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A Slovak native was in Italy this week, 16 years after the country’s prosecutors issued a warrant for his arrest.
The unidentified 44-year-old traveled to Milan to watch his native country’s Olympic hockey team take on medal favorites Finland, resulting in a stunning 4-1 surprise victory for the Slovaks.
However, he never had the chance to see the Slovak version of “Miracle on Ice”.
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Slovakia fans inside the arena before the match against Finland in the Men’s Ice Hockey Group B play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
Police said they found the suspect after he checked into a guesthouse in a Milan suburb and then escorted him to San Vittore central prison before he could attend the match.
The arrest warrant follows a series of alleged store thefts in 2010. He now has 11 months and seven days left to serve, according to police.
Perhaps the fan wanted to try and bring a little bit of home to his hockey team, as they face the hosts in Italy on Friday. They close out the preliminary round on Saturday against Sweden, another team that could almost certainly compete for the gold medal.
Juraj Slafkovsky of Slovakia in action during the Men’s Preliminary Group B match between Slovakia and Finland on day five of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
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Slovakia won the bronze medal in Beijing when NHL players were not yet allowed to compete. They are now led by Montreal Canadiens superstar Juraj Slafkovsky, who actually has Olympic experience.
Slafkovsky competed in 2022, as he had not yet played in the NHL. He was 17 years old at the time, he was the youngest player in the Olympics, but he still managed to be the Olympic points leader and the most valuable player of the tournament.
Slafovsky scored twice against Finland and Dalibor Dvorsky of the St. Louis Blues scored the game-winner with less than 13 minutes remaining.
Juraj Slafkovsky of Team Slovakia celebrates the team’s 4-1 victory during the Men’s Group B Preliminary match between Slovakia and Finland on day five of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 11, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Unfortunately, no fans will be able to see the gang in action.
