Italy, led by coach Jukka Jalonen, faced a difficult challenge during the Olympic tournament and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs against Switzerland, losing 3-0. Despite the setback, Jalonen expressed that the team played better against Switzerland than against Finland, indicating a certain level of performance that was more in line with their potential. He noted that the team's primary center, Matthew Bradley, was injured early in the match, impacting their offensive strategy right from the start but insisted this was not the reason for their ultimate defeat.

Throughout the tournament, Italy struggled, losing all their matches, which was not unexpected given the disparity in skill and materials compared to other teams. Their most significant defeat was against the Finnish team, also known as the Leijonia, while they managed to keep the scores closer against Sweden, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Jalonen acknowledged that his players likely recognized that they did not have the resources to compete effectively at this level, leading to disappointment for some individual players as they assessed their performance in the Olympic setting.

Looking forward, Jalonen hinted at future plans but did not elaborate extensively in this interview. He highlighted the importance of reflecting on the experiences gained during this tournament. It appears that the Italian team may need to reevaluate its strategies and player development mechanisms to better compete in future international competitions. Jalonen’s leadership and insights may be vital in the turning point for Italy's ice hockey future.