World Championship preparation: Austria lose 0:1 to Latvia after a hard-fought contest

For the hosts, it was revenge for the 3:4 defeat the previous day. And, as they had just 24 hours earlier, the ÖEHV side and the 2023 World Championship bronze medallists went toe-to-toe in an intense contest in which both teams deserved to win. However, Latvia emerged victorious. Oskars Lapinskis scored the winner in the 51st minute. Austria’s World Championship preparations continue in a week’s time. On 16 April, they host Italy in Feldkirch. Tickets are available via the ÖEHV ticket shop, while ORF SPORT + will broadcast live from 19:00.

09 April 20262 min read

Once again, neither team gave an inch. Both sides maintained a high tempo and created several good chances, with the goaltenders, who were both named Best Player, able to distinguish themselves.

Latvia had slightly more possession in the first period and created more scoring chances overall, but Sebastian Wraneschitz kept a clean sheet. Austria also had to excel on the penalty kill after taking three penalties. At the other end, they were unable to convert two power plays in the middle period to take the lead themselves.

In the final period, Benjamin Nissner had a chance to put Austria ahead when he raced in alone on the Latvian goal. Unfortunately, his shot hit the post. Oskars Lapinskis then sent the approximately 9.000 fans in Riga into raptures when he scored the winner in the 51st minute.

The Austrian players now return home. Over the coming days, Head Coach Roger Bader will name the squad for next week, when Austria will play their first home game of their World Championship preparations against Italy.

Head Coach Roger Bader is pleased with the first week of preparations: “There were many young players on the ice on both sides, and the tempo was very high. All in all, the two games will help both us and the Latvians. Overall, I am very satisfied with the week. The players gained important experience and performed well.”

World Championship preparation

Latvia vs. Austria 3:4 (0:1, 3:3, 0:0)
Thu, 9 April 2026, 18:30, Riga (LAT)
Latvia scorer: Oskars Lapinski (51st)
Game Sheet

08.04, 18:30, Riga (LAT): Latvia vs. Austria
09.04, 18:30, Riga (LAT): Latvia vs. Austria
16.04, 19:00, Feldkirch: Austria vs. Italy
23.04, 19:00, Vienna: Austria vs. Czechia
24.04, 17:30, Jihlava (CZE): Czechia vs. Austria
30.04, 19:00, Zell am See: Austria vs. Germany
02.05, 17:00, Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER): Germany vs. Austria
09.05, 16:20, Klagenfurt: Austria vs. Slovenia
ÖEHV ticket shop

Already played
Latvia vs. Austria 3:4 (0:1, 3:3, 0:0)
Wednesday, 8 April 2026, 18:30, Riga (LAT)
Austria goalscorers: Maximilian Rebernig (9'), Benjamin Nissner (21'), Luca Erne (29'), Lucas Thaler (39'/PP)
Latvia goalscorers: Karlis Ozolins (30'), Glebs Prohorenkovs (33'/PP), Deniss Smirnovs (36')
Game Sheet

2026 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

15 May 2026 - 31 May 2026, Zurich and Fribourg (SUI)
Defending champions: USA
Group A, Zurich: USA, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, Great Britain
Group B, Fribourg: Canada, Sweden, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, Italy

Schedule
Great Britain vs. Austria
Saturday, 16 May 2026, 12:20, Swiss Life Arena

Austria vs. Hungary
Sunday, 17 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Latvia vs. Austria
Tuesday, 19 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Austria vs. Switzerland
Wed, 20 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Austria vs. Germany
Sat, 23 May 2026, 20:20, Swiss Life Arena

Finland vs. Austria
Sun, 24 May 2026, 20:20, Swiss Life Arena

USA vs. Austria
Tue, 26 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Information on World Championship ticket sales at 2026.iihfworlds.com!
Link to World Championship tickets for Zurich and Fribourg (Ticketcorner.ch)
Link to individual Austria matches - (Ticketcorner.ch)
Link to World Championship packages including Austria matches - (Ticketcorner.ch)

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