Italy (in white) started with a win. © Istvanfi Szilvi Photography

The new Italy is already a lot of fun

The debut of Italy's new star coach Jukka Jalonen was eagerly awaited. On Thursday, the time had come. And the Blue Team immediately made us want more.

07 November 2024

From: det

Jukka Jalonen is the most successful national ice hockey coach of recent years. The Finn led his home country to Olympic gold and three world championship titles. Now he is to form a strong team in Italy for the 2026 Winter Games - and made his debut on Thursday at the "Tamas Sarközy Memorial Tournament" in Budapest (Hungary). In the end, Italy beat Slovenia 2-0.

The Azzurri were full of enthusiasm in Budapest. And even if not all the gears were working together, the Azzurri left us wanting more. Debutant Mikael Frycklund, who was born in Sweden but is eligible to play for the Blue Team because of his Italian mother, got a lot of ice time.

Damian Clara kept his box clean. © Istvanfi Szilvi Photography

Damian Clara celebrated a shutout in goal and brilliantly thwarted several shots by the Slovenians, while Luca Zanatta put the Azzurri on course for victory with his goal. The 33-year-old defender, who is one of the great discoveries at HC Pustertal this year, underlined his strong form.

The team spirit also fits

The fact that Italy also has a good team spirit was evident in the goal that made it 2-0. Giordano Finoro grabbed the puck a few seconds before the end and ran towards the empty Slovenian goal. Instead of shooting, he passed to Diego Cuglietta, who was running alongside him and scored the goal. The Azzurri could even afford to leave Alex Ierullo in the stands on Thursday. The Asiago striker is currently the top scorer in the ICE Hockey League, along with his teammate Matteo Gennaro.

For Italy, the test tournament continues on Friday. Then the Azzurri will face hosts Hungary from 18.45 p.m.

Italy – Slovenia 2:0

Italy: Clara (Fadani); Zanatta-Pietroniro, Spornberger-Larkin, Trivellato-Seed, Glira-Demetz; Mantinger-Frycklund-Segafredo, Cugleitta-Finoro-Saracino, Frigo-Mantenuto-Petan, Marchetti-Kostner-Purdeller, Gellon
Coach: Jalonen

Slovenia: Us (Stojanovic); Crnovic-Bohinc, Urukalo-Brus, Sirovnik-Dolinar, Prostor-Hebar; Mehle-Torok-Svetina, Slivnik-Lesnicar Storm, Bukovec-Povse-Zajc, Kumanovic-Bohinc-Burgar
Coach: Terglav

Gates: 1:0 Luca Zanatta (27.09), 2:0 Diego Cuglietta (59.19)

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