Milan, Italy – The German national ice hockey team faces a critical qualifying match against France today, , as they pursue a coveted spot in the upcoming Olympic Games. Despite being considered the favorites, key players are urging caution, emphasizing the need for a determined performance against a French side that has demonstrated surprising resilience throughout the tournament.
Forward Nico Sturm, currently with the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL), stressed the importance of avoiding complacency. “It will be unpleasant. We can’t afford to lose beautifully if we want to advance,” Sturm stated, according to reports. The warning comes after a challenging group stage for both teams, culminating in a 5-1 defeat for Germany against the United States on .
France concluded the group stage with a significant goal differential of 5-20, suffering a particularly heavy 2-10 loss to Canada on . However, German players recognize that this disparity in scoring does not guarantee an easy victory. Veteran defenseman Moritz Müller, who has played for Kölner Haie since 2004, cautioned against underestimating their opponents. “We have to be humble and realize we can lose against any opponent here,” Müller said. “I think that needs to sink in. The basic virtues that have always distinguished us simply have to be there, no matter how great the players are.”
The concern stems from France’s ability to generate offense even in defeat. Despite conceding the most goals of any team in the tournament, the French squad managed to score five goals against highly-ranked nations like Canada and the Czech Republic in a 3-6 loss, demonstrating a degree of offensive efficiency that Germany has, at times, lacked. Alexandre Texier of the Montreal Canadiens leads the French team and his ability to capitalize on opportunities presents a potential threat to the German defense.
The match, scheduled for today, takes place against a backdrop of internal tension within the German team. Tim Stützle of the Ottawa Senators expressed frustration with the focus on NHL players, stating, “It bothers me a bit that everyone only talks about the NHL players. No one is interested in who plays where. Everyone has to take on their role. We are a team.” This sentiment suggests a desire for a more unified focus within the squad, emphasizing collective responsibility over individual star power.
Germany’s defeat to the United States on saw both Leon Draisaitl and Josh Samanski held scoreless, highlighting a struggle to generate offense against a strong American defense. The German power play also failed to convert on three opportunities. Despite the loss, Germany secured second place in Group C and now faces France in a qualifying round, with the winner advancing to the Quarter-Finals to face Slovakia on .
France’s unexpected competitiveness at the tournament is rooted in a complex series of events. Initially not qualifying for the men’s Olympic hockey tournament through performance, France was granted a berth following the ban of Russia, who had earned an automatic qualification due to their IIHF ranking. This opportunity arrived in May 2025, shortly after France was relegated to Division IA for the 2026 World Championship. The team arrived in Italy determined to prove their worth on the international stage.
While a 4-0 loss to Switzerland initially dampened expectations, France demonstrated their potential in a closely contested 6-3 defeat against Czechia. After falling behind early, France scored three goals on four shots in the second period, briefly taking the lead. Although ultimately losing the match, the performance signaled their ability to compete with higher-ranked opponents. Louis Boudon, who scored two goals and an assist against Czechia, exemplified this newfound confidence.
The return of NHL players to the Olympics has added another layer of significance to France’s participation, marking their first appearance in the Games since 2002. Their performance thus far has challenged preconceived notions about their capabilities and established them as a potential underdog story in the tournament. The outcome of today’s match against Germany will be crucial in determining whether France can continue to defy expectations and advance further in the Olympic competition.
