With the games against Great Britain, Saturday 12:20 p.m. live on ORF 1, and Hungary, Sunday 4:20 p.m. live on ORF 1, Austria has two key games right at the start. With two wins, the ultimate goal of staying in the league could be secured early on. The ÖEHV camp is expecting two difficult games in which will and heart could decide in the end.
Five weeks of preparation, the first days in Zurich – no question, the anticipation for the start is huge. “The long preparation is important so that we are ready for the World Cup. But now we are happy that it is finally starting,” says Peter Schneider with a big smile. For the first time in his career, he is leading the national team as captain at a World Cup and he knows exactly what the national team expects, especially at the start: “Great Britain and Hungary know exactly what these games are about. Fight, scratch, bite is the motto. They will play hard, give everything, block shots and give it their all. Just like us, because we also know what it’s about. These are games where in the end it’s the heart that decides.”
Move into the knockout round
20 (31.75%)
Preliminary round exit
34 (53.97%)
descent
9 (14.29%)
The ice is given a good rating, as is the entire hall and what is around it.
Dominic Zwerger: “It’s always fun to play here. I know the arena from the league. The ice is very good and now, in front of a full house, it will be even more fun. We’re hot.”
The successes of the past few years are not present in the red-white-red camp. The first goal is still to stay in the league. “We are still closer to staying in the league than to the quarter-finals,” emphasizes Roger Bader urgent. “We haven’t forgotten where we come from. It wasn’t long ago that we narrowly managed to stay in the league against both nations.”
The head coach is referring to the 5:3 against Great Britain at the 2022 World Cup in Tampere (FIN), where they were 1:3 behind at one point. A year later, they secured their place in the top division in a penalty shootout against Hungary.
Great Britain lost 2-4 at the 2024 World Cup in Prague. At that time, Austria already had relegation in its pocket. A win would have given them a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
The record against GBR in 21 games: 13 wins, 2 draws, 6 defeats
The record against HUN in 58 games: 40 wins, 2 draws, 16 defeats
2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship
- May 2026 – May 31, 2026, Zurich and Friborg (SUI)
Defending champion: USA
Group A, Zurich: USA, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, Great Britain
Group B, Friborg: Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, Italy
Game plan
Great Britain vs. Austria
Sat., May 16, 2026, 12:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Austria vs. Hungary
Sun., May 17, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT +, live on ORF 1 from 5:00 p.m
Latvia vs. Austria
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Austria vs. Switzerland
Wed., May 20, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Austria vs. Germany
Sat., May 23, 2026, 8:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT +
Finland vs. Austria
Sun., May 24, 2026, 8:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT +
USA vs. Austria
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
www.eishockey.at, Pic: ÖEHV/Christian Rothmund
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