Very clear: Austria saves itself in the penalty shootout

The ÖEHV selection won the direct duel for relegation against Hungary on Monday with 4:3 after a penalty shootout (1:2,2:1,0:0,0:0,1:0) and qualified for the A World Cup from May 10th to 26th, 2024 in the Czech Republic (Prague, Ostrava). Goalkeeper Bernhard Starkbaum could not be defeated in the penalty shootout (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 chase down 1:3, fought their way back and managed to stay in the top 19 nations twice in a row for the first time in 16 years.

After Marco Rossi scored with a wonderful solo to make it 1-1 (13th/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 shootout, Manuel Ganahl, Dominique Heinrich and Starkbaum ensured a happy ending with three blocked attempts. If the points were equal, the direct duel won was decided for Bader's team.

Istvan Sofron (right) scored the 1-0 for Hungary. © APA/afp / EMMI KORHONEN

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

Thanks to their first power-play goal in the entire tournament, Hungary went into the first break with a lead. Sofron deflected a shot into the near corner and surprised Starkbaum (20th). In the middle third the newcomers even increased their lead, with Milan Horvath making it 3-1 with a hidden shot (25th). Peter Schneider was unable to take advantage of two good opportunities, but a defender stepped in. Steven Strong poked the puck over the line to score (27').

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

In the final third, Rossi and Co. got the upper hand against the always dangerous Hungarians, but they couldn't score the redeeming goal in regular time. But the Austrians were confident in the penalty shootout.

Ice Hockey World Cup, Monday games Denmark – Sweden 1:4 Canada – Norway 2:3 nP Kazakhstan – Slovenia 4:3 Austria – Hungary 4:3 nP

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Very clear: Austria saves itself in the penalty shootout

Austria's ice hockey team remains first class after a heart-stopping final at the World Championships in Tampere.

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