Austria versus Germany: Ice hockey thriller in Zell am See!

Austria versus Germany: Ice hockey thriller in Zell am See!

On April 20, 2025, Zell am See will be the venue for a highly anticipated ice hockey game between Austria and Germany. The brother duel promises to be a thrilling clash that is awaited with great anticipation, especially after the last meeting, which ended 2-1 after a penalty shootout in favor of Austria last year. This game will be broadcast live on Krone TV and ORF SPORT + so that fans can follow the exciting game up close.

The head coach of the Austrian national team, Roger Bader, is optimistic as the team gradually approaches the World Cup team. Around ten to twelve new players will join the national team in the fourth week of preparation, which will bring a breath of fresh air into the team. During this phase, experienced player Brian Lebler also returns to the national team after three years.

Brian Lebler: A comeback in the national team

Brian Lebler, born on July 16, 1988 in Klagenfurt, is a defining figure in Austrian ice hockey. He started his career early and played overseas, among other things, before moving to the Black Wings Linz in 2010. There he won the league title in his first season. Despite a short interlude with DEL club Ingolstadt in 2015/2016, he returned to the Black Wings, where he continued to show strong performances.

However, the last few years have been challenging for the Black Wings Linz, with repeated difficulties in the league table. Last winter, Lebler was loaned to EC Red Bull Salzburg, where he won a title in the win2day Ice Hockey League. After the World Cup he will return to the Black Wings Linz, which now has a new management and team. With 494 league appearances and 490 scorer points, he will continue to lead the team as captain, which strengthens hopes for a positive turn in the coming season.

A look at the future

The Austrian national ice hockey team has shown promising performances in recent years, such as a point win against the USA and a 2-1 win against the Czech Republic at the 2022 IIHF World Championships in Finland. These successes show that relegation for the 2023 World Cup in Prague appears to be assured, which also motivates the coaching staff and players.

Austria has been part of the Germany Cup since 2022, and the games against Germany were part of the preparation program for the World Cup in 2023 and 2024. Support from fans and media will be crucial for the team to remain competitive in the future.

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