Ice hockey: Poland beat Italy 3-2 in overtime at the European Cup of Nations in Sosnowiec

Poland's national ice hockey team claimed its first win at the European Cup of Nations in Sosnowiec. On Friday 6 November 2026, the Poles beat Italy 3-2 in overtime. Bartłomiej Jeziorski was the hero and was named player of the match.

How the game went

Poland came into the match after a defeat to Ukraine on Thursday 5 November. Italy, who were relegated from the top tier, had beaten Great Britain 3-0 the day before. In the first period both sides had shots, but finishing was poor and there were no goals.

Four goals came in the second period. Szymon Kiełbicki put Poland ahead in the 23rd minute, even though the hosts were a man down at the time. Jeziorski provided the assist. Italy replied after 27 seconds, with Niccolo Mansueto levelling. In the 32nd minute the visitors went ahead through Tommaso De Luca. The puck deflected off a Polish player and then the post, and goalkeeper Maciej Miarka had no chance of saving it.

Before the end of the period, in the 37th minute, Jeziorski made it 2-2. He finished off a move involving Mikołaj Syty and Michał Naróg.

In the third period both teams focused on defence and there were no goals. Poland defended well, including when short-handed. The result was decided in overtime, which lasted just 21 seconds. After a pass from Kiełbicki, Jeziorski beat the Italian goalkeeper with a powerful shot to make it 3-2.

Result and other matches

Poland – Italy 3-2 (0-0, 2-2, 0-0, overtime 1-0). Poland's goals were scored by Kiełbicki and Jeziorski (twice), Italy's by Mansueto and De Luca.

In the other match on Friday, Ukraine beat Great Britain 5-1. Great Britain have therefore lost both of their games so far, having earlier lost 3-0 to Italy.

What next

Poland will face Italy again in May 2027 at the Division IA World Championship. Friday's match was therefore also a chance to size up a future opponent.

What this means for you

This is a sports story with no practical consequences. For readers in the UK it may be of interest because Great Britain's national team is also playing in the tournament, and lost to Italy and Ukraine in its first two matches.