2026 Men’s U18 World Championships: Australia loses to the Netherlands and finishes fourth – Ice Hockey News Australia

The Australian men’s national under-18 team have lost 4–6 to the Netherlands men’s national under-18 team in their final game of the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division II Group B tournament in Belgrade, Serbia. Australia four goals were scored by Hugo Arps and Ruben Nalos, scoring two each. Nalos was also received the IIHF award for best Australian player of the match. The result is an improvement compared to the last meeting between the two teams in 2025, where Australia lost 1–6.

In the other games of the day, Mexico defeated Chinese Taipei 4–2 and Serbia beat Belgium 7–2. Australia finishes the tournament in fourth place with eight points from five games. The Netherlands finishes in first and earns promotion back to Division II Group A, and Chinese Taipei comes in last and is relegated to Division III Group A. The IIHF award for best Australian player of the tournament was given to goaltender Thomas Papas.

Results

Chinese Taipei 2–4 Mexico SOG: 24 (2–1, 0–2, 0–1) SOG: 58

– Game details: 12:30, 11 April 2025, Pionir Ice Hall. Game card.

Netherlands 6–4 Australia SOG: 43 (1–1, 3–2, 2–1) SOG: 35

– Game details: 16:00, 11 April 2025, Pionir Ice Hall. Game card.

Belgium 2–7 Serbia SOG: 24 (1–2, 1–2, 0–3) SOG: 38

– Game details: 19:30, 11 April 2025, Pionir Ice Hall. Game card.Standings

Pos+/–TeamGP W OTWOTL  L  PTS 1 – Netherlands 5 3 1 0 1 11 2 +1 Mexico 5 2 1 1 1 9 3 +1 Serbia 5 3 0 0 2 9 4 –2 Australia 5 2 1 0 2 8 5 – Belgium 5 1 0 2 2 5 6 – Chinese Taipei 5 1 0 0 4 3

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