Women face Hungary twice – U18 to test against Slovenia

Austria's women's national ice hockey team is already fully focused on the home World Championship in April 2024 during the November break. They will face Hungary, the top favourites for promotion to the Top Division, in Villach on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the U18 national team will play an international friendly against Slovenia in Klagenfurt.

08 November 20232 min read

“This is a great opportunity for us to be able to play against Hungary,” says General Manager Martin Kogler looking forward to the two upcoming internationals. The fact that they will also be playing in Carinthia is intended to give the team an initial taste of the World Championship atmosphere, Martin Kogler explains: “Perhaps that has a little symbolic value. We are also in Villach, at the place that will become our future home through the Federal Performance Centre.”

Austria and Hungary last met on 13 April 2019 at the World Championship Division IA in Budapest (HUN). The hosts narrowly prevailed 2:1 at the time and earned promotion to the Top Division, from which they were relegated this year after finishing 9th.

“Hungary spent several years in the Top Division and will also bring some stars to Villach. It will be a major challenge for our young group. It is a good test five months before the World Championship, which we will also use to try out a few things. We want to take the next steps and set out on the road towards the World Championship this week,” said Martin Kogler.

For the two friendlies on Friday at 19:15 and Saturday at 15:30, both live on LIVE.eishockey.at , the team is hoping for strong support from the fans. Tickets are available at the box office, while EC IDM Wärmepumpen VSV season ticket holders and children receive free admission.

While the senior national team will compete at the World Championship Division IA from 21 – 27 April, the U18 will get underway in just two months. The team earned promotion to Division IA in 2022 and successfully retained its place in the division in 2023. From 6 – 12 January 2024, they will once again battle for survival in the division or promotion to the Top Division in Italy against the hosts, Japan, France, Hungary and Denmark.

As part of their preparations, they will test themselves against Slovenia this Sunday in Klagenfurt at the Heidi-Horten-Arena. Face-off is at 12:40, with free admission. The match will also be streamed live on LIVE.eishockey.at.