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A Slovakian man was arrested ahead of Team Slovakia's game against Team Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, over a 2010 warrant in the country.
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The Slovakian hockey team had one less fan in the bleachers at the 2026 Olympics.
A Slovak national was arrested Feb. 11 in Milan over a warrant issued in the country 16 years earlier for a series of thefts, local authorities confirmed to Reuters.
The 44-year-old man—whose name was not disclosed—had returned to Italy in hopes of watching his home country play against Finland in the preliminary round. Instead of cheering on Slovakia at the Santagiulia Arena, he was arrested after local Carabinieri police tracked him down when he checked into a guest house in Milan.
Authorities told Reuters that the man was taken to the San Vittore prison, where he will serve an 11-month and one-week sentence for the 2010 thefts.
While the man is spending the rest of the Olympics behind bars, the Slovakian team is focusing on its game behind glass walls. Following their win against Finland, forward Juraj Slafkovsky reflected on their accomplishment, especially thanks to their goalie Samuel Hlavaj.
"It's important to start the tournament on a good note and I'm happy with the way we played," Juraj, who plays for the Montreal Canadiens, told the NHL. "I'm happy that our goalie was great. So, it's a big win for us."
"So many times I thought the puck was in the net and he somehow had it," he said of Samuel after the athlete made 39 saves during the game. "So, it gives us a lot of confidence. If you know you can rely on someone behind you when you make some mistake, it's great."
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This year marks the first time NHL players have represented the country since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. With these wins under their belts, the Slovakian team may leave Italy wearing gold.
"It shows when you [use] the system that you set up before the game and you do it 100 percent and everybody buys in," captain Tomáš Tatar added, "you can beat anyone at this tournament."
After Slovakia bested Team Italy 3-2 on Feb. 13, they are scheduled to face Sweden on Feb. 14.
While fans wait to see who will go on to the next round, keep reading for a closer look at what's going on at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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You're on Candid Camera
A cameraman films U.S. skiers Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin hugging after the second run of the women's team combined salom event.
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A Small Gift
French biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot has some fun with plushies of Milan-Cortina Olympics mascots Milo and Tina, which she received as part of winning the silver medal in the women's biathlon 15km individual event.
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Thinking of Home
Skier Dmytro Shepiuk uses a sticky note to send love to his fellow Ukranians after finishing the men's super-G event.
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Scream and Shout
Japan's Kaori Sakamoto is surprised by her score in the women's singles free skating team event.
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All the Emotions
Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam wipes tears from her eyes after learning she set an Olympic record in the women’s 1,000-meter race.
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Big Air
China's Eileen Gu competes in the women's freestyle slopestyle—which earned her a silver medal.
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With Him Always
U.S. skater Maxim Naumov holds a photo of his late parents close after competing in the men's single skating short program.
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Twists and Turns
A composite image shows off the many tricks seen in the women's freestyle slopestyle.
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Pierogi Power
Polish figure skater Ekaterina Kurakova holds up a plushie of a pierogi—widely considered to be Poland's national food—as she celebrates with her teammates during the women's single skating short program.
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It's a Bird, It's a Plane
No, it's Team Austria's ski jumper Julia Muehlbacher.
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Double Trouble
Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp of Austria zoom by during the luge women's doubles.
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Say Cheese!
The winners of the figure skating team event snap a selfie with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition while on the podium.
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Never Give Up
U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn looks determined as she attends a training session days after rupturing her ACL in a crash.
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Ice to See You
Alysa Liu of United States performs the Biellmann spin during the women's single skating short program event.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
So Close
Team Great Britain's Jennifer Dodds has a nail-biting reaction to the curling mixed doubles round robin match against South Korea.
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images
Curl It Like It's Hot
Snoop Dogg, serving as an Olympics correspondent for NBC, tries his hand at curling at a practice.
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In Sync
U.S. figure skaters and real-life couple Evan Bates and Madison Chock are a perfect match while performing their rhythm ice dance routine.
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On the B-rink of History
Laila Edwards, the first Black woman representing the U.S. in Olympic hockey, faces off against Czech player Sara Cajanova during the United States vs. Czech Republic game.
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Friendship Knows No Borders
Australian snowboarder Valentino Guseli shares a hug with Team Czechia's Jakub Hrones during the men's snowboard big air qualifiers.
Javier SORIANO / AFP via Getty Images
Photo Finish
Bulgarian ski jumper Vladimir Zografski hits the brakes during a training session.
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Swept Away With Joy
American curler Korey Dropkin lets out a victorious shout after his team defeats Switzerland in a mixed doubles round bobin match.
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