U16 finish tour­na­ment in 2nd place after 5:0 win over Italy

Head Coach Johannes Leitner: "It was a very close game at the start. Italy played very passively, but we were prepared for that. The boys stuck to our game and showed the necessary patience. In the second period, we continued to pursue our game plan, did not deviate from it and rewarded ourselves with two more goals. Before the start of the third period, our message was clear: we wanted to respond to yesterday's game against Hungary, in which we almost let the game slip away. We again rewarded ourselves with two goals, one of which was an empty-net goal. Aron Schlager made some important saves today and recorded a shutout. Overall, it was a very good conclusion to this year's U16 season. The players can now head home with a sense of achievement."

Match report on the 3:2 shootout win over Hungary

Following the 4:3 overtime win over Denmark in the opening game of the Five Nations Tournament in Aalborg and the 2:4 defeat to Switzerland on Friday, Austria's U16 national team returned to winning ways against Hungary. It was 2:2 after 60 minutes, and overtime produced no decision. Erik Stöckl eventually stepped up in the shootout, scoring the winner after eleven scoreless attempts.

Head Coach Johannes Leitner: "We started the game very well, had twice as many shots on goal as Hungary in the first period and controlled the game. We were also able to retain control for long stretches in the second period, but then started to play a little too elaborately and no longer drove to the net as much. The two quick goals conceded in the final period unsettled us a little. From then on, it was a battle in which we were also fortunate not to concede another goal. Both teams had their chances in overtime. Poor decisions made life difficult for ourselves. All in all, it was a deserved win, albeit with a bitter aftertaste, as we were responsible for this close result ourselves."

Match report on the 2:4 defeat to Switzerland

They trailed 0:2 after the first period, scored a goal shortly after the start of the second period, but then found themselves two goals behind again and went into the final period trailing 1:4. 

Head Coach Johannes Leitner: "Switzerland started well, were typically strong in terms of skill and, somewhat unexpectedly for us, intense in their challenges and physical play. It took us a long time to match that, and we were too elaborate with the puck. As the game went on, that improved and we went more directly to the net. We had a major spell of pressure in the final period, but no more than 2:4 was possible. Switzerland deserved to win. We have to acknowledge that we did not start the game properly and once again took too many penalties. We will analyse this closely and learn our lessons from it."

Match report on the 4:3 overtime win over Denmark

After a flying start and a 2:0 lead after 7:08 minutes, Denmark, hosts of the Five Nations Tournament in Aalborg, turned the game around and took a 3:2 lead at the start of the final period. Maximilian Spielmann sent Austria into overtime with a goal in the 59th minute, where Niclas Micelli scored the winner. They face Switzerland on Friday at 19:30.

Head Coach Johannes Leitner: "We had a very good start and took an early 2:0 lead. We clearly controlled the first period and had plenty of time in the offensive zone. In the second period, we disrupted our own rhythm through unnecessary and numerous penalties. The Danes took advantage of that, but we never felt that we were losing control of the game. Denmark ruthlessly capitalised on two individual actions. The hosts took the lead at the start of the third period. However, given the course of the game, it was only a matter of time before we equalised. Shortly before the end, we pulled the goaltender and converted what felt like our tenth major chance. Neither team gave anything away in overtime. Niclas Micelli then scored the winner with a great individual effort. Overall, it was a solid performance by the whole team, which also gives us confidence for the remaining games."

U16 Five Nations Tournament

8–12 April, Aalborg (DEN)

Denmark vs. Austria 3:4 (1:2, 1:0, 1:1, 0:1)
Wed, 8 April 2026, 13:00
Denmark scorers: Sebastian Degn (15th/PP), Marcus Holm (39th), Janik Führer (42nd)
Austria scorers: Lorenz Kircher (5th), Lucas Gritznig (8th), Maximilian Spielmann (59th), Niclas Micelli (65th)
Game Sheet

Switzerland vs. Austria 4:2 (2:0, 2:1, 0:1)
Fri, 10 April 2026, 19:30
Switzerland scorers: Tobias Lednicky (2nd min/PP, 23rd min), Aeneas Orlandi (19th min, 33rd min/PP) 
Austria scorers: Rafael Latusa (21st min/PP), Matteo Filippitsch (49th min)
Game Sheet

Austria vs. Hungary 3:2 after penalties (1:0, 1:0, 0:2, 0:0)
Sat, 11 April 2026, 17:30
Austria scorers: Rafael Latusa (6th min), Anton Wandaller (22nd min), Erik Stöckl (penalty)
Hungary scorers: Csongor Kiss (42nd min), Bodo Dibuz (47th min)
Game Sheet

Austria vs. Italy 5:0 (1:0, 2:0, 2:0)
Sun, 12 April 2026, 11:00
Austria scorers: Lorenz Manzenreiter (17th min), Niclas Micelli (33rd min, 40th min), Lorenz Kircher (56th min), Benedikt Huber (60th min/PP)
Game Sheet