“Making history”: ÖEHV women celebrate top-division World Championship debut

The ÖEHV women’s national team finished its first top-division World Championship in ninth place and secured its place in the division in the relegation game against Japan. Austria thus achieved what no team had managed on its World Championship debut for 15 years.

14 November 20264 min read

IIHF

The ÖEHV women’s national team finished the IIHF Women’s World Championship 2026 in Denmark in ninth place and remains in the top division. The Austrians secured their place in the division on Friday with a 2:1 overtime win over Japan in the relegation game in Herning. Captain Anna Meixner scored both goals.

The team therefore made history in two ways: Austria became the 17th nation ever to compete in the women’s World Championship top division – and became the first team since Slovakia in 2011 to secure its place in the division on sporting merit at its debut. The Czech Republic (2013) and France (2019) were both relegated after their first appearance.

Close in the group stage

In Group A, the Austrians faced the Czech Republic, Germany, the USA and Switzerland. Against the world’s leading teams, they showed that they can compete: the Czech Republic prevailed 4:1, while Germany won by only 2:0. They suffered a 1:11 defeat against the record world champions, the USA. In their final group game, Austria led Switzerland 2:1 in the middle period, but ultimately lost 2:4.

In the relegation game against Japan, the team then showed its strength in close contests: after Japan equalised in the final period, Meixner scored the winner on the power play in overtime.

Luggin a major pillar of support

Goaltender Selma Luggin was the team’s greatest asset, stopping 156 of 164 shots in four games. With a save percentage of 95,12 per cent, she ranked fourth in the tournament’s goaltender standings, behind Canada’s Ann-Renee Desbiens and the two Americans Gwyneth Philips and Aerin Frankel. Along with Anna Meixner and defenceman Annika Fazokas, she was selected as one of Austria’s three best players at the tournament.

Meixner was Austria’s leading scorer with three goals and two assists, followed by Theresa Schafzahl with four points. Fazokas recorded three points and averaged 25 minutes of ice time per game, more than any other Austrian player.

Special teams at a top level

The special teams were particularly strong: Austria ranked second in the tournament both on the power play and on the penalty kill. In 18 shorthanded situations, the team conceded only one goal (94,44 per cent), while the Austrians scored three times from eight opportunities on the power play (37,50 per cent). What was still lacking was converting chances at even strength: the team scored a total of six goals in five games.

Next stop: Quebec City

The next top-division World Championship will take place in Quebec City, Canada, in November 2027. The federation has already undertaken an intensive evaluation of the development of Austrian women’s ice hockey, and initial measures for further development have been drawn up. The new federal performance centre for women’s ice hockey in Villach is set to play a central role as a training centre. Upcoming discussions with General Manager Gina Kingsbury and adviser Mel Davidson will determine the form in which the collaboration will continue.

Yasmin Stepina, ÖEHV Vice-President: “In this anniversary year, 25 years after the first national team game in 2001, Austria’s women have made history and arrived among the top-10 nations in women’s ice hockey. In the coming days, the World Championship, including the preparation, will be analysed in detail together with those responsible for sporting matters. On this basis, short-term planning, with the top-division World Championship in November 2027 as its highlight, and long-term planning for the Olympic cycle through to 2030 will be developed.”

Alexander Bröms, ÖEHV head coach: “We have learned a great deal at this tournament, both as a team and as individuals. You could see that in the final game. The bond between the players and the culture within this group are incredibly strong. Of course, a win in the group stage would have been nice, but I am so proud of every player. The games against the top nations give us valuable experience for the future. Now we know what it takes at this level.”

Anna Meixner, ÖEHV captain: “We have gained some very important experience. At such a high level, every small mistake is punished, and now we know what we need to work on. We felt superbly supported by the entire staff. I am hugely looking forward to Canada; I have already played there in front of 18.500 people with the PWHL. And I am very pleased that young players will again have the chance next year to play their first World Championship at the highest level.”

Results of the ÖEHV women’s national team: