U18 Women: Double strike against Germany

During the penultimate training camp ahead of the home World Championship in Radenthein, 6–11 September, Austria's U18 Women's National Ice Hockey Team played two friendlies against their German counterparts of the same age group. They claimed a 6:1 victory on Saturday, before following it up with a 3:1 win on Sunday.

28 August 20222 min read

“Füssen is slowly becoming one of our favourite venues,” recalls General Manager Martin Kogler of the 3:0 win over Germany in Olympic qualifying last autumn. Now the U18 team has also struck.

However, it took just over a period for the team to really settle into the game and the system of new Head Coach Mario Bellinato have arrived. The hosts led 1:0 in the first encounter before Emma Hofbauer, Austria’s top scorer across both matches with three goals in total, found the net for 1:1 in the 28th minute. From then on, it was all Austria. Serena Unger made it 2:1 in the 36th minute, before Austria completely outclassed Germany 4:0 in the final period.

While Saturday's first period had been a real slump, it was the middle period in the second game. Austria had the match under control until Karolina Hengelmüller's 2:0. After that, penalties began to mount and Germany were brought back into the game. However, Austria remained unfazed by the goal that reduced the deficit, saw out the result and added an empty-net goal to make it 3:1.

“We must not forget that we are in the midst of World Championship preparations, while it was a normal training camp for Germany,” noted Martin Kogler.

Mario Bellina: “We are on the right track, as these two friendlies showed. There is still quite a lot to improve, but overall we handled our tasks well.”

Martin Kogler: “At the World Championship, it will be important for us to play consistently at a high level. We cannot afford phases like those yesterday and today.”

The final test awaits in a week's time, when they face Bozen, a team from the Women´s Hockey League. “A top opponent and a great challenge,” Kogler emphasised.

At the home World Championship in Radenthein from 6–11 September, Austria will face South Korea, Poland, Chinese Taipei and Denmark.

Germany vs. Austria 1:6 (1:0, 0:2, 0:4)
Sat, 27 August 2022, 17:00, Füssen (GER)
Austria goalscorers: Emma Hofbauer (28th), Serena Unger (36th), Lisa Schröfl (41th), Emma Hofbauer (42th), Hannah Leitner (51th), Hanna Obermayr (56th)

Germany vs. Austria 1:3 (0:1, 1:1, 0:1)
Sun, 28 August 2022, 11:00, Füssen (GER)
Austria goalscorers: Marja Linzbichler (15th minute), Karolina Hengelmüller (25th minute), Emma Hofbauer (60th minute)