Romania Makes History Earning Promotion At First Ever Division III U-18 World Championships

Romania has made their first stride forward in international women's hockey at the U-18 level after the nation earned promotion from the IIHF Division III World Championships, and will step up to the Division IIB tournament next season.

Romania went undefeated in the tournament beating runner-up Thailand 3-2 in overtime, Crotia 6-3 and Lithuania 8-3. This was the first ever U-18 Division III women's tournament sanctioned by the IIHF, taking place in Zagreb, Croatia.'

Romania's Anna Vitos led the tournament in scoring notching six goals in three games. She was followed by Thailand forward Thitaree Satityathiwat.

Romania had the youngest team at the tournament which bodes well for their ability to compete next season against Iceland, Belgium, Mexico, and Chinese Tapei who was relegated from Division IIA. Romania's roster featured 10 players born in 2010 who will all be eligible for three more U-18 tournaments, and four other players born in 2009 who will be eligible for the next two World Championship tournaments. In total, Romania will only lose four players from this year's roster heading into the Division IIB tournament.

Romania will be replaced in the Division III tournament by South Africa who went winless in the Division IIB tournament being outscored 45-1 by their opponents.