Switzerland played its first game in 1977 against the Soviet Union during the 1978 IIHF World U20 Championship. Switzerland lost the game 1–18 and finished last in the tournament and were relegated to the Pool B tournament for the following year. After winning the 1979 Pool B tournament of the 1979 IIHF World U20 Championship they were promoted back to the top Pool A championship. During the 1980 IIHF World U20 Championship Switzerland suffered their worst defeat in international participation after being beaten by Finland 1–19. Switzerland went on to finish last in the tournament and were relegated back to Pool B for the following year. Switzerland continued to move between the top division and the Pool B tournament. During the Pool B tournament of the 1985 IIHF World U20 Championship Switzerland achieved their largest win in international participation when they defeated Austria 20–7. In 1998 Switzerland won their first medal at the World U20 Championships after finishing in third at the 1998 IIHF World U20 Championship by defeating the Czech Republic in the bronze medal game. In 2008 Switzerland finished ninth and were relegated to Division I for the following year. This was the first time in a lower division since competing in the 1995 Pool B tournament. They returned to the top division for 2010 after winning their 2009 Division I Group A tournament. At the 2012 IIHF World U20 Championship being held in Alberta, Canada, Switzerland finished in eight place.