Women of Hockey Club Luxembourg triumph in Poland, secure 3rd place in EuroHockey Challenge II

Competing against teams from seven different countries, HC Luxembourg showcased their skills and determination, achieving historic victories against Portugal and Finland.

The EuroHockey Challenge is the third most significant competition for club teams in Europe. This year’s tournament saw club champions and vice-champions from the hockey honour divisions of Finland, Gibraltar, Croatia, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey, and Luxembourg, competing for glory.

HC Luxembourg's squad, a blend of veterans and emerging talents, comprised players from nine different countries.

Four Luxembourgers were joined by three Argentinians, two Irish, two Belgians, and one player each from Germany, France, Great Britain, Uruguay, and the USA, creating a rich tapestry of international experience and skill sets.

HC Luxembourg makes history in its first appearance

In their opening match against the Finnish team, HC Luxembourg made history: for the first time, a Luxembourg team won a match in the EuroHockey Club Championships.

Right from the start, Valentina Toquier showcased her skills, maneuvering past several opponents to earn the first penalty corner of the match within the first minute.

Captain Heather Yanusas seized this opportunity, skillfully tipping the ball into the goal following a brilliant setup by Elena Castagnino. Castagnino eluded a defender with a bumpy ball trick before delivering a perfect pass to the far post, allowing Yanusas to score comfortably.

By the 11th minute, Aine Healy doubled the lead. Toquier once again displayed her dribbling prowess, finding an open space to set up Healy, who fiercely shot the ball into the goal.

The momentum continued in the 17th minute when Luxembourg earned another penalty corner.

Yanusas provided a precise serve, Castagnino stopped it, and Diane Krüger fired a superb shot to the right post, making it 3-0.

Despite a response from Porvoo HC through Elli Rihtilä, who scored during a penalty corner in the 25th minute, HC Luxembourg remained undeterred. The team maintained their focus and resilience, which paid off in the 48th minute.

Castagnino launched a precise pass from mid to 25 yards out to Healy, who softly caress the ball into the goal for her second artistic touch, securing a 4-1 victory for Luxembourg.

This historic win not only marked HC Luxembourg's first victory in the EuroHockey Club Championships but also demonstrated the team's exceptional skill and determination on an international stage.

Luxembourg beats Portugal in a tight match

In their second group match, HC Luxembourg faced off against Grupo Desportivo do Viso, a team they had previously encountered in 2021, where the Portuguese side emerged victorious with a 3-0 win. This year, the stakes were high, and both teams were determined to come out on top.

Notably, Carla Ferreira, the goalkeeper for Grupo Desportivo do Viso, was named the best goalkeeper at the end of this tournament, underscoring the challenge Luxembourg faced.

Despite the formidable opposition, HC Luxembourg managed to break through. In the 50th minute, Aine Healy scored again a crucial goal, converting herself in the top scorer of the team.

The play began with a strategic shot executed by Elena Castagnino, who delivered the ball straight to the area were Healy was positioned. Healy then deftly redirected the ball past Ferreira, making it 1-0 for Luxembourg.

The remaining 10 minutes of the match were intense, with HC Luxembourg's defence put to the test. The Portuguese team pressed hard, creating two close opportunities that nearly changed the outcome.

However, the strong performances of central defenders Heather Yanusas and Diane Krüger were instrumental in maintaining the lead, not to mention the crucial saves by Sofiia Solska.

Their resilience was complemented by the efforts of Maya Fellowes and Daphne Parisis, two junior player who excelled throughout the tournament.

Securing the final match and the way to EuroHockey II

With this 1-0 victory, HC Luxembourg not only secured a qualification for the medal match but also guaranteed a top-four finish in the tournament.

This result also ensured their place in the Euro Hockey Challenge I for the next year, setting the stage for further competition at a higher level for the first time of the history of the club.

HC Luxembourg finishes in 3rd place

In the final match of the EuroHockey Challenge, HC Luxembourg squared off against Metpack Alanya Stars Hokey SK, the Turkish vice-champion of the top league and leader of Group A. The match was intense and fiercely contested, reflecting the high stakes for both teams.

The Turkish side played aggressively from the start, leveraging their numerous national players to maintain pressure on Luxembourg.

This aggressive play culminated in a hard tackle on Luxembourg’s newcomer, Delfina Orguet, resulting in a yellow card for Tereza Rosenova in the 42nd minute.

Despite the setback, the Alanya Stars capitalized on their opportunities and managed to score a total of seven goals throughout the game.

However, this loss did not overshadow HC Luxembourg's overall success in the tournament. Their impressive performances earlier in the competition secured them a well-deserved 3rd place finish.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for the team, highlighting their potential and setting a solid foundation for future international competitions.

Support behind the scenes

The entire tournament would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our Manager and Physio, Charlotte Brunelli. She diligently cared for our team's physical well-being, providing daily kinesiology sessions to ensure we were in peak condition.

A heartfelt thanks also goes to Heather Yanusas and Julie Sacré for their exceptional logistical coordination, which ensured everything ran smoothly.

Lastly, we extend our gratitude to our excellent coach, who, despite suffering an accident that required hospitalization and surgery on her left arm, continued to inspire and support the team throughout the competition.

Charting new horizons for Luxembourgish hockey

The team's outstanding performance in Poland has established a remarkable standard for Luxembourg's field hockey, demonstrating their ability to thrive on the global platform.

With qualification secured for the EuroHockey Challenge I next year, HC Luxembourg is poised to pursue further triumphs, albeit not without diligent effort and unity among teammates.

This aspiration aims not only for new successes but also to motivate the youth of Luxembourg to embrace the sport and contribute to its promising future.

Team Line up

Players:

• Goalkeeper: Sofiia Solska
• Defense: Diane Krüger, Maya Fellowes-Freeman, Daphné Parisis, and Heather Yanusas
• Mid-field: Elena Castagnino, Emma Doherty, Dany Holper, Rachel O'Halloran, and Valentina Toquier
• Forwards:  Valentine Assenmacher, Geraldine Berre, Aine Healy, Louise-Henriane Lestienne-Thiry, and Delfina Orguet

Coach: Natalia Garcia del Valle

Manager: Charlotte Brunelli