U18 Women’s World Cham­pi­onship Raden­thein: Third time lucky!

It is one of those sporting stories that have been all too common over the past two years. Hosting rights awarded, anticipation and excitement, followed by cancellation, rescheduling and another cancellation. This was also the case for the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship Division 1B, for which Radenthein was awarded the hosting rights.

The local organising committee, led by Martin Kogler, General Manager of Austrian women’s ice hockey, worked tirelessly with the IIHF to ensure that this World Championship would take place. The date in early September was deliberately chosen in order to organise sufficient preparation for the tournament and, above all, to be able to compete with the strongest possible line-up.

From 6–11 September, the time has finally come. Austria, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Poland and Denmark will face each other in Radenthein. There will be no relegated team, as China has withdrawn its participation from the U18 Women’s World Championship Division 1B. Due to the strict measures in China to contain the coronavirus, it was not possible to complete proper preparation. In addition, all players and staff would have had to undertake several weeks of quarantine upon their return.

Austria’s stated objective is promotion to Division 1A. Denmark are the biggest rivals in the mission to return to the division. There is unfinished business with the Scandinavians from the past: in 2019, also in Radenthein, Austria lost 1:4 to Denmark, their direct rivals in the battle to stay in Division 1A, and were relegated.

“That was the decisive match,” recalls Martin Kogler . He certainly believes that the current age groups born in 2004 and later are capable of winning promotion back: “We have the talent and the playing ability. Several players in the squad are already regulars in the senior national team.”

Yasmin Stepina, ÖEHV Vice-President, adds: “There is a great deal of potential in these age groups.”

“I expect the toughest encounter to be against Denmark, but we must not underestimate the other teams under any circumstances. The Asian teams are technically very well trained. And Poland have a very combative squad that will also not be easy to play against,” analyses Martin Kogler the group.

From Thursday, the team will hold its penultimate preparation camp and take to the ice as a full squad for the first time, Martin Kogler: “Unfortunately, we repeatedly had absentees at the previous training camps, while some players were not yet available due to their commitments abroad.”

25 players have been called up, with the squad to be reduced to 20 for the World Championship. This cut will be made after the weekend, during which two friendly matches against Germany are scheduled.

After a short break, the World Championship squad will finally convene in Radenthein next Thursday for its final preparation camp and have one final test against a team from the Women´s Hockey League – Bolzano.

Preparation & squad: U18 Women’s National Team

25–28 August, Pfronten/Füssen (GER)

Germany vs. Austria
Sat, 27 August 2022, 17:00, Füssen (GER)

Germany vs. Austria
Sun, 28 August 2022, 11:00, Füssen (GER)

Schedule 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship

Austria vs. South Korea
Tue, 6 September 2022, 19:00

Poland vs. Austria
Wed, 7 September 2022, 19:00

Austria vs. Chinese Taipei
Fri, 9 September 2022, 19:00

Denmark vs. Austria
Sun, 11 September 2022, 18:00

You can find the full schedule HERE!