© Serge Olmo / RTL
HB Dudelange secured a dramatic 20:19 win against HB Käerjeng in an incredibly tense final, claiming their 16th Luxembourg Cup title.
In a fiercely contested match, HB Dudelange narrowly edged past HB Käerjeng at the very last moment. At half-time, Käerjeng were still leading 11:8.
Käerjeng player Tina Welter announced after the final that she would likely end her career after this season.
HB Dudelange - HB Käerjeng 20:19
This was the fourth time in five years (after 2021, 2022, and 2023) that these two teams faced each other in a cup final, with only Differdange breaking the pattern in 2024. The match was also a tactical duel between two former youth teammates – Mikel Molitor coaching Dudelange and Dan Mauruschatt leading Käerjeng.
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm early in the game, with numerous technical errors on both sides. Käerjeng initially appeared stronger but then hit a scoring drought, going ten minutes (from the 7th to the 17th minute) without finding the net.
During that period, Barbara Fangueiro showcased her skills in goal, helping Dudelange to regain composure after a shaky start. A change in the Dudelange backcourt briefly brought more structure to their attack.
However, the tide soon turned again. Dudelange’s momentum stalled, and their attack became rushed and disorganised. Käerjeng goalkeeper Zorana Jurcevic made several key saves, reaching seven saves by half-time, compared to Fangueiro’s nine.
Jurcevic’s heroics kept Käerjeng in the match, and Lena Kirtz finally broke their ten-minute scoring drought. Käerjeng then built momentum, turning a 3:5 deficit into a 6:5 lead, forcing Dudelange coach Mikel Molitor to call a timeout. Yet Käerjeng’s surge continued, extending their lead to 9:5.
Dudelange, meanwhile, endured 12 minutes without a goal (from the 13th to the 25th minute), hampered by poor passing, concentration lapses, and Käerjeng’s solid defence. At half-time, Käerjeng led 11:8.
After the break, Dudelange continued to struggle against Käerjeng’s strong defensive wall. They made an unusual number of technical errors, and even usually reliable players like Kim and Joy Wirtz missed key shots.
However, Käerjeng also faltered in attack, going 13 minutes without scoring, allowing Dudelange to equalise at 12:12 in the 45th minute. From there, the match turned into a real thriller, with both sets of fans urging their teams on to the very end.
Once again, the goalkeepers dominated the spotlight. Zorana Jurcevic finished with 11 saves, while Barbara Fangueiro, who was named MVP, made an outstanding 18 saves. When Lara Steffen scored to put Dudelange two goals ahead in the 57th minute and Tea Gajic missed a crucial shot shortly after, it proved decisive.
For Dudelange’s women's team, this is their 16th Luxembourg Cup win and their third consecutive title. Between 2013 and 2016, they had already achieved the remarkable feat of winning the cup four times in a row, bringing the trophy to the Forge du Sud.
Thus, the evening ended happily for HB Dudelange, who had reached both the men’s and women’s finals this year. Unfortunately, the men’s team fell short against Bierchem on Saturday.
