The Czech Republic secured their first victory in Group A with a 2-0 triumph over Finland in the Olympic women’s ice hockey event on Sunday. Meanwhile, Sweden booked a spot in the quarter-finals after defeating France 4-0 in Group B at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
Both Finland and the Czech Republic faced challenges at the start of the 2026 Olympic Games. The Czech team suffered a 5-1 loss to the U.S. in their first match, followed by a 4-3 shootout defeat against Switzerland.
Finland encountered a setback when their initial game was postponed due to four players testing positive for norovirus. They then suffered a 5-0 defeat against the U.S.
The Czechs took the lead early in the game, with Tereza Pištěková scoring in the third minute. Despite facing penalties, including a power play opportunity for Finland, the Czech team managed to maintain their two-goal advantage, with Natálie Mlýnková extending their lead before the end of the first period.
In Group A standings, the U.S. leads with six points, followed by the Czech Republic with two points. Canada and Switzerland have three and two points, respectively, while Finland is yet to secure any points. All five teams will progress to the quarter-finals based on their preliminary round rankings.
In Group B, Sweden leads with nine points after three games, with Germany, Japan, and Italy tied at three points each. France remains at the bottom without any points after three losses.
Sweden dominated their match against France, scoring four goals in the opening period. Thea Johansson, Sara Hjalmarsson, Hanna Thuvik, and Lisa Johansson were the goal scorers for Sweden.
The French team put up a strong defense during the rest of the game, supported by their enthusiastic fans in the stands. Despite some penalties and power play opportunities, Sweden maintained their lead and sealed the victory.
Sweden is aiming for their first Olympic medal since 2006, with high hopes for their young and talented roster. Coach Ulf Lundberg expressed confidence in the team’s “we don’t care” attitude and emphasized their determination to compete for a medal at the Winter Olympics.