Final showdown for survival: Women’s National Team takes on Japan

It is all on the line for the ÖEHV Women’s National Team at the IIHF Women’s World Championship 2026 in Denmark on Friday (13 November, 11:00): Austria will face Japan in the relegation game at Hockey Arena Herning, with the loser relegated to Division IA. ORF 1 will broadcast the game live from 10:50.

Austria finished fifth in Group A without a point despite strong performances. Following defeats to the Czech Republic (1:4), Germany (0:2) and the USA (1:11), they came close in their final group game against Switzerland: Austria led 2:1 in the second period but ultimately lost 2:4.

Japan in a slump

Japan, a permanent fixture in the top division since 2019, finished bottom of Group B. A 2:3 shoot-out defeat to hosts Denmark was followed by losses to Canada (0:9), Finland (2:8) and Sweden (0:5).

Japan had already been eliminated at the Olympic Games in Milan with only one win in the preliminary round, their worst finish in five Olympic appearances to date. Unlike many other nations, most of the squad play in the domestic league.

Their best-known player is forward Akane Shiga, who plays for Detroit in the PWHL. One player knows Austrian ice hockey well: goaltender Miyuu Masuhara is under contract with the Sabres St. Pölten.

Japan have won each of the last three meetings, most recently prevailing 2017 in Division IA in Graz by 4:1. Their tournament victory in Graz earned them promotion at the time. Seven players from the current squad were also in Graz in 2017, including captain Anna Meixner and Theresa Schafzahl.

Special teams a key strength

The statistics offer plenty of encouragement for Austria: with a penalty kill percentage of 93,33 per cent, the team is among the best at the tournament, while Japan are bottom with 66,67 per cent. Austria also lead Japan clearly on the power play, with 16,67 per cent compared with 7,69 per cent.

Selma Luggin made 126 saves in three games for a save percentage of 94,74 per cent. Converting chances remains an issue: only four of Austria’s 54 shots found the net. Theresa Schafzahl and Anna Meixner are the leading scorers with three points each. Japan have also managed only four goals in four games, with Umeka Odaira, Marin Nagaoka and Remi Koyama their leading scorers on two points each.

There is a great deal at stake for both teams: the winner will also play in the World Championship top division in November 2027, which will take place in Quebec City (Canada). The loser will then compete in Division IA in Milan.

Alexander Bröms, ÖEHV head coach: "We led against Switzerland, then they hit back and we paid for our penalties. Now we have to put that behind us, regain our focus and recharge our energy. As a staff, we will take a close look at our next opponent so that we are as well prepared as possible. This is our chance to show that we belong in this division. I firmly believe that we will deliver a good game on Friday."

Theresa Schafzahl, ÖEHV forward: "We saw against Switzerland that we can keep up with a team like that. If we had believed in ourselves a little more, we could have won too. We have worked for years towards this moment, finally being able to compete in the top division. That has driven us, and that is exactly the belief in ourselves we need to bring onto the ice from the very start on Friday."

Lena Dauböck, ÖEHV forward: "Against Switzerland, we saw just how close we are and that only small things are missing. Of course, there is also disappointment, as we desperately wanted a win in the group stage. But we did a great many things right, and we now need to take that with us and put it into practice on Friday. We have two days to reset, analyse the details and see what we can improve in the short term. On Friday, we want everyone to be fit."