The year 2023 is about to come to an end. It is time to take a look at the main things that happened around basketball in Luxembourg.
National teams writing history
It has been an exceptional year for our national teams with multiple historic results. Our 5vs5 teams won gold (men) and silver (women) at the games of the small States of Europe. Our women’s 3X3 national team participated in the women’s European Championship and won the gold medal at the GSSE. Our women’s 5vs5 national team won the first 2 games of the FIBA 2025 Eurobasket Qualifiers while our U18 women reached the second place at the Division B European Championship which was the best result in a youth competition in the history of Luxembourgish basketball.
FLBB moving forward
During the year 2023, the basketball federation has developed constantly. For the first time in history, we reached over 7000 licenses and are close 7500 to start the new year. We have implemented the FIBA PLUS PROJECT in order to further develop the structures. At the general assembly, the clubs and federation voted in favor of some new rules and regulations that will help us become a future-oriented federation. We adapted and extended the continuing education of the coaches and added a coordinator in this domain. A few clinics were already organized over the last months, including a coaching clinic in collaboration with Bayern Munich. Plenty of events – including some traditional events – were organized for the youth: FLBB camps, the U16 international trophy, the Mini basketball day, Spuerkeess Journée Nationale and others were a big success once again for our federation with a high number of kids participating.
Let’s take a closer look at the year 2023.
Cup semi finals
In front of a sold out crowd, the cup semi finals were played at the end of January at the Coque in Kirchberg. Etzella Ettelbruck and Basket Esch (men) as well as BBC Gréngewald Hueschtert and Sparta Bertrange (women) qualified for the final.
Women’s national team in action
Our women’s national team started the year 2023 with 2 national team games (February) in the FIBA Eurobasket 2023 Qualifiers. The team hosted Italy at the Coque in Kirchberg, the game ended with a 51:109 loss. A few days later, Luxembourg lost 59:114 in Nadia Mossong’s final game withe the national team.
Gala game against Sluc Nancy
In order to prepare the games of the small European countries that would take place during the summer, the men’s national team went to a preparation camp in Portugal. After the camp, the team played a gala game at the Coque against Sluc Nancy. Luxembourg lost this game 72:91 but gained important experience against former NBA players (picture: Mike Scott).
Gréngewald and Etzella win the cup title in front of 4500 people
In the cup competition, Gréngewald Hueschtert (women) and Etzella Ettelbruck (men) celebrated the cup title 2023. In front of 4500 (!) people at the Coque in Kirchberg, the cup final was once again one of the biggest indoor sports events in Luxembourg.
AWARDS NIGHT 2023
For the first time, the FLBB organized an awards night and handed out awards for the LBBL season. Christophe Ney (coach of the year, men), Jérôme Altmann (coach of the year, women), Philippe Gutenkauf (MVP, men), Ehis Etute (MVP and U21 player of the year, women) and Max Logelin (U21 player of the year, men) won the awards. A second edition will be hosted in 2024.
The national champion titles
Gréngewald Hueschtert (women) and Basket Esch (men) were able to win the LBBL championship of the season. Basket Esch won the final against Amicale Steinsel while Gréngewald was able to beat T71 Dudelange.
Youth cup finals
On May 13th and 14th, the youth cup finals were played at the Coque in Kirchberg.
Coupe Fillettes
Sparta Bertrange – AB Contern 15:66
Coupe Cadettes
T71 Dudelange – Basket Esch 67:53
Coupe Cadets
Résidence Walfer – Amicale Steinsel 66:78
Coupe Minis
T71 Dudelange – Gréngewald Hueschtert 38:35
Coupe Filles Scolaires
Musel Pikes – Gréngewald Hueschtert 44:59
Coupe Scolaires
Musel Pikes – Amicale Steinsel 70:76
Ben Kovac wins the title in Slovakia
Ben Kovac and his team Patrioti Levice won the championship title in Slovakia. Kovac was later nominated at the awards night of the sports press as a candidate for « athlete of the year ».
Successful games of the small European countries
Luxembourg’s basketball teams were extremely succesful at the games of the small European counties (GSSE). The 3X3 women won the Gold medal, the 3X3 men won the siler medal. In the 5vs5 competition, the men’s national team won gold while the women won the silver medal.
U18 girls make history!
At the European Championship of the youth, our U18 women’s team played a spectacular tournament and finished division B in second place. Ehis Etute was named MVP of the tournament, Isa Hämäläinen made the all tournament team as well.
ALL RESULTS – Youth European Championships Summer 2023
| Team | Competition | Result
(Wins/ Losses) |
Standing |
| U20 Men | FIBA U20 European Championship, Div B | 4/3 | 17 out of 20 |
| U18 Women | FIBA U18W European Championship, Div B | 5/1 | 2 out of 18 |
| U18 Men | FIBA U18 European Championship, Div C | 3/3 | 4 out of 9 |
| U16 Women | FIBA U16W European Championship, Div B | 1/6 | 16 out of 20 |
| U16 Men | FIBA U16 European Championship, Div B | 3/5 | 14 out of 22 |
First 3X3 Luxembourg tour
In June, the first ever 3X3 Luxembourg tour was played.
Men with 2 home games in the FIBA EuroBasket qualifiers
In the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 PreQualifiers, our men’s national team played two games July and August. Luxembourg lost 62:86 against Croatia in front of 2000 people (sold out), the second game against Ireland was played in front of 1400 people at the Coque in Kirchberg, the game ended 76:96 in favor of the guests.
The LTAD project
On July 1st and 2nd, the national basketball federation FLBB organized a kick-off to explain the next steps in the LTAD project.
3X3 women make history
Luxembourg’s 3X3 national team qualified for the European Championship in Jerusalem in September. Our national team played 2 games (Luxembourg – Spain 10:21 and Luxembourg – Netherlands 8:18) and was eliminated after the group games.
New online shop
The FLBB announced the opening of a new onloine shop together with our partner ASPORT. Visit the online shop here
Women’s national team with 2 victories!
In the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, the women’s national team won both games, the first one in Switzerland (56:48) and the second one at home against Bosnia and Herzegovina (77:64), sensational results for Luxembourg!
Ehis Etute signs in Oregon
In November, Ehis Etute announced that she will play and study in the United States next season. Oregon plays in the Pac-12 conference, a high level division in the United States.
AWARDS NIGHT (SPORTS PRESS)
At the awards night by the sports press, Ehis Etute was honored with the “youth price“ as upcoming female athlete of the year. Ken Diederich finished 3rd in the coach of the year voting, Ben Kovac finished 7nd in the athlete of the year voting while the 5vs5 men (5th overall) and the 3X3 women (6th) were nominated in the team of the year category.
EUROCUP WOMEN
Gréngewald Hueschtert and T71 Dudelange participated in the women’s EuroCup competition, both clubs played a total of 6 games and were able to grab one victory each. Dudelange won 92:83 in Gorzow (Poland) while Gréngewald was able to beat Antalya (Turkey) 91:90 at home.
Anne Simon shines in the USA
Anne Simon has had a strong start into the season in the USA, she was able to win the player of the week award twice already and scored a career high 34 points in one game.
We are excited to see what 2024 will bring us – stay healthy and all the best for the new year!
