0:1! But a strong Austria side pushed Sweden all the way

Image information: Benjamin Nissner and Co. pushed Sweden all the way for 60 minutes - Photo: GEPA pictures/David Bitzan

The preparation phase for the World Championship in Finland (13 May to 29 May 2022) reaches its sporting highlight for the ÖEHV delegation in the coming days. Austria faced Sweden at the STEFFL Arena Wien in the opening game of the Euro Hockey Tour, the first of three top nations, with further games against Finland on Saturday, 30 April 2022 at 12:00 in Ostrava and against the Czech Republic, also in Ostrava, on Sunday, 1 May 2022 at 16:00.

Sweden are fifth in the current IIHF world rankings, while Austria are in 17th place. Ahead of the three blockbusters, Head Coach Roger Bader had set the objective of adapting to the level, high tempo and individual quality of the top nations, while already getting used to the rhythm of World Championship games: "Adapting to that will be our task."

Austria started against Sweden with first-choice goaltender Bernhard Starkbaum, while Marcus Högberg was between the posts for the visitors. Austria created the first fine attacking move through Peter Schneider, whose shot was stopped by Högberg. Tre Kronor then took control and hit the post, but Brian Lebler had the best chance of that phase when he fired the puck wide after a counter-attack (4).

A few moments later, he had a second good opportunity, but this time Sweden's goaltender Högberg came out on top with his glove. During the first power play, Dominic Zwerger unleashed a powerful slapshot which rebounded off the left post (8). Austria continued to perform well in the battles and applied strong forechecking against the favourites. The technically gifted Swedes also repeatedly posed a threat, but Bernhard Starkbaum already looked to be in World Championship form, making for a highly attractive first period.

As the game went on, the visitors naturally gathered momentum. Austria were no longer able to register as many shots as they had in the opening 20 minutes. In terms of the course of the game, it was an ideal test of character for Head Coach Roger Bader's team. Tre Kronor now displayed their well-known combination play in the offensive zone, while Austria had more defensive duties to deal with. A scenario that will also arise against the top nations at the World Championship in Finland. When Manuel Ganahl was sent to the penalty box for two minutes for holding, Sweden's opening goal was in the air.

But during this phase, Bernhard Starkbaum showed how valuable he is to the ÖEHV side. He kept a clean sheet with fine saves. Towards the end of the second period, Sweden increasingly pinned Austria in their own zone, but the red-white-red players threw themselves in front of every shot, battled relentlessly and went into the second intermission at 0:0 against Sweden.

In the final period, Dominic Hackl was sent to the penalty box for two minutes for hooking, and this time Sweden did not hesitate. Linus Karlsson fired home a powerful wrist shot on the power play to make it 1:0 to the visitors (46). Both teams continued to play freely afterwards, with the game going back and forth at high tempo, while both goaltenders made fine saves. Shortly before the end, Roger Bader pulled goaltender Starkbaum and risked everything. Thomas Raffl and Peter Schneider had the equaliser on their sticks, but Sweden saw out the 1:0. Bernhard Starkbaum was named Austria's best player. The 3.500 fans at the STEFFL Arena Wien were delighted and gave the team a rapturous send-off.

Head Coach Roger Bader analysed his team's strong performance after the game: "I'm extremely happy with the performance. Of course, I would rather have won 1:0 than lost. I don't think that would have been entirely undeserved either, because it was very even at times. We had five more shots than Sweden, just imagine that. Normally they have 20 to 25 more shots than us. We had our chances, and the first period was outstanding. The penalty before the first goal was harsh; I briefly watched it again. I am very pleased with how the players can keep up!"

Goaltender Bernhard Starkbaum gave the team the support it needed and saw positive signs: "We started very well, and we even had more shots in the first period. We also spent more time in the offensive zone. Unfortunately, it was not enough, but it was certainly a performance we can build on. We played very well defensively. If we deliver our performance, we can also trouble major nations!"

Austria continue their Euro Hockey Tour campaign on Saturday. In the spirit of the Western classic "High Noon" - original title "High Noon" - they face world number one Finland. The Finns, who beat the Czech Republic 2:1 after a penalty shoot-out in the parallel Euro Hockey Tour game, were world champions in 2019, won World Championship silver in 2021 and became Olympic champions in Beijing in February. Like Sweden and the Czech Republic, Finland are also Austria's opponents in Group B at the World Championship from 13 May.

All of Austria's Euro Hockey Tour games will be broadcast live on ORF Sport+. Next week, the national team will gather for their final preparation camp in Schwenningen (GER), where the red-white-red side will play their final World Championship warm-up game in the age-old derby against neighbours Germany on Sunday, 8 May 2022 at 17:00, also live on ORF Sport+.

Euro Hockey Tour Ostrava from 28 April to 1 May

Austria vs. Sweden 0:1 (0:0,0:0,0:1)
Thu, 28 April 2022, 19:00, STEFFL Arena Vienna
Sweden goalscorer: Linus Karlsson (at 46, PP1)

30 April 2022, 12:00, AUT - FIN in Ostrava, live on ORF Sport+
1 May 2022, 16:00, CZE - AUT in Ostrava, live on ORF Sport+

Camp IV, Schwenningen

8 May 2022, 17:00, GER - AUT in Schwenningen, live on ORF Sport+

Already completed:

Camp I, Linz, from 2 to 8 April 2022

Austria vs. Czechia 1:4 (1:1,0:1,0:2)
Fri, 08 April 2022, 17:30, LINZ AG Eisarena, 1.850
Austria goalscorer: Erik Kirchschläger (at 12)

Czechia vs. Austria 5:1 (3:0, 2:0, 0:1)
Wed, 06 April 2022, 17.30, Znojmo
Austria goalscorer: Nico Feldner (at 48)

Camp II, Graz, from 11 to 16 April 2022

Austria vs. Poland 1:0 (0:0,1:0,0:0)
Sat, 16 April 2022, 16:00, Graz Merkur Eisstadion
Austria goalscorer: Philipp Pöschmann (at 30)

Austria vs. Poland 4:1 (1:0,0:0,3:1)
Thu, 14 April 2022, 19:00, Graz Merkur Eisstadion
Austria scorers: David Maier (7'), Simeon Schwinger (49'), Oliver Achermann (PP/57'), Sam Antonitsch (58')
Poland scorers: Filip Starzynski (47')

Camp III, Innsbruck, from 20 to 25 April 2022

Italy vs. Austria 2:1 (0:1/1:0/1:0)
23 April 2022, 17:30, Bruneck
Austria scorer: Ali Wukovits (20')

Austria vs. Italy 5:0 (2:0/1:0/2:0)
24 April 2022, 14:30, Innsbruck
Austria scorers: Nico Feldner (2'), Benjamin Nissner (18'), Benjamin Baumgartner (36'), Dominic Zwerger (54'), Thomas Raffl (59')

Sweden vs. Austria
Sat, 14 May 2022, 11:20, live on ORF Sport+

Austria vs. USA
Sun, 15 May 2022, 15:20, live on ORF Sport+

Czechia vs. Austria
Tue, 17 May 2022, 15:20, live on ORF Sport+

Norway vs. Austria
Wed, 18 May 2022, 15:20, live on ORF Sport+

Latvia vs. Austria
Fri, 20 May 2022, 19:20, live on ORF Sport+

Austria vs. Finland
Sat, 21 May 2022, 15:20, live on ORF Sport+

Austria vs. Great Britain
Mon, 23 May 2022, 19:20, live on ORF Sport+