Mission promo­tion at home World Cham­pi­onship

After the 2021 World Championship, for which Radenthein had been awarded hosting rights, was cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic, ÖEHV was in pole position to be awarded hosting rights for 2022, as the IIHF decided that nations which had already received a positive decision for 2021 would not have to reapply.

ÖEHV, together with KEHV and the municipality of Radenthein, did not need asking twice, nor were they discouraged by the further COVID-related cancellation last January. “With its infrastructure, Radenthein offers ideal conditions for hosting a women’s youth ice hockey World Championship. The entire town is ice hockey-mad in the best possible sense and is fully behind the event. Moreover, we are in Carinthia, a genuine ice hockey stronghold,” emphasises ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann.

Encouraging preparation results

Two wins over Germany and a 1:2 defeat against the Women´s Hockey League team Bozen despite being the better team – the results and performances from the final phase of preparations and training sessions have been encouraging. The team is still keeping its cards close to its chest as to who will take to the ice in the opener against South Korea, with the squad to be announced two hours before the start of the match.

But most importantly: it is being played!!! All nations are already on site and can familiarise themselves with the World Championship ice.

The major goal for Austria’s U18 women’s national ice hockey team: promotion back to Division IA. The team believes it is well equipped for the task, but is more than wary of the opposition.

Unfinished business with Denmark

Denmark has been identified as the biggest rival in the mission to win promotion back to Division 1A. There is still unfinished business with the Scandinavians from the past: in 2019, also in Radenthein, Austria lost 1:4 to Denmark, their direct rivals in the battle to stay in Division IA, and were relegated. “That was the decisive match,” recalls General Manager Martin Kogler in retrospect.

The other opponents are South Korea, Poland and Chinese Taipei. “I expect the toughest contest to be against Denmark, but we must not underestimate the other teams under any circumstances. The Asian teams are technically very well drilled. And Poland have a very combative side that will also not be easy to play against,” analyses Martin Kogler on the group.

Schedule: 2022 IIHF U18 Women´s World Championship

6–11 September, Radenthein

Austria vs. South Korea
Tue, 6 September 2022, 19:00

Poland vs. Austria
Wed, 7 September 2022, 19:00

Austria vs. Chinese Taipei
Fri, 9 September 2022, 19:00

Denmark vs. Austria
Sun, 11 September 2022, 18:00

You can find the full schedule HERE!