Missed Part One? Check it out here!
TIG: First, walk us through the emotions of yourself and the team after earning a promotion to the top division for the first time is Austrian women’s hockey history, and then going on to finish the tournament undefeated
AM: After our win against the Netherlands, there was a ton of excitement and also a great sense of relief knowing that promotion was secured and we were finally going to the top division. We had a day off from games after that game to process everything, and I think that’s when we collectively as a group understood that yes, we had reached our main goal, but we weren’t done yet. Winning that gold medal and going undefeated in the tournament meant so much to us and we were so hungry to win it all, and I think that determination showed in that last game against France.
We finished the tournament with our best performance, and didn’t show any sort of complacency with already having reached promotion. In the end, we felt so proud and accomplished, and I think with that 14-point tournament finish we showed ourselves and everyone else that we belong in the top group next season.
TIG: Based off what you said previously, what was different or unique about this tournament and team that led to such a dominating performance?
AM: I think we had a different approach to the tournament than in previous years. This time we really took it game by game and only focused on the next challenge ahead instead of feeling overwhelmed with the thought of having to win five games in a row. We prepared really well for each game, and even when things didn’t go as planned in the first or second period, like against Slovakia or the Netherlands, we stayed calm and truly believed in our group and our abilities to win each game.
There was never any kind of panic or doubt; we just had to play our game, give it our all and good things will happen. There was also a different kind of energy on the team. The support and trust each and every player and staff member showed each other was unique and carried us to this success.
TIG: What does it mean to you and also for Austria to earn this promotion and have the opportunity to showcase Austrian hockey in the top division next year?
AM: It means so, so much for me and the team to have earned promotion to the top division. Some of us have spent over a decade working towards this goal, not only individually as hockey players but also collectively as a group as we have been fighting for better conditions and resources around women’s hockey in Austria. While we have made steps in the right direction in the league at home and around the national team in past years, we are hopeful that this success will spark even more change in regard to the professionalization of women’s hockey and the overall recognition and attention around our sport.
In terms of showcasing Austrian women’s hockey at the top division level next season we are super excited to show everyone what we got. We have some incredible individual talent and a fast, intense, and physical playing style, so we are pumped to be able to compete with the best in the world.
