Ice hockey-Beaten Italy unlikely to be underestimated after delighting home fans

MILAN, Feb 11 : Italy began their opening game of the men's Olympic ice hockey tournament with a bang, and certainly did not end it with a whimper despite losing 5-2 to Sweden on Wednesday, as they sent the fans home happy after many had come more in hope than in belief.

Italy were making their first appearance at the Games since 2006, and with NHL players returning after a 12-year absence the hosts appeared on a hiding to nothing against a side packed with players from North America's elite professional league.

Italy's women defied the doubters by reaching the quarter-finals, but there was even less optimism around the men.

"Unfortunately, I don't think the men can do the same," Federico, an Italy fan from Milan, told Reuters before the game.

"I'm afraid they won't go that far, I think for them it's more about limiting damage."

There was plenty of Swedish support in the stands but a deafening roar went up when Italy entered the rink.

Italy spent large parts of the game inside their own blue line, any Italian attack bringing chants of 'Italia, Italia' and when the hosts scored with their first shot of the game the new Santagiulia arena's foundations were severely tested.

"We've been dreaming of this first game at home for years, not even knowing if it would come, when it would come," Italy captain Thomas Larkin said.

"It's really amazing, especially the support we got when we scored that first goal was absolutely unbelievable."

Sweden coming back to lead did little to dampen the Italian crowd's enthusiasm and the place was rocking again seconds into the second period when Matt Bradley levelled.

Some may have begun to believe in a 'Miracle in Milan' but the Swedes went on to put some shine on the scoreline, an empty-net goal