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22nd June 2026 - Josef Nudera, foto Michal Struž

France Secures OT Victory Over Austria

France got off to a perfect start, taking the lead just 13 seconds into the game when Gael Benbekhti found the back of the net. Austria gradually settled into the contest and managed to level the play. Although failing to convert a penalty shot, they equalized before the first intermission - Stefan Ortner reacted quickest in front of goaltender Blažek and tucked the ball home. The second period remained closely contested for a long time. France regained the lead when Mathieu Trembay beat Moser with a well-placed shot. The French side then had a great opportunity on the power play, but it was Austria that struck while shorthanded, as Ortner scored his second of the match to make it 2–2. The dramatic third period produced no goals, sending the game into overtime. There, the French team capitalized on a 4-on-3 power play, with Lucas Villain scoring the game-winner. France claimed a 3–2 victory and earned two points.

Multifunkční aréna

2-3 (OT)
(1:1, 1:1, 0:0 – 0:1)

Austria - France

Penalties
7:5
PPG
0:1
SHG
1:0
Shots on goal
16:15
Statistics

Goals and assists

13. Ortner (Pirsch), 29. Ortner (Tschurnig) – 1. Benbekhti (Kadlec, Domian), 27. Trembay (Favarin), 47. Villain (Kadlec)

Referees

Sergio De Luca, Joel Krähenbühl

Spectators

239

Austria

Moser - Hintermann, Kronig, Krumpl, Pirsch, Santler, Tschurnig - Bernthaler, Floriantschitz, Gradnitzer, Gratzer, Groyer, Kahlhammer, Kusternig, Ortner, Potocnik, Thaler, Wuntschek, Ďurický

France

Blažek - C. Bornand, Favarin, Mundubeltz, Proutat, Villain - Abramov, Auméras, Auvitu, Benbekhti, M. Bornand, Colombin, Domian, Kadlec, Marcinek, Pagnod Rossiaux, Trembay, Vrtek

COACHES´ REACTIONS

Ján Ďurický (AUT): “It’s disappointing because we had momentum in the final minutes and felt we could take points, but again we were hurt by individual mistakes that lead to unnecessary goals. An experienced player must handle those situations simply and not give referees reasons to intervene with fouls around our goal. We wanted the win, but these details are costing us games. Now we need to learn from it and finally turn it around in the next match.”

Eric Golay (FRA): “I would rate today’s game around a four. It wasn’t perfect — there were good moments, but also things we need to improve. We are like climbing Everest, still in camp, and our goal is to finish first in Group B. The key moment is the first goal, which gives us confidence and helps us close the game. We are disappointed we didn’t win in regulation time, but every point matters. We knew it would be a difficult game, and it will be the same going forward. We need to stay fully focused, play simple, and keep the same mindset every game.”

Photogallery

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