Release from 03.05.2025

Italy advances to Top-Division

Short text 336 CharactersPlain text

Mission accomplished: After three years, Italy is back among the world’s elite. The Azzurri secured promotion to the IIHF Top Division with a convincing 7-1 win over hosts Romania on the final day of the Division I Group A tournament in Sfântu Gheorghe, Romania – and took full advantage of Japan’s surprise regulation win over Ukraine.

Press release 1412 CharactersPlain text

Despite missing captain Thomas Larkin (illness) and forward Frycklund (injury), Italy came out flying. Just under three minutes in, Luca Frigo opened the scoring off a feed from Gazley. Only 82 seconds later, Daniel Tedesco made it 2-0, burying a loose puck on the goal line.

Romania pulled one back on a shorthanded breakaway, but Italy quickly regained control. Daniel Mantenuto capitalized on a rebound to restore the two-goal lead before the first intermission.

Italy stayed in charge in the middle frame. After several quality chances, Bryce Misley extended the lead to 4-1 at the 32-minute mark, finishing off a slick backhand pass from Ierullo. The Azzurri struck again on the power play as Luca Zanatta fired home from the top of the circle. Just before the second break, Tedesco added his second of the night – also on the man advantage – to make it 6-1.

Italy kept the foot on the gas in the third. At 44:46, Marco Zanetti added a seventh, slipping the puck past the Romanian backup goalie after a solo rush. The final minutes saw Italy comfortably control the pace, while Romania failed to mount any further offense.

With the win – and help from Japan – Italy secures one of the two promotion spots and returns to the IIHF Top Division for 2026. A strong showing in Romania caps off a successful campaign and marks a major step forward for Italian hockey.