Austria's U18 women relegated to Division IB
A bitter end to the U18 World Championship Division IA for Austria's U18 women's national ice hockey team. In their final game, they were beaten 0:1 by hosts Hungary, who secured the tournament title and promotion to the Top Division with five victories, and finished the World Championship in last place. This means relegation to Division IB.
2 min read
The World Championship Division IA comes to an end for Austria's U18 women with four defeats, one in overtime, and one overtime victory. After Norway recorded a 5:3 win over France in the afternoon, it was clear that Austria had to take points against Hungary to secure their place in the division. Things looked promising in the opening 20 minutes. Austria created considerably more chances, but time and again were denied by Helga Milibak.
In the second period, the hosts gradually took control. This time, Austria could rely on netminder Kiara Matt, who kept a clean sheet. Until the 53-minute mark, when the decisive moment came. Boglarka Bahiczki-Toth scored to make it 1:0 to Hungary. Head Coach Mario Bellina pulled Kiara Matt in the 58-minute mark, but the much-needed equaliser, which would have been enough to remain in the division, did not come.
The disappointment after the defeat was correspondingly great, Mario Bellina: "We did not get the point we needed. It was an evenly matched game, everyone battled and we put up a great fight. The puck did not bounce our way, and we also hit the crossbar twice. The goal ultimately resulted from a line-change error. But we do not want to look for excuses. We should have done other things better beforehand, and then we would not have ended up in this situation in the first place, such as the equaliser against Norway four seconds from the end, when what had been a three-point game ended up as a one-point game. Nevertheless, I would say that we can leave with our heads held high. We fought all the way. Naturally, the disappointment is great among the girls and the coaching staff. We will analyse this thoroughly in the coming weeks."
2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship Division IA
05 January 2025 - 11 January 2025, Budapest (HUN)
Participants: Germany, Italy, Hungary, Austria, France, Norway)
Hungary vs. Austria 1:0 (0:0,0:0,1:0)
Sat., 11 January 2025, 19:30, Tüskecsarnok
Hungary goalscorer: Boglarka Bahiczki-Toth (at 53)
Already played:
Austria vs. France 2:1 n.V. (0:0,0:1,1:0,1:0)
Fri., 10 January 2025, 16:00, Tüskecsarnok
Austria goalscorers: Florentina Rumpl (at 51), Emma Lintner (at 64)
France goalscorer: Jade Bernoussi (at 34)
Norway vs. Austria 4:3 n.V. (1:3,1:0,1:0,1:0)
Wed., 08 January 2025, 12:30, Tüskecsarnok
Norway goalscorers: Tiril Arntzen (17), Hedda Fredriksen (40/PP1), Miriam Toet-Uddveg (60), Kajsa Bråten (62)
Austria goalscorers: Vanessa Picka (10), Emma Lintner (13), Hana Ostadal (15)
Germany vs. Austria 4:1 (0:1,3:0,1:0)
Mon., 06 January 2025, 12:30, Tüskecsarnok
Germany goalscorers: Charleen Poindl (23/PP1), Alexandra Boico (28, 33, 58)
Austria goalscorer: Vanessa Picka (12.
Austria vs. Italy 3:4 (0:1,1:1,2:2)
Sun., 05 January 2025, 12:30, Tüskecsarnok
Austria goalscorers: Emma Lintner (36, 54/PP1), Vanessa Picka (50)
Italy goalscorers: Maddalena Bedont (20./PP1), Manuela Heidenberger (32nd, 42nd), Eleonora Pinti (49th)
Final standings
RNK |
| TEAM | GP | W | OTW | GF:GA | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
| HUN | 5 | 5 | 0 | 13:2 | 15 |
2 |
| ITA | 5 | 4 | 0 | 12:9 | 12 |
3 |
| GER | 5 | 2 | 0 | 12:12 | 6 |
4 |
| NOR | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12:15 | 5 |
5 |
| FRA | 5 | 1 | 0 | 10:16 | 4 |
6 |
| AUT | 5 | 0 | 1 | 9:14 | 3 |
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