The 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division III recently concluded, showcasing the growing depth of international women’s hockey. With tournaments held in Croatia and Estonia, the week was defined by high-stakes promotion battles and the emergence of dominant individual talents.
Division III, Group A: Romania Rises in Zagreb
Held at the Admiral Ice Dome in Zagreb, Croatia (February 23 – March 1), Group A was a tightly contested affair that came down to the final standings.
The Champions: Romania
Romania secured the gold medal and promotion to Division II, Group B for 2027. Despite a single loss during the round-robin, they finished with 11 points, narrowly edging out Thailand. Their success was built on a balanced attack and the standout performance of goaltender Nadina Niciu, who led the tournament with a 94.44% save percentage.
Final Standings & Key Results
| Pos | Team | Pts | Outcome |
| 1 | Romania | 11 | Promoted to Div II B |
| 2 | Thailand | 10 | Silver Medal |
| 3 | Turkey | 9 | Bronze Medal |
| 4 | Croatia (H) | 8 | |
| 5 | Serbia | 4 | |
| 6 | Bulgaria | 3 | Relegated to Div III B |
Thailand remained a powerhouse throughout the week, led by scoring machine Ratana Kajonsaksumet, who topped the tournament leaderboard with 12 points. However, a critical overtime loss proved to be the difference between gold and silver. At the bottom of the table, Bulgaria faces relegation after a tough campaign where they managed only one overtime win.
Both Romania and Estonia Promoted to higher Division in 2027.
Division III, Group B: Estonia’s Home Ice Masterclass
Taking place in Kohtla-Järve, Estonia (February 28 – March 6), Group B was a showcase of Estonian dominance as the hosts cruised to a perfect record.
The Champions: Estonia
Estonia was simply untouchable. Playing in front of a home crowd, they won all five of their matches in regulation, finishing with a perfect 15 points. Their statistical dominance was staggering:
Offense: Led by Aleksandra Stolyarova, who recorded an incredible 20 points (14G, 6A) in just five games.
Defense: Goaltender Sofia Salamatina allowed only two goals the entire tournament, posting a 0.67 GAA.
Final Standings & Key Results
| Pos | Team | Pts | Outcome |
| 1 | Estonia | 15 | Promoted to Div III A |
| 2 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 12 | Silver Medal |
| 3 | South Africa | 6 | Bronze Medal |
| 4 | Israel | 6 | |
| 5 | Philippines | 6 | |
| 6 | Singapore | 0 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a historic silver medal, a significant jump from their fourth-place finish the previous year. Ava Lincender was their standout performer, netting 11 goals. South Africa claimed the bronze on the final day with a decisive 3–1 victory over Israel, benefiting from a three-way tie-breaker at 6 points.
Individual Award Winners
Div III A Best Forward: Petra Soldić (Croatia)
Div III A Best Defender: Alara Kuchkin (Turkey)
Div III B Best Forward: Aleksandra Stolyarova (Estonia)
Div III B Best Goalkeeper: Sofia Salamatina (Estonia)
Both Romania and Estonia will look to carry this momentum into higher divisions next year, while the remaining teams begin the cycle of preparation for the 2027 international calendar.
