Austria’s U18 national team earns promo­tion after last-minute thriller against South Korea!

From the outset, Austria’s final and decisive World Championship appearance against South Korea developed into a fast-paced end-to-end affair. Both teams tried to move quickly through the neutral zone. South Korea were exactly as Head Coach Philipp Pinter had described them: strong skaters and extremely agile. 

The ÖEHV selection, with goaltender Benedikt Oschgan once again starting in goal, had the first power-play opportunity after five minutes but were unable to capitalise on it. In response, the red-white-red side successfully killed off a subsequent penalty. The opening period then remained evenly balanced, although Austria grew into the game with every shift.

One minute before the end of the period, Alexander Rupnik drove irresistibly towards the opposition goal and Leon Lamereiner scored the important 1:0 opener from close range. 

The second period was also intense and very evenly contested by both teams. Austria largely had the match under control. In the 30th minute, South Korea equalised at 1:1 following a face-off, with Yoonmin Shin firing past goaltender Oschgan. 

In the 35th minute, the East Asians suddenly took a 2:1 lead following an Austrian turnover in the build-up, as Seongho Hwang went in alone on Oschgan and scored. Shortly afterwards, Johannes Neumann missed a great chance from the slot to equalise quickly, and South Korea took a narrow 2:1 lead into the final period.

Austria were now forced to play more offensively. Following a fine long pass, Paul Noll had the chance to equalise on a breakaway. Then goaltender Benedikt Oschgan kept Austria in the game with a superb save after Yoonmin Shin went on a solo run.

Closing minutes not for the faint-hearted

Eight and a half minutes before the end, the ÖEHV team once again had the equaliser on their stick, as Luca Kogler sent a sharp cross-ice pass from a quick attack down the left which David Waschnig narrowly missed. 

Shortly afterwards, the equaliser came: Maximilian Kirchebner fired the puck towards goal and Laurin Sandholzer pushed it over the line for 2:2 in the 52th minute. One minute before the end, Thomas Klassek lifted the puck out of the defensive zone, Alexander Rupnik collected it and fired it into the net for 3:2 for Austria!

14 seconds before the end, Benedikt Oschgan preserved the win after a shot. Moments before the final siren, Laurin Sandholzer sealed it all with an empty-net goal for 4:2! The ÖEHV delegation then erupted in celebration, with promotion to the U18 World Championship Division I, Group A secured. Luca Kogler was named Austria’s best player of the game. 

Austria could no longer be denied top spot with 12 points from five games before hosts Slovenia’s evening game against Italy. The hosts concluded the tournament with a 2:1 overtime win over Italy and claimed silver behind Austria.

After the surprising opening defeat against Poland, the Austrians followed up with victories after 60 minutes against Estonia, hosts Slovenia, Italy and, finally, South Korea. Forward Paul Noll, who scored four World Championship goals in total, was named the red-white-red side’s best player of the World Championship tournament. Poland, of all teams, who had beaten Austria 3:1 in the opener, were relegated.

Head Coach Philipp Pinter analysed his team’s emotional promotion after the final siren: "I don’t even know what to say; we are incredibly proud of this group. It was sensational how the team pulled together after the poor start against Poland, how they fought, how much passion and emotion they brought onto the ice. I am especially happy for the team because so many outsiders tried to talk down the team and this age group, saying they did not have the right spirit. Within the team, we believed in success. The boys are like a herd of buffalo; that was a bit of our theme, pulling together. Today’s game was a crowning finish, and the players never stopped believing in themselves. Today’s win was a truly great reward for an exceptionally strong World Championship tournament from the entire team. A big thank-you also goes to my coaching assistants Patrick Harand and Mathias Lange, as well as goaltending coach Patrick Machreich. It was, as hoped and of course expected, an incredible collaboration. They are absolute professionals and that makes my work easier too, especially when you have a team that believes in itself so much, keeps moving forward and works together as a unit, as a family!"

From the start of the World Championship, ÖEHV Sports Director Roger Bader was also always kept informed about events on site, watched all the games via livestream and was in close contact with Head Coach Philipp Pinter: "I am very proud of the team, the coaches and the staff. The right responses were found immediately after the first game. The team improved from game to game. It was very positive that the coaching staff had already worked together at the U20 World Championship in Canada last August and were able to gain valuable experience. Now it is about taking the next step next season and staying in the division at the World Championship."

2023 IIHF U18 World Championship Division I, Group B:

Austria vs. South Korea 4:2 (1:0,0:2,3:0)
Sun, 16 April 2023, 16:00, Bled Ice Rink
Austria goalscorers: Leon Lamereiner (19), Laurin Sandholzer (52, 60/EN), Alexander Rupnik (59)
South Korea goalscorers: Yoonmin Shin (30), Seongho Hwang (35)

Final IIHF World Championship standings

Already played:

Austria vs. Italy 3:0 (1:0,0:0,2:0)
Sat, 15 April 2023, 19:30, Bled Ice Rink
Austria goalscorers: Paul Noll (9), Alexander Rupnik (60/EN), Oliver Lam (60/EN)

Slovenia vs. Austria 4:6 (0:2.1:1,3:3)
Thu, 13 April 2023, 19:30, Bled Ice Rink
Slovenia goalscorers: Anže Žeželj (30, 42), Žan Špari Leben (41), Maj Crnkič (59)
Austria goalscorers: Felix Haiböck (1), Alexander Rupnik (9), Paul Noll (30, 60/EN), Gregor Biber (47/PP1), Laurin Wempe (57)

Austria vs. Estonia 7:1 (3:0,2:0,2:1)
Tue, 11 April 2023, 12:30, Bled Ice Rink
Austria goalscorers: Oliver Lam (9/PP1, 42), Florian Lanzinger (11), Paul Noll (19), Leon Lamereiner (25), Johannes Neumann (38), Maximilian Schwarz (50)
Estonia goalscorer: Maksim Burkov (44)

Poland vs. Austria 3:1 (1:0,2:1,0:0)
Mon, 10 April 2023, 12:30, Bled Ice Rink
Poland goalscorers: Jakub Hofman (3/PP1), Maksymilian Dawid (29/PP1, 36/PP1)
Austria goalscorer: Florian Lanzinger (33/PP1)

All information and the full schedule can be found at www.iihf.com