IIHF World Championship Division III

Last updated
IIHF World Championship Division III
Current season, competition or edition:
Hockey current event.svg 2024 IIHF World Championship Division III
Sport Ice hockey
Founded1987 (Pool D)
2003 (Division III)
No. of teams12
Most recent
champion(s)
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Most titlesFlag of North Korea.svg  North Korea (3)

Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria (3)

Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand (3)
Promotion to Division II
Relegation to Division IV
Official website IIHF.com

The IIHF World Championship Division III are an annual sports event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). It was the lowest level of the IIHF World Championships until the formation of Division IV for 2020.

Contents

Organization

When the IIHF reorganized its World Championships hierarchy in 2001, which included replacing "pools" with "divisions", nations outside of the top 40 were placed in Division II Qualification, trying to qualify for participation in the following year's Division II championship. This qualifier was not deemed a championship tournament by the IIHF, but was simply used to determine the teams that would replace the two teams relegated out of the Division II championship. The bottom two nations from the 2000 Pool D championship, Luxembourg and Turkey, had been relegated and were slated to compete in the 2001 Division II Qualification, against other nations attempting to reach the 2002 Division II championship. When no other nations submitted their names to enter the 2001 qualifier, there was no need for Luxembourg and Turkey to meet, and both were promoted to Division II for 2002. Three teams met in the last, 2002, Division II Qualification.

In 2003, the Division II Qualification was officially replaced by the Division III Championship, with the winner of the tournament now being declared a champion, and the top two finishers still earning promotion to the following year's Division II Championship, to be replaced in Division III by the two teams relegated down from Division II.

In 2011, the IIHF allowed eight teams, rather than the previous year's six, to compete. The teams were divided into two groups, with the winner of each group declared co-champion and promoted to the following year's Division II tournament. While Division III returned to a six team competition in 2012, reorganization of the Division II system meant that only the champion of Division III was promoted, replacing the single team from Division II Group B that was relegated.

In 2013, the IIHF again had eight teams interested in contesting the Division III Championship. The decision was made to hold a four team qualifier, with the bottom two teams from 2012 plus two new invitees, to determine two teams to qualify for that year's Division III Championship. As with the earlier Division II Qualifications, the 2013 Division III Qualification was not a championship. The Division III Championship did not have this preliminary qualifier after the 2013 event.

In 2018, the IIHF reintroduced the Division III Qualification, but used it to determine a single team that would be invited to compete in the following year's Division III Championship, replacing the team relegated out of Division III a variation from the 2013 Division III Qualification. This process was repeated in 2019.

Results

From 2003 until 2011, the Division III champion and the second-place finisher were promoted to Division II, replacing the two teams from Division II that were relegated to the Division III. From 2012 until 2017, only the Division III champion was promoted, to Division II Group B. From 2003 to 2010, and again from 2012 to 2016, no teams were relegated from Division III; the 2012 exception, noted above, was the IIHF holding a four team qualifier with the previous year's bottom two teams and two new invitees. By 2017, the demand from teams wishing to compete had grown to the point where the bottom team of 2017 was relegated to the newly introduced 2018 Division III Qualification, where the top qualifier earned a spot in the following year's Division III championship. The Division III Qualification was expanded in 2019, and interest had grown enough that a new Division IV Championship, rather than qualifiers, was added for 2020. In addition, the Division III Championship was expanded to two groups for 2020.

YearPromoted
Champion2nd Place
2003 Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg
2004 Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
2005 Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
2006 Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
2007 Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland
2008 Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
2009 Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
2010 Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland
2011 Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
2012 Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
2013 Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
2014 Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
2015 Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
2016 Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
2017 Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria
2018 Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria
2019 Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
2022 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
2023 Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
2024 Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
YearPromotedRelegated
To Division II BTo Division IIITo Division III Qualification
2018 Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia (Division III)Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan (Division III Qualification)Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
2019 Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates (Division III Qualification)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
YearPromotedRelegated
To Division II BTo Division III ATo Division III BTo Division IV
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [1]
2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
2023 Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
2024 Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Flag of Iran.svg  Iran

Pool D

Champions (1987–2000)

YearNational team
1987Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1989Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
1990Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
1992^Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
1994^Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia
1995^Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia
1996Flag of Lithuania (1988-2004).svg  Lithuania
1997Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia
1998Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria
1999Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
2000Flag of Israel.svg  Israel

^ – In 1992, 1994, and 1995, there was no Pool D. However, Pool C was divided in two tiers where the winner of 'C2' was promoted to 'C1', essentially making C2 the same as D. Accordingly, the winners (Spain, Estonia and Croatia) are listed here.

Summary of participation

TeamTimesFirstLastGoldSilverBronzeTotalBest finish (first/last)Hosted
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 4 2004 2010 00113rd (2006)1
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 9 1987 2000 12251st (1987)1
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 9 1989 2000 11021st (1989)1
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 8 2008 2024 00005th (2016)2
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 6 1996 2019 32051st (1998/2019)2
Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei [N1] 5 2017 2023 10011st (2023)0
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 3 1994 1997 20021st (1995/1997)0
Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 1 1994 10011st (1994)0
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 5 2013 2018 10121st (2018)0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 2 1989 1990 10121st (1990)1
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 10 1992 2013 01122nd (2010)0
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 9 1987 2024 00004th (1987/2017)0
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 2 2023 2024 000011th (2023)0
Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 4 1999 2006 20021st (2004/2006)3
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 8 2004 2013 11021st (2010)1
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 9 1992 2011 21141st (2000/2011)0
Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 2 2018 2019 000010th (2018)0
Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan 3 2019 2024 01012nd (2024)1
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 2 1995 1996 11021st (1996)1
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 20 1992 2024 119111st (2017)3
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 1 2023 000012th (2023)0
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 4 2000 2024 10121st (2005)2
Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia 5 2007 2013 00005th (2007)0
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 9 1987 2009 30141st (2003/2009)2
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 7 2008 2024 33061st (2008/2015)0
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 1 2024 000010th (2024)0
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 1 1989 01012nd (1989)0
Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg  Serbia and Montenegro [N2] 2 1996 1997 01012nd (1996)0
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 2 2023 2024 000010th (2023)0
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 19 1992 2024 14271st (2013)7
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 5 1987 1997 02132nd (1987/1997)0
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 8 1989 1999 21471st (1992/1999)1 [N3]
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 4 2019 2024 10011st (2024)0
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 16 1992 2022 263111st (2012/2016)2
Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 5 2018 2024 01232nd (2023)0
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 8 2010 2022 10011st (2022)1

See also

Related Research Articles

The IIHF World Women's Championship, officially the IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship, is the premier international tournament in women's ice hockey. It is governed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 – May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria (Championship); Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico. The competition also served as qualification for division placements in the 2006 competition. It was a major professional tournament, because of the 2004–05 NHL labor dispute. This international event was the 69th such event sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The championship was won by the Czech Republic.

The IIHF World Championship Division I is an annual sports event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The divisional championship is played in two groups.

The IIHF World Championship Division II are an annual sports event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The division championships are played in two groups, part of the Ice Hockey World Championships

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Korea men's national ice hockey team</span>

The North Korea national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and represent the country in IIHF competition. They withdrew from the 2007 World Championships, and therefore were automatically relegated to Division III in the 2008 edition, where they finished first. They then played in Division II during the 2009 edition, and finished last bringing them back down to Division III for 2010. They are currently ranked 56th in the IIHF World Rankings.

The 2008 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships was the 72nd such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 48 countries participated in four levels of competition. The competition also served as qualification for division placements in the 2009 competition. Russia won the Top Division tournament and became the world champions. In the Division I Championship held in April, Austria and Hungary were promoted to the Championship division, while South Korea and Estonia were demoted to Division II. In the Division II competition, Romania and Australia were promoted, Ireland and New Zealand were relegated to Division III. Greece won the Division III qualification in February, and competed in the Division III competition from March to April. In that competition, North Korea and South Africa were promoted to Division II for 2009.

The 2002 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships were held between 26 April and 11 May 2002 in Gothenburg, Karlstad and Jönköping, Sweden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel men's national ice hockey team</span> Israels national ice hockey team

The Israel national ice hockey team is the national men's ice hockey team of Israel. Israel was ranked 35th as of May 2017 by the International Ice Hockey Federation. In 2019, the team won the gold medal in the 2019 IIHF World Championship Division II Group B tournament in Mexico City.

The 2000 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships were the 64th such event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. 42 teams representing their countries participated in several levels of competition. The competition also served as qualifications for division placements in the 2001 competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand men's national ice hockey team</span>

The New Zealand men's national ice hockey team is the national ice hockey team for New Zealand. As of 2024, the New Zealand team is ranked 41st in the IIHF World Rankings. The official nickname of New Zealand's national ice hockey team is the Ice Blacks. The "Ice Blacks" nickname is one of many national team nicknames related to the All Blacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greece men's national ice hockey team</span>

The Greece national ice hockey team is the national ice hockey team of Greece and as an associate member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that competed in Division III of the IIHF World Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1997 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships</span> 1997 edition of the IIHF Mens World Ice Hockey Championship

The 1997 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships was the 61st such event sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Teams representing 36 countries participated in several levels of competition, while three other teams competed in an exhibition tournament to gain experience before joining on an official basis in the 1998 competition. The competition also served as qualifications for group placements in the 1998 competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1993 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships</span> 1993 edition of the IIHF Mens World Ice Hockey Championship

The 1993 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships was the 57th such event sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Teams representing 32 countries participated in several levels of competition, with an additional six national teams failing to advance from mid-season preliminary qualifying tournaments. The competition also served as qualifications for group placements in the 1994 competition.

The IIHF Inline Hockey World Championships were an annual international men's inline hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The first World Championship was held in 1996 in which eleven nations participated. In 2003, sixteen nations took part and were split into two divisions. The top eight teams played for the World Championship and the other eight played for the Division I title. The last format in use featured the World Championship, Division I and three regional qualification tournaments. The World Championship and Division I tournament were played on odd years and the qualification tournaments were played on even years. The United States was the tournament's most dominant team, winning the World Championship seven times. After 20 editions, the IIHF cancelled the tournament in June 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship</span> International sports tournament

The 2010 IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship was the 15th IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship, the premier annual international inline hockey tournament. It took place between 28 June and 4 July in Sweden. The games were played in the Löfbergs Lila Arena in Karlstad. The US team won the final against the Czech Republic 4–3 won their fifth title.

The 1999 IIHF World Women's Championships Pool B were held between March 21 – March 28, 1999, in the town of Colmar in France.

The 2001 IIHF World Women's Championships Division I were held between March 20 – March 25, 2001 in the city of Briançon, France. Switzerland won the tournament with a narrow 2–1 victory over Japan in the final.

The 2010 IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship Division I was the eighth IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship Division I, an annual international inline hockey tournament. It took place between 28 June and 4 July in Sweden. The games were played in the Färjestads Ishall in Karlstad, with the medal games played in the Löfbergs Lila Arena in Karlstad. Austria won the final against Croatia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia women's national ice hockey team</span>

The Australian women's national ice hockey team represents Australia at the International Ice Hockey Federation's IIHF World Women's Championships. The women's national team is controlled by Ice Hockey Australia. As of 2011, Australia has 313 female players. Australia is ranked 30th out of 34 countries in the IIHF World Ranking. Kathy Berg took the team to its highest point, being ranked 20th. She was the longest serving coach. Richo Padjen took over and the team started slipping down the rankings and hadn't been able to recover its former glory. In September 2015, an announcement was made on the Ice Hockey Australia website that Canadian Lindsay McAlpine will be the new coach. Replacing Lee Brown. Lindsay McAlpine is expected to join the team for their first training camp in December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 IIHF Women's World Championship Division II</span> International ice hockey competition

The 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship Division II consisted of two international ice hockey tournaments organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Division II A and Division II B represent the fourth and fifth tier of the IIHF Women's World Championship.

References

  1. Steiss, Adam. "2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship cancelled". iihf.com. IIHF. Retrieved 21 March 2020.