This time Japan should not be a stumbling block

The Italian national ice hockey team will face Japan in the opening match of the World Championship Division A. The match will take place on Sunday at 1:11.30 a.m. (CEST).

26 April 2025

From: cst

Japan is the Blue Team's opening opponent in Sfantu Gheorghe, where Damian Clara and his team aim to secure promotion to the elite group. The first hurdle is Japan, coached by former Merano coach Jarrod Skalde. Italy doesn't have particularly fond memories of the Asians; after all, it was the duel with Japan that cost the Azzurri promotion last year in Bolzano.

Japan may not be a major ice hockey nation, but the Blue Team shouldn't underestimate their opponents. Yushiroh Hirano (who played in the AHL for five years and this year in Innsbruck) and Yu Sato (with KHL experience) are top players. In addition, there are players like Merano stars Riku Ishida and Teruto Nakajima, who are well-known in this country.

Di Perna has to watch

Italy's head coach Jukka Jalonen has been preparing his team for the World Cup in Romania over the past few weeks. The Finn can count on almost his entire squad for the match against Japan. The only exception is Bolzano defender Dylan Di Perna, who is still serving a suspension from 2022 (when he played his last official match for Italy).