Luxembourg's U18 hockey team secured a resounding 8-0 triumph against Slovakia in a groundbreaking match.

This remarkable victory, which also marked their first-ever international win and clean sheet for Luxembourg’s U18 field hockey team, has catapulted Luxembourg's young athletes onto the international hockey stage.

The game, held at the Swansea Bay Sports Park (UK), witnessed an extraordinary display of skill and teamwork. Led by their captain and standout player, Maximilien Clarinval, Luxembourg's U18 squad dominated the game from start to finish. Clarinval's exceptional performance earned him the well-deserved title of both captain and man of the match.

Clarinval, displaying his prowess on the field, delivered a remarkable hat-trick, contributing three goals to the team's impressive tally. Joining him in the scoring frenzy was Giulian Mahy, who netted two goals, showcasing his precision and finesse. Pavel Singh and Tom Van Blerk also made their mark, each adding a goal to the scoreboard.

The match held special significance for Tom van Blerk, who not only contributed a goal but also etched his name in Luxembourg's U18 hockey history. At just 15 years and 193 days old, van Blerk became the youngest-ever scorer for the national U18 squad, taking the record from previous holder and current captain Maximilien Clarinval who scored at 15 years and 208 days old in the previous U18 tournament in 2021.

The squad, assembled under the guidance of star coach Federico Tanuscio, with assistant coach Lokdeep Singh and team manager Fiona Rickli, demonstrated exceptional cohesion and skill throughout the match. The team's performance showcased the immense potential of Luxembourg's hockey program and the remarkable talent within the U18 squad.

The roster, comprising Guillaume Mackel, Giulian Mahy, Lohen Verschoren, Maximilien Clarinval, Hugo Puissant, Yassine Ammar, Pavel Singh, Laurent Sweerts, Rafael Bouillot, Pierre Mackel, Loic Prost-Garoz, Arthur Wittamer, Timothée Melin, Ludovic Masset, Alex Outlet, Tom van Blerk, and Leander Ulitzka, proved that Luxembourg's hockey future is in capable hands.

The victory over Slovakia signifies a significant milestone for Luxembourg youth hockey, bringing newfound optimism and recognition to the nation's hockey development efforts. The team's exceptional performance and historic win will undoubtedly serve as inspiration for aspiring young athletes and lay the foundation for future success on the international stage.

Next Wednesday Luxembourg’s U18 team will play their final group stage game against Switzerland at 14:20 CEST. Games can be followed via a livestream on the EuroHockey website.