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Matthias Mantinger from Kaltern was one of Italy's key players. © ANSA / ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE
More World Cup bad luck! Italy scores points, but doesn't win.
The Azzurri came so close to their first victory at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Switzerland – but in the end, it was their opponents who celebrated. Now, on Whit Monday, they face a crucial relegation battle.
24 May 2026
From the World Cup arena in Fribourg
From:
Alexander Foppa
Italy got on the scoreboard at the World Cup, that's the good news. However, the single point is of limited value. The Blue Team came back from a 0-2 deficit in their relegation battle against Denmark, but then lost 2-3 on penalties. It was infuriating – at least for the several hundred Italian fans among the 5.200 spectators in the World Cup stadium. The Danes, on the other hand, celebrated securing their place in the top division.
Italy suffered their sixth defeat in six World Cup matches. This means they absolutely must win on Monday to conclude the group stage! The Azzurri need three points against Slovenia to overtake their eastern neighbors. Slovenia, on the other hand, only needs a single point. As a reminder, only the bottom team in the group will be relegated from the top division.
Tommy Purdeller scores twice
In their match against Denmark, Italy once again proved they can compete with some of their World Championship opponents. Even more so: In this thrilling game, Alex Trivellato and his teammates had more possession, more shots, more chances – and, once again, more bad luck. After a completely sluggish start (Denmark led 2-0 after three minutes), the Azzurri played with renewed vigor, but time and again, the Danish NHL-experienced goalie, Mads Sogaard, an opposing stick, or a skate stood in their way. It seems like they're cursed at this World Championship.
However, one player on the Azzurri team really shone this time: Tommy Purdeller! The 22-year-old from Montal, who had been relatively quiet in Switzerland so far, delivered arguably his best performance in the national team jersey, dazzling on the field and scoring twice. Both times, Mikael Frycklund provided the assist in a Puster Valley collaboration. Another Puster Valley player, Reischach goalkeeper Damian Clara, didn't see any playing time against Denmark. He was given a rest before the final showdown.
The highlights of the game
| Worst-case scenario | Denmark is already leading 2-0 after just two and a half minutes. First, Wejse finishes off a quick 3-on-2 counter-attack perfectly, and just 16 seconds later, the unmarked Aagaard easily slots the puck home from the slot. Italy has completely missed the start! |
| That's impossible! | As soon as the Azzurri started playing, they created a flurry of scoring chances. Mantinger skated in alone on NHL goalie Sogaard, but his shot was stopped by the keeper's glove. On the rebound, Misley had an open net, but two Danish defensemen threw themselves in front of him. De Luca and Bradley also had excellent opportunities afterward. |
| But now! | Purdeller breaks the deadlock – and Italy scores their first power-play goal of this World Championship. Frycklund circles the net, waits patiently, and then passes the puck to his Puster Valley teammate, who beats the prone Sogaard (22nd minute). |
| Purdeller again | Pietroniro misses another golden opportunity when his shot at the empty net is just blocked by a Danish skate, but then Purdeller is there again! The Montal player takes aim from a screened position and puts the puck in the net – 2-2 (36th minute). Frycklund once again provided the assist. |
| Seasoned Danes | Denmark held on to the point that was enough to secure their place in the top division. In the penalty shootout, Misley and his teammates had no answer for Soogard, while on the other end, Russell Fadani fired a shot that made it 3-2. |
After this nerve-wracking battle, the sixth game in nine days, the Azzurri's energy reserves are running low. Therefore, it's time to take one last breather, gather strength, and then give it their all once again. On Monday (starting at 8:20 pm at the stadium). SportNews(Ticker) against Slovenia is about staying in the top division.
Italy – Denmark 2:3 on penalties
ITA: Fadani (Smith); Zanatta-Pietroniro, Trivellato-DiPerna, Spornberger-Nitz, Buono-Gios; De Luca-Misley-Bradley, Saracino-Frycklund-Zanetti, DiGiacinto-Mantenuto-Purdeller, Segafredo-Mantinger-Deluca.Coach: Jukka Jalonen
THE: Sogaard (Henriksen); Jensen Aabo-Bruggisser, Larsen-Koch, Setkov-Lauridsen, Baastrup; Aagard-Russell-Olesen, True-Poulsen-Blichfeld, Kjaer-Storm-From, Schmidt Svejstrup-Weijse-Madsen, Scheel.
Coach: Mikael Gath
Gates: 0:1 Christian Wejse (2.33), 0:2 Mikkel Aagaard (2.49), 1:2 Tommy Purdeller (21.17), 2:2 Tommy Purdeller (35.34)
Viewers: 5.157
The table
| Pos | Country | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Canada | 6 | 14 |
| 2. | Czechia | 5 | 13 |
| 3. | Slovakia | 6 | 11 |
| 4. | Norway | 5 | 10 |
| 5. | Sweden | 5 | 9 |
| 6. | Denmark | 6 | 5 |
| 7. | Slovenia | 6 | 3 |
| 8. | Italy | 6 | 1 |
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