National team loses to Czech Republic: 0-4 defeat in World Cup test!

National team loses to Czech Republic: 0-4 defeat in World Cup test!

In the first test match before the Ice Hockey World Cup, Austria's national team suffered a clear defeat against the Czech Republic on April 17, 2025. In Znojmo the duel ended 0-4 in front of 3,900 spectators. The third period results show a tough struggle: 0:1, 0:1, 0:2. This game was a sobering start and leaves room for improvement.

Austria fell behind in the 19th minute when an unfortunate puck bounced off Ramon Schnetzer's heel and Jiri Cernoch took the chance to score the first goal. In the middle section, Filip Prikryl extended the lead to 2-0 (27th minute) after a mistake by Nico Brunner. Despite a few chances in the final third, the Austrian team conceded two more goals. Daniel Kurovsky scored in the 57th minute, and shortly before the final whistle Kristian Reichel made it 4-0.

Looking into the future

The next meeting between the two teams is already coming up. The second leg in Linz will be broadcast live on ORF Sport+ on April 19, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Particular attention is being paid to Brian Lebler, the Black Wings striker, who is about to make a comeback to the national team. Lebler ended his international career in 2022 after 87 caps and 38 goals, but his return could have a positive impact on the team. Last season he was top scorer with 33 goals and was already training with the ÖEHV team.

The national team's lineup will change in the coming days as some players from Salzburg and the KAC will move up. These reinforcements are essential in the preparation for the World Cup.

A look back at the ice hockey year

The year 2024 has shaped Austria's ice hockey history. The national team made headlines when they staged a spectacular comeback against Canada at the World Cup in Prague. Going to extra time with a 6-1 deficit was a remarkable moment. Another low point was the defeat of the U20 men, who missed out on promotion to the top division after a narrow 4:5 defeat against Denmark. At the same time, the U18 men celebrated winning the bronze medal at the World Championship Division IA.

The founding of the win2day Austrian Women's Hockey League represents a significant step in promoting women's ice hockey. In addition, ORF was confirmed as a partner for broadcasting national team games, which further increases the visibility of the sport. The Austrian Ice Hockey Association under the leadership of President Dr. Klaus Hartmann was re-elected for another four years in June 2024 and is optimistic about the development of ice hockey in Austria.

The talented young talent is also moving in a positive direction. Marco Rossi, who began his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild, has 12 goals and 15 assists in 34 games. David Reinbacher, whose knee injury has held him back so far, is working intensively on his comeback.

Although the test match against the Czech Republic did not bring the desired success, the Austrian ice hockey players are optimistic about the upcoming challenges of the World Cup. The coming days could be crucial for team dynamics and performances at international level.

For more detailed information as well as the latest updates, we recommend checking out reporting from Laola1 and Eishockey.at to pursue.