Women’s World Cham­pi­onship: Austria rally past Slovakia in thriller – third win in a row!

Now they can say it out loud: after three wins in three games, Austria’s women’s national ice hockey team are within touching distance of promotion to the Top Division for the first time, and it is in their own hands. Another impressive performance against Slovakia laid the foundation.

Their neighbours, whom they had beaten 8:2 in Olympic qualifying in Bremerhaven, Germany, just a few weeks ago, presented a completely different challenge at this tournament. Like Austria, Slovakia had also taken the maximum number of points after two victories over China and France.

Both teams repeatedly created dangerous opportunities in front of the opposition net during the first period. Anja Trummer eventually struck on the power play in the 14th minute to make it 1:0. However, the lead lasted only 29 seconds. Hana Fančovičová capitalised on a lapse in concentration to make it 1:1. After the first intermission, Slovakia gained the upper hand, with Hana Fančovičová putting them back in front at 23 minutes to make it 2:1, and creating more chances overall.

The team regrouped in the dressing room for the final 20 minutes and showed their fighting spirit. Austria pushed for an equaliser but had to remain patient. It was not until a power play in the 52nd minute that the breakthrough came. Anna Meixner scored the almost overdue equaliser before once again netting the winner on the power play.

Goaltender Selma Luggin also recorded a point, finding her captain perfectly as she broke away alone on the Slovak net 33 seconds before the buzzer to provide a fitting conclusion to this thriller.

"I think we showed incredible determination as a team today. I am so proud of the group. We were 1:2 down, came out of the dressing room and all agreed that we wanted to turn the game around. The team spirit we showed today was incredible, and hopefully it continues like this. Now it is time to enjoy it briefly, cool down, eat, recover, and then we go again tomorrow," said a visibly delighted Anna Meixner.

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

13–19 April 2025, Shenzhen, China

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

Austria lined up with:

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

Line 1: 18 Billa Anna Marlene, 9 Schröfl Lisa; 16 Kutzer Leonie, 13 Grascher Tamara, 18 Obermayer Hanna

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

Line 3: 5 Nagy Laura, 17 Wittich Charlotte; 24 Trummer Anja, 6 Lintner Emma, 21 Dauböck Lena

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

Austria vs. Netherlands
Thu, 17 April 2025, 10:30 ( 16:30 local time) live on ORF SPORT +

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

Already played:

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

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