Austria lose 1:2 to Hungary in overtime

Bitter – that was also Head Coach Mario Bellina's assessment after the narrow 1:2 defeat to Hungary in the penultimate game of the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship Divison IA. With two wins and two defeats so far, Austria are in 3rd place in the table. Promotion is therefore no longer possible. Austria face Denmark on Friday lunchtime in their final World Championship game.

10 January 20242 min read

“The girls played a terrific game,” praised Mario Bellina his team. Austria went toe-to-toe with the Hungarians, to whom they had still lost 0:3 in preparation. Zoey Hobitsch gave Austria a 1:0 lead two minutes before the end of the first period. Hungary had the edge in shots on goal, but were thwarted by goaltender Rosina Fichtinger.

Austria had to see off two Hungarian power plays in the opening ten minutes of the second period. The red-white-red defensive work was impressive, even if they had a little luck on their side in some situations. However, that luck had been hard earned.

Hungary finally equalised at 37 minutes to make it 1:1. The final period swung back and forth once more. The young Austrians took control towards the end of the game and created several high-quality chances. Only the winning goal would not come.

In overtime, Austria's neighbours benefited from two incorrect decisions by the officials, who also apologised to Mario Bellina and his team after the game.

First, a slash against an Austrian player went uncalled, and then the offside by the two Hungarian players that followed was missed. Austria's neighbours secured their second win of the tournament, while the disappointment was written all over the Austrians' faces.

Head Coach Mario Bellina: “They left everything out on the ice. It was a real battle that went back and forth. An exciting game with chances at both ends, which unfortunately had a stupid ending for us. The officials apologised to us afterwards, but the game was already over. Regardless of how the game might have developed afterwards, that goal should not have counted. That is really bitter. We now have to be satisfied with the point, will make sure tomorrow that the players get a little break from ice hockey, and then we will give everything again in the final game to win.”

2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship Divison IA

06 January 2024 – 12 January 2024, Neumarkt/Egna (ITA)
Participants: Japan, Italy, France, Hungary, Austria, Denmark

Hungary vs. Austria 2:1 n.V. (0:1, 1:0, 0:0, 1:0)
Wed, 10 January 2024, 12:30
Austria goalscorer: Zoey Hobitsch (18 mins)
Hungary goalscorers: Karina Karpati (37 mins), Reka Hiezl (62 mins)

Next game:

Austria vs. Denmark
Fri, 12 January 2024, 12:30

Played so far:

Japan vs Austria 3:0 (2:0,0:0,1:0)
Tue, 09 January 2024, 16:00
Japan scorers: Nana Akimoto (9), Sophia Odermatt (13/PP1), Azumi Numabe (46)

Italy vs Austria 3:4 n.P. (0:0,3:1,0:2,0:0,0:1)
Sun, 07 January 2024, 16:00
Italy scorers: Manuela Heidenberger (21), Matilde Fantin (27/PP1, 34)
Austria scorers: Hanna Danninger (40/PP1), Artemis Tekin (52/PP1), Gloria Henek (59/PP1) – Laura Nagy with the decisive penalty shot

Austria vs France 2:1 (1:0, 0:0, 1:1)
Sat, 06 January 2024, 12:30
Austria scorers: Isabel Friess (19), Anna Billa (47)
France scorer: Armelle Chabert (48)

Current IIHF standings