Austria’s U16 finish the Euro­pean Youth Olympic Festival in sixth place

Austria found it difficult against the Italians, who closed down the spaces from the outset but were also strong offensively, and fell 0:1 behind in the 15th minute. Federica Boaglio stole the puck, went in alone on ÖEHV netminder Kiara Matt and scored to give the Azzurri the lead. 21:12 shots on goal after 20 minutes reflected Italy’s superiority.

As the game progressed, the red-white-red side battled for an equaliser and created good chances, but could not find one. Italy were too solid defensively and had a reliable presence in goal in Anna Corte Sualon, who ultimately recorded a shutout.

Following the narrow defeat to Italy, Austria finished sixth at the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023.

Head Coach Philipp Siutz analysed the tournament after the final buzzer: "The final game against Italy was an open contest in which, unfortunately, we could not find a way to beat the opposing goalkeeper despite creating great chances.
We are very pleased with how the tournament went and with the way we were able to perform in every game. In the 5:0 defeat to Finland, we had more shots on goal than our opponents; the 5:4 against Slovakia (who, with Nela Lopusanova, arguably have the greatest talent in women’s ice hockey) was a statement that our girls can compete with the best in the world. The 3:0 win over Switzerland’s senior national team was the highlight of this tournament for us."

AUSTRIA vs. Italy 0:1 (0:1,0:0,0:0)
Thu, 26 January 2023, 19:30 hrs, Eis-Sport-Arena Spittal

Convincing win over Switzerland

Austria made a strong start against Switzerland and were also clinical in front of goal. While shorthanded, Emma Lintner sent captain Serena Unger clear with a superb pass, and she scored to make it 1:0 in the ninth minute.

The ÖEHV selection continued to press and scored another shorthanded goal in the first period. Elisa Brunner won the puck in the offensive zone, drove irresistibly towards goal and made it 2:0 in the 14th minute.

After that, Head Coach Philipp Siutz’s team played tactically astutely and waited for further opportunities. Just under five minutes before the end of the second period, Austria established themselves in the offensive zone. Artemis Tekin passed to Emma Kleinlercher, who was able to put the puck into the Swiss net from close range to make it 3:0.

Austria eventually beat Switzerland 3:0 and, having finished third in Group A after the preliminary round, will play the third-placed team from Group B in the placement game on Thursday from 19:30 hrs.

Comeback against Slovakia goes unrewarded

Just under three minutes had been played at the Eis-Sport-Arena Spittal when Slovakia took the lead on the power play through Nela Lopusanova. Austria’s U16 had truly arrived at the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023 in the 13th minute, when Hana Ostadal deflected an Emma Kleinlercher shot unstoppably into the net for 1:1 – while shorthanded.

20 seconds before the first intermission, Austria conceded to make it 1:2 following a swift counter-attack, with Nela Lopusanova once again putting the puck past netminder Kiara Matt.

The circumstances surrounding Slovakia’s third goal were unusual. Austria returned to the ice late after the intermission and received a two-minute penalty for delay of game. Slovakia immediately capitalised on the power play through Ema Lackova to make it 3:1.

When Slovakia pulled away after two further quick power-play goals – Nela Lopusanova’s third and Ema Tothova’s goal to make it 5:1 after just under 26 minutes – a heavy defeat appeared to be looming.

However, the ÖEHV selection showed character and fought their way back into the game shift by shift. Emma Lintner reduced the deficit to 2:5 from close range in the 28th minute. Shortly after successfully killing a penalty, Vanessa Picka went in alone on the opposition goal and scored to make it 3:5 with 26 seconds remaining in the second period.

In the final period, Austria pushed for another goal and got it: Florentina Rumpl shot from a tight angle and surprised Slovakia netminder Zuzana Tomeckova in the 44th minute. Kiara Matt kept Austria in the game with good saves, but the strong comeback ultimately went unrewarded.

Head Coach Philipp Siutz: "It’s a shame. The girls gave everything and deserved that point more than anyone. Unfortunately, we lacked that little bit of luck; now we want to reward ourselves against Switzerland. We will give it everything once again!"

Opening defeat against Finland

Austria's U16 Women's National Ice Hockey Team opened the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023 on Sunday at the Eis-Sport-Arena Spittal with a 0:5 defeat to Finland. The team coached by Head Coach Philipp Siutz even had more shots on goal than the Finns, 30:28 in the end, but had to acknowledge their opponents' greater efficiency in converting their chances.

Finland took a 1:0 lead through a shorthanded goal by Jannika Sten while the ÖEHV side were on the power play. 12 seconds before the end of the period, Julia Kuhta made it 2:0 for Suomi.

Finland steadily extended their lead in the second period, with Elli Pohjanaho making it 3:0 after exactly 33 minutes. Jannika Sten with her second goal and Ella-Sofia Hautala gave Finland a comfortable 5:0 lead after 40 minutes. Austria kept the game closer in the final period, but there were no further goals at either end.

"The result certainly does not reflect the course of the game. The girls had their heads down after the match, but they can be proud of their performance," said Head Coach Philipp Siutz after the final buzzer.

"Nevertheless, it was a tremendous experience for us to play against a top nation. These games are worth their weight in gold for us as a team and for every individual player," said Emma Mae Lintner.

European Youth Olympic Festival 2023

Switzerland vs. AUSTRIA 0:3 (0:2,0:1,0:0)
Wed, 25 January 2023, 12:00
Austria scorers: Serena Unger (08:46/SH1), Elisa Brunner (13:22/SH1), Emma Kleinlercher (35:17)

Slovakia vs. AUSTRIA 5:4 (2:1,3:2,0:1)
Mon, 23 January 2023, 20:00, Spittal/Drau
Austria scorers: Hana Ostadal (12:15), Emma Lintner (27:44/SH1), Vanessa Picka (39:34), Florentina Rumpl (44:37)

AUSTRIA vs. Finland 0:5 (0:2,0:3,0:0)
Sun, 22 January 2023, 12:00, Spittal/Drau

Standings

Group B features Sweden, Czechia, Germany and Italy. The format sees the respective group winners play for gold, the group runners-up for bronze, the third-placed teams for 5th place and the fourth-placed teams for 7th place.