Women’s World Cham­pi­onship: Austria earn promo­tion to the top divi­sion for the first time after an over­time thriller

17 April 2025 will go down in Austrian ice hockey history. In spring 2008, Austria’s women’s national ice hockey team earned promotion to Division I, now Division IA, at the then World Championship Division II in Vierumäki, Finland. 17 years later, Anna Meixner & Co. have sent Austrian ice hockey into raptures.

Following victories over Denmark (3:0), China (3:0) and Slovakia (3:2), the other results meant that a single point against the Netherlands in the penultimate game of the World Championship would have been enough to secure promotion to the top division. In the end, they claimed two.

Just seconds after Austria had successfully killed off their first penalty midway through the opening period, Esther de Jong gave the Dutch the lead. They also conceded the 0:2 at the 26-minute mark, just seconds after successfully killing another penalty, and at a time when they were actually pushing for an equaliser. During this phase, Head Coach Alexander Bröms’ team impressively demonstrated the progress they have made in recent years.

They remained calm, stuck to the game plan and tried to establish themselves in front of the opposition goal. They were promptly rewarded at the 34-minute mark. Emma Lintner scored the vital goal to reduce the deficit before Annika Fazokas became the match-winner in the third period. She found the net to make it 2:2 at the 46-minute mark.

This draw was already enough to secure promotion to the top division, but they still had to see out the final minutes. They had to kill two more penalties, and after 60 minutes they were finally able to celebrate for the first time, before all hell broke loose following Fazokas’ winning goal at the 64-minute mark. 

Annika Fazokas, Best Player: "It was difficult right until the end. We pulled ourselves together and gave everything. Unbelievable. The emotions of finally having made it are impossible to put into words. I am so proud of every single player. Everyone made their contribution and took a step forward. I am lost for words."

ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann: "Heartfelt congratulations to the entire team and coaching staff. This is a milestone for Austrian women’s ice hockey. 17 years after promotion to Division IA, a dream has come true for everyone. We are now reaping the rewards of the consistent path and the consistent work undertaken in women’s ice hockey over recent decades, through hosting women’s World Championships, establishing the Federal Performance Centre in Villach and the new win2day AWHL. As a federation, we will do everything we can to continue on this successful path."

Where the 2026 World Championship will be held will be decided and announced at the IIHF Congress during the 2025 Men’s World Championship.

2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women´s World Championship Division I, Group A

13–19 April 2025, Shenzhen, China

Austria vs. Netherlands 3:2 OT (0:1,1:1,1:0,1:0)
Thu, 17 April 2025, 10:30 (16:30 local time)
Austria scorers: Emma Lintner (at the 34-minute mark), Annika Fazokas (at the 46- and 64-minute marks) 
Netherlands scorers: Esther de Jong (at the 13-minute mark), Bieke van Nes (at the 26-minute mark)

Austria lined up with:

Goaltenders: 25 Luggin Selma, 1 Adamitsch Anja (backup)

Line 1: 23 Matzka Antonia, 12 Fazokas Annika; 10 Meixner Anna, 7 Schafzahl Theresa, 2 Picka Vanessa

Line 2:  5 Nagy Laura, 17 Wittich Charlotte; 24 Trummer Anja, 6 Lintner Emma, 21 Dauböck Lena

Line 3: 18 Billa Anna Marlene, 9 Schröfl Lisa; 16 Kutzer Leonie, 13 Grascher Tamara, 18 Obermayer Hanna

Line 4: 15 Leitner Laura, 19, Tekin Artemis; 3 Schwarzer Hanna, 14 Schall Tamina, 4 Linzbichler Marja

Next match:

France vs. Austria
Sat., 19 April 2025, 10:30 (local time: 16:30) live on ORF SPORT +

Already played:

Slovakia vs. Austria 2:3 (1:1,1:0,0:2)
Wed., 16 April 2025, 07:00 (local time: 13:00)
Slovakia goalscorer: Hana Fančovičová (15nd, 23rd)
Austria goalscorers: Anja Trummer (14th/PP1), Anna Meixner (52nd/PP1, 60th/PP1)

China vs. Austria 0:3 (0:1,0:1,0:1)
Mon., 14 April 2025, 14:00 (local time: 20:00)
Austria goalscorers: Anna Meixner (9th), Emma Lintner (28th), Annika Fazokas (48th/PP1)

Austria vs. Denmark 3:0 (0:0,1:0,2:0)
Sun., 13 April 2025, 10:30 (local time: 16:30)
Austria goalscorers: Annika Fazokas (39th), Anna Meixner (46th), Theresa Schafzahl (60th/EN)