Czech Republic shut out Finland 2-0 to claim first win at Milano Cortina 2026

The Czech Republic earned its first win in Group A with a 2-0 win over Finland in the women’s Olympic ice hockey tournament on Sunday, while Sweden secured a quarter-final spot with a 4-0 win over France in Group B at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.

Finland and the Czech Republic have had a difficult start to the 2026 Olympic Games. The Czechs lost their opening game 5-1 to the US followed by a 4-3 loss to Switzerland.

Finland’s first match was postponed after four of their squad tested positive for the norovirus. They lost 5-0 to the US on Saturday.

The Finns scored twice in Sunday’s opener. Tereza Pištěková and Natálie Mlýnková were on target for the Czechs, unlike the Swiss, who were able to hold onto their two-goal lead.

The Czechs took the lead in the third minute, stealing the puck in the neutral zone before Pištěková lifted her shot over the goalie.

Finland could have been in trouble less than a minute later when Susanna Tapani was penalized for hooking, but they managed to kill the penalty.

The Czechs were then left short-handed twice in quick succession and the Finns fired shots at Klára Peslavává, but the keeper held firm.

After failing to make two power plays, Finland conceded again late in the opening period. Mlýnková blasted the puck into the roof of the net to double the Czech lead.

Peslarová made a great save to deny Michelle Karvinen from a Finnish breakaway early in the second half. The Finns pulled their goalkeeper in the last two minutes of the game but failed to find the back of the net.

The US currently sits at the top of Group A with six points after two games, with the Czechs two points behind in second. Canada is the champion with three points after one game, followed by Switzerland with two points. The Finns haven’t got the point.

All five sides will advance to the last eight, where their qualification will depend on their final placing in the first round.

Sweden sweep past France

The Swedes have nine points from three games at the top of Group B, following a 4-0 win over France on Sunday.

Germany, Japan and Italy are third after two games. France are top without a point after three defeats.

The top three will advance to the last eight.

France posted three goals in the first half against Sweden, with Thea Johansson, Sara Hjalmarsson and Hanna Thuvik all on target. The Swedes added a fourth through Lisa Johansson early in the second half.

Thea Johansson opened the scoring in the fourth minute, forcing the puck home from Hilda Svensson in the crease for her fourth goal of the Olympics. He is currently the top scorer in the tournament.

France were left short-handed when Margot ⁠Huot-Marchand was sent to the penalty box for a trip. Hjalmarsson converted the rebound shot into Sweden’s lead. Thuvik added another with a backhander off the crossbar.

Huot-Marchand was given another penalty for an illegal tackle, with Sweden failing to make the power play count. But in the first minute of the second half, Lisa Johansson stuck the puck between the legs of the French goalkeeper for the fourth goal.

French forward Lore Baudrit is penalized for abuse, which Sweden’s Nicole Hall laughs off. But Hall later spent time in the penalty box for the same offense as France’s Chloe Aurard-Bushee after a collision behind the Swedish goal.

French fans in full voice

France managed to hold their own for the rest of the second period, resisting waves of Swedish attacks, while firing seven shots. Every fight past the Swedish blue line was applauded by a large group of French in the fields.

Sweden’s Mira Jungåker received a minor penalty for interference, shoving Clara Rozier on the ice, with French fans booing as the game was replayed on the big screen.

But France failed to take advantage of the power play later on and it was the Swedes who celebrated on the pitch in the last minute. The players went to greet their fans after the game, beating sticks on the ice.

Sweden will play their final first round match against Japan on Tuesday, while France will face Germany on Monday.

Sweden is seeking its first medal since 2006

Sweden has so far played as expected by outscoring their opponents 14-1 on aggregate. But the team has finished no better than seventh in the past two Olympics after finishing fourth at the 2014 Sochi Games.

The drop was surprising for the only country outside of Canada and the US to win an Olympic silver medal. The Swedes did that at the Turin Games in 2006 by upsetting the Americans in the semifinals. Sweden won bronze again in 2002.

“It’s our time now,” coach Ulf Lundberg said before the tournament opened. He removed what he called “we don’t care” about his players.

“You have those little guys who come in and they’re not afraid of anything. I love it,” Lundberg said. “We want to be like Canadians and Americans who feel like we’re the best, because you’ve got grace and swag.”

Sweden’s roster includes eight players 22 and under, seven of whom are currently competing at US colleges. That includes Svensson, who is tied for seventh in the nation with 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 26 games.

“Everyone in this team wants to take that trophy. And I think everyone will work hard for that,” said Svensson after scoring two goals in the win over France.