U20 World Cham­pi­onship in Bled: Austria miss out on promo­tion after thriller against Denmark

Austria started the decisive World Championship match against Denmark at Ledena dvorana Bled – once again loudly supported by the United Fans Team Austria – with goaltender Benedikt Oschgan. Both teams tried to settle their nerves and take control of the game in the opening shifts. Denmark made the better start and took a 1:0 lead through Oscar Fisker Mølgaard on the power play (5th min.). 

The ÖEHV selection quickly found the right response: Johannes Gruber and Felix Haiböck launched an attack down the left, which Ian Scherzer finished for the 1:1 equaliser (9th min.). Just under a minute and a half later, Denmark were back in front as Anton Linde hammered the puck into the net for 2:1 (10th min.). The Scandinavians added another, with Philip Rubin beating Oschgan from close range for 3:1 (13th min.). Austria naturally had to play more offensively, but it was not until the start of the second period that the Red-White-Reds were back in the game. Florian Lanzinger converted a superb cross-ice pass from Ian Scherzer for the 2:3 goal (24th min.). 

The ÖEHV selection continued to apply pressure, with the shots-on-goal count standing at 6:0 after nine minutes of the middle period. Head Coach Philipp Pinter's team then had the chance to equalise on a power play, but could not make their numerical advantage count. Austria also created scoring chances at five-on-five, but during this phase found Denmark's goaltender Kristers Steinbergs too good.

The situation heading into the final period was very simple: Austria needed a single goal without conceding to secure the decisive final point for promotion to the top division. After just under two minutes, the equaliser arrived: Adrian Gesson converted a rebound from close range for 3:3 (43th min.). 

It was crunch time unusually early. After just under eight minutes, defenceman Gregor Biber was sent to the dressing room following a knee-on-knee hit with a five-minute major and game misconduct. Play initially continued four-on-four, as Denmark had also received a penalty. The Danes then had a three-minute power play and made use of the phase with two goals in 44 seconds from Anton Linde and Oliver Larsen to take a 5:3 lead (52th min.). 

Just under four minutes from time, Johannes Neumann brought Austria back into the game when he deflected a shot from Paul Reiner for the 4:5 goal (56th min.). Neumann had the equaliser on his stick shortly afterwards. In the end, Head Coach Philipp Pinter pulled goaltender Oschgan, but the equaliser needed for promotion did not come. Austria ultimately missed out on reaching the top division by a single goal despite finishing second. 

Denmark will play at the World Juniors next season. Ian Scherzer was named Austria's best player of the game. Captain Thomas Klassek was named the ÖEHV's best player of the World Championship. Benedikt Oschgan was named the tournament's best goaltender.

Head Coach Philipp Pinter analysed the narrowly missed promotion after the final siren and had words of praise for his team after a week of strong performances: "That was of course very bitter today, especially the outcome of the game, because I think we played a really good game. We were very compact and forceful today and felt we had the opposition under control for long stretches. The boys battled, did not give up and fought their way back into the game. To make such a call in a game like this, at a scoreline like this – five minutes plus game misconduct – is of course really bitter. That ultimately made the difference. There is naturally great disappointment now, but what the team achieved in this tournament was truly admirable. I am very proud of how the group has grown together again, and of the way the players performed – very attractive, forceful hockey, highly disciplined and structured. This is a great group and I would have wished it so much for the boys – especially for the 2005 age group, for whom this was their final U20 World Championship. The boys gave everything in every game, in every period. I cannot and do not want to ask for more. The way they represented Austrian ice hockey was really cool and I believe that a number of players will have a great future in Austrian ice hockey!"

ÖEHV Sports Director Roger BaderÖEHV Sports Director Roger Bader also gave a brief assessment after the World Championship: "The team performed superbly throughout the World Championship and deserved the title. I am very proud of the team and the entire coaching staff. Austria was represented magnificently here."

2025 IIHF ICE HOCKEY U20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION IA

9 December 2024 - 15 December 2024, Bled (SLO)
Participants: Norway, France, Denmark, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia

Denmark vs Austria 5:4 (3:1,0:1,2:2)
Sun, 15 December 2024, 12:30, Ledena dvorana Bled
Denmark scorers: Oscar Fisker Mølgaard (5th min./PP1), Anton Linde (10th min., 52th min./PP1), Philip Rubin (13th min.), Oliver Larsen (52th min./PP1)
Austria scorers: Ian Scherzer (9), Florian Lanzinger (24), Adrian Gesson (43), Johannes Neumann (56)

Austria vs. Hungary 2:0 (0:0,0:0,2:0)
Fri, 13 December 2024, 12:30, Ledena dvorana Bled
Austria goalscorers: Felix Haiböck (43), Vasily Zelenov (60/EN)

Slovenia vs. Austria 2:3 (0:2,1:1,1:0)
Thu, 12 December 2024, 16:00, Ledena dvorana Bled
Slovenia goalscorers: Filip Sitar (34), Mark Sever (56/PP1)
Austria goalscorers: Florian Lanzinger (7/PP1), Felix Haiböck (14, 32)

Norway vs. Austria 1:3 (0:2,1:0,0:1)
Tue, 10 December 2024, 16:00, Ledena dvorana Bled
Norway goalscorer: Niklas Aaram-Olsen (31)
Austria goalscorers: Gregor Biber (3/PP1), Adrian Gesson (19), Alexander Rupnik (46)

Austria vs. France 4:2 (0:0,4:0,0:2)
Mon, 09 December 2024, 12:30, Ledena dvorana Bled
Austria goalscorers: Ian Scherzer (22), Paul Sintschnig (25), Thomas Klassek (32), David Waschnig (38)
France goalscorers: Teo Toubhans-Besnier (45/PS), Paul Le Lem (46/PP1)

All information on the official IIHF website: https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2025/wm20ia