The Italian women's hockey team faced a disappointing end to their group stage at the Milan-Cortina 2026 event after losing 2-1 to Germany. Having secured a spot in the quarter-finals against Japan, this loss pushes the Azzurre into a challenging matchup against the top team from Group A, either the United States or Canada, whose game will determine their opponent. This scenario presents a daunting task for the Italian squad as they prepare for the knockout phase.

In their match against Germany, the game unfolded with a tight contest, as both teams battled fiercely on the ice at Rho Fiera. The German team started strong, testing the Azzurre's defense repeatedly. However, the Italian players, coached by Eric Bouchard, managed to recover, demonstrating resilience and even coming close to scoring through players like Della Rovere and Fantin. The breakthrough moment arrived in the second period when Caumo shot a powerful puck towards the German net, assisted by Reyes, bringing Italy ahead momentarily before Germany retaliated.

As Italy sought to maintain its lead, they hit the post with Fantin's shot, illustrating their near success. Yet, with the Germans rallying back, it became clear that the match would go down to the wire. Ultimately, the loss meant Italy finished third in Group B, trailing Germany, prompting an urgent need to regroup and prepare for their next formidable opponents in the quarter-finals, where they will face a challenging extensive test against either the U.S. or Canada, teams known for their strength in women's hockey.