In their final group match against host nation Italy, the German women's ice hockey team triumphed with a score of 2:1. Laura Kluge played a pivotal role in the game, helping her team to achieve not only a win but also to bolster their morale ahead of the quarterfinals. This victory marked their third win in four matches, allowing them to finish second in the group stage.

The Germans had already met their primary goal of advancing past the group stage, which took some pressure off them as they faced Italy. With Japan losing heavily to Sweden earlier in the day, Germany had secured their spot in the quarterfinals even before the puck dropped for their match against Italy. Their strong performance in the group stage demonstrates their readiness to compete against stronger teams in the knockout phase, which begins this Friday.

As they prepare for the quarterfinal showdown against one of the tournament favorites, the German team's confidence is high following a successful group stage. The win against Italy not only cemented their place in the next round but also served as a boost to their team spirit, setting a positive tone as they look to continue their journey in the competition.