The Finnish women’s hockey team is showing signs of recovery ahead of their Olympic match in Milan-Cortina. Their initial game against the United States was postponed due to a norovirus outbreak. Team leaders remain optimistic about facing the U.S. as planned.
Team Recovery and Upcoming Matches
Fourteen players, including all three goalkeepers, participated in a training session on Friday. However, the matchup against Canada, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed until February 12. Currently, nine players remain in isolation.
Team Management Statements
- Kimmo Oikarinen, the General Manager, expressed confidence, stating, “We strongly believe we will play on Saturday.”
- Head Coach Tero Lehtera reaffirmed, “We will play against the United States, no matter what.”
A gastroenteritis outbreak began earlier in the week, which led to the cancellation of Wednesday’s training session. Oikarinen noted the disappointment of the situation, emphasizing the importance of player recovery as a priority.
Other Matches Highlight
In other Olympic action, Switzerland made a significant comeback, defeating the Czech Republic 4-3 in a shootout. Ivana Wey scored the decisive goal in the eighth round after the team overcame a two-goal deficit.
Game Statistics
| Team | Score | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 4-3 (SO) | Alina Muller and Lara Christen contributed key goals for comeback |
| Czech Republic | 3 | Suffered second loss after previous defeat to the United States |
Additionally, Japan secured a 3-2 victory over France. Makoto Ito broke a 1-1 tie with less than four minutes remaining. This marked another loss for France, who were defeated 4-1 by Italy earlier.
Conclusion
The Finnish women’s hockey team is experiencing improved health, which is crucial for their Olympic performance. They aim to compete against strong opponents and recover their competitive edge as the games progress.
