It was a week of hard work, excitement, emotion, and unforgettable moments for the Luxembourg delegation at the Games of the Small States of Europe in Andorra. In the end, athletes from the Grand Duchy brought home 32 gold medals, 27 silver, and 27 bronze, finishing second in the overall medal table. The next editions will be held in Monaco in 2027 and in Luxembourg in 2029.
In February 2025, the Luxembourg Basketball Federation (FLBB) women’s national team narrowly missed making history by qualifying for the Women’s EuroBasket. The decisive match against Montenegro ended in a heavy defeat.
In the first round of the current EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers, Luxembourg’s women have won two of their three matches so far and currently sit second in the group behind Israel. After six matches, the top two teams and the three best third-placed teams across the seven groups move on to the second round.
With two victories already secured, Luxembourg is in an excellent position to reach that stage. The second round again features six groups of four, with only the top two from each group earning a spot at EuroBasket 2027. It remains to be seen whether this will be the year the FLBB women’s team finally gets there.
In July, the World Swimming Championships took place in Singapore, where Ralph Daleiden Ciuferri set two new national records. The 22-year-old from Swimming Luxembourg improved his own 100m freestyle relay split and set a new national record in the 200m freestyle with a time of 1:47.74. Earlier in the season, at the U23 European Championships, he had narrowly missed out on bronze in the 100m freestyle by just five hundredths of a second.
FC Differdange 03 secured another national football championship title in the 2024/25 season, finishing comfortably ahead of runners-up UNA Strassen. The club also lifted the Luxembourg Cup, beating F91 Dudelange on penalties in the final.
This season, too, FC Differdange 03 are considered strong title contenders and went into the winter break as autumn champions.
From the 2026 season onwards, all Red Bull athletes in endurance disciplines will be able to draw on the expertise of Luxembourgish coach Dan Lorang. The 45-year-old had previously headed the coaching team of the cycling squad Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. In his new role, he will support all athletes under contract with Red Bull.
Lando Norris won the 2025 Formula One World Championship, securing the title with consistent performances and key victories throughout the year. McLaren crowned an exceptional season, confirming their strong development. Norris’s triumph is widely regarded as a deserved conclusion to a thrilling and hard-fought campaign.
Charel Grethen ran the final race of his career this year, bringing an end to a long and impressive sporting journey. Over many seasons he was one of Luxembourg’s standout middle-distance runners, particularly over 1,500m. His greatest highlight came at the Tokyo Olympics, where he reached the semi-finals.
Handball Dudelange’s men’s team reached the round of 32 in the European Cup. After six international matches, their campaign ended with a 29–32 defeat in the return leg against HC Izvidac.
Berchem and Differdange also reached the round of 32, but both clubs were eliminated: the Club Aktiv+ Réiserbann lost both matches to Brno from the Czech Republic, while Differdange’s draw in the return leg against Nilüfer from Turkey was not enough to overturn the first-leg defeat.
Grand Duke Henri will remain a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) despite the change of monarch. For many years he has been active within the IOC, promoting sport and Olympic values, representing Luxembourg while advocating internationally for fair play and sustainability. His continued presence highlights his long-standing commitment to sport.
Jeanne Lehair finished just behind Patrizia van der Weken in the vote for Sportswoman of the Year. Athletically, it was her strongest season yet. She won her first-ever World Cup race at the World Triathlon Championship Series in Yokohama, Japan. Although the final race did not bring the world podium she had hoped for, her overall season was exceptional.
At the Games of the Small States of Europe, Alex Kirsch enjoyed something of a home advantage in Andorra, where the experienced rider played a key role in Luxembourg’s cycling squad. Since 2019 he has been part of Trek–Segafredo, establishing himself as a strong classics rider and valuable teammate. For the 2026 season, he will turn a new page by joining Cofidis, a fresh challenge in his professional career.
Leandro Barreiro has scored two Champions League goals for Benfica in recent months. He plays an increasingly central role in Luxembourg’s national team, where his energy and experience strengthen the midfield. His consistent performances make him a key figure for both club and national team.
Marie Schreiber is currently Luxembourg’s top female cyclist. Competing in the U23 category, she won a silver medal at the Cyclocross World Championships this year: an outstanding achievement that cements her place among the world’s best. Her performances underline her significant potential for the future.
