Judging by the statistics, the title had been secured for some time, but on Saturday it became official. Following a 4-0 victory over Hesperange on the final matchday, Luxembourg City's Racing Union women were presented with the cup, bringing a remarkable season to a fitting conclusion.
The numbers speak for themselves: 162 goals scored, just 10 conceded, and an unbeaten run through the entire campaign. On the European stage too, the team made a lasting impression, advancing through one round of the Champions League qualifiers and registering valiant victories against AEK Athens and FC Riga before being eliminated in the second round.
For Luxembourg City's coach Elodie Martins, there is no secret sauce: "You have to put the work in", she said. "It's important to have a group that is alive. Of course our staff, who support the women so well, also plays a big part in our success."
Midfielder Marta Estevez Garcia, one of several Luxembourg national team players who switched to Luxembourg City, alongside Andreia Machado, Ana Barbosa and Caroline Jorge, reflected on a season that exceeded all expectations. "We are a group of friends who stick together and understand each other off the pitch, which means we understand each other on it too", she said. "I came back in the summer and couldn't have been welcomed better. We played Champions League qualifying at home, advanced a round, were unlucky in the second, and won the championship. Now, we also want to win the Cup and I don't think it could have gone any better."
Coach Martins added: "We don't play the Champions League for nothing. Every year, we try to put in a good performance in matches that are great to play and to coach. We try to get a little more out of it every year, but we've been doing this for 7 to 8 years now."
The impact of Racing's European performances is felt beyond the club. "It is after all a showcase for women's football", said Carine Nardecchia, FLF head of women's football. "A strong champion who represents us well abroad shows how well the club is working here in Luxembourg."
Goals from Sophie Quatrana, Célia Rigaud, Coraline Corplet and Zoé Teixeira sealed the 4-0 win over Hesper on Saturday, sending the celebrations into full swing.
The dominance of the top clubs also highlights a persistent issue in Luxembourgish women's football: the difference between the sides at the top and those at the bottom remains vast. Nardecchia, acknowledging the challenge, states: "While difficult, one idea would be to reduce the league to eight teams, but we are dependent on the clubs' willingness to support that. The same problem has existed for years, we already went from twelve to ten teams and it persists. I am proposing it again, but we need to sit down with the clubs and see what comes of it."
The season is not over. The Cup final takes place next Monday in Strassen, where Racing will face runners-up Differdange. On the international front, the Luxembourg national team will play their final two World Cup qualifying matches against Belgium on 5 and 9 June where the Red Lionesses are hoping to leave their mark. The squad for those fixtures will be announced by the national coaching duo Zirbes and Correia on Friday morning at 11am.
Marta Estevez Garcia is under no illusions about the challenge ahead. "Belgium will want to give everything too, because otherwise they will not come out on top of the group. But if we stay compact, defend well as a block and stick together as we have done in the friendly matches against them, we can present ourselves well."
