The 2024/25 handball season has been underway for three weeks, and clubs are preparing for the next season.
On Friday, Handball Esch announced via social media that Laurent Melchior would take over as the new head coach of their women’s team. Henri Mauruschatt, who led the team over the past five seasons, has decided to step back. His assistant, Luc Schiertz, is also no longer available for further involvement, according to the club. The aim remains to solidify the team’s presence in the top division, although this goal may be affected by possible player departures.
As stated on the club’s website, Melchior is taking on the role of head coach with strong passion and brings solid experience to the table. Originally from football, he served as assistant coach to Michel Scheuren at Red Boys Differdange over the past two seasons.
Scheuren, however, said he had no concerns about Melchior possibly luring players from Differdange to Esch. According to him, Melchior had informed him of the Esch move in advance, and this coaching role had long been an ambition of his.
Player movements have also been making headlines in recent weeks.
On Friday, Red Boys Differdange, reigning champions in the men’s league, announced the signing of Lucas Meyffret as a replacement for key player Brice Aillaud. Meyffret, who joins the club for two seasons, previously played for Draguignan Var Handball in France’s third division (Nationale 1). He is expected to become a crucial part of the newly formed squad under new coach Marc Breser.
Meanwhile, cup winners HC Berchem have strengthened their team with the addition of Dragan Vrgoc, who last played for Käerjeng. At Réiserbann (for editor: I don’t really know what they mean by this), hopes are pinned on the return of long-term injured players such as Yann Hoffmann, Ben Majerus, and Scott Meyers, whose comebacks will feel like new signings.
At HB Esch, it had already been confirmed some time ago that Felix Werdel would be rejoining his childhood club for the upcoming season. In addition, former Käerjeng player Sebastian Edgar is set to add experience to the young Esch squad.
HB Dudelange attracted the most attention with several high-profile youth signings, including Yakub and Matush Lallemang, from Käerjeng, and Yann Hippert and Loris Labonté, from Esch. However, it remains unclear who will coach the team next season, as Dudelange recently parted ways with Martin Hummel.
Of the top five teams, Käerjeng is the only one yet to announce any new signings. Head coach Ben Schuster, who took over in December 2024, plans to continue his project of building a competitive team with young and hungry (for editor: or ‘ambitious’?) players.
Relegation zone teams HB Rumelange and CHEV Diekirch, who will remain in the Axa League, have also updated their squads. In the Käldall region, the team led by captain Michel Scheid will largely stay together. Notable names include Vincent Schockmel – son of the Luxembourg Handball Federation (FLH) President Romain Schockmel – and Jeremy Guerder, a former national team goalkeeper.
In Diekirch, Blagojce Krstev takes over as head coach. The North Macedonian will also be coaching his son, Andrijan, at the club.
New Esch coach Laurent Melchior may be without his team’s top scorer from last season, Noémie Hoffmann, who is reportedly in talks with HB Museldall. Fabienne Thiry from HB Dudelange is also set to join Museldall, as previously announced. With Lara Weibel possibly transferring to Käerjeng, the Esch women’s team may lose yet another key player.
Dudelange recently announced that their first-choice goalkeeper, Pauline Leythienne, will be stepping back. However, they’ve quickly filled the gap with Emeline Hoé, who previously played in goal for Differdange. To bolster their squad further, Red Boys turned to the French market and signed 22-year-old Charlène Servant from Asul VV Handball.
Former national player Tina Welter has officially retired from the sport and is now focusing on her coaching certification. It remains to be seen who will replace her at Käerjeng.
Any remaining transfers will be revealed by 24 June, when the national transfer window set by the FLH officially closes.
