Italy has opened the 2024 Division IB World Championships with two straight losses, putting them at significant risk for further relegation, and in dire straights for competing as hosts at the 2026 Olympics.
Italy has opened the 2024 Division IB World Championships with two straight losses, putting them at significant risk for further relegation, and in dire straights for competing as hosts at the 2026 Olympics.
Italy entered the 2024 Division IB World Championships as a key contender for promotion. Through their first two games, those hopes are gone.
Italy opened the tournament losing to Great Britain 1-0 making their remaining games even more crucial.
Following a 3-2 regulation loss to host Latvia, who is in their first year in Division IB after being promoted last year, Italy is now out of the running for promotion, and will frantically turn their hopes to remaining in Division IB until next year.
Facing Latvia, Italy managed to outshoot their opponent 44-30, but couldn't manage to earn the win. Italy inexplicably started 18-year-old netminder Ilaria Girardi, her first ever World Championship start, while leaving their star netminder, Martina Fedel, on the bench. Girardi didn't play poorly, but it was a must win game, one Italy likely took for granted, and cost themselves gravely.
If Italy were to suffer demotion, or even if they manage to stay in Division IB, it's a dire situation for a team that will be expected to play Canada, USA, Finland, Czechia, and others at the 2026 Olympics, where they will serve as hosts.
Italy entered this tournament as the 18th ranked team in the World, but with losses to #23 Great Britain and #29 Latvia, they are destined to fall, and the results they'll face against top teams in the world will be an experience Italy and the IOC will look at avoid in 2026.