Italy (in blue and white) suffered a heavy defeat against China. © Gennaro Masi-GMT CIP

Italy has no chance against China either.

Italy's para ice hockey national team also clearly lost its second group game at the Winter Paralympics in Milan.

March 09, 2026

From: dl

After Saturday's 1:14 defeat against the USA, Two days after a game that set a new attendance record, the team suffered a crushing 1-11 defeat against China in front of approximately 4.000 spectators at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The score had been tied 1-1 after the first period.

After China took a 2-1 lead early in the second period, Italy practically fell apart. From then on, they conceded goals almost every minute. China's first goal of the day didn't come until well over 12 minutes in, when a beautiful cross from the right wing was spectacularly deflected.

Italy is falling apart

But less than a minute later, Italy, with six South Tyroleans in their squad, equalized when, after a scramble in the box and assists from Sandro Kalegaris and Stephan Kafmann, Nikko Landeros scored to make it 1-1, sparking jubilant celebrations. After China took a 2-1 lead with a diagonal shot, the hosts' resistance crumbled. Just over half a minute later, China, who had won bronze on home soil four years earlier, scored to make it 3-1 and from then on showcased their superior quality.

China (in red) showed Italy its limits. © Gennaro Masi-GMT CIP

With the score at 1-7, Italy made a goalkeeper change, bringing on Julian Kasslatter. Italy's next match is on Tuesday (10:05 AM) in their final group game against Germany, who lost 0-12 to China on Saturday. This match will determine third place behind the two dominant teams in Group A.

Italy – China 1-11

Italy: Stillitano (Kasslatter from the 30th minute); Enderle-Landeros, Macri-Antochi; Rosa-Larch-Depaoli, Kalegaris-Kafmann-Andreoni, Remotti-Radice, Torella.
Coach: Mirko Bianchi.

China: Wang (Ji); Zhang-Zhu, Lyu-Wang, Che; Wang Shen Qui, Song Tian Li, Chen Liu.
Coach: Sharshukov

Gates: 0:1 Tian (12.22), 1:1 Landeros (13.07), 1:2 Qiu (19.09), 1:3 Wang (19.55), 1:4 Tian (21.01), 1:5 Tian (23.10), 1:6 Wang (24.08), 1:7 Shen (26.02), 1:8 Wang (31.46), 1:9 Song (33.15), 1:10 Wang (34.47), 1:11 Li (44.27)

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