Union Titus Pétange

RTL Today has for some reason decided to assign the new intern (me) the task of outlining the accomplishments of every club playing in Luxembourg's top football league. It is a journey that will take us through 16 clubs and to every corner of this little country.

Today we return to the extreme southwest of Luxembourg to cover Union Titus Pétange.

History

Union Titus Pétange are a young club, having been founded in 2015 after a merger between CS Pétange and FC Titus Lamadelaine. Through their predecessors, however, the club can lay claim to over a century of footballing history.

CS Pétange participated in some of the first National Division seasons way back in the 1910s, but they failed to establish themselves as a consistent force in the top flight. Throughout the 20th century, the club never spent more than three consecutive seasons in the National Division, never finished in the top half in the seasons they survived the drop, and spent the majority of their time in the second tier.

Improvement came in the 21st century, as the club had a run of 8 seasons out of 9 in the National Division, finally finished in the top half for the first time in 2011, and most impressively lifted the Coupe du Luxembourg in 2005 as a newly-promoted side, smashing Cinderella team FC CeBra 5-0 in the final.

The 2012-13 season would be CS Pétange's last in the National Division, as following relegation that year and two more campaigns in the Division of Honour, the merger with Titus Lamadelaine saw the CS Pétange name retired and the current name adopted.

As Union Titus Pétange, the club earned promotion back to the National Division straight away in 2016 and have established themselves as a top-flight team, as this season is their sixth in a row at this level. The club recorded their best-ever finish of 4th in 2019-20, which was good enough to secure European football.

However, they immediately took a huge step back last season, finishing bottom of the table and only being saved from relegation due to the Covid-induced moratorium.

Accomplishments

Union Titus Pétange have not won any titles yet as a new club, but they can claim CS Pétange's 2005 Coupe du Luxembourg crown and three Division of Honour titles as their own.

Union got to play European football for the first time as a new club in 2020 following their 4th-placed finish the previous season, but were eliminated at the first hurdle by Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps in UEFA Europa League qualifying.

CS Pétange played in qualifying for the UEFA Cup (the Europa League's predecessor) in 2005 as a result of their cup win, but they were also immediately eliminated by Finnish outfit Allianssi Vantaa.

Stadium

Union play in the Stade Municipal, which they currently share with fellow National Division side and close neighbours Rodange 91, whose stadium is undergoing renovations. The stadium has a small main stand and an even smaller one on the other side of the pitch, which has a more modern look. The ground houses 2,400 spectators.

This Season

After last season's poor showing, Union have put together a better collection of results so far this season. However, they are not yet safe from relegation danger, as they are three points ahead of the relegation playoff zone with two games left. As with the last several teams we have looked at in this series, it will come down to these last two weeks to determine whether Union will have to put their National Division status on the line in a playoff or not.

Two men in particular have stood out for Union this season: Artur Abreu and Kai Merk. Abreu, a Luxembourgish winger of Portuguese descent, has scored 13 goals this season, while Merk, a German striker, has helped out with 9 goals. Abreu's efforts have been enough to place him in a tie with two other players for 7th place in the National Division top scorers list.

For more information, visit the club's website.