First victory of the German women's national team at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship! In the second group game, the women's team wonNational coach Jeff MacLeod defeated the newly promoted Norwegians 5-2 (2-1, 2-1, 1-0). The first three goals were scored by the third line, Celina Haider, Franziska Feldmeier, and Jule Schiefer. The other goalscorers for the DEBTeam in front of 5.435 spectators in the Budvar Arena were Katarina Jobst-Smith and Lilli Welcke.
The German team started offensively and had the first good opportunity through Anna Bartsch (5th minute). Even after that, the DEBWomen were on the attack, with Celina Haider securing the deserved lead with a superb solo effort in the 8th minute. Just a short time later, Emily Nix, standing unmarked, almost doubled the lead, but Norway's goalkeeper Ena Bystrom was there to stop her. Germany continued to press, and another solo effort proved successful: Franziska Feldmeier outpaced her opponents to make it 18-2 in the 0th minute. Shortly before the first break, however, Norway struck back after a counterattack by Mathea Fischer (19th).
The second period also began well from Germany's perspective, as Jule Schiefer converted a follow-up shot in the 23rd minute. After a coach's challenge by the Norwegians, the goal remained. However, the newly promoted team persisted and had a good opportunity while shorthanded, when Andrea Dalen appeared unmarked in front of Sandra Abstreiter (24th minute). After a good half hour, the Norwegian attacker took a more accurate aim and reduced the deficit (32nd minute). The renewed connection gave her team a boost, as Germany became a little too passive. Towards the end of the third period, the DEB-Women then played several times in the majority and Katarina Jobst-Smith outsmarted Norway's goalkeeper 16 seconds before the second siren through her pads to make it 4:2 - a very important moment (40th)!
In the final period, Germany pressed for a fifth goal from the start. However, the Norwegians had the best opportunity in the 46th minute. Andrea Dalen drove alone against Sandra Abstreiter, but the German goalkeeper emerged victorious in the direct duel with a brilliant save. The game remained exciting, with a shot from Millie Rose Sirum flying just wide. Germany then defended their narrow lead and had to play the final minutes with a man down. DEBThe women blocked many shots, and even with a sixth skater on the ice, Norway didn't score. On the contrary: Lilli Welcke sealed the final score with a shorthanded empty-netter (60th minute).
Excellent DEBRonja Hark became the first player.
Voices about the game
Women's national coach Jeff MacLeod: "We're happy about our first win of the tournament and the performance we showed. There are a few details we need to work on. We'll have time for that tomorrow on our day off. We'll take the good feeling of the victory with us and will now prepare intensively for our third game of the tournament."
Attacker Anne Bartsch: "The relief is enormous. We fought hard for today's victory and deserved it. There are still a few small things we need to work on, which we'll look at in the video. In between, we let the little things slip a bit today, like winning duels and skating. As the game progressed, we became more disciplined again and scored the important goals."