Austria ready for next World Championship double-header
The first World Championship double-header, featuring the strong start against Sweden and the much-celebrated point against the USA, is in the books. Monday was devoted solely to recovery. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the next World Championship double-header against Czechia and Norway awaits, both live on ORF Sport+ at 15:20.
3 min readSource: Eishockey.at
Image info: Fully focused on the next games: Austria's players are ready for the double-header against Czechia and Norway - Photo: GEPA pictures/Daniel Goetzhaber
Satisfied, Head Coach Roger Bader was able to take stock on the match-free Monday after the first two games at the World Championship in Tampere (FIN): "We knew we were facing two top nations at the start, who are always competing for medals, and that it could happen that we would be outclassed and lose twice. The team performed superbly, stood up to them, was able to keep pace in many moments and match the intensity of the game. That cannot be taken for granted. Both nations would certainly have liked it to be easier and had to fight for the points."
Austria were unfortunate to hit the post in the 1:3 defeat against Sweden, as they were in the 2:3 overtime loss to the USA. In overtime, only the metalwork prevented Peter Schneider's shot from handing the Americans a defeat.
A brief disappointment quickly gave way to pride and joy at having secured a point against a top nation. But even that is only a snapshot at a World Championship, with all focus already on the next opponent. And that is Czechia.
It is the fourth meeting within six weeks. The teams faced each other three times in preparation, with our neighbours winning on each occasion. Indeed, Austria have never beaten Czechia in their history - 19 games, 19 defeats.
"Czechia are another world-class nation awaiting us, competing for medals and packed with top players from Europe and the NHL. To even get close to a point, we will need to play a perfect game. We expect a well-structured opponent with world-class players who can provide the highlights thanks to their individual quality," analyses Roger Bader.
For the first time, Czechia do not have a domestic coach behind the bench, but Kari Jalonen, a man from the World Championship host nation. Face-off on Tuesday is at 15:20, with the puck drop against Norway 24 hours later.
On Sunday, the Scandinavians surrendered a 3:0 lead against Great Britain, but ultimately prevailed 4:3 in a penalty shoot-out.
Roger Bader: "Something like that can happen at this level. Norway have been a top-division nation continuously since 2006 and have an experienced team, especially in attack. We need a strong performance to beat them."
The last duel with Norway took place on 7 February 2020 as part of the Ö-Cup in Klagenfurt. Austria won 2:0, avenging the 1:3 defeat a few months earlier in Lorenskog (NOR).
Overall record: 53 games - 18 wins, 5 draws, 30 defeats
Austria have suffered a painful loss in Benjamin Baumgartner. The 22-year-old was injured in the game against the USA and will not feature again at this World Championship.
13 - 29 May 2022
Hosts: Finland (Tampere & Helsinki)
Defending champions: Canada
Austria schedule
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+
Already played:
Sweden vs. Austria 3:1 (2:1,1:0,0:0)
Sat, 14 May 2022, 11:20, Nokia Arena Tampere
Sweden scorers: Joel Kellman (3), Max Friberg (17), Joakim Nordström (33)
Austria scorer: Peter Schneider (20)
Austria vs. USA 2:3 after overtime (1:0,1:1,0:1,0:1)
Sun, 15 May 2022, 15:20, Nokia Arena Tampere
Austria scorers: Benjamin Nissner (15), Ali Wukovits (35)
USA scorers: Kieffer Bellows (35), Adam Gaudette (49/PP1), Luke Hughes (63)
