A 4-0 win for Russia over hosts Norway saw them become the first team to qualify for tomorrow's gold medal match.

Kristina Mashinskaya's penalty stroke put the Russians ahead in the 20th minute at Frogner Stadion.

She also provided assists for Galina Mikhailova and Tatyana Gurinchik as her side established a 3-0 advantage by the 51st minute.

Victory was sealed by Gurinchik's second goal, assisted by Natalia Alferova, in the closing stages.

Later in the day, defending champions Sweden thrashed Finland 9-1 at the same venue.

Matilda Plan scored a hat trick for the Swedes, while Tilda Ström bagged a brace and there was one goal apiece from Ida Friman, Sanna Gustafsson, Emma Ahlander and Linnéa Larsson.

Nerissa Sorsa registered what proved to be nothing more than a consolation for Finland.

Sweden have won eight of the nine Women's Bandy World Championship titles held since its introduction in 2004, including the last two in a row.

All of their successes have come after victories over Russia in the final.

The country's only black mark at the event is the 2014 edition in Finnish city Lappeenranta, where Russia beat them to the gold medal.

Earlier today, the United States defeated Japan 5-0 in the fifth place playoff and Estonia thumped Switzerland 9-0 in the seventh place playoff.

Just prior to tomorrow's final, Norway and Finland will contest the bronze medal match.