Laure Diederich has ended her career in the women’s national team with the gold medal this summer. The 34-year-old player of the Musel Pikes has been a big part of team Luxembourg for many years.
She played her first game for Luxembourg in September of 2006. In total, Diederich thinks that she might have played nearly 90 games for her country.
Why is now the right moment to end your career in the national team?
We have a young and dynamic team with a lot of talent. I have been part of the national team for so many years, I have been available almost every summer, combining basketball with studies or my job and so I can finish this chapter with good conscience.
What are your main memories with the FLBB-team?
In 15 years I have experienced many wonderful moments: the gold medal at the JPEE in Luxembourg was definitely a highlight – the arena of the Coque was full and the spectators created a mood that is hardly experienced in Luxembourg. Two years later, we were able to repeat that in Iceland against Iceland. In general, the JPEE were always nice, because you could meet athletes from other sports. The European Championship in Cyprus with the gold medal to finish was the icing on the cake. The 2016 match in Serbia against Serbia (who were European champions in 2015) and the winning of the first quarter will not be forgotten by any of the players that were present. There were also smaller highlights that were important for women’s basketball in Luxembourg: in 2010 we were able to celebrate the first victory against a “big country”. Personally for me the matches against Switzerland were always special, because at that moment I was playing in Fribourg in Switzerland and I could play in an international match against teammates from the club.
You finished your career with a gold medal, perfect ending?
the whole week was a wonderful experience. We had a very special relation as a team in the bubble. There was a lot of nostalgia involved in the last game. The moment where our team was on the podium is one I will never forget, celebrating with players that were part of the team for such a long time. It could not have been a better ending.
Is our national team on a good path?
Yes, absolutely. In 2002, Hermann Paar created a very good base for women’s basketball in Luxembourg. Even before the « Sportlycée » existed, players were given the opportunity to train several times a day. Mariusz Dziurdzia and Jérôme Altmann have been able to continue working in such a way that the framework conditions are right: players who are motivated to improve are given the opportunity to do so. Even in youth, much emphasis is placed on the further development of the players so that they are ready to go one step further for the ladies. In addition, the current national team definitely has a lot of talent and if it stays that way over the next few years, then I think they will be able to achieve good results.
The next season is coming up in the LBBL with the Musel Pikes, what do you expect?
I am looking forward to playing the next season with Schmit and Co. and I hope that the Pikes will be able to compete on top of the standings with the best teams. Last season, we missed the qualification to the finals by one point so that I expect us to show good performances. Personally, I would very much enjoy a trip to the Coque.
You are also active as a youth coach. Do you expect basketball to play a big role in your life after your playing career?
I am happy that I received the opportunity to coach in the youth section at the FLBB. I want to use this opportunity to gain experience. I am not sure yet what will come next in my career.
