Austria’s U18 sign off in Budapest with a thriller against World Cham­pi­onship oppo­nents Italy!

For their final tournament appearance at the Tüskecsarnok – the ice arena with 84 spikes on its roof, where win2day ICE Hockey League newcomers Ferencvárosi TC also play their home games – Austria started with Martin Haim in goal and took a 1:0 lead through Vitus Plank after just over ten minutes (at 11).

Christian Inama equalised for Italy at 1:1 on their first power play, four minutes before the end of the period (at 17). However, Austria also made use of a power-play opportunity – and how: eight seconds before the end of the period, the Azzurri received a two-minute penalty for delaying the game, and Paul Schuster scored at 2:1 four seconds before the first siren (at 20).

Almost three minutes had been played in the middle period when Andrea Rigoni netted Italy’s equaliser at 2:2 (at 23). Head Coach Peter Schweda’s team quickly found the right response, with Niclas Micelli restoring the ÖEHV lead at 3:2 (at 25). Shortly afterwards, the red-white-red penalty-killing units successfully saw off a spell short-handed, but 40 seconds after the halfway point of the game, Austria had to accept an equaliser for the third time through a goal by Tommaso Levis (at 31). 

The match developed into a thriller as it went on, with neither team giving in. In the final period, both sides initially survived a spell short-handed. Then, at the ideal time, Nico Koschek gave Austria their fourth lead at 4:3, around a minute and a half before the final siren (at 59). With 26 seconds remaining, Paul Schuster sealed the 5:3 result with an empty-netter (at 60).

From the end of April 2026, Austria’s U18 men’s national ice hockey team will compete in the U18 World Championship Division I, Group B in Tallinn (Estonia), aiming to return immediately to the U18 World Championship Division I, Group A. Italy will be one of the ÖEHV selection’s World Championship opponents.

Head Coach Peter Schweda: "The game against Italy was actually our worst of the tournament, as we made poor decisions with the puck and committed some individual errors. Nevertheless, you first have to see out and win a game like that. The whole week was very important for us coaches, as we were able to assess the players in different roles. We also had three games in three days, which was important for everyone in order to experience that kind of rhythm. Training, team spirit and commitment were outstanding throughout the week."

U18 Men’s National Team – Four Nations Tournament (HUN):

Italy vs. Austria 3:5 (1:2,2:1,0:2)
Sat, 08 November 2025, 11:00, Budapest
Austria goalscorers: Vitus Plank (at 11), Paul Schuster (at 20/PP1, 60/EN), Niclas Micelli (at 25), Nico Koschek (at 59)

Previously played:

Hungary vs. Austria 3:0 (1:0,0:0,2:0)
Fri, 07 November 2025, 18:30, Budapest

Austria vs. Slovenia 4:1 (1:0,1:1,2:0)
Thu, 06 November 2025, 15:00, Budapest
Austria goalscorers: Emil Wagner (at 19/PP1), Ferdinand Humer (at 39), Vitus Plank (at 46), Paul Vaschauner (at 60/EN)

Squad