Women’s National Team begins new season with first friend­lies

It is a season packed with challenges. Qualification for the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d´Ampezzo (ITA) is on the agenda in February 2025, followed by the IIHF Women’s World Championship Division IA in China in April.

“Two highlights with two very difficult groups,” is how General Manager Martin Kogler sums it up. In Olympic qualification, Austria will face hosts Germany, Hungary and a qualifier in Bremerhaven (GER). At the World Championship in Shenzhen, China, they will take on hosts China, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Slovakia.

“It will be a huge season, and we are now beginning our preparations for it,” said Kogler. Italy will be the first opponent in Fondo (ITA) on Monday to open the season, before Austria host the Bethel University Royals from the USA in Innsbruck on Tuesday.

“This August team camp is particularly important, as we still have a number of players who are based overseas. Naturally, we want to make use of this opportunity,” reveals Martin Kogler.

The squad also includes captain Anna Meixner, who will be chasing goals for Ottawa in the North American professional PWHL from this season onwards. Theresa Schafzahl, along with other experienced players, will once again not be involved. Young talents including Valentina Prosen, Artemis Tekin, Emma Lintner and Vanessa Picka, meanwhile, have the opportunity to gain experience with the senior national team.

General Manager Martin Kogler: “Overall, it is an interesting mix of experienced players and debutants in the squad. Italy will be a regular opponent at summer camps in the long term. The match against the US university came about fortunately, as they had made enquiries with both us and Italy.”

Women’s National Team camp

Italy vs. Austria
Mon, 19 August 2024, 20:00, Fondo (ITA)

Austria vs. Bethel University Royals (USA)
Tue, 20 August 2024, 16:45, Innsbruck

Squad