1997 IIHF European U18 Championship


The 1997 IIHF European U18 Championship was the thirtieth playing of the IIHF European Junior Championships.

Group A

Played April 12 to the 20th, in Znojmo and Trebic, Czech Republic. Switzerland shocked everyone by opening the tournament with wins over the Czechs and the Russians. Although they tired by the end of the tournament, their win over Slovakia assured them of their first medal in the European Juniors.

First round

;Group 1
TeamSUICZERUSUKRGF/GAPoints
1. 4:36:22:412:94
2. 3:44:48:115:93
3. 2:64:48:214:123
4. 4:21:82:87:182

;Group 2
TeamFINSWESVKGERGF/GAPoints
1. 3:35:03:011:35
2. 3:36:26:315:85
3. 0:52:67:29:132
4. 0:33:62:75:160

Final round

;Championship round
TeamFINSWESUIRUSCZESVKGFPoints
1. 8:14:23:223:89
2. 4:24:44:121:128
3. 1:82:43:016:176
4. 2:44:48:320:214
5. 2:31:44:214:173
6. 0:33:82:47:260

;7th place
Germany, losing the best of three series in overtime, was relegated to Group B for 1998.

Tournament Awards

Kauppinen, a defenceman, set a record for the lowest point total to lead a tournament.

Group B

Played March 21 to the 30th, in Maribor and Celje, Slovenia.

First round

;Group 1
TeamNORPOLBLRSLOGF/GAPoints
1. 4:25:23:412:84
2. 2:47:34:213:94
3. 2:53:75:410:162
4. 4:32:44:510:122

;Group 2
TeamDENHUNFRAITAGF/GAPoints
1. 4:36:46:016:76
2. 3:45:36:514:124
3. 4:63:56:513:162
4. 0:65:65:610:180

Final round

;Championship round
TeamNORPOLHUNBLRDENFRATeamPoints
1. 2:24:32:217:118
2. 5:56:43:123:177
3. 2:25:51:116:155
4. 1:14:28:618:215
5. 3:44:62:419:214
6. 2:21:36:816:241

;7th place
Norway was promoted to Group A, and Slovenia was relegated to Group C, for 1998.

Group C

Played March 12 to the 16th in Miercurea-Ciuc and Gheorgheni, Romania.

First round

;Group 1
TeamGBRESTROMNEDGF/GAPoints
1. 8:05:23:116:36
2. 0:83:28:411:144
3. 2:52:35:09:82
4. 1:34:80:55:160

;Group 2
TeamLATAUTLTUCROGF/GAPoints
1. 3:310:25:118:65
2. 3:36:11:010:45
3. 2:101:65:28:182
4. 1:50:12:53:110

Placing round

''Great Britain was promoted to Group B and the Netherlands was relegated to Group D, for 1998.

Group D

Played in Belgrade, Yugoslavia from March 4th to 9th. The hosts completely dominated, with forward Csaba Prokec scoring 29 points in their 5 games.
TeamYUGESPBULISRISLTURGF/GAPoints
1. 11:016:214:221:052:1114:510
2. 0:115:33:311:620:339:267
3. 2:163:55:35:27:022:266
4. 2:143:33:59:513:030:275
5. 0:216:112:55:94:217:482
6. 1:523:200:70:132:46:960

Yugoslavia was promoted to Group C for 1998.