Denmark and the USA, locked in political tension over Greenland, will face off in an ice hockey match at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on February 14. The preliminary round game will take place at Milan’s Santagiulia arena. Relations have worsened since former US President Donald Trump pushed to seize Greenland, calling it a prize the US will take “one way or the other.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the pressure “completely unacceptable,” stating, “Borders cannot be changed by force, and small countries should not fear large countries.” Trump threatened new tariffs on eight European countries including Denmark, demanding they drop objections to his Greenland plans. Tens of thousands of Danes and Greenlanders protested, waving signs reading “Hands off Greenland” and “Greenland is not for sale.” The ice hockey match promises high drama on the rink as well. Team USA, ranked number one globally, are tournament favorites. Denmark, competing in men’s hockey at the Winter Olympics for only the second time, is ranked eighth and seen as the underdog. For the first time since 2014, players from North America’s NHL will compete, including Denmark’s own stars. Nikolaj Ehlers and Mads Søgaard expressed pride in representing Denmark. Ehlers said, “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” and vowed to “do everything we can” to battle hard. Neither player spoke on political tensions. The upcoming match adds a sharp edge to an already heated international rivalry, blending sport and diplomacy on the icy battlefield.