Defending champion Russia rallied from one goal down to beat Germany 2-1 to set up a showdown with the Czech Republic in the ice hockey world championship final on Saturday.

Russia collected its 27th straight win at the worlds since 2007 but was extended to the extreme before eliminating the German hosts, who were making their first appearance in the semifinals since the current format was added in 1992.

Pavel Datsyuk scored the winner on a breakaway with 1:50 left in the game.

Russia, the most successful team in worlds history with 25 crowns, has a chance to become the first team to win three straight titles since the Czech Republic from 1999 to 2001.

Russia's Viktor Kozlov (L) challenges Germany's John Tripp during their semifinal match at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Cologne May 22, 2010.

The Czechs beat Sweden 3-2 in a shootout to return to the final for the first time since 2006. They haven't won the title since 2005.

The Czechs have won five world titles and six more as part of Czechoslovakia.

Evgeni Malkin nearly gave Russia the lead just two minutes into the semi against Germany but he hit the post.

But the Russians found themselves short-handed in a 5-on-3 for 49 seconds midway through the first period when Nikolai Kulemin was given a five-minute boarding penalty and 20 minutes for game misconduct on his hit on Korbinian Holzer, who was unable to return to the game.

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