The women’s national team has qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina qualified! The team of national coach Jeff MacLeod won their third match of the qualifying tournament against Hungary with 2:1 (0:0, 1:1, 1:0) and thus took first place in the qualifying group. This marks the fourth participation of our women's team at the Olympic Games. The German women's national team has already taken part in the women's ice hockey tournament in 2002, 2006 and 2014. For the DEB-Selection made Lilli Welcke and Luisa Welcke.
From the beginning, the 2.511 Fans in the Bremerhaven Ice Arena, an intense match and after just over two minutes the first penalty against Hungary. In the power play, Lilli Welcke had the best chance, but only hit the side netting. Shortly afterwards, Sandra Denier intervened twice in her third start in this tournament and prevented Hungary from taking the lead. The team went into the first break without scoring a goal.
There were also chances on both sides in the second period. While the Hungarians were unable to capitalise on their power play in the 23rd minute, Lilli Welcke in the 28nd minute that 1:0 lead for the DEBwomen. But just 70 seconds later found Hungary with Mira Seregely that direct answer and equalized in power play (29.)The intensity remained high. However, further goals were not scored until the final third.
The 43nd minute use Luisa Welcke the rebound at the short corner and lobbed the puck into the goal to 2:1The Hungarians had the chance to equalize again shortly afterwards, but were unable to capitalize on further chances even when they were in the majority. DEBThe women pushed for a preliminary decision and increased the tempo again. In the end, the score remained 2:1, also because the second Hungarian goal came a fraction of a second too late.
DEBplayer of the evening the novel Luisa Welcke.
For the DEB-Women will have fourth Olympic participation after 2002 (Salt Lake City/USA), 2006 (Turin/ITA) and 2014 (Sochi/RUS). For the third time, both German ice hockey teams are taking part in the Olympic Games: in 2002 and 2006, both ice hockey teams represented Germany.
women's national coach Jeff MacLeod: “Tournaments of this kind are so fast-moving. Yesterday we had such an important game and today was one of the most important games of the past few years for our team. We at Coaching Staff We are enjoying seeing all the emotions in our players. They have worked so hard for this, also many of the Staff have been with the team for years. It is simply unbelievably nice to see everyone so happy. We on the coaching team will certainly need a little more time to reflect on this intense event here in Bremerhaven. The team has been through a process of over two years. There were many important steps here today towards this day, especially the joint Deutschland Cup with both teams. The tournament victory in Landshut last November was a very important moment. All of this prepared us for this day. It is all the more beautiful that we have now fought through here and won. ".
Captain Daria Gleißner: "I am extremely happy, very relieved and incredibly proud of this team. It was not only hard work for us on the ice today, but as a group we have invested a lot in the past few years for success. That paid off today. We see ourselves as a team, we are on the same wavelength and push each otherThis also applies to our trainers and the Staff behind the team on the ice. We just have so much fun together and are now enjoying the success of being able to travel to Milan together. The victory was for everyone today!"
DEB-Sports director Christian Künast: “The entire team around national coach Jeff MacLeod has worked meticulously since the start of the season to face the big task and be optimally prepared. We are all the more pleased that this hard work has paid off and that we as a team were able to cope with the situation both physically and mentally. For women's ice hockey in Germany, today is an important day beyond the Olympic qualification, which gives us momentum for further development work. We are very pleased that we will now also be travelling to Milan with the women. This will be a special highlight for all players and the Staff. "
DEB-President Dr. Peter Merten: “Congratulations to the women’s national team on this outstanding success. It was impressive to see the determination and energy with which the entire team worked towards the big goal and confidently prevailed in the strong field of participants. We are extremely happy and proud that we nun for the first time in 20 years, so many athletes from both teams will be traveling to the 2026 Winter Games and we will be able to present our ice hockey sport on the biggest international stage. We would also like to thank the location here in Bremerhaven for the good cooperation, which has provided us with an ideal stage to hold a successful tournament."