Ice Hockey World Championship: Austria manages to stay up

Austria’s ice hockey team remains top notch after a heart-stopping final at the World Championships in Tampere. On Monday, the ÖEHV selection won the direct duel against Hungary 4:3 after a penalty shootout (1:2,2:1,0:0,0:0,1:0) and qualified for the A-WM from May 10 – 26, 2024 in the Czech Republic (Prague, Ostrava). Goalkeeper Bernhard Starkbaum could not be defeated in the penalty shoot-out (2:0).

As in the previous year against Great Britain (5:3 after a 1:3 deficit), also in Tampere, the final decider was a nail-biter. Again the Austrians had to catch up after a 1:3, fought back and for the first time in 19 years managed to remain among the top 16 nations twice in a row.

After Marco Rossi scored with a wonderful solo to make it 1-1 (13./PP), Hungary pulled away with two goals. Steven Strong (27th) and Lukas Haudum in his 100th international match (38th / PP) brought Roger Bader’s team to 3:3. In the penalty shoot-out, Manuel Ganahl, Dominique Heinrich and Starkbaum made sure of a happy ending with three repelled attempts. In the event of a tie, the direct duel won decided for the Bader squad.

Austria started with a lot of energy, but Hungary recovered quickly and took the lead during a period of pressure. Istvan Sofron came to the target alone in front of goalkeeper Bernhard Starkbaum and scored from close range (9′). With an energy performance, Rossi managed to equalize in the power play with his first World Cup goal. The NHL-experienced center completed a solo run across the field to make it 1-1 (13th).

However, Hungary went into the first break with a lead thanks to their first manpower goal of the tournament. Sofron deflected a shot into the near corner and surprised Starkbaum (20′). In the middle third, the promoted team even followed suit, Milan Horvath increased the lead to 3:1 with a concealed shot (25th). Peter Schneider was unable to take advantage of two good chances, but a defender stepped in instead. Steven Strong poked the puck over the line to score (27′).

The Austrians kept the pressure and used one of their strengths to equalize. One day after his 26th birthday, Haudum completed a power play with a direct win to make it 3:3. It was the fifth red-white-red goal in the twelfth overtime game, giving Austria the most efficient power play of all teams.

In the final third, Rossi and Co. gained the upper hand against the always dangerous Hungarians, but the redeeming goal in regular time did not succeed. But in the penalty shoot-out, the Austrians were sovereign.