Astana 2025 Team Preview: Get to know Italy

The 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool will take place from 6-11 September in Astana, Kazakhstan, with six national teams competing in 15 games over six days. Hosted by the Kazakhstan Para Hockey Federation at the Tarlan Arena, participating nations will include Italy, Japan, Sweden, Kazakhstan, France and Finland. 

The top two finishers from the round-robin tournament event will earn promotion to the A-Pool for the 2027 season and spots at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The bottom finisher will be released to the C-Pool for next season.

The vibrant host city, Astana, is the capital of Kazakhstan and is the country’s second-largest city with over one million residents. It is home to several professional ice hockey teams, including Barys Astana, which forms the core of the Kazakh national squad competing at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. This will be the 11th edition of B-Pool Worlds and the fourth time it is held in Asia. 

Here’s a look at Team Italy.

Background

As the host nation of the next Paralympic Winter Games in 2026, Team Italy enters the World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool with a mix of experience and renewed determination, aiming to reclaim their spot in the A-Pool after recent setbacks.

Known for their disciplined defence and tactical structure, the Italians are led by seasoned veterans alongside emerging talent eager to make their mark on the international stage. This marks the first time in Italy’s 18-year international campaign it has been delegated to the B-Pool. Expect Italy to be one of the most competitive and resilient squads in the tournament.

World Championships History     

2024: 7th place (A-Pool)
2023: 6th place (A-Pool)
2021: 7th place (A-Pool)
2019: 6th place (A-Pool)
2017: 5th place (A-Pool)
2015: 5th place (A-Pool)
2013: 5th place (A-Pool)
2012: 6th place (A-Pool)
2009: 6th place (A-Pool)
2008: 6th place (A-Pool)

Roster 

Forwards: Christoph Deapoli, Alessandro Andreoni, Francesco Torella, Gianluigi Rosa, Matteo Remotti Martini, Roberto Radice, Nils Larch, Sandro Kalegaris, Stephan Kafmann
Defenders: Andrea Macri, Nikko Landeros, Alex Enderle, Gian Luca Cavaliere,
Goaltenders: Santino Stillitano, Gabriele Araudo,
Head Coach: Mirko Bianchi 

Athlete to Watch 

One of the most promising forwards on the Italian roster, Nils Larch combines speed, agility, and a natural scoring touch. His energy and creativity make him a dynamic force on the ice, capable of breaking games open with individual brilliance or quick transitions. As Italy looks to blend experience with emerging talent, Larch is poised to step into a starring role and provide the offensive spark needed to push the team toward promotion.

Game Schedule 

Saturday, 6 September 
15:30 — Finland vs. Italy

Sunday, 7 September 
15:30 — France vs. Italy

Monday, 8 September 
19:00— Italy vs. Kazakhstan

Wednesday, 10 September 
15:30 — Italy vs. Sweden

Thursday, 11 September 
15:30 — Italy vs. Japan