Red Bull Salzburg U18 Win Austrian Championship | ÖEHV League 2026
BUDAPEST, Hungary – The EC Red Bull Salzburg are champions of the ÖEHV U18 International League after a decisive 4-0 victory over Ujpesti Jegkorong Akademia on . The win secured a 3-1 series victory for Salzburg in the best-of-five final, capping off a dominant playoff run.
Salzburg, who had previously squandered a championship match point on Saturday, left no room for doubt in the second game played in Budapest. They built their lead steadily, starting with a goal from Luca Krizanovic just two minutes into the game. Noel Lußnig extended the advantage to 2-0 before the complete of the first period, scoring at the 16-minute mark.
The second period saw Salzburg further solidify their control. David Bertignoll scored before the halfway point of the period, making it 3-0. Maximilian Spielmann then added another goal with just a minute and a half remaining in the period, pushing the score to 4-0. Salzburg’s Bastian Bauer delivered a shutout performance, denying Ujpesti any opportunity to respond.
This championship marks a significant achievement for the Red Bull Salzburg U18 team, following a 3-0 and 5-2 home win, and a narrow 2-3 overtime loss in the previous game. The team’s consistent performance throughout the playoffs demonstrated their strength and resilience.
The victory wasn’t the only success for Austrian youth hockey on Sunday. The Alps Ice Academy secured third place in the tournament, defeating EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV with an aggregate score of 8-5, following a Champions Hockey League-style format (6-1 and 2-4). This result highlights the growing depth of talent within Austrian junior hockey programs.
The final score of Sunday’s game was Ujpesti Jegkorong Akademia 0 – 4 EC Red Bull Salzburg. The goals were scored by Luca Krizanovic (2’), Noel Lußnig (16’), David Bertignoll (28’), and Maximilian Spielmann (39’).
The ÖEHV U18 International League has seen a rise in competitive play, with teams like Ujpesti Jegkorong Akademia demonstrating increasing strength on the international stage. According to information on their website, the academy is focused on developing young talent, with several players participating in prominent leagues in Finland, Sweden, the United States, and Canada.
Luca Krizanovic, the Salzburg center born in 2010, played a key role in the championship run. His early goal in the final game set the tone for Salzburg’s dominant performance. Krizanovic currently plays for Red Bull Salzburg U18 and has been showcasing his skills in the league.
The U20 teams from Ujpesti Jegkorong Akademia and Red Bull Salzburg likewise recently faced off in the ICE Young Stars League on , with Ujpesti winning 3-2 after penalties. This demonstrates the competitive rivalry between the two organizations across different age groups.
The success of both Red Bull Salzburg U18 and Alps Ice Academy underscores the investment and development happening within Austrian youth hockey. The league is providing a platform for young players to hone their skills and compete at a high level, potentially paving the way for future success in professional hockey.