What a shame! Women narrowly miss out on Olympic qual­i­fi­ca­tion

Image caption: Janine Weber makes it 2:1 against Italy - GEPA pictures/Daniel Schönherr

Austria's women's national ice hockey team had already lost any chance of qualifying for the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing before their third game against Italy. Denmark will travel to China in February after a 2:3 shootout defeat to Germany, as the point they earned was enough to secure first place in the standings. Despite the disappointment of missing out on their Olympic dream, Austria made a strong start to the game. Anna Meixner missed a great opportunity to open the scoring after just a few moments. For the finale, the team had to do without Charlotte Wittich, who was injured in a collision with a lineswoman during the unfortunate goal conceded against Denmark.

Following Austria's good start, Chelsea Furlani put Italy ahead. It happened very quickly straight from the face-off, as the red-white-red defence was caught slightly unawares and Furlani converted a pass from behind the net from close range for 1:0 (at 4). But Austria fought their way determinedly back into the game. A power-play opportunity went unused, but after a few good chances, captain Anna Meixner took matters into her own hands, drove irresistibly towards goal from the right and hammered the puck into the top right corner to level at 1:1 (at 13).

Weber puts Austria ahead after solo effort

Just under four minutes later, Janine Weber gave Austria a 2:1 lead after a fine solo effort. The Tyrolean picked up the puck at her own blue line and gave Italy goaltender Martina Fedel no chance with a superb move onto her backhand (at 17). Shortly before the end of the period, Anna Meixner broke clear on the Italian goal after a delightful pass from the defence. This time, Fedel distinguished herself in the Italian net, using her pad to deflect Meixner's lob onto the crossbar.

Italy initially started the second period more aggressively and had a chance to equalise through Chelsea Furlani from close range. Selma Luggin in the ÖEHV net made a good save. Austria then regrouped and an intense contest developed, with great commitment and chances at both ends. Midway through the second period, Janine Weber had a shorthanded chance to make it 3:1. Karolina Hengelmüller was serving a penalty. Following an error by the Italian defence, Weber raced clear on goal but delayed her move to the left for a few moments too long. Theresa Schafzahl also had a goal on her stick immediately afterwards. At this stage, another Austrian goal was in the air.

A few minutes later, it came: Theresa Schafzahl played a fine pass from the left corner to Annika Fazokas, who drove in front of goal and sent the puck low into the net (at 35). A few seconds before the end of the period, Fedel prevented the red-white-red side's fourth goal with a sensational save as Julia Willenshofer tried to put a rebound into the net.

Shortly after the start of the final period, Marija Linzbichler appeared dangerously in front of the Italian goal. The ÖEHV side continued to play offensively and Esther Väärälä had a chance to make it 4:1 following a 2:1 two-on-one situation. At this stage, the ÖEHV side were superior in terms of skating and technique and had Italy under control.

The fourth goal came on the power play through Antonia Matzka, who beat Fedel with a good shot (at 52). Matzka celebrated again three minutes before the end when, following a scramble, she confidently put the puck into the net to make it 5:1 (at 58). Anja Trummer completed the 6:1 final score with a shorthanded goal 15 seconds before the siren. Austria's women finished the tournament in Füssen in second place behind Denmark, with six points from three games.

Austria captain Anna Meixner was satisfied despite narrowly missing out on qualification: "I am incredibly proud of our team, we played superb ice hockey. That was a huge step in the right direction!"

Germany were already 2:0 ahead of Denmark in the second period of the lunchtime game, before the Scandinavians reduced the deficit to 1:2 shortly before the end of the second period. Silke Glud sent Denmark into overtime in the final period. With the point secured, it was confirmed that Denmark would fly to the Olympic Games in Beijing. In the end, Germany celebrated a 3:2 shootout victory.

Austria vs. Italy 6:1 (2:1,1:0,3:0)
Sun, 14 November 2021, 15:30
Austria goals: Anna Meixner, Janine Weber, Annika Fazokas, Antonia Matzka (2), Anja Trummer

Already played:

Denmark vs. Austria 1:0 (0:0,1:0,0:0)
Sat, 13 November 2021, 15:30

Germany vs. Austria 0:3 (0:1, 0:1, 0:1)
Thu, 11 November 2021, 17:15
Goals Austria: Theresa Schafzahl (1), Janine Weber (2)