Bulgaria Final Wins Promotion In IIHF World Action

Bulgaria earned promotion in IIHF women's World Championship action finishing atop the Division III Group B World Championship in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Bulgaria is moving up from the bottom group in 2025 IIHF World Championship competition, earning promotion after the nation won the women's Division III Group B World Championship in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina this week.

Bulgaria opened their tournament with a 5-2 win over second place Israel, which they followed up with a 6-0 win over Singapore, and a 4-3 overtime loss to host Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bulgaria wrapped up their tournament securing promotion with a 5-3 win over Estonia.

Bulgaria fielded the youngest team at the event with all but three players on their team still teenagers. 19-year-old Maria Runevska led the tournament in scoring leading Bulgaria with five goals and 11 points in four games. Runevska was named the tournament's Best Forward. 16-year-old Israeli defender Lior Lesham, who plays in North America with the Dallas Stars Elite 16-U team led all blueliners in scoring with 10 points in four games. It was Estonian veteran Aleksandra-Olga Seppar however who earned the directorate's Best Defender award. Ontario Hockey Academy netminder, Yael Fatiev after posting a .948 save percentage in four games.

Bulgaria will be replaced in the bottom tier of the World Championships by whichever nation is relegated from the Division IIIA World Championships to be held next month in Belgrade, Serbia. Those nations include Croatia, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, and Thailand.