swiss, as he scored another three in the next nine minutes to help his side to a 6-4 advantage, before a pair of Samuel Zehnder strikes in the 21st minute extended the lead to three for the first time; 10-7.
Andy Schmid's side then found themselves 12-8 up, however, Blagult then came roaring back - finishing the first half with a 6-0 run - Johansson scored three of them to take his first-half tally to five, while a pair of Felix Moller strikes levelled the scoresand Lukas Sandell added some breathing space, putting Sweden 14-12 ahead at half-time.
The same trio - Moller, Johansson and Sandell - gave Sweden the perfect start to the second half by extending their scoring run either side of the break to 9-1, making it 17-13.
Switzerland briefly stopped the rot, but Nikola Ragonovic and Hampus Wanne were soon getting in on the act, contributing to a 5-0 run that all but put Michael Apelgren's side out of sight.
At the other end, Palicka was unbeatable, making an outstanding 20 saves from 40 shots, as another 5-0 stretch - this one with three goals from Sebastian Karlsson - gave the Swedes their biggest lead of the game - 13 goals.
Following a late trading of goals, 13 was the difference in the end, as Sweden ran out 34-21 victors, though they must now settle for facing Portugal in the fifth-placed game on Friday. Johansson top-scored with seven goals, one more than Rubin managed for the Swiss.
The two semi-finals will take place on Saturday: Croatia face Germany, and Denmark take on Iceland.