New Delhi, Feb. 6 -- All the worries, strife and scrutiny that lingered around the construction of the main hockey arena for the Milan Cortina Olympics dissipated as the first game there into a celebration for the host country.

Fans in the lively, near-full crowd chanted, "Italia! Italia!" throughout. Host Italy's women's team beat France 4-1 on Thursday, and while the conditions may not have been perfect, getting through an official game marked a milestone for much-talked-about Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

"I believe in the Olympic Committee and the Italians and that they would get it done," Italy's Laura Fortino said. "The ice was great, the atmosphere is great and we're happy to be here."

There were years of concerns about w...