This Monday, our German U18 women's national team would theoretically have set off for Sweden to take part in the 08 IIHF U15 Women's World Championship scheduled for January 2022th to 18th. However, due to a recommendation from the IIHF Medical Committee in view of the latest developments in the global COVID-19 epidemiology situation and the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the International Federation decided on Christmas Eve to cancel all IIHF tournaments taking place in January 2022 should start canceling. Including once again the tournament of our German U18 women's national team.
Chairman of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and Chairman of the Board for the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship Anders Larsson: "The Swedish Ice Hockey Association, together with the host cities Linköping and Mjölby and the Östergötland Ice Hockey Association, have been looking forward to hosting this World Championship. This World Championship is an important part of strengthening and building ice hockey for young girls and women, but we still have great respect and understanding for the decision due to the international pandemic situation."
U18 women’s national coach Franziska Busch: “The cancellation shortly before Christmas hurt us all very much. The disappointment was great. We had just returned from the tournament in Switzerland and were in Füssen shortly before preparation began. It's particularly bitter for the final year group, who didn't have a chance to play in a World Cup last year. Nevertheless, we understand that health comes first and the decision was made in the best interests of the players.”