Deutschland-Cup 2025: Austria’s favourite opponents await, followed by Latvia to conclude

Austria won the second and third periods against Slovakia 2:1. They now want not only to build on that performance against Germany, but to take the next step. Like Slovakia and final opponents Latvia, the hosts and record winners (10 times) of the Deutschland-Cup are already preparing for the Olympic Games. Another tough battle is expected on Saturday evening at 18:45, live on ORF SPORT +. Less than 15 hours later, Austria face Latvia on Sunday. ORF SPORT + will broadcast live from 11:00.

07 November 20252 min read

“We want to be ready from the outset. We addressed that again in today’s training session. Against Germany, we want to deliver a good performance from the start, play international, structured ice hockey, be direct with the puck as is necessary at this level, and play with committed but sensible physicality. If we do that, we will be an uncomfortable opponent for Germany and will also have chances to win the game,” says Head Coach Roger Bader, offering a tactical insight.

Austria were beaten 2:6 by Slovakia in their opening game of the Deutschland-Cup 2025 on Thursday afternoon. Their neighbours laid the foundations for victory in the first period, by the end of which Austria were already 0:5 behind. “We were not present in the first period in the way you have to be present in international ice hockey,” says Roger Bader, openly addressing the lessons learned from those 20 minutes. With 10:4 shots on goal in the second period and 15:3 in the third, Austria controlled the remaining 40 minutes.

That is exactly what they want to show again on Saturday against their favourite opponents Germany, says Bernd Wolf: “The arena will be full. I expect a great atmosphere; everyone will be against us. What could be better? We have to play as we did in the second and third periods yesterday, keep at it persistently and perform as a team. The Germans certainly will not make it easy for us, but if we set our minds to a lot, we can achieve a lot too.”

At the Deutschland-Cup a year ago and in the build-up to the 2025 World Championship, their neighbours came away as winners. Austria’s last victory over Germany came at the end of April 2024 in Zell am See.

Milestone for Dominic Zwerger

The game will be a special evening for Dominic Zwerger. The Swiss-based player will join the 100-cap club in the clash with Germany. Following yesterday’s assist for Peter Schneider’s goal to make it 1:5, Zwerger has 25 goals and 36 assists in 99 games. Another point or two, along with a victory, would be more than welcome against Germany to mark the milestone.

Memories of the 2025 World Championship

After nine consecutive defeats, Austria broke the streak against Latvia in their final group game at the 2025 World Championship. Thanks in part to a brace from Dominic Zwerger, they produced an incredible performance to beat the 2023 bronze medallists 6:1 in Stockholm (SWE) and advance to the quarter-finals. Latvia lost their opening game against Germany 1:4 on Thursday. ORF SPORT + will broadcast live from 11:00 on Sunday.

Deutschland-Cup 2025 Men

06–09 November 2025, Landshut (GER)

Germany vs. Austria
Sat, 08 November 2025, 18:45, live on ORF SPORT +

Latvia vs. Austria
Sun, 09 November 2025, 11:00, live on ORF SPORT +

Already played:

Austria vs. Slovakia 2:6 (0:5,1:0,1:1)
Thu, 06 November 2025, 12:15
Austria goalscorers: Peter Schneider (36'), Lucas Thaler (49')
Slovakia goalscorers: Maxim Čajkovič (2'), Peter Cehlárik (5'/PP1), Matúš Sukeľ (7', 19'/PP1, 59'/SH1), Viliam Čacho (11')

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