World Cham­pi­onship prepa­ra­tion: Austria lose to world cham­pions Czechia in Znojmo

"I think it was a very good game from us. The fact that we still lost 0:4 is down to the quality of the opponent," reflected Head Coach Roger Bader happily after the first of two warm-up games against world champions Czechia. The team worked particularly consistently in its own zone and supported netminder Florian Vorauer, who was also named Best Player. 

The hosts' 1:0 opener came somewhat fortunately after Czechia unexpectedly gained possession of the puck behind the Austrian net. Jiri Cernoch ultimately gave Vorauer no chance (19 minutes). In the middle period, the reigning world champions created more chances and Filip Prikryl extended the lead to 2:0 in the 27 minute. Austria battled fiercely, remained close to their opponents at all times and tried to move the puck quickly into the attacking zone. Particularly in the final period, they had several high-quality chances, for example through Benjamin Baumgartner and Dominic Zwerger, who had the chance to pull one back on his stick while shorthanded in the 55 minute.

Instead of making it 1:2, Daniel Kurovsky extended the hosts' lead to 3:0 shortly afterwards, before Kristian Reichel put the finishing touch on the game in the 59 minute. Roger Bader: "We delivered a very good performance over three periods. Overall, it was an improvement on last week. I am very pleased with a great many things. We are heading in the right direction."

Florian Vorauer: "We knew Czechia had a strong line-up. It is always a little more difficult in Czechia, in front of a sold-out arena. The first five minutes belonged to us, then the Czechs took over and did not take their foot off the gas. Czechia deserved to win, but there were also many good things from our side. The guys supported me well and I tried to stay relaxed. I made a few saves right at the start. That helped me get into the game. Then I took it one shot at a time."

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATION

Czechia vs. Austria 4:0 (1:0,1:0,2:0)
Thu., 17 April 2025, 19:00, Znojmo (CZE)
Czechia goalscorers: Jiří Černoch (19 minutes), Filip Přikryl (27 minutes), Daniel Kurovský (57 minutes), Kristian Reichel (59 minutes)

Further games: 

Austria vs. Czechia
Sat., 19 April 2025, 17:30, Linz, live on ORF SPORT + & Krone TV

Austria vs. Germany
Thu., 24 April 2025, 19:00, Zell am See, live on ORF SPORT + & Krone TV

Germany vs. Austria
Sat, 26 April 2025, 17:00, Rosenheim (GER), live on ORF SPORT +

Austria vs. Canada
Sun, 4 May 2025, 19:00, Vienna STEFFL Arena, live on ORF SPORT + & Krone TV

Already played:

Hungary vs. Austria 5:1 (0:1,2:0,3:0)
Fri, 11 April 2025, 18:00, Ajka (HUN)
Hungary scorers: Márk Schlekmann (34/PP1), István Terbócs (39, 48), Dominik Horváth (46/PP1), Gergő Ambrus (49/SH1)
Austria scorer: Paul Huber (8)

Hungary vs. Austria 4:2 (1:0,1:1,2:1)
Thu, 10 April 2025, 19:00, Fehervar (HUN)
Hungary scorers: Vilmos Galló (7/PP1), István Terbócs (33), Balázs Varga (44/PP2), Roland Kiss (50)
Austria scorers: Ramon Schnetzer (34), Paul Huber (46)

Austria vs. Latvia 1:4 (0:0,0:2,1:2)
Sat, 5 April 2025, 16:20, Vienna Hall 3 STEFFL Arena
Austria goalscorer: Dominic Zwerger (53.) 
Latvia goalscorers: Georgijs Golovkovs (22.), Anri Ravinskis (39., 41.), Rihards Bukarts (48/PP1)

Austria vs. Latvia 2:3 AET (1:0,0:2,1:0,0:1)
Fri, 4 April 2025, 16:20, Vienna, Hall 3, STEFFL Arena
Austria goalscorers: Benjamin Lanzinger (19.), Dominic Zwerger (55.)
Latvia goalscorers: Nauris Sējējs (28.), Kristaps Skrastiņš (29.), Miks Tumānovs (62.)

2025 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

9–25 May 2025, Stockholm, Sweden & Herning, Denmark

Austria vs. Finland
Fri, 09 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Sweden vs. Austria
Sat, 10 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Austria vs. Slovakia
Mon, 12 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Canada vs. Austria
Thu, 15 May 2025, Globe Arena, 20:20, live on ORF 1

Austria vs. France
Fri, 16 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20live on ORF 1

Slovenia vs. Austria
Sun, 18 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20live on ORF 1

Latvia vs. Austria
Tue, 20 May 2025, Globe Arena, 12:20live on ORF 1