Thursday, February 5 (Day 1)

Women’s Ice Hockey – Preliminary Round

Milan–Cortina 2026 — Even before the Olympic flame is officially lit in Milan on Friday night, the French women’s ice hockey team has already been thrown into the deep end of Olympic competition. Two demanding matches against Italy and Japan have offered a revealing insight into both France’s progress and the tactical challenges of modern international hockey.

Italy’s pragmatic and ruthless efficiency

Against Italy, France encountered a team fully aware of its own strengths and limitations. The Italians adopted a disciplined, pragmatic approach, built around a compact neutral-zone structure and relentless pressure on France’s first pass out of the defensive zone. From the opening faceoff, Italy’s game plan was clear: disrupt France’s build-up, force turnovers high up the ice, and attack quickly through the middle.

France attempted to control possession by initiating play from the back, relying on short lateral passes between defense players before moving the puck toward the wings. However, this approach quickly became predictable. Italy’s second line in the neutral zone consistently closed passing lanes, forcing the French defense into rushed decisions and uncontrolled clearances. As a result, France struggled to establish sustained offensive sequences.

Transitions proved decisive. Every French turnover triggered an immediate Italian counterattack, with players entering the zone under control and driving straight toward the slot. French defenders, often forced to retreat to contain speed, allowed too much space between the lines. This created shooting lanes with traffic in front of the net, a recurring theme throughout the game. Italy’s goals reflected this dominance, coming from screens, rebounds, and well-executed rushes rather than extended periods of possession.

As the game wore on, France became increasingly stretched, chasing the puck rather than dictating the tempo. Italy, without overwhelming the shot count, displayed clinical efficiency and a clear understanding of how to exploit France’s structural weaknesses.

Friday, February 6 (Day 2) — Before the Opening Ceremony

Women’s Ice Hockey — Continued Competition

Japan’s pace and movement push France to the limit

The following day against Japan presented a very different tactical picture. Where Italy had focused on structure and control, Japan imposed a fast-paced, movement-heavy style based on speed, forechecking pressure, and constant off-puck rotations. Their objective was to wear down the French defense through relentless skating and quick puck circulation.

France responded with visible tactical adjustments. The defensive block was set deeper, exits were simplified, and the emphasis shifted toward counterattacking hockey. This more conservative approach allowed France to stay competitive, particularly in the middle phases of the game. By limiting central ice access and breaking up Japan’s flow, the French side managed to slow the tempo and reduce the number of high-danger chances.

The match ultimately became a battle over rhythm. Whenever the pace increased, Japan’s superior skating and fluidity gave them the advantage. When France managed to slow the game down, absorb pressure, and transition quickly after turnovers, the balance shifted. France’s goal, scored following a high puck recovery and an immediate shot, was emblematic of this opportunistic approach.

However, sustaining that level of intensity proved difficult. As fatigue set in during the final minutes, Japan’s pressure intensified. Defensive spacing began to suffer, communication broke down, and coverage around the crease became less effective. The decisive goals came late, the result of delayed rotations and lapses in marking at the far post, issues often exposed when concentration wanes.

After two matches, France remains without a win, but the performances offer valuable insight beyond the scoreboard. Defensively, the structure is present and discipline is generally maintained, yet the inability to consistently execute clean zone exits under pressure remains a major weakness. Offensively, France continues to struggle to generate sustained zone time and high-quality chances from the slot, relying instead on isolated opportunities and long-range shots.

These opening games highlight the physical and tactical demands of Olympic-level hockey. The ability to manage transitions, control tempo, and maintain decision-making quality over sixty minutes separates established nations from those still developing. France is clearly in a learning phase, but the adjustments shown against Japan suggest a capacity to adapt.

As the Opening Ceremony officially launches the Games tonight, France’s tournament is already well underway. The challenge now is to translate tactical lessons into consistent execution, especially against opponents capable of punishing even the smallest structural errors. At this level, margins are thin, and discipline — tactical as much as mental — remains the ultimate currency.

Other Women’s Match

Switzerland 🇨🇭 4 – Czech Republic 🇨🇿 3 (shootout): Switzerland came from behind and won in a thrilling shootout, showcasing their determination and clutch performance.

Figure Skating — Team Event

Figure skating competition began with the team event, including the women’s short program:

• 🇯🇵 Kaori Sakamoto delivered a standout performance, finishing first in the women’s short program.
• 🇺🇸 Alysa Liu claimed second place, contributing valuable points for Team USA.
• 🇮🇹 Lara Naki Gutmann scored a personal best in the short program.

These results contribute to the overall standings in the team event, which combines results from ice dance, pairs, and women’s short program segments.

Opening Ceremony — Friday, February 6 at 8 PM (Local Time)

Tonight marks the official Opening Ceremony of the XXV Winter Olympic Games at San Siro Stadium in Milan:

• Spectacular musical performances by international artists.
• Parade of Nations, with athletes from more than 90 countries.
• Simultaneous lighting of the Olympic cauldrons in Milan and in Cortina d’Ampezzo, symbolizing the unity of the host cities.

This ceremony officially inaugurates the Games following two days of preliminary competition in multiple sports.

Written by Naëlle Verschoren