Release from 08.11.2026

Sabres goalie Luggin shines in narrow World Championship loss to Germany

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Austria's women's national team fell 2-0 to Germany in the opener of its first-ever World Championship in the top division. A player from the win2day Austrian Women's Hockey League stood out in net: Sabres St. Pölten goaltender Selma Luggin stopped 48 of 49 shots in Esbjerg.

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The Austrians kept the game close until the final minute at Granly Hockey Arena. Katarina Jobst-Smith put Germany ahead in the second period and added an empty-net goal late in the third. Assistant coach Rachel Flanagan stood in behind the bench for head coach Alexander Bröms, who was ill.

Flanagan said she was proud of her squad for battling to the very end. Forward Marja Linzbichler saw room for improvement, saying the team had been too playful in the first two periods.

USA and Switzerland up next
Monday brings Olympic champion and defending world champion USA, followed by Switzerland on Tuesday. Both games are live on ORF SPORT +.

IIHF Women's World Championship 2026 | Group A
Sat, 07.11.2026, Esbjerg
Germany – Austria 2:0 (0:0, 1:0, 1:0)

Mon, 09.11.2026
19:00 | USA vs. Austria
Tue, 10.11.2026
19:00 | Switzerland vs. Austria