U20 World Cham­pi­onship: Austria suffer first setback against Norway

A wealth of chances. A strong presence on the ice. Tactically well prepared. Following their two victories and a day off, Austria’s U20 looked confident and lively. They created danger in front of the Norwegian goal and dominated the game, but the puck simply would not go in. Norway, on the other hand, ruthlessly took their few chances.

In the 10th minute, Luca Haitzmann was beaten for the first time following a shot by Jorgen Myhre, before Elias Vatne made it 2:0 for Norway in the 15th. Austria remained the team in control and were finally rewarded in the middle period. Konstantin Hutzinger capitalised on a power play to reduce the deficit to 1:2 after 25:42.

Austria pushed for an equaliser, but instead of 2:2, Norway made it 3:1. The statistics after two periods underlined Austria’s superiority on the ice, with 27:12 shots on goal. However, the Scandinavians had been more efficient up to that point and remained so. In the final period, Norway’s 7:1 lead effectively sealed the game, while the goals by Paul Reiner and captain Johannes Neumann shortly before the end were unfortunately mere consolation goals.

Head Coach Philipp Pinter: "This was actually our best performance of the tournament so far today. Nevertheless, we have come away with a defeat. The result does not reflect the course of the game either. We played outstanding hockey at times in the first two periods, created chances, gave up little and did not allow the Norwegians into the game. Yet, and that is the cruel nature of sport, they were 3:1 ahead. The boys kept pushing, trying and battling. In certain situations, we then lacked discipline, took a few penalties and lost our way a little. We can still take a lot away from this game. The disappointment is great now. Three games have been played. Ukraine await us now, and then we will see what else happens in the tournament."

2026 IIHF U20 World Championship Division IA

7–13 December 2025, Bled (SLO)
All Austria games will be streamed live on streaming.krone.at live
Schedule, results, standings

Austria vs. Norway 3:7 (0:2, 1:1, 2:4)
Wed, 10 December 2025, 12:30
Austria goalscorers: Konstantin Hutzinger (26, PP), Paul Reiner (59, PP), Johannes Neumann (60, PP)
Norway goalscorers: Jorgen Myhre (10), Elias Vatne (15), Niklas Aaram Olsen (33, 57, PP), Lukas Finckenhagen (49), Ludvik Bakkevig (54), Didrik Baanerud (58)
Game Summary

Austria vs. Ukraine
Thu, 11 December 2025, 12:30

Kazakhstan vs. Austria
Sat, 13 December 2025, 16:00

Already played:

Slovenia vs. Austria 2:5 (1:3,0:2,1:0)
Sun, 7 December 2025, 16:00
Austria goalscorers: Jonathan Oschgan (9'), Johannes Neumann (14'), Vasily Zelenov (18'), Paul Oberhauser (37'), Konstantin Hutzinger (38')
Slovenia goalscorers: Ian Petronijevic Lepsa (2'), Aljaz Hrobat Plemelj (57')
Game Summary

Austria vs. France 4:2 (2:1,2:0,0:1)
Mon, 8 December 2025, 12:30
Austria goalscorers: Konstantin Hutzinger (7', 14'), Jonathan Oschgan (22'), Leon Kolarik (33')
France goalscorers: Alexandre Monarque (19'), Paul le Lem (50')
Game Summary