Both teams had defeated Estonia and Lithuania in their first two Group H matches to make the tie a winner takes all affair between the countries, who last met in the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship Division One final last April.

One that the occasion Hungary had triumphed 2-1 to seal promotion in Kraków, leaving Poland hoping to gain revenge in front of their opponent’s fans in Budapest.

The hosts were the strongest team in the first period, firing 11 shots towards Przemyslaw Odrobny’s goal only for the goalkeeper to keep out the efforts.

As so much rested on the result, the match remained finely balanced in the final two periods with neither side able to make a breakthrough and both goalkeepers remaining untroubled in overtime.

Odrobny eventually ended as the hero as he saved all three Hungarian shots, with his team-mate Krzysztof Zapala scoring to give his team a 1-0 victory.

In the dead rubber, Estonia beat Lithuania 4-1.

The Group J finale in Sapporo was equally tightly fought between the host country and Ukraine, with neither side able to make a breakthrough in the opening two periods.

A goal from Kenta Takagi gave his side the lead and set up a dramatic final 15 minutes, with Daisuke Obara doubling the Japanese advantage.

Olexnader Pobyedonostsev pulled a goal back for the Ukrainians, but they were unable to find an equaliser to force overtime.

Croatia scored their first goals of the tournament to end their participation on a high, overcoming Romania 4-1.

The third winner-takes-all match took place at the Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy, where the Group G hosts brushed aside the challenge of Britain.

Christian Borgatello, Anton Bernard and Simon Kostner scored in a blistering seven-minute spell for Italy in the opening period as they took complete control.

ritain could not overhaul the early deficit as they fell to a 6-2 loss.

The Netherlands’ recorded their first win, thrashing Serbia 7-2 in a one sided match to decide third place in the group.

Italy will now join Poland and Japan in competing in one of three final qualifying groups for Pyeongchang 2018.

The three winners of those events will progress to the Games in South Korea - joining the hosts and already qualified nations Finland, Sweden, Canada, Russia, the United States, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Slovakia.