The Australian women’s national under-18 team have lost 1–4 to the Spanish women’s national under-18 team in their opening game of the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship Division I Group B tournament in Katowice, Poland. Forward Hannah Cryan scored Australia’s only goal of the game and was presented with the IIHF award for best Australian player of the match. Defender Bella Ma was named the hardest worker for the team. The result is a slight decline when compared to last year where Australia lost 2–3 to Spain.
In the other games of the day, Austria shutout Great Britain 4–0 and China defeated Poland 4–3 following a shootout. At the end of the first round, Australia sits fifth on the standings, while Austria leads with three points. Australia takes on Poland today for their second game of the tournament. The two teams last met at the 2025 World Championships where Poland won 5–2.
Results
Great Britain
0–4
Austria
SOG: 13
(0–0, 0–2, 0–2)
SOG: 42
– Game details: 13:00, 5 January 2026, Jantor Arena. Game card.
China
4–3 SO
Poland
SOG: 27
(3–1, 0–1, 0–1, 0–0, 1–0)
SOG: 34
– Game details: 16:30, 5 January 2026, Jantor Arena. Game card.
Australia
1–4
Spain
SOG: 23
(1–0, 0–3, 0–1)
SOG: 29
– Game details: 20:00, 5 January 2026, Jantor Arena. Game card.
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