Tuomo Ruutu scored in overtime to lift Finland to a 3-2 win over Norway at the World Championships, narrowly avoiding a first ever defeat by their Nordic neighbours in a major tournament.

Elsewhere in Group C, there was no escape for Slovakia as Germany pulled off the first upset of the competition, beating the 2002 world champions 4-2.

In Group A in Quebec City, Switzerland claimed a narrow 2-1 win over Belarus and Olympic champions Sweden overcame another sluggish start to crush France 9-0.

While Norway have never beaten Finland at an Olympics or world championships, their hockey history is full of upsets, the biggest a 4-3 win over Canada at the 2000 worlds.

The Norwegians looked ready to add another scalp after Anders Bastiansen converted a two man-advantage with nine seconds remaining in the opening period to level at 2-2 and they grimly held on through the second and third periods to force overtime.

But the Finns showed their experience during the extra session.

They clinched victory on the first shot when Ruutu redirected Mikko Koivu's centring pass by Pal Grotnes to send the reigning silver medallists top of the Group C standings with a 2-0 record.

"One reporter gave us the kiss of death today saying we had never lost to them [Norway]," Finland coach Doug Shedden said.

"We got two early powerplay goals and then the powerplay went flat but the end result was good, you're not going to play great every night."

Finland received more good news when officials confirmed that Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu had agreed to play at the championships and would join the team on Wednesday.

Slovakia were soundly beaten by the steadily improving Germans at the World Championships for the first time.

Germany scored three of their goals on the powerplay while goaltender Robert Muller sparkled, stopping 36 shots.

"It's huge, Slovakia is one of the bigger teams in the world and it's always nice to win," said German captain and Boston Bruins forward Marco Sturm.

"We know they don't have the big stars in the line-up but it doesn't matter, we take every win and it's nice to have it."

Julien Sprunger scored two powerplay goals for Switzerland, enough to see them beat Belarus as Martin Gerber stopped all but one of 23 shots for the Swiss. They top Group A alongside Sweden.

The Swedes struggled through a scoreless first period but finally found their range in the second when Tony Martensson opened the floodgates with his goal midway through the frame.

The Swedes received goals from eight different players, Nicklas Backstrom netting a pair.

Reuters