Slovakia will be playing in the IIHF Division I Group A next season ©Getty Images

Slovakia’s women secured promotion to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Division I Group A after beating hosts and closest rivals China 4-3 on the final day of the Division I Group B tournament in Beijing.

China went into the encounter one point behind table toppers Slovakia and despite threatening to overturn that deficit by taking the lead through Zhang Mengying, their European opponents hit back with four unanswered goals.

Nikola Gápová, Miriam Mikeskova, Romana Košecká and Maria Herichová all got their names on the scoresheet to put Slovakia into a commanding 4-1 lead and meant goals from China’s Rui Sun and Zhang in the third period were in vain.

The Netherlands’ 2-0 win against Hungary earlier in the day put them into second place and they remained there as a result of China’s loss.

Mieneke de Jong's brace guided the Dutch to victory, while opponents Hungary finished fourth with two wins out of five.

The first match of the day saw Italy confirm North Korea’s relegation to Division II Group A, with a 4-2 victory.

North Korea showed plenty of fight, twice equalising as Hyang Mi Kim and O Chol-ok cancelled out goals from Beatrix Larger and Eleonora Dalpra, but their fate was sealed by Valentina Bettarini and Hanna Elliscasis in the third period.

North Korea secured promotion with six wins out of six at the men's Division III event in İzmir
North Korea secured promotion with six wins out of six at the men's Division III event in İzmir ©Getty Images

It was an entirely different story for North Korea at the men’s Division III event in İzmir, where they gained promotion to Division II Group B with a 4-3 win against hosts Turkey.

Goals from Ri Chol-min, In Hyok Kang, and a Chun Rim Hong double was enough for North Korea to top the table with six wins out of six.

Turkey went into the clash unbeaten but a brace from Serkan Gümüş either side of Serdar Semiz’s goal, merely proved academic.

Elsewhere, Luxembourg beat Hong Kong 5-2 to secure third place, while Georgia overcame the United Arab Emirates 5-4 to end their winless run at the final time of asking.



Related stories
April 2015: 
April 2015: Slovakia maintain 100 per cent start at IIHF Division I Group B event
April 2015: Kazakhstan break British hearts with victory at Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship Division II in Dumfries
April 2015: US get revenge over Canada to retain IIHF Women's World Championship crown
April 2015: Finland and Russia complete Ice Hockey Women's World Championship semi-final line-up