Women test against the Nether­lands: Two valu­able games

"Five training sessions, two games – it is an exciting week for us," says the Swede, who is already in the Netherlands with his team. The two test games against the No. 18 team in the IIHF World Ranking are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Austria are currently ranked 14, but Bröms does not consider his team favourites: "The Netherlands are a strong opponent. These two games will show us where we currently stand."

Following the team camp at the end of 2022 and the two test games against US college Gustavus Adolphus, this is only the second training week under the new coaching staff of Alexander Bröms and Petteri Hirvonen. The objectives are clearly defined, Alexander Bröms: "We are continuing to work on our playbook and taking a close look at which player can best fulfil which role. We are also already working on the finer details and training hard to get the most out of this week."

Every training session and every game serves as preparation for the World Championship Division IA, where Austria will face Denmark, Norway, Slovakia, the Netherlands and hosts China from 11 to 17 April 2023.

At the last World Championship in Angers, France, in April 2022, Austria narrowly beat the "Oranje" 2:1 after a penalty shootout. Charlotte Wittich gave Austria the lead just after the halfway point of the game and then scored the decisive penalty in the shootout. Based on last year's final standings, the Netherlands would have been relegated from World Championship Division IA to Group B, but they are once again competing in Group A due to Russia's exclusion.

February break team camp, Netherlands

8 to 12 February 2023, Heerenveen

Netherlands vs. Austria
Fri, 10 February 2023, 20:00, Heerenveen
Livestream link

Netherlands vs. Austria
Sat, 11 February 2023, 17:00, Heerenveen
Livestream link

AUT squad