Women’s national team lose 0:2 to Germany at the A-WM

In front of 628 spectators in Esbjerg, the promoted side put up a spirited fight against their neighbouring country and kept the game open until the final minute. Katarina Jobst-Smith scored both German goals (28th, 59th). ÖEHV goaltender Selma Luggin stopped 48 of 49 shots. Assistant coach Rachel Flanagan stood behind the bench in place of the ill head coach Alexander Bröms.

Germany controlled the early stages, while Austria initially struggled to build their game. In the 10th minute, Lisa Schröfl had Austria’s first attempt, but her shot lacked power. As the game progressed, the team settled into the match: following a power play, Theresa Schafzahl had a promising chance from the right-hand side, but her finish was not accurate enough (18th).

Luggin keeps Austria in the game for a long time

Germany increased the pressure in the middle period, but the ÖEHV side resisted with great commitment. In the 27th minute, Luggin, who plays in goal for the Sabres St. Pölten, made a superb save, but a minute later she was helpless: Jobst-Smith converted the work of Lilli Welcke and Carina Strobel to make it 1:0 (28th). Captain Anna Meixner and her teammates did not let up and remained within striking distance until the second intermission.

Trailing by just one goal, the red-white-red team fought for an equaliser in the final period, weathering phases of German pressure and their first penalty kill (48th). In the closing stages, Flanagan threw everything at it and brought on a sixth skater for Luggin. Shortly afterwards, Jobst-Smith made it 2:0 with an empty-net goal (59th).

Austria continue on Monday at 19:00 (live on ORF SPORT +) against Olympic champions and defending champions USA.

Rachel Flanagan, ÖEHV assistant coach: "I am very proud of the team and of how they fought against defeat until the end. Naturally, our players are disappointed, as it was a game in which we had expected a great deal from ourselves."

Marja Linzbichler, ÖEHV forward: "I think we could have played much better in the first two periods. We were too elaborate, which gave the Germans a lot of momentum. In the end, it simply was not enough."

Match report

IIHF Women’s World Championship 2026
Germany – Austria 2:0 (0:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Granly Hockey Arena, Esbjerg, Denmark, attendance: 628

Goals:

• JOBST-SMITH (Lilli Welcke, Strobel) (27:34)
• JOBST-SMITH (Haider, Schiefer) (58:28/EN)

Penalty minutes: 4–4

Austria: S. Luggin (M. Luggin); Matzka – Fazokas, Billa – Schröfl, Mörtl – Tekin, Nagy; Meixner – Lintner – Schafzahl, Dauböck – Hofbauer – Trummer, Pfeffer – Grascher – Picka, Beiter – Linzbichler – Kutzer, Suppan

The remaining ÖEHV matches

• Monday, 9 November, 19:00: USA – Austria (ORF SPORT +)
• Tuesday, 10 November, 19:00: Switzerland – Austria (ORF SPORT +)