Olympic qual­i­fi­ca­tion: Austria lose to Denmark

Image note: Janine Weber in a battle against Denmark - Photo: GEPA pictures/Daniel Schönherr

Denmark began the game with aggressive forechecking. The Austrians were primarily occupied with defending early on. Backed by a strong goaltender, Selma Luggin - the 19-year-old provided reassurance for the red-white-red selection with several fine saves - the team grew into the game. As the first period progressed, the Austrians launched several dangerous counter-attacks, but without reward. This developed into an evenly matched game, a playoff-style duel and not one for the faint-hearted. In the second period, Jari Risku’s Austrian team increased the tempo and attacked with greater purpose. Karolina Hengelmüller narrowly missed the target.

Midway through the second period, Janine Weber passed up the chance to take the lead. Austria were shorthanded following a line-change error. It was precisely during this spell that Janine Weber won the puck with forceful forechecking, but was denied by Denmark goaltender Cassandra Repstock-Romme. In the next shorthanded situation, Tamara Grascher had another chance for a shorthanded goal. Shortly afterwards, Anja Trummer missed a great opportunity.

Denmark made it 1:0 in the 38th minute. Emma Hofbauer was in the penalty box. Charlotte Wittich was knocked down by the lineswoman while defending against Silke Glud. Glud was able to pass to Maria Peters, who found the net to give Denmark the lead.

A difficult shorthanded spell came right at the start of the final period: Austria were pinned in their defensive zone for a long time by Andersen and co. The energy-sapping game - also due to the penalty kills - began to take its toll. During this phase, the Austrians could only launch occasional relieving attacks without becoming truly dangerous.

In the 50th minute, the best chance to equalise: Theresa Schafzahl played Esther Väärälä completely unmarked, but she was denied from close range. Austria battled tenaciously, Denmark ran down the clock and continued to pose a threat themselves. Selma Luggin kept Austria’s women in the game – until she left her goal for a sixth skater.

In the end, Denmark won 1:0 and can now secure their ticket to the Olympic Games in Beijing under their own steam with a win against Germany. Austria must hope for help from the German team and beat Italy themselves on Sunday afternoon (15:30 pm, live on ORF Sport+ and LAOLA1).

Anja Trummer, Austria forward: “We improved minute by minute, we kept pace with Denmark, we stood up to them fully and had our chances too, but unfortunately we didn’t score. We don’t need to change much against Italy; we need to skate well again and work on taking our chances!”

Jari Risku, Austria head coach: “I’m proud of my team, but as everyone saw today, it was the tough, close game we expected. But the book, the story, is still open. We will now prepare for Italy and naturally want to win this match!”

Denmark vs Austria 1:0 (0:0,1:0,0:0)
Sat, 13 November 2021, 15:30 pm

Still to play:

Austria vs Italy
Sun, 14 November 2021, 15:30 pm, live on ORF Sport+ and LAOLA1

Already played:

Germany vs Austria 0:3 (0:1, 0:1, 0:1)
Thu, 11 November 2021, 17:15 pm
Austria goals: Theresa Schafzahl (1), Janine Weber (2)