Write history, from the good side. Eric Bouchard’s Italy does what no other Italian women’s hockey team has ever managed to do before: win a match at the Olympics. The clear 4-1 win over France came on the day of the inauguration of the much talked about Arena Santa Giulia – but finally promoted – and testifies to the desire for ice in the city of Milan, without a team anymore and without a dedicated arena: almost 10 thousand spectators in the stands, including the FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and that cry ‘Italy, Italy to make the walls tremble and charge the girls. Uphill start, however: De Serres (9’42) scores on power play but Tutino (10’42) equalizes a few moments later. A post from Fantin and two saves from Philbert seem to be the harbinger of a cursed match but Roccella (35’17) is quick to find the opening goal on a rebound. Italy dominates (46 shots against 15) and spreads in the third period with Fantin (40’14) and Della Rovere (44’59).
«Many different emotions for this success – the words of captain Nadia Mattivi -, we have always believed in it. It’s a testament to the hard work done with the team, in the dressing room we knew we could make a debut like that. The crowd gave us a crazy boost, she was our seventh player.” Matilde Fantin’s eyes are full of joy: «The moment of the goal was incredible, I struggle to fully understand what happened. I expected so many people in the stands but not even in my dreams.” If in Turin 2006 the Italians were not up to par (all defeats, 32 goals conceded and only one scored), in Milan the script is already different, even if now the toughest tests will arrive: on Saturday Sweden – who beat Germany 4-1 -, on Monday Japan and on Tuesday the Teutonic. The first three pass. But the tournament already offers many other stories. Finland-Canada is postponed to the 12th due to a norovirus epidemic among the Scandinavians. “The situation was dramatic – reveals GM Kimmo Oikarinen – but the doctors reassured us and we hope the problem can be resolved.” Instead, Team USA defeats the Czech Republic 5-1, ahead of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.