The Czech Republic secured their first victory in Group A by defeating Finland 2-0 in the Olympic women’s ice hockey competition on Sunday. In another match, Sweden clinched a spot in the quarter-finals with a commanding 4-0 win over France in Group B at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
Both Finland and the Czech Republic faced tough starts at the 2026 Olympic Games. The Czech team suffered a 5-1 defeat to the U.S. in their first game and a 4-3 shootout loss to Switzerland. Meanwhile, Finland’s initial match was postponed due to four players testing positive for norovirus, and they later lost 5-0 to the U.S.
The Czech team took an early lead in the third minute as Tereza Pištěková scored by lifting her shot over the goalie. Despite facing two penalties, the Czechs managed to maintain their lead as Natálie Mlýnková scored to double their advantage.
In the Group A standings, the U.S. leads with six points, followed by the Czech Republic with four points. Defending champions Canada have three points, Switzerland has two points, and Finland is yet to secure a point. All five teams will progress to the quarter-finals based on their rankings from the preliminary round.
In Group B, Sweden dominated with nine points after three matches, securing their spot in the last eight. Germany, Japan, and Italy are tied with three points each, while France remains at the bottom without any points after three defeats. The top three teams from Group B will advance to the quarter-finals.
Sweden displayed a strong performance against France, scoring three goals in the opening period and adding a fourth early in the second period. Thea Johansson was instrumental, scoring the opening goal and leading as the tournament’s top scorer.
Coach Ulf Lundberg expressed confidence in Sweden’s current form, emphasizing the team’s determination to secure a medal. The roster, featuring young talents including Hilda Svensson, is eager to make a mark at the Olympics. Sweden aims to improve on their recent Olympic performances and is driven by a strong desire to succeed.
Sweden will face Japan in their final preliminary round match, while France will take on Germany in their upcoming fixture. The Swedes are determined to continue their winning streak and make a strong push for a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.