Italy's U18 team has secured its place in the top league: Italy's U18 team has achieved its goal

Italy's U18 national team competed in the Division IB World Championship in Tallinn, Estonia, this week – and successfully so. Andrea Ambrosi's team secured their targeted survival in the division.

02 May 2026

From: leo

The Blue Team had been promoted from the fourth to the third division last season. There, the Azzurrini, featuring ten players from South Tyrol, faced eventual champions Austria, France, Lithuania, Estonia, and South Korea. Their final fifth-place finish, with two wins and three losses, secured their place in the third division, which had been their stated goal before the tournament.

Italy faced tournament favorites Austria in their opening match, with Austria prevailing 4-1 against a valiant Azzurri. The following day, the newly promoted team celebrated the victory that ultimately secured their place in the top division: Ben Zublasing and his teammates dominated South Korea 4-0 after a furious first period in which Italy had already taken a 3-0 lead. The Azzurrini then suffered the same fate against France, before defeating the previously undefeated Lithuania 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

Andrea Vaccarino is delighted. © IIHF

Before their final match against Estonia, Ambrosi's team had already secured their place in the top division, as South Korea had lost to France just hours earlier. The hosts, however, were desperate for a win in that game to avoid relegation. With their backs against the wall, Estonia beat Italy 3-1, sending South Korea down to the fourth tier.

A South Tyrolean with three goals

Philipp Winkler, the 18-year-old from Puster Valley who plays for the youth team of ERC Ingolstadt in Germany, was Italy's most dangerous player with three goals. Next season, Italy's U18 team will compete against newly promoted Japan, relegated Poland, as well as France, Estonia, and Lithuania.