IIHF U18 Division III in Sarajevo: Iceland Cruise, Thailand Deliver, Bosnia and Herzegovina Win Thriller

The action at the IIHF World Championship Division III continued on 14 February in Sarajevo with statement performances, late drama, and one unforgettable overtime finish.

Fans inside the arena and those following worldwide witnessed three very different stories: total control from Iceland, clinical execution from Thailand, and heart-stopping resilience from the host nation.

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Iceland overpower Turkmenistan from the opening seconds

Iceland needed just 15 seconds to set the tone against Turkmenistan.

Relentless pressure pinned Turkmenistan deep in their own end, and the early dominance quickly translated to the scoreboard. A second goal arrived midway through the period, a third followed minutes later, and Iceland skated into the break with a commanding 3–0 advantage.

The pattern did not change in the middle frame. Iceland controlled possession, attacked in waves, and forced Turkmenistan to defend for long stretches. Around the 12-minute mark, the lead grew to four.

Turkmenistan responded with character, striking right after an offensive-zone faceoff in front of the Iceland net to make it 4–1. But any hope of momentum was cut short when Iceland restored control with a late goal before the horn for 5–1.

The third period offered chances at both ends, yet no further scoring.

Players of the Game

* Iceland: Eiriksson Mikael

* Turkmenistan: Archayev Rovshen

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Thailand take their opportunities to defeat South Africa

Thailand and South Africa delivered a fast, competitive matchup built on work rate and discipline.

Thailand capitalized early, turning strong team play into the cushion they needed. South Africa pushed back with determination, but efficiency in key moments made the difference as Thailand closed out a 4–2 victory.

Players of the Game

* Thailand: Sinsirisub Tanaprasert

* South Africa: van Aswegen Dyllan

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Bosnia and Herzegovina win overtime classic against Luxembourg

For the home crowd, this was the night everyone will remember.

Bosnia and Herzegovina exploded out of the gate versus Luxembourg, dominating the first period and storming to a stunning 5–0 lead.

But tournaments are never that simple.

Luxembourg used the second period to claw their way back. Capitalizing on defensive lapses, they cut the margin to 5–3, shifting pressure onto the hosts.

The tension only grew in the third. Luxembourg completed the comeback and, with ten minutes left, moved ahead 6–5. Suddenly, the arena went quiet.

In the final minute, Bosnia and Herzegovina pulled the goalie. With just 13 seconds remaining, the equalizer hit the net — overtime.

Then came the defining moment.

With 24 seconds left in extra time, Jakub Silajdžić buried the winner, sealing a 7–6 triumph and igniting massive celebrations in Sarajevo.

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Conclusion

Iceland’s structure and tempo underline their contender status. Thailand proved how decisive early execution can be. Bosnia and Herzegovina earned crucial points but also a clear reminder of how quickly control can slip at this level.

The tournament in Sarajevo is heating up — and every shift now carries extra weight.

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