World Championship preparations: U20 national team tests against hosts Hungary

Austria’s U20 men’s national ice hockey team begins the final World Championship countdown for the IIHF U20 World Championship Division I Group A in Budapest on Thursday with a test against hosts Hungary. After the match, Head Coach Philipp Pinter and his staff must finalise the World Championship squad.

06 December 20231 min read

Hungary, who will open their home World Championship against Kazakhstan on Sunday afternoon – runners-up at last year’s World Championship behind top-division promoted side Norway – finished fourth in their most recent World Championship appearance in Asker, Norway, in December 2022.

Austria’s World Championship delegation travelled on Wednesday, moving from their training camp in St. Pölten to the Hungarian capital. Head Coach Philipp Pinterimmediately familiarised himself with the conditions at the attractive Tüskecsarnok – German for “Thorn Hall” – which has a capacity of around 2.500 fans and is located in Újbuda, the 11th district.

Austria will begin their World Championship tournament against Division I Group B promoted side Japan on Sunday, and Head Coach Pinter believes it is completely open: “The World Championship is very evenly matched. We can beat anyone, but we can also lose to anyone!” From the Villach native’s perspective, it will therefore be important to keep the focus on the upcoming game at all times.

Following the opener against Japan, Austria will face Hungary next Monday, Denmark await on Wednesday and France are the opponents on Thursday, before the ÖEHV selection take on Kazakhstan in their final game on Saturday.