U18 World Championship Division IB: Austria win gold and promotion with a 4:1 victory over Lithuania
It is done! Austria's U18 men's national team prevailed 4:1 over Lithuania in the decisive game for gold, securing 1st place and promotion to Division IA. After an evenly balanced first period, the ÖEHV side controlled the game from the middle period onwards, created numerous chances and ultimately celebrated a deserved 4:1 victory. The goals were scored by Jonathan Oschgan (11./PP, 29.), Luc Van EE (20.) and Lennart Leitner (57.).
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Following France's defeat to Estonia on Thursday evening, it was clear that gold would be decided between Austria and Lithuania. The red-white-red side did not get off to a good start, however. Simon Cseh was sent to the penalty box in the 8th minute, and Lithuania promptly converted the power play to make it 1:0. Just under three minutes later, it was the same story at the other end. Jonathan Oschgan was on hand in the 11th minute to make it 1:1 on the power play. Lithuania were beginning to show nerves and took two further penalties, but survived them unscathed. Then, with one second remaining before the break, Luc Van EE scored Austria's deserved go-ahead goal.
Austria established clear superiority in the middle period, and Jonathan Oschgan once again converted on the power play to extend the lead to 3:1. They allowed little in their own zone and, when needed, Gabriel Lemberger was there. Lithuania threw everything at it again in the final period, but Austria defended well, having learned their lessons from the game against South Korea, when they let a 3:1 lead slip shortly before the end.
This time, they sealed the win, with Lennart Leitner scoring in the 57th minute to put the result beyond doubt and make it 4:1.
Head Coach Peter Schweda: "An incredible success. I am unbelievably proud of the team. We have worked towards this since summer 2025. Everything came together perfectly. I have never had the privilege of coaching a team with such team spirit and togetherness. The boys deserve this, and I am very happy for them."
Jonathan Oschgan: "The tournament was really awesome. The team we had here is incredible. The togetherness, the atmosphere – we never let ourselves be beaten down and always came back. We went into today's game with a good spirit and were there from the very first second. We deserved this win; we have worked hard for it throughout the past year. We are simply overjoyed."
2026 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship
26 April - 1 May 2026, Tallinn, Estonia
All Austria games will be broadcast live on the KRONE-Livestream.
Official website
Austria vs. Lithuania 4:1 (2:1, 1:0, 1:0)
Fri., 1 May 2026, 11:30
Austria goalscorers: Jonathan Oschgan (11./PP, 29./PP), Luc Van EE (20.), Lennart Leitner (57.)
Lithuania goalscorer: Ignas Kaupaitis (8./PP)
Game Sheet
Already played
Italy vs. Austria 1:4 (0:2, 1:1, 0:1)
Sat, 25 April 2026, 11:30
Italy scorer: Philipp Winkler (21')
Austria scorers: Lennart Leitner (7'), Paul Sintschnig (19'), Johannes Dobrovolny (35'), David Niederleitner (54'/PP)
Game Sheet
Austria vs. France 1:3 (0:0, 0:0, 1:3)
Sun, 26 April 2026, 11:30
Austria scorer: Emil Wagner (60'/PP)
France scorers: Andrea Meunier (46'), Kilian Alves Pereira (53'), Darcy Terglav (54')
Game Sheet
Austria vs. Estonia 7:4 (3:3, 2:1, 2:0)
Tue, 28 April 2026, 18:30
Austria scorers: Emil Wagner (5'), Paul Sintschnig (15', 17'), Johannes Dobrovolny (34'), Felix Baumann (40'/PP), Niclas Micelli (42'), Vitus Plank (54')
Estonia scorers: Andrei Filonik (2'), Artjom Orlov (6'/Penalty), Paavel Tammert (14'/PP), Aleksander Kudeviita (36')
Game Sheet
South Korea vs. Austria 3:4 after overtime (0:1, 1:0, 2:2, 0:1)
Thu, 30 April 2026, 15:00
South Korea scorers: Eunkyu Lee (31'), Taeun Kim (59'), Jeeahn Lee (60')
Austria scorers: Dominik Ferner (2), Nico Koschek (46), Johannes Dobrovolny (54/PP, 65)
Game Sheet
