Release from 13.11.2026

Austria's women stay up in their Top Division debut

Short text 303 CharactersPlain text

Austria's women's national team will remain in the Top Division. In its first appearance at the top level of the World Championship, the team beat Japan 2-1 in overtime in Friday's relegation game in Herning, Denmark. Anna Meixner scored both goals, while goaltender Selma Luggin stopped 30 of 31 shots.

Press release 1375 CharactersPlain text

Austria took the lead early in the second period when Meixner scored on the power play, set up by Annika Fazokas and Emma Lintner. Japan pushed in the third period with 14 shots and tied the game through Akane Shiga. In overtime, Austria capitalized on another power play, and Meixner scored the winner. Luggin kept her team in the game throughout, as Japan outshot Austria 31-20.
 
Close results in the group stage
Austria had lost all four games in Group A, but stayed within reach in every game except against the United States. The team fell 2-0 to Germany, 4-2 to Switzerland and 4-1 to Czechia in the opener. Only the U.S. won by a wide margin.
 
Eleven players from the domestic league
Austria's World Championship roster featured eleven players from the win2day Austrian Women's Hockey League. Seven came from the Sabres St. Pölten: Selma Luggin, Emma Mörtl, Amelie Suppan, Artemis Tekin, Antonia Matzka, Hanna Obermayr and Charlotte Wittich. The KSV Highlanders contributed three with Lena Dauböck, Lisa Schröfl and goaltender Anja Adamitsch, along with Tamara Grascher of the Graz99ers Huskies.
 
2026 IIHF Women's World Championship, relegation game:
Friday, 13.11.2026, Herning (DEN)
Japan vs. Austria 1:2 OT (0:0, 0:1, 1:0, 0:1)
Goal JPN: 1:1 Shiga A. (51.)
Goals AUT: 0:1 Meixner A. (21./PP1), 1:2 Meixner A. (62./PP1)