Denmark U20 back at top level

Tournament Standings:

1. Denmark: 5 GP, 4 Wins, 17:12 GD, 13 Points
2. Austria: 5 GP, 4 Wins, 16:10 GD, 12 Points
3. Norway: 5 GP, 3 Wins, 13:8 GD, 9 Points
4. Slovenia: 5 GP, 2 Wins, 18:16 GD, 6 Points
5. France: 5 GP, 1 Win + 1 OT Loss, 15:20 GD, 5 Points
6. Hungary: 5 GP, 0 Wins, 7:20 GD, 0 Points

Denmark’s Triumph

Denmark’s road to gold culminated in a dramatic 5-4 win against Austria in the decisive final game. Key moments included:

• Powerplay Excellence: Two goals during a five-minute powerplay late in the third period sealed the win. Anton Linde and Oliver Larsen found the net in quick succession, both assisted by tournament standout Hjalte Thomsen.
• Strong Start: Denmark took an early 3-1 lead in the first period, with goals from Linde, Phillip Rubin, and Oscar Moelgaard, showcasing their offensive depth.
• Defensive Resolve: Despite Austria’s late push, including a goal by Johanne Neumann, Denmark held firm to secure the victory.

Thomsen led the team with eight points (2G, 6A) and was instrumental in Denmark’s success. The win not only secured promotion but also underlined Denmark’s ability to compete at the highest level.

Austria’s Silver Success

Austria narrowly missed promotion despite a stellar tournament, finishing second with four regulation wins. Their campaign featured:

• Dynamic Offense: Ian Scherzer and Florian Lanzinger were pivotal, combining for crucial goals throughout the tournament.
• Resilience: Austria battled back from deficits, including a 3-3 tie in the final before Denmark’s powerplay surge.

Despite falling short in the decisive game, Austria’s strong showing sets the stage for another promotion push next year.

Norway Claims Bronze

Norway entered the tournament as one of the favorites but had to settle for third place after inconsistent performances. They ended on a high note with a 4-1 win over France, powered by:

• Quick Turnaround: Goals by Andrea Pettersen and Elias Vatne turned the game in Norway’s favor.
• Defensive Strength: A solid performance by the Norwegian defense and goaltender kept France at bay.

Norway’s bronze medal reflects their potential but leaves room for improvement.

Slovenia’s Fourth-Place Finish

Slovenia’s tournament was highlighted by strong offensive performances, with Filip Sitar and Mark Sever finishing among the top scorers. However, their defense struggled in key moments, leading to close but costly losses.

France’s Mixed Results

France avoided relegation with a win and an overtime loss but lacked consistency. Goaltender Martin Neckar was a standout, facing 42 shots in their final game against Norway.

Hungary Relegated

Hungary struggled throughout the tournament, finishing without a win. Their defense was unable to handle the offensive firepower of their opponents, leading to relegation to Division IB.

Looking Ahead

Denmark’s promotion marks a significant milestone, as they join the Top Division at the 2026 World Juniors. Their success reflects the growing strength of Danish hockey, while Austria, Norway, and Slovenia will look to build on their performances for future tournaments.

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