U18 Women’s World Cham­pi­onship: Austria lose 2:4 to China

This marks an initial setback in the promotion campaign. China led 1:0 after the first period and extended their advantage to 2:0 in the 26th minute. Vanessa Picka and Florentina Rumpl brought Austria back into the game during the middle period, before China sealed the result with two goals in the space of two minutes early in the third period. Austria were shorthanded for both goals.

Head Coach Arto Sieppi: "We made a good start to the game and controlled the puck for the first six minutes or so. We had chances to make it 1:0, but China scored instead. After making it 2:2 after 40 minutes, we got off to a poor start in the final period. We had significantly more chances than China, including several very good ones, but their goalkeeper had a good day today. We have to accept the result. The tournament is not over yet."

After a rest day, Austria will face Australia on Thursday.

2026 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship Division IB

05 January 2026 - 11 January 2026, Katowice (POL)
Participants: Austria, Poland, Spain, China, Australia, Great Britain
Event website

Austria vs. China 2:4 (0:1, 2:1, 0:2)
Tue, 06 January 2026, 13:00, Katowice
Austria goalscorers: Vanessa Picka (38'), Florentina Rumpl (39')
China goalscorers: Yufei Xin (14'), Keyu Chen (26'), Mi Dai (42'), Yifan Wang (44')
Game Summary

Austria vs. Australia
Thu, 08 January 2026, 13:00, Katowice

Spain vs. Austria
Sat, 10 January 2026, 20:00, Katowice

Austria vs. Poland
Sun, 11 January 2026, 20:00, Katowice

Already played
Great Britain v Austria 0:4 (0:0, 0:2, 0:2)
Mon, 05 January 2026, 13:00, Katowice
Austria scorers: Florentina Rumpl (21, 45), Emma Lintner (32/PP, 59)
Game Summary