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 Russia – Finland 7 – 3 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