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Four Finland women's hockey players down with stomach flu on eve of Games

Finland's national side in action in 2023
Finland's national side in action in 2023SVEN HOPPE / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP

Four members of Finland's women's Olympic ice hockey team ​have contracted stomach flu ahead of their opening ‌match at the Milano ‌Cortina Games, a spokesperson for the Finnish Ice Hockey Association told ⁠Reuters on Wednesday.

The illness caused ‌the cancellation of Finland's training ​session on Wednesday afternoon at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, where they face champions ‌Canada in their opening Group A game on Thursday.

Finland, who won bronze ⁠at the last two Olympics, will also meet the US, the Czech Republic and Switzerland in the preliminary round.

The Finns named Michelle Karvinen as captain on Wednesday. The 35-year-old forward ⁠plays for the Vancouver Goldeneyes ‌in the Professional Women's Hockey League. Defenders Nelli Laitinen and Ronja Savolainen will serve as ⁠vice-captains.