Italy narrowly lost its only preparatory game for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games on Wednesday. The Blue Team lost 3:4 to Germany in Bolzano. The other league nations will be on the ice at the IIHF European Cup of Nations in the coming days.
The Italian national team is in the final phase of Olympic preparation. Against Germany, head coach Jukka Jalonen’s team was already 0-3 behind early in the second period, but fought back in front of around 3,500 spectators thanks to the two ICE players Dustin Gazley (HCB) and Tommy Purdeller (HCP). After the guests were able to extend their lead again, the goal came too late to turn the game around.
On Thursday the Blue Team will move into its Olympic quarters in Milan. Italy will play the opening game on February 11th against the team from Sweden, which is full of NHL stars.
More national teams at the IIHF European Cup of Nations
The national teams of Hungary, Austria and Slovenia are in action at tournaments this week as part of the IIHF European Cup of Nations.
Hungary and Austria will contest the Group I tournament, which will take place from February 5th to 7th in the Norwegian capital Oslo. At the start, Hungary meets hosts Norway, and on Friday there will be a duel between the two ICE nations. At the end, the young ÖEHV selection also competes against Norway.
The Group J games will take place in parallel in the Scottish capital Edinburgh. Slovenia opens the tournament against Poland, before Great Britain and Ukraine await as opponents in the next matches.
IIHF European Cup of Nations 2025/26, Group I
February 5, 2026
7:00 p.m.: Hungary – Norway
February 6, 2026
7:00 p.m.: Austria – Hungary, live on ORF SPORT +
February 7, 2026
4:00 p.m.: Norway – Austria
IIHF European Cup of Nations 2025/26, Group J
February 5, 2026
3:00 p.m.: Poland – Slovenia
February 6, 2026
7:30 p.m.: Great Britain – Slovenia
February 7, 2026
3:00 p.m.: Slovenia – Ukraine
The games will also be broadcast live at www.iihf.tv.
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