Alex Petan (right) and the Azzurri put on a good performance against Germany. © Vanna Antonello

Germany defeats Italy – and yet everyone is happy

This makes you want more! Italy's national ice hockey team was far from winning their only Olympic preparation game against Germany, but the anticipation for the mega-event in Milan was palpable among the 3.500 spectators in the Bolzano Arena. All thanks to the Azzurri.

February 04, 2026

From the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano

The Blue Team lost their Olympic dress rehearsal against the German national team 4-3 after a passionate performance. Although the Germans were missing their seven NHL stars, including Leon Draisaitl and Moritz Seider, the fans in the stands were nonetheless enthusiastic. And the Azzurri were the ones who generated that enthusiasm.

Italy's national team only began preparing for the Winter Olympics at home in Milan on Monday, while Germany suspended its league play over a week ago due to the Olympics – and yet the favorites were only superior to the heavy underdogs in the opening phase. Tobias Rieder (12th minute), Kai Wissmann (13th minute), and Fabio Wagner (25th minute) scored three goals against the initially overwhelmed team coached by Jukka Jalonen.

Blue Team is gaining momentum

After that, however, Damian Clara, who was preferred in goal over Davide Fadani, kept a clean sheet for a long time – and his teammates suddenly began to put the opponent under considerable pressure. Driven by the oldest player on the team, 37-year-old Bolzano forward Dustin Gazley, the Azzurri displayed fantastic, committed hockey, especially in the offensive zone. The reward? Gazley's goal to make it 1-3, after reacting quickly to a rebound off the boards (30th minute), and Tommy Purdeller's power-play goal to bring them within one (40th minute).

From the halfway point onward, the game developed into a completely open, back-and-forth affair, with no shortage of scoring opportunities and physical play. The German team, packed with DEL players, extended their lead to 4-2 with a power-play goal by Munich forward Yasin Ehliz (49th minute), but the impressive Swiss-based player Alessandro Segafredo brought the crowd to its feet again in the final minute. Seconds later, the final buzzer sounded – and the spectators gave the team a standing ovation.

“We take away a good feeling” Italian striker Tommy Purdeller

“It was a great game,” summarized Puster Valley goalscorer Tommy Purdeller. “We started a bit too slowly, but then we became more confident and better. It’s a shame we lost, but we’re taking a good feeling with us to Milan.”

Now we're off to Milan

After this successful test, things are about to get serious for the Azzurri. On Thursday, they will move into their quarters at the Olympic Village in the heart of Milan. Their Olympic campaign kicks off on February 11th with Sweden, boasting a staggering 25 NHL stars, as their opening opponent. Following that, the Azzurri will face Slovakia (February 13th) and Finland (February 14th) in the group stage.

Italy – Germany 3:4

Italy: Clara (Fadani); Trivellato-Larkin, Zanatta-Pietroniro, Glira-Di Tomaso, Di Perna-Seed; Saracino-Bradley-Purdeller, Segafredo-Frycklund-Petan, Frigo-Mantenuto-Gazley, DiGiacinto-Kostner-Zanetti, De Luca.
Coach: Jukka Jalonen

Germany: Franzreb (Niederberger); Kälble-Gawanke, Jonas Müller-Wissmann, Wagner-Moritz Müller, Mik; Schütz-Michaelis-Fischbuch, Rieder-Kahun-Tiffels, Tuomie-Loibl-Ehl, Ehliz-Brunnhuber-Kastner.
Coach: Harold Kreis

Gates: 0:1 Tobias Rieder (11:03), 0:2 Kai Wissmann (12:29), 0:3 Fabio Wagner (24:51), 1:3 Dustin Gazley (29:44), 2:3 Tommy Purdeller (39:32), 2:4 Yasin Ehliz (48:34), 3:4 Alessandro Segafredo (59:56)

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