A perfect Olympic start for Italy's women

The women's Olympic ice hockey tournament began on Thursday, one day before the official opening ceremony of the Games in Milan and Cortina. Italy enjoyed a dream start in the raucous atmosphere of Milan.

February 05, 2026

From: dl

With the exception of Laura Fortino, who had already competed in Sochi and Pyeongchang, all of Italy's other players made their Olympic debuts on Thursday. This included the five South Tyrolean players: Laura Lobis (Caldaro), Franziska Stocker (Laives), Anna Caumo (Bruneck), Manuela Heidenberger (Bolzano), and Sara Kaneppele (Mines). They started with a well-deserved 4-1 victory against France.

Italy's Canadian head coach, Eric Bouchard, had moved to Canada with the Blue Team to prepare for the Olympics, spending seven weeks training on the ice and in the weight room. Bouchard's team also played several exhibition games in Montreal. The hard work seemed to pay off: Italy was far superior to Olympic debutants France (46:15 shots).

The puck wouldn't go in.

In Milan's new Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the Azzurre were the more active team from the outset in front of over 9.000 spectators. The first chance came from a solo effort by Matilde Fantin, before Stocker received a questionable penalty. With a power play, France then took the lead after almost ten minutes through Gabrielle De Serres, seemingly out of nowhere. Her shot was deflected into her own net by Italy's Jacquie Pierri.

Anna Caumo (right) from Bruneck celebrated a victory with Italy. © APA/afp / JULIEN DE ROSA

But just a minute later, Italy equalized through Kayla Tutino, who converted a perfect pass from Nadia Mattivi. Subsequently, the Frenchwoman Alice Philbert, the goalie for EVB Eagles Südtirol, repeatedly prevented Italy from taking the lead. That lead finally came towards the end of the second period when Davos player Rebecca Roccella scored on a rebound – also after a setup by Lobis – to make it 2-1.

The game was decided at the start of the final period when Italy scored twice in just four minutes. Caumo provided the assist for the fourth goal, making it 4-1. Fantin's goal to make it 3-1 was particularly spectacular; the 19-year-old backhanded the puck into the top corner. Della Rovere then added another goal from a sharp angle.

Quarter-finals as goal

The goal of the team led by captain Nadia Mattivi is to reach the quarterfinals. To do so, they must finish in the top three of Group B. They will face Sweden (Saturday, February 7), Japan (Monday, February 9), and Germany (Tuesday, February 10). The Germans lost their opening match against Sweden 1-4.

Olympics 2026: Women's Ice Hockey

Italy – France 4:1

Italy: Fedel (Durante); Mattivi-Stocker, Lobis-Fortino, Guerriero-Varano, Pierri; Reyes-Fantin-Abatangelo, Roccella-Della Rovere-Caumo, Heidenberger-Tutino-Mazzocchi, Kaneppele-Niccolai-Bonafini, Saletta.
Coach: Bouchard

France: Philbert (Mameri); Leclerc-Zilliox, Quarto-Villiot, Pelissou-De Serres, Berger; Rozier-Duvin-Huot-Marchand, Aurard-Bushee-Barbirati-Le Scodan, Boudin-Budrit-Peyne-Dingival, Nonnenmacher-Mesplede-Galbrun, Simon.
Coach: Tarle

Gates: 0:1 de Serres (09.42), 1:1 Tutino (10.42), 2:1 Roccella (35.17), 3:1 Fantin (40.14), 4:1 Della Rovere (44.59)

Viewers: 9.356

Group B