This was the final year for qualifying rounds (except 'Far East'). Five teams advanced out of the eight that participated in the two European groups. The top two from each group played in the World Championship, and the third place teams played off against each other for the final spot. Both groups were played November 11–14, 1999.
Like the previous two years, sixteen nations played in four groups of four. However this year the format was modified so that the top three teams from each group would advance to a group of six, carrying forward the results against the teams who advanced with them. The nations from the first and fourth pools were grouped together, likewise the second and third pools. The fourth placed teams were put in a group together to contest relegation.
Referee: K. Acheson Linesmen: S. Carpentier J. Costello
5 min
Penalties
10 min
33
Shots
15
Consolation Round 13–16 Place[]
The relegation round is composed of the four teams that placed last in Groups A through D. They play in a round-robin fashion, with the last placed team that is not the far east qualifier, being relegated to the Division I group in next year's World Championships.
Played April 12–21 in Katowice and Krakow. This was the final year of the qualifying tournaments (except for the "Far East"), so it was a simple matter of the winner being promoted. This was also the final year of the traditional eight team tournament. Beginning in 2001 Group B would be renamed 'Division I' and consist of two six team divisions.
Played March 20–26 in Beijing. In 1999 Group C was disrupted because of political issues surrounding Kosovo.[1] The IIHF chose to have no team relegated and have Yugoslavia retain their position, the result was a nine team tournament this year. With the forthcoming realignment, four nations had the opportunity to be promoted to Division I, the remaining five would participate in next year's Division II.[2]
Both Luxembourg and Turkey had to stay behind in what was initially called Division II Qualification (later renamed Division III). There was no third team to play against so they both simply skipped a year and joined Division II in 2002