U18 national team defeats hosts Italy in a penalty shoot-out in Fondo

Austria were on top from the outset and also had significantly more shots on goal, but it took until the 14th minute for Ben Öfner to give the red-white-red side the deserved 1:0 lead. The ÖEHV selection failed to add one or two more goals. Italy's goalkeeper Manuel Bampi was also very strong.

In the second period, the Azzurri equalised through Jacopo De Luca for 1:1 (26.). Austria remained clearly on top, with the shots-on-goal statistic after 40 minutes reading a resounding 29:10 in favour of the red-white-red side. 

Head coach Florian Mühlstein's team also set the tone in the final period, but lacked cutting edge in front of the opposition goal. The hosts took the lead for the first time from one of their few chances, with Lorenzo Ferretti making it 2:1 (51.). Austria refused to be beaten, with defenceman Tristan Söllinger finding the net to equalise at 2:2 (57.) and force overtime. Neither team scored the decisive goal there, sending the game to a penalty shoot-out.

Paul Oberhauser, Maximilian Petritsch and Lukas Zach-Kiesling all scored in the shoot-out to seal the 3:2 victory and secure the extra point.

Head coach Florian Mühlstein after the narrow opening win: "We dominated the game, had 41:18 shots on goal and unfortunately conceded goals through our own mistakes – a poor pinch with no cover, and indecision after a face-off. At first, we were unable to score despite creating plenty of chances. Our penalty kill was 100%, and we missed excellent chances on the power play, although the Italian goalie was also very strong. Hopefully, we can finally score on the power play against Slovenia!" 

Austria's U18 continue against Slovenia in Fondo on Friday from 16:00. The match will once again be available on the Krone.at live stream.

Four Nations Tournament Fondo (ITA)

Italy vs. Austria 2:3 n.P. (0:1,1:0,1:1,0:0,0:1)
Thu, 07 November 2024, 19:00, Fondo
Austria goalscorers: Ben Öfner (14.), Tristan Söllinger (57.), Lukas Zach-Kiesling (65./decisive penalty)

Further matches:

Slovenia vs. Austria

Fri, 08 November 2024, 16:00, Fondo - >> to the Krone.at live stream

Austria vs. Hungary
Sat, 09 November 2024, 10:00, Fondo - >> to the Krone.at live stream