Third time lucky – Raden­thein once again a World Cham­pi­onship venue

The Austrians' declared objective: promotion! At today's press conference in the Hall of Mirrors at the Carinthian provincial government, attended by Governor Peter Kaiser, Provincial Sports Director Arno Arthofer, Radenthein Mayor Michael Maier and ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann, everyone showed they were ready for the World Championship.

Pictured from left to right: Governor Peter Kaiser, ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann, Mayor Michael Maier and Provincial Sports Director Arno Arthofer - Copyright: LPD Kärnten/Just

“It was and remains our declared objective to give women's ice hockey greater recognition and a higher profile. The home World Championship in Radenthein is another piece of the puzzle,” explains ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann.

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 the 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 town of Radenthein, did not need asking twice. “With its infrastructure, Radenthein offers ideal conditions for hosting a youth women's ice hockey World Championship. The entire town is crazy about ice hockey in the best possible sense and fully supports the event. Furthermore, Carinthia is a true ice hockey province,” stresses Klaus Hartmann.

Governor Peter Kaiser is already looking forward to this top-class event, which is certain to be very popular with fans. “Radenthein is an excellent organiser,” Kaiser emphasised, highlighting the highly successful cooperation with the ice hockey associations. Following 2016 (together with Spittal) and 2019, Radenthein will now host a Women's World Championship tournament for the third time.

Mayor Maier said he was proud that the ice hockey town of Radenthein could represent Carinthia as a sporting region. He thanked the organising team, which was doing outstanding work despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. The World Championship tournament will also bring overnight stays and added value to the region.

Provincial Sports Director Arthofer said that Carinthia, as a sporting region and the number-one ice hockey province, also scores points throughout the year with international training camps.

The approximately 70 volunteers are almost all from the town. “Incredible support, without which this event simply could not be staged,” explains General Manager Martin Kogler. The budget is just under € 350.000.

Giving the next generation the opportunity to play in a World Championship in front of a home crowd can hardly be valued highly enough either, says Yasmin Stepina, ÖEHV Vice-President: “It is always something special to play in front of your own family, friends and fans. The players are spared long journeys, can prepare in peace and focus solely on the World Championship. And with the much-cited home advantage behind them, the objective of promotion is also to be achieved.”

Denmark are the biggest rivals in the mission to return to Division 1A. There is still a score to settle 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 1A, and were relegated.

“That was the decisive game,” recalls Martin Kogler back. He certainly believes the current 2004 cohort is capable of promotion straight back up: “We have the talent and the playing ability. With Emma Hofbauer, Karolina Hengelmüller, Lisa Schröfl and Marja Linzbichler, the squad also includes four players who are already regulars in the senior national team.”

Yasmin Stepina, ÖEHV Vice-President, adds: “There is a great deal of potential in this cohort.”

The other opponents are Taiwan, China, Poland and South Korea. “I expect the toughest match-up to be against Denmark, but we must not underestimate the other teams under any circumstances. With the Olympics approaching, China is currently investing incredible sums in women’s ice hockey. In general, the Asian teams are technically very well trained. And Poland have a very competitive side that will not be easy to play against either,” Martin Kogler analyses the group.

A dedicated national performance centre for women’s ice hockey is being established in Villach. This puts Austria in something of a pioneering role, Klaus Hartmann: “A centre for women’s ice hockey is not a given in international ice hockey. The IIHF responded extremely positively to our plans. On this basis, initial discussions have already been held about a possible exchange programme. With the national performance centre, we want to take women’s ice hockey to a higher level.”

Ground will be broken in 2023, with the opening planned for 2025, Yasmin Stepina: “The 15- to 19-year-old players will receive top-level sporting and academic education as a result. This is a major step in the development of women’s ice hockey.”

In order to prepare optimally for the ice and the conditions in January, Radenthein will also host the 4 Nations Tournament from 10 to 14 November. It is the ideal dress rehearsal for both the team and the World Championship organisers.

Germany and the Czech Republic, two nations from the Top Division, have been secured as opponents, along with Norway, a Division 1A nation.

Martin Kogler: “First of all, I would like to emphasise how proud we are that such high-calibre teams have agreed to take part in our tournament. In this regard, the tireless efforts of our team manager Theri Hornich deserve particular mention; she has truly done a magnificent job here. We are underdogs against these opponents. We know that. Nevertheless, it is always something special to play against Germany, even if in this case it will be a David versus Goliath encounter. Our primary objective at this tournament is not the results; we want to develop from game to game and, above all, learn a great deal about defensive work against these top nations.”

Live is live

All matches of the 4 Nations Tournament and the U18 World Championship in January will be streamed live via www.sport-fan.at.

Friday, 12.11:
NOR - CZE face-off at 16.30
AUT - GER face-off at 19.30

Saturday, 13.11:
GER – CZE face-off at 15.00
AUT – NOR face-off at 18.00

Sunday, 14.11:
Face-off: 10.00 – GER vs NOR
Face-off: 13.00 – CZE vs AUT

Training camps in preparation for the World Championship:
26–30.12.2021 in St. Pölten
6–9.1.2022 in Radenthein, including a game against Italy on 7.1.