Austria’s U16 team finishes fourth after heavy defeat to Switzer­land

Austria began their final tournament game against Switzerland at the EZO Eissportzentrum-Oberthurgau with Luc Schneider in goal, while Philip Hudritsch served as backup. The hosts started brightly, while the ÖEHV selection were initially primarily occupied with defensive work, also due to an early spell shorthanded. Shortly afterwards, Marlon Zanoli gave the Swiss a 1:0 lead with a clinical penalty shot (7'). The home side continued to dominate, but goalkeeper Luc Schneider exuded calmness and confidence during this phase.

Austria worked their way into the game, but the Swiss scored a second goal: Fynn Lötscher beat Austria netminder Schneider from close range to make it 2:0 (14'). Alexandre Matthey-Claudet increased Switzerland’s lead to 3:0 after a fine combination before the end of the first period (19'). The Swiss made a lightning start to the second period, with Marlon Zanoli scoring to make it 4:0 from the first attack straight off the face-off after eight seconds (21').

Just under two minutes later, the team coached by Head Coach Johannes Leitner finally got on the scoreboard: Erik Stöckl converted a cross-ice pass from Tobias Schenk, who had burst down the left wing, to make it 1:4 (23'). Unfortunately, hopes of an Austrian comeback did not last long as the Swiss struck twice in quick succession: first, Alexandre Matthey-Claudet made it 5:1 on the power play (26'), before Caspar-Roman Vontobel scored to make it 6:1 just 13 seconds later (27'). 

Alexandre Matthey-Claudet completed a fine Swiss attack shortly afterwards. With a powerful shot for his third goal, he beat goalkeeper Philip Hudritsch, who had replaced Schneider in net, to make it 7:1 (29'). The game was effectively decided before the halfway mark. 

The final period began with a flurry of five goals in the opening five minutes: Matteo Filippitsch reduced the deficit to 2:7 with a magnificent shot (42'), before Matteo Della Chiesa increased Switzerland’s lead to 8:2 shortly afterwards (43'). Exactly 21 seconds later, Raphael Klemenz made it 3:8 with a precise long-range shot (43'). Another quick double took the hosts into double figures: Tobias Lednicky made it 9:3 (44'), before Nik Diener extended the lead to 10:3 (45'). Levon Trösch converted a power play with a powerful shot to make it 11:3 (51'). 

Just under five minutes from the end, Felix Dabringer was denied by Swiss goalkeeper Thomas Maillard on a penalty shot. Maurin Leuenberger increased the Swiss lead to 12:3 with a shorthanded goal (57'), before Aeneas Orlandi sealed the 13:3 final score (59').     

The ÖEHV selection concluded the Four Nations Tournament in Romanshorn in fourth place, with one win and two defeats. Slovakia won the tournament, recording three comprehensive victories, each after 60 minutes, to claim first place with nine points ahead of Switzerland and Germany. 

Head Coach Johannes Leitnergave his assessment after the tournament: "We had several absences, with two players ill and a third player rested. We were completely outclassed in terms of play and skating from start to finish. It was good to see that three games in three days at this level were a major challenge for us. Nevertheless, our final assessment is positive: the strong opponents allowed us to clearly see where we stand and what we need to improve, because our weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed. Of course, there were two tough results in this tournament, but also a positive result with the win against Germany. Although it was difficult for us, it was still a positive camp, especially considering that this was the first training camp for the 2010 age group!"

U16 Four Nations Tournament (Romanshorn, Switzerland):

Switzerland vs. Austria 13:3 (3:0,4:1,6:2)
Fri, 22 August 2025, 15:30
Austria goalscorers: Erik Stöckl (23'), Matteo Filippitsch (42'), Raphael Klemenz (43')

Previously played:

Austria vs. Germany 5:3 (3:0,1:1,1:2)
Thu, 21 August 2025, 18:30
Austria goalscorers: Matteo Filippitsch (6'/PP1), Paul Partl (13'), Fynn Oberrauner (16'/SH1), Erik Stöckl (31'), Anton Wandaller (60'/EN.)

Austria vs. Slovakia 0:8 (0:2,0:4,0:2)
Wed, 20 August 2025, 15:00

Squad: