Luxembourg's young hockey stars finished a respectable sixth place in the third tier of the EuroHockey U18 Boys Championship in Swansea, Wales.

Coach Federico Tanuscio was delighted on the big step forward the team has made over the past 12 months. An intensive training program, combined with a friendly tournament against young French stars, prepared the team to raise their game and to be competitive at an international level.

The gap to secure wins on a regular basis has become very small and the coach emphasised the importance of continuous improvement as part of the steep learning curve field hockey is on in the Grand Duchy.

The team finished sixth out of seven, winning one of their fixtures (8-0 v Slovakia) and losing three. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful, challenging experience for the squad, aged between 15 and 18.

It was a particularly special week for team captain Maximilian Clarinval, who was officially elected as best player of the tournament.

The team and Luxembourg hockey community thanked their partner Bank Degroof Petercam for their important support.

The country's development program is in full swing, with no less than 8 international tournaments are planned for Luxembourg's men's, women's and youth teams next years.

The ultimate goal for all of the Grand Duchy's hockey players is to one day qualify for the Olympics. And if the sport continues to develop rapidly, this ambition could one day become reality.

RTL

Team captain Maximilien Clarinval and coach Federico Tanuscio / © Hockey Federation Luxembourg