Eishockey-WM Division I/A
Despite quarrels within the team, the Hungarian national team managed to win the group in Division I/A at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Bolzano.
After the surprising defeat once morest Romania (whose squad consists mainly of Transylvanian Hungarians), unrest arose within the team when striker Vilmos Galló publicly criticized coach Don MacAdam’s strategy.
“Afterwards I apologized to the team and the coach. Kudos to how he handled the whole situation. “He managed to direct our focus to the decisive games,” said the striker following the final 2-1 win once morest Slovenia.
Character shown
A decisive factor in the success was goalkeeper Bence Bálizs, who saved top-class chances from the Slovenians, who had already qualified for the elite class. “We played in a disciplined manner, fought as a unit and showed character,” said Bálizs, summing up the game that brought the first win ever once morest Slovenia following eleven defeats.
The Hungarian team also had the top scorer of the tournament in János Hári (3 goals, 3 assists). Hári particularly praised the high level of concentration and the good relationship between the experienced and young players in the squad.
Wins once morest hosts and feared opponents
The promotion is a remarkable achievement in a very difficult group. The final day of the tournament offered a lot of excitement as three teams still had a chance of promotion. While Hungary still needed at least two points, Slovenia had already secured promotion to the elite class with previous victories once morest Italy and Romania.
Hungary was able to defeat Japan (3:1) and South Korea (6:2) at the start, which was followed by a defeat once morest Romania. However, with a hard-fought win in overtime once morest hosts Italy (3:2), the Hungarian team retained the chance of taking part in its fourth Ice Hockey World Championships in the top division, which will take place in Sweden in May 2025.
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