Ukraine Edges Out Lithuania in Hockey; Critical Clash with France Set for May 5

Ukraine Secures Victory Over Lithuania

According to Главком: Ukraine's national hockey team claimed a narrow 2-1 win against Lithuania in the 2026 World Championship Division IA. In a hard-fought match, the Ukrainian squad capitalized on power-play opportunities, scoring both goals while having a man advantage.

Merezhko opened the scoring at 15:02, with assists from Peresunko and Vorona. Trakht doubled Ukraine's lead at 28:12, again with help from Peresunko and Fadeyev. Lithuania pulled one back when Yukna found the net at 32:01, assisted by Rumshyavichyus and Krakauskas.

Dmytro Khrystych serves as head coach of the Ukrainian team. Following this result, Ukraine sits on 3 points after two games in the Division IA standings. It is worth noting that the Ukrainian side lost their tournament opener to Poland, despite goals from Trakht and Denyskin.

Current Standings

The tournament table currently shows:

• Kazakhstan leading with 6 points from 2 matches;
• France and Poland both on 3 points;
• Ukraine in fourth place with 3 points after 2 games;
• Lithuania and Japan yet to earn points, with 0 after 2 matches.

Ukraine's next fixture is against France on May 5. This matchup will be a pivotal moment in their push for promotion to a higher division.

The win over Lithuania marks a crucial step for Ukraine in their World Championship campaign. Having already suffered an early tournament defeat, this victory could boost confidence among players and coaching staff ahead of the France game. Every point matters in the standings as Ukraine fights for a chance to move up in class.

As Ukraine gears up for their significant clash against France on May 5, the recent victory over Lithuania serves as a vital morale booster. This match not only affects their standing but also highlights the team's determination to advance in the tournament. For those interested in the odds and expert predictions ahead of this crucial encounter, insights from bookmakers provide a comprehensive overview of what to expect.