For the third straight year, Germany once again avoided relegation at the World Junior Championship, this time eliminating Denmark in an 8-4 victory to send the Lions back down to Division IA in 2027 in their relegation match-up in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Finishing at the bottom of their groups each with zero points and four regulation losses, Germany was quick to pounce on the Danes, striking twice in the opening ten minutes holding a 2-1 lead heading into first intermission. The Danes continued to hang on, pushing back from a 4-1 deficit to tighten the score to 4-3 by the end of the second period, but it was the third period where Germany broke the game open, scoring twice on the power play out of four total goals to seal the 8-4 victory, outshooting Denmark 37-22.

The Träger der Adler had seven different scorers, with only Manuel Schams striking twice, while Lenny Boos and Dustin Willhoft each finished with a goal and four points. The win ensures that Germany will stay in the Top Division for the eighth straight tournament, last being relegated in 2015. Denmark, on the other hand, is relegated after just one season promoted, spending 2020-25 in Division IA after being relegated by Kazakhstan in 2019.

Denmark will now join Austria, Kazakhstan, Slovenia, Ukraine and the recently-promoted Hungary, while Norway will replace Denmark as the promoted team in the Top Division, making their return to the top for the first time since 2024 after their winning Division IA earlier this month in Bled, Slovenia. Denmark’s relegation continues the inconsistent rotation of various teams going up and down to Division IA over the past decade and a half:

Photo Credit: 2026 World Junior Championship – IIHF – HHOF – IOC