Denmark and Italy in Fribourg: a match to climb out of the lower part of the group
Denmark and Italy play a Group B match at the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship for men, at BCF Arena in Fribourg. The match is scheduled for 24 May at 16:20, and for both national teams it carries very concrete weight: after their first two appearances, both remained without points, Denmark is seventh in the group with a goal difference of 3:10, and Italy is eighth with a goal difference of 1:10. This makes this match one of those encounters in which the table is not just a backdrop, but direct pressure on every shift, every penalty and every save by the goaltender.
Denmark entered the championship with a 1:4 defeat against Czechia and a 2:6 defeat against Sweden. Italy opened the tournament with an even tougher schedule: first 0:6 against Canada, then 1:4 against Slovakia. In such a context, the head-to-head meeting carries double value. The winner gets oxygen in the fight for a better position in the group, and the loser remains under increasing pressure in the closing part of the group stage. Tickets for this match are sought after among fans because it is not just a match between national teams that are less exposed on paper, but a duel that can steer their entire tournament.
Group situation and form before the match
Group B after the opening rounds shows a clear difference between the top and the lower part of the standings. Canada and Slovakia have two wins each, Czechia and Norway are holding in the middle, Sweden has three points, and behind them are Slovenia, Denmark and Italy. For Denmark and Italy, this means there is no longer room for easing slowly into the match. The first ten minutes could be especially important: the team that scores first gains control of the rhythm, while the other has to open up the game and take more risks than it wants.
- Denmark: 2 matches, 0 wins, 3 goals scored, 10 goals conceded, 0 points.
- Italy: 2 matches, 0 wins, 1 goal scored, 10 goals conceded, 0 points.
- Denmark scored in its first two appearances against Czechia and twice against Sweden.
- Italy waited for its first goal of the tournament until the match against Slovakia.
- Both national teams must improve their play without the puck because so far they have allowed too many shots and too many high-quality chances from the middle zone.
Denmark has a slightly better attacking picture in this match. It is not dominance, but three goals in two appearances show that it is capable of reaching the finishing phase even against stronger opponents. Joachim Blichfeld opened the championship as Denmark's most productive player with 1 goal and 2 assists, while Nick Olesen has 3 assists. Mikkel Aagaard scored 2 goals, which is an important sign for Denmark because the match against Italy requires players who can finish an action without too many passes.
Italy comes to Fribourg with a clear finishing problem. One goal in the first two matches is not enough for a calmer entry into the continuation of the tournament, but the difficulty of the opponents also needs to be taken into account. Canada and Slovakia tested the Italians in speed, duels and transition. Gabriel Nitz, the young defenseman from WSV Sterzing-Vipiteno, is so far listed as the scorer of Italy's goal. For Italy, precisely the contribution of the defense in attack could be a way to relieve the forwards and create more traffic in front of the Danish goal.
Denmark: experience, physical size and the need for better protection of the goaltender
Denmark is led by Mikael Gath, a Swedish specialist who has at his disposal a mix of experienced players from European leagues and several very interesting names with international experience. In goal are Mads Sogaard from Ottawa Senators, Frederik Dichow from HV71 and Nicolaj Henriksen from Esbjerg Energy. Sogaard is especially interesting because of his height of 2.00 metres, but the goaltender's size alone does not solve the problem if the defense leaves too much space for rebounds and shots from the slot area.
In attack, the key names are Blichfeld, Olesen and Aagaard, while Frederik Storm and Alexander True bring experience from strong European leagues. Denmark has enough bodies for play along the boards, but against Italy it must show more patience in possession. Too many lost pucks on the blue line can open counterattacks, and those are exactly the situations Italy must look for if it wants to avoid long defending in its own third.
What Denmark must do better
- Close the middle of the ice more quickly after losing the puck.
- Use Aagaard and Blichfeld in the finishing phase, especially when entering the zone from the right side.
- Reduce the number of penalties in the attacking third, where fouls rarely bring any benefit.
- Create more traffic in front of the Italian goaltender, rather than relying only on shots from the outside.
- Protect the goaltender on rebounds, because Italy does not have the luxury of choosing many clean chances.
Denmark does not have to play spectacularly to take control. It needs a match with little panic, quick line changes and a clear plan on the power play. If it gets an early goal, Denmark can force Italy to open the middle of the ice, which suits players such as Blichfeld and Olesen. If the match remains goalless for a long time, the pressure shifts to the Danes because, based on the roster and attacking output, they are still the team from which more is expected.
Italy: young energy, a firm block and the search for a second scoring source
Italy is led by Jukka Jalonen, a Finnish coach with a great international reputation. His presence behind the bench changes the way Italy should be viewed. This is not a team that will rely only on emotion and blocked shots. An organized system, short distances between the lines and an emphasis on allowing the opponent as few entries through the middle as possible are expected.
The Italian roster has several players from HC Bolzano 2000, HC Pustertal, HC Lugano and Swiss clubs, while goaltender Damian Clara from Anaheim Ducks stands out in particular. Clara is 2.01 metres tall and can change the tone of the match if he catches several difficult shots early. Alongside him are Jacob Smith from Angers Ducs and Davide Fadani from EHC Kloten. If Italy wants to stay in the match until the third period, the goaltending performance will be one of the decisive elements.
In the field, Nicholas Saracino, Daniel Mantenuto, Matt Bradley and Tommaso de Luca should be watched, but the most important thing for Italy is not to remain only on individual flashes. Against Denmark it must spend more time in the attacking third, force the Danes into long shifts and look for penalties through play along the boards. If the match turns into open end-to-end skating, Denmark has more players who can punish space.
The Italian plan that makes sense
- Keep a low defensive structure and not allow the Danes easy entries through the middle.
- Look for defensemen's shots from the blue line, with a screen in front of goal.
- Use quick changes to avoid Danish pressure in the second period.
- Do not enter unnecessary duels after the whistle, because every Danish power play increases the risk.
- Attack rebounds because clean space for the Italian forwards will not come often.
Italy does not have to have more shots than Denmark to be dangerous. It must have better-selected shots, more bodies in front of goal and discipline in the neutral zone. Jalonen's teams often live on details: the correct position of the stick, closing the passing lane and patience when an immediate attack is not possible. In such a match, even one goal from a scramble can completely change the psychology of the encounter.
Tactical picture: the battle for the neutral zone
The most important part of this match could be the space between the two blue lines. Denmark has players who can carry the puck at speed, but the results so far show that it is not secure enough when it loses structure. Italy, on the other hand, must prevent the encounter from turning into a series of Danish entries with controlled possession. If the Italians force the Danes into dump-and-chase hockey, they increase the chance that the match remains tight.
The play in the second period should be watched especially closely. Because of the more distant bench, teams find it harder to change lines, and in hockey that often creates the most dangerous situations. If Denmark catches an Italian line in a long shift, it can create pressure from which penalties or goals come. If Italy does the same to the Danes, the match becomes much more uncomfortable for the favourite on paper.
The power play is the second big topic. Denmark has more visible attacking options, but against Italy it must not search too much for the perfect pass. In matches under pressure, simple decisions often win: a one-time shot, a player in front of goal and a quick reaction to the rebound. Italy, when playing with an extra man, could try to go through the defensemen, because the Danish defense has not looked calm so far when it has to clear space in front of the goaltender.
BCF Arena: a compact hall, modern ice and fan pressure close to the game
BCF Arena is located at Chem. Saint-Léonard 5 in Fribourg and is the home of HC Fribourg-Gottéron. The hall was modernized in a period that began in 2018, and the opening of the renovated arena was in 2020. For the 2026 World Championship, the capacity is 7,500 spectators. That is a large enough hall for a serious international event, but also compact enough for the sound from the stands to quickly drop onto the ice.
The arena is also interesting because of its energy profile: it is listed as the first ice arena in Switzerland with the Minergie-A certificate. For a fan, that may not be the first thing they think about when entering, but it shows that this is a newer, functionally modernized facility, not an old hall temporarily adapted for a major tournament. Seats in the stands disappear quickly when group matches with direct competitive stakes are played in Fribourg.
- Address: Chem. Saint-Léonard 5, Fribourg.
- Capacity for the 2026 tournament: 7,500 spectators.
- The hall is the home of HC Fribourg-Gottéron.
- The renovation began in 2018, and the modernized arena opened in 2020.
- BCF Arena has a Minergie-A certificate, which is specifically highlighted in the information about the hall.
For the Denmark - Italy match, the crowd can expect a different atmosphere from the major derbies involving the host. Here, the tone will be set by travelling fans, neutral spectators and lovers of tournament hockey who want to see a match with clear competitive pressure. Such encounters often have a special rhythm: there is less ceremonial noise, and more of the bench, the hits against the boards and the crowd's reaction to every major save can be heard.
Arrival in Fribourg and practical information for fans
The organizers recommend arriving by public transport because there is no parking for spectators at the arena site, and traffic restrictions have been announced around BCF Arena. The simplest option is the train to Fribourg/Freiburg Poya station, from where the arena is about a six-minute walk. Another option is bus number 1 from the direction of Fribourg/Freiburg to the Fribourg Poya stop, followed by a short walk to the arena.
- Train: Fribourg/Freiburg Poya station, then a short walk to BCF Arena.
- Bus: line 1 to the Fribourg Poya stop.
- Parking: no parking is planned for spectators at the arena site.
- The match ticket is also valid for regional public transport in the Fribourg network on match day, according to the published tournament rules.
- The recommendation is to set off earlier because of entry checks and possible crowds around the hall.
Fribourg is a city that can be used well for a fan visit even before the match itself. The old part of the city, the bridges and the view toward the Sarine river give it a different character from larger Swiss sporting centres. For fans arriving from outside Switzerland, it is important to plan the time between the railway station, accommodation and the hall, because the match starts in the afternoon slot, and the crowd from other matches will also be moving around the arena on the same day.
A fan zone with a public viewing programme, food and drink is also planned in Fribourg. This is useful for fans who arrive in the city earlier or stay after the match. It is worth securing tickets in time, especially if travelling in a group, because the schedule in Fribourg brings together several Group B national teams and the crowds often overlap between matches on the same day.
What the fan should watch on the ice
The first thing is the goaltending duel. Denmark has Sogaard, Dichow and Henriksen, Italy has Clara, Smith and Fadani. It is not certain who will get the start in the match, but it is clear that both head coaches will look for a goaltender who can stop early nervousness. In encounters between teams without points, the first goal conceded often feels heavier than in matches involving favourites, because it immediately raises the question of confidence.
The second thing is the play of Denmark's best forwards. Blichfeld with 3 points and Aagaard with 2 goals give Denmark a concrete attacking threat. Italy must not allow those players to receive the puck at speed through the middle. If it forces them to play along the boards, Italy's chances grow. If it leaves them space between the faceoff circles, Clara or another Italian goaltender will be under constant fire.
The third thing is Italian discipline. Italy must avoid a match in which it spends two periods only defending. That does not mean it has to attack without control, but that it must exit the zone with the first safe pass, not just clear the puck. Every lost puck on its own blue line could be more dangerous than a long Danish possession.
Atmosphere and a match that can decide the direction of the tournament
Denmark - Italy is not a match that sells itself on big names like some group matches, but for a fan it is often more rewarding to watch. The stakes are immediately understandable. Both national teams need points, both must improve the impression and both know that matches like this must not be carelessly let slip away. That usually brings more blocked shots, more nervousness on the benches and more emotion after every goal.
For Denmark, this is an opportunity to show that the opening defeats are not a picture of its real level. For Italy, this is a chance under Jalonen to grab a match in which system and patience can compensate for the weaker attacking output from the first two rounds. If Denmark scores early, it could control the rhythm. If Italy withstands the pressure and enters the third period with the result still active, the match turns into a very uncomfortable test of nerves.
Ticket sales for this match are ongoing, and for fans coming to Fribourg the most important thing is to plan arrival by public transport, check the departure time toward Poya station and enter the hall early enough to avoid crowding before the start. On the ice, the details will decide: the first goal, special teams, goaltending calmness and the ability not to panic under the opponent's pressure.
Sources:
- IIHF - match schedule, confirmation of the Denmark vs Italy match at BCF Arena on 24 May at 16:20 and the current Group B standings.
- IIHF - Denmark roster: player list, clubs, statistics after the first two appearances and coaching staff with Mikael Gath as head coach.
- IIHF - Italy roster: player list, clubs, statistics after the first two appearances and coaching staff with Jukka Jalonen as head coach.
- IIHF - BCF Arena, Fribourg: capacity of 7,500 spectators for the 2026 tournament, modernization, opening and Minergie-A certificate.
- IIHF Mobility and Fribourg fan guide - arrival by public transport, Fribourg/Freiburg Poya station, bus line 1, traffic restrictions and public transport rules on match day.