The French ice hockey team is playing for its very survival at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina this Tuesday, February 17. The French team faces Germany in a qualifying match at the Milano Santagiulia IHO Arena, with a clear stakes: the winner advances to the quarter-finals against Slovakia, while the loser is out of the competition.
Let’s be honest, the French team’s journey in this hockey Olympic tournament has been anything but smooth sailing. Sitting at the bottom of Group A, Sacha Treille’s teammates suffered three preliminary setbacks: a tough 4-0 loss to Switzerland, a fiercely contested game against the Czech Republic that ended in a 6-3 defeat, and a heavy 10-2 blowout against Canada last Sunday. Despite these results, the tournament format offers a glimmer of hope, as no team is eliminated after the group stages. Ranked 11th overall, the French players face Germany, the sixth-best team in the standings, in the next round.
The France-Germany match is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 12:10 PM French time. The game will take place in Milan at the Milano Santagiulia IHO Arena. Should France win, they would advance to the quarter-finals, where they would face Slovakia.
Good news for sports fans: the match is available to watch for free. It's broadcast on France 2 and France 3 as part of the coverage of the Olympic Games on France Télévisions, and can also be seen on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 360 for subscribers. Fans can also stream the game live on the france.tv platform.
The buildup to this playoff match has been overshadowed by the Pierre Crinon affair. The Grenoble-based defender of the Brûleurs de Loups was involved in a brawl with Canadian player Tom Wilson during the last group stage game, leading to his expulsion from the tournament by the French Ice Hockey Federation. The federation cited his behavior as a clear violation of the Olympic spirit, highlighting his provocative conduct as he left the ice. As a result, the French team will have to face this crucial match without one of their most seasoned defensemen.
Meanwhile, the Germans are also entering the competition a bit cautiously. In Group C, they managed a convincing 3-1 victory over Denmark, but then suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat to Latvia and a heavy 5-1 loss to the United States. These opponents are definitely within reach for the French team, provided Les Bleus can find their rhythm and strength on the ice.
For France, this isn't just about a single game night. The French men's ice hockey team hasn't reached the quarter-finals of an Olympic tournament since 1992 — over thirty years ago. The inclusion of NHL stars in the competition has significantly raised the level of play, making each victory all the more meaningful. So, mark your calendars for this Tuesday at 12:10 PM on France 2 and Eurosport, where all eyes will be on the France-Germany match, which promises to be fiercely competitive.
