South Korea stays unbeaten as Estonia falls short in World Championship Division I Group B, losing their shot at promotion to Group A.
The Estonian men’s ice hockey team faced a tough loss on Thursday evening, falling 4–1 to South Korea in the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group B match. The game was held at the Tondiraba Ice Hall in Tallinn, Estonia. This result ends Estonia’s hopes of climbing into Group A, the second-highest tier in the world championship system.
The match began with high energy and hope for the home team. Estonia came out strong and scored early. Just two minutes into the game, Vadim Vasjonkin fired a sharp shot toward the net. South Korean goalie Ha Jung Ho made the save, but the puck bounced loose. Morten Jürgens was right there to knock it in, putting Estonia up 1–0 and sending the home crowd into cheers.
But that early lead did not last. South Korea quickly responded. In the ninth minute, Sangyeob Kim tied the score with a strong move in front of the net. Just six minutes later, Chong Min Lee added another goal for South Korea, making it 2–1 and shifting the momentum of the game.
In the second period, South Korea kept up the pressure. Estonia’s defense managed to stop several strong pushes, but they struggled to counterattack. Their shots were blocked, passes intercepted, and the puck rarely stayed in the Korean zone for long. Then, just three minutes before the period ended, Yoon Seok Kang widened the lead with a well-placed shot that slipped past Estonia’s goalie.
With a 3–1 lead heading into the final period, South Korea controlled the pace. Their defense was tight, and their attacks were calm and steady. In the 47th minute, Yuchan Kong scored the final goal of the game, sealing South Korea’s 4–1 victory.
Despite the loss, Estonia gave a strong effort. They managed 24 shots on goal—four more than South Korea. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the visitors’ skill and discipline.
South Korea’s Strong Comeback in Division I
This tournament has been a big success for South Korea, which was relegated from Group A last year. So far, they have won all their games—defeating Croatia, China, Spain, and now Estonia. They also beat Lithuania earlier in the tournament. With 12 points, South Korea now sits at the top of the Group B standings.
Before the tournament began, South Korea’s manager Kwangeun Choi was confident but cautious. “Before the tournament started, I thought we’d come to Estonia and return to Group A without much trouble,” he said. “But after seeing the teams here, I’m not so sure. The level of play has been very good.”
Still, South Korea has lived up to expectations. Many of their players have experience in top leagues in North America, including in Canada and the U.S., which has likely helped their performance.
Estonia’s Bright Start Fades
Estonia had a strong start to the tournament, beating Spain 6–1 and Croatia 6–2. But a narrow 2–1 loss to Lithuania earlier in the week shook their momentum. Thursday’s defeat to South Korea officially ended their chance of promotion to Division I Group A.
Now, Estonia will play against China on Friday evening. It will be a fight for third place in the group, a chance to finish the tournament on a high note despite missing out on the top prize.
What’s Next for the Group
The race for promotion is still alive for South Korea and Lithuania. Lithuania, with 11 points, remains close behind South Korea in the standings. The two teams will face off on Friday afternoon in what could be the tournament’s most important game. A win for Lithuania would leapfrog them into first place. But a win or even a draw for South Korea would secure their promotion to Group A.
That final game is expected to be intense, as both teams have played well and shown great teamwork throughout the championship.
Final Score Breakdown
South Korea 4 – Estonia 1
- First Period: 2–1
- Second Period: 1–0
- Third Period: 1–0
Estonia’s Goals:
- 2’ – Morten Jürgens (assisted by Vadim Vasjonkin)
South Korea’s Goals:
- 9’ – Sangyeob Kim
- 15’ – Chong Min Lee
- 37’ – Yoon Seok Kang
- 47’ – Yuchan Kong
With this result, Estonia’s dream of rising in the world rankings is delayed once again. But their passion on the ice, especially in front of a home crowd, shows promise for the future. For South Korea, the dream of returning to Group A is just one game away.
