U16 national team loses to Italy at Four Nations Tournament in Kranj

Austria’s U16 men’s ice hockey national team is competing in a Four Nations Tournament in Kranj (SLO) during the IIHF international break in November. Despite dominating the opening game against Italy, the ÖEHV selection had to accept a 1:3 defeat. Hungary await in the second match on Thursday, before the tournament concludes with a clash against hosts Slovenia on Friday.

06 November 20241 min read

Head Coach Peter Schweda placed his trust in goaltender David Rödig for the opening appearance in the capital of the Slovenian Alps. At Dvorana Zlato Polje, the Italians took a 1:0 lead through Luca Torchio on the power play in the 12th minute. The ÖEHV selection came through two further penalty kills unscathed.

Austria dominated, hitting the post or crossbar six times in total, while Italy’s netminder David Klammer also denied several good opportunities.

Andrea Vaccarino and Torchio again extended the Azzurri’s lead to 3:0 in the second period. Red-White-Red were unable to capitalise on three power plays across the middle period and the final period before Luca Fischer’s goal to make it 1:3 just under four minutes from time gave his team fresh hope (57th).

40 seconds before the final buzzer, Head Coach Peter Schweda pulled goaltender Rödig, but Austria were unable to score an equaliser. Hungary await in the second match on Thursday, before the tournament concludes with a clash against hosts Slovenia on Friday.

Head Coach Peter Schweda analysed the opening game after the final whistle: "We dominated the entire game and had chances galore. I think we hit the post or crossbar six times, but the opposing goaltender also made some very good saves. At the end of the day, you do not win ice hockey games just by playing pretty, and Italy punished us for that today. We will make a few changes for Hungary, including to the line-up."