The Ukrainian U18 national team lost to Hungary in the second match at the 2026 IIHF World Youth Championship — 4:6.
Ukraine is participating in Division IA competitions for the fourth year in a row. In addition to Hungary, the Ukrainians' rivals in the tournament are the national teams of Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Poland, and Slovenia.
Suspilne Sport is the official broadcaster of Ukraine U18 matches at the World Ice Hockey Championship. Watch live broadcasts of Ukraine's games on the Suspilne Sport platforms and local Suspilne channels.
The “blue and yellow” team started this year's World Cup with a victory over Slovenia. Hungary, on the other hand, lost to Kazakhstan 2:5.
The history of confrontations with Hungary on the eve of the match had different results: during the preparatory stage, the Ukrainians lost to the Hungarians in overtime (1:2), but at last year's World Cup they recorded a victory over this opponent with a crushing score of 7:1.
How was the match?
- The second round match began with the Hungarian team in complete control. In the second minute of the match, striker Lászlás Rákosi scored a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. And over the next ten minutes, Hungary increased the score to a crushing 0:4. Doman Songot scored twice; another goal was scored by Bence Baroti, who converted the numerical advantage.
- Even before the end of the first period, the Ukrainian national team was able to improve the situation: first, striker Artem Ratushnyak scored, and a minute later Arseniy Vorotelyaks was able to score the majority of the goals on the court. As a result, the teams went into the break with a score of 2:4.
- In the second period, the Hungarians were the first to score again: Songot scored his third goal of the match. In the sixth minute of the period, Danylo Olifrychuk, from a pass from Volodymyr Naumenko, was able to score the goal for the Hungarians, but after 4 minutes, Bregel increased Hungary's advantage.
- At the end of the third period, Ukraine was able to score another goal — Sviatoslav Vasyak scored from a pass from Naumenko.
2026 Junior World Cup. Division IA. Second round
Ukraine — Hungary — 4:6 (2:4, 1:2, 1:0)
As a result of the defeat, Ukraine lost third place in the division table – the Hungarians overtook the “blue-yellows” precisely based on the result of the head-to-head match.
2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Division IA: standings
- Switzerland — 3 points, 1 match (goal difference 6:1)
- Kazakhstan — 3 points, 1 match (5:2)
- Hungary — 3 points, 2 matches (8:9)
- Ukraine — 3 points, 2 matches (8:8)
- Slovenia — 0 points, 1 match (2:4)
- Poland — 0 points, 1 match (1:6)
The next match of the Ukrainian U18 national hockey team will be against their peers from Kazakhstan. The match will take place on Tuesday, April 21, at 17:00 Kyiv time.