Czechia clinched their third consecutive Girls’ Ice Hockey gold medal at the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), beating Finland 5-2 in the final on the first full day of competition at Bakuriani 2025.
It was an impressive display from Czechia, who had five different players on the scoresheet. After a goalless first period, they seized control of the contest in the second period. Alena Luxemburkova broke the deadlock, and although Emmi Loponen swiftly brought Finland level, further goals from Dana Brezinova and Lucie Sindelarova had Czechia in command at 3-1 ahead. Netta Siitonen had Finland back in contention early in the third period, but efforts from Karolina Bojdova and Adela Mynarikova ensured Czechia ran out 5-2 winners to take gold.
A thrilling encounter in the bronze-medal match saw the lead change hands several times as Sweden and Slovakia finished 6-6, including a hat-trick for Sweden’s Filippa Fernstrom, before Natalie Gero scored the decisive goal for Slovakia in overtime as they won 7-6. The boys’ competition will begin at the brand-new Leaders Sport Arena in Tbilisi on Wednesday (12 February).
The first gold medal of the EYOF was won by Great Britain’s Freddy Carrick-Smith in the Boys’ Giant Slalom. In an incredibly tight final, the top eight were separated by less than a second, including Carrick-Smith’s brother and 2023 Piotr Nurowski Prize finalist Zak in fifth.
EOC President Spyros Capralos presented Freddy Carrick-Smith with his medal after he finished the course in 48.44 seconds, narrowly quicker than Czechia’s David Janda in second and Storm Andre Hagen from Norway in third. Croatia’s Ziggy Vrdoljak was narrowly edged out of a bronze medal by just 0.01 seconds.
President Capralos said: “I am always privileged to present our young athletes with their medals and it is an honour to give out the first medal of the EYOF here in Bakuriani. It was a fantastic competition won by Freddy and showcases the strength in his family, after Zak’s Piotr Nurowski Prize nomination last year.”
The first biathlon competitions of the Festival also kicked off in Bakuriani with Grzegorz Galica (Poland) finishing first in the Boys’ 12.5km, ahead of Nans Madelenat (France) and Rafael Santer (Italy).
In the Girls’ 10km event, Slovakian star Michaela Strakova shone brightest, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of her nearest competitor to win gold. France’s Juliette Oliva won silver, with Switzerland’s Giannina Piller in the bronze model position.
EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi was given the honour of presenting the boys’ biathlon medals, while Georgian National Olympic Committee President Leri Khabelov handed out the girls’ prizes.
In Batumi, short track speed skating began with the 1500m competitions for both girls and boys.
Lisa Victoria Ngo Mouaha (France) raced to victory in the Girls’ competition, in a race which saw an incredibly tight battle for silver and bronze. Daria Daszuta (Poland) and Mariia Khokhelko (Ukraine) emerged with medals ahead of Hungary’s Natasa Z. Molnar in fourth.
In the subsequent Boys’ competition, the Netherlands’ Jesper Schmitz took home gold with Filippo Pezoni (Italy) and Elio Calanca (France) in second and third respectively.
