Road to lifting the cup

Switzerland are the U19 European Champions 2026 after a dominant weekend of skater hockey in Ternitz, Austria, capping three days of high-scoring, high-drama action with gold on home... well, near-home soil, edging out hosts Austria, Germany and Great Britain across a compact but relentless schedule.

The tournament opened on Friday with Switzerland announcing themselves in brutal fashion, thrashing host nation Austria 13-0, while Germany got their campaign underway with a 5-1 win over Great Britain. Germany continued to look untouchable through Day One, adding a 10-1 win over Austria and closing the day with a 6-1 statement victory over Switzerland — the only blemish on an otherwise perfect group stage for the eventual runners-up. Switzerland answered in kind, running up a 12-2 scoreline against Great Britain, while Austria and GB shared a rare moment of parity in a 5-5 draw.

Day Two only reinforced the gap at the top. Switzerland dispatched Austria 9-0, Germany put eleven past Great Britain, and Austria suffered a second heavy defeat to Germany, 12-1. Great Britain and Austria met again late in the day, sharing another five-goal draw, before the group's defining moment arrived in the final match: Switzerland avenged their Day One defeat, beating Germany 4-2. It wasn't enough to overhaul Germany at the top of the table, though — the two sides finished level on points, with Germany edging first place by a single goal in the goal-difference column (+37 to +36).

Sunday's semi-finals were formalities on the scoreboard if not in spirit. Switzerland eased past Great Britain 12-0, while Germany saw off host nation Austria 12-1, setting up a rematch of the group stage's headline fixture for gold. In the bronze medal match, Great Britain and Austria produced the tournament's tightest contest, with Austria edging a five-goal thriller 6-5 to send the home crowd into raptures with a medal of their own.

That set the stage for a gold medal final between two sides who had split their head-to-head meetings during the group stage. Switzerland came out on top, claiming the European Championship title.

All Star Team

Final Placements