Slovenia’s World Cup adventure begins on Saturday in Friborg (SUI) with the opening game against the Czech Republic. The big goal – like last year – is to stay in the league.
Marcel Mahkovec also knows how important staying in the top division is for Slovenian ice hockey. The 22-year-old and his team want to prove that Slovenia now permanently belongs in the top division. In the interview, the striker also talks about the defeat in the World Cup preparation against Austria and explains why the duel with Italy has special meaning for him.
For the second time in a row, Slovenia is represented in the top division of a World Cup. Last year the team finished seventh with four points and sent France to Division IA. This year too, the nation from the win2day ICE Hockey League, together with Italy, is one of the outsiders in Group B, which is being held in Friborg.
Mahkovec is one of twelve Olimpija Ljubljana players who made it into the World Cup squad. There are also four other players from other clubs in the win2day ICE Hockey League, including Rok Ticar from runner-up HC Falkensteiner Pustertal. The large number of players from the domestic league makes the 22-year-old Mahkovec positive for the upcoming title fights: “Overall, I am satisfied with the progress we have made. We used the preparation phase to grow together as a team and test our systems. With two wins from five games, we have shown part of our potential, even if we are aware that there is still work ahead of us and we have to continue to improve our performance.”
Slovenia suffered one of the three defeats against Austria in Klagenfurt last Saturday. However, Mahkovec sees the 4-1 defeat as an important learning experience: “The defeat against Austria was an important learning experience for our team. We realized that we have to improve our special teams – especially the power play – if we want to compete at the highest level. We also have to be better mentally prepared and more disciplined.”
At the upcoming World Cup, Slovenia will be one of the outsiders in Group B. The primary goal is therefore clearly defined: “Our primary goal is to stay in the top division. We want to prove that Slovenia belongs in this league. Furthermore, we want to be competitive in every single game – regardless of the opponent. Our aim is to give ourselves the chance to win games and get points every evening.”
The game kicks off on Saturday at 8:20 p.m. against the ice hockey superpower Czech Republic – i.e. against an absolute top opponent. This will be an enormous challenge for the underdog: “Yes, an opening game against a top nation like the Czech Republic will be a huge challenge for us. The decisive factor will be that our goalkeeper puts in a strong performance, that we use our chances efficiently and remain disciplined throughout the entire game without giving them too many power play opportunities.”
This will be followed by games against Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, Canada and Denmark, before the final duel with Italy. This could be very important points in the fight to stay in the league. For Mahkovec, this game has an additional meaning, as he knows many of the players from the domestic league very well: “Games against Italy are always something special. In recent years it has developed into a real rivalry. It’s special to play against players that you usually play against during the season. There is a lot of mutual respect between us, but of course we want to beat each other. Our focus is entirely on getting the win for our team.”
Slovenia’s World Cup schedule:
Sat., May 16, 2026, 8:20 p.m.: Slovenia – Czech Republic
Sun, May 17, 2026, 8:20 p.m.: Norway – Slovenia
Tue, May 19, 2026, 8:20 p.m.: Slovenia – Slovakia
Wed., May 20, 2026, 8:20 p.m.: Sweden – Slovenia
Fri, May 22, 2026, 4:20 p.m.: Canada – Slovenia
Sat., May 23, 2026, 12:20 p.m.: Denmark – Slovenia
Mon., May 25, 2026, 8:20 p.m.: Slovenia – Italy
ice.hockey, picture: Domen Jancic
