U18 women’s national team head coach Rumen Galabov played the first Division A European Championship for a team from Luxembourg.
After promoting to the Division A with a sensational run in 2023 with a team around Ehis Etute, Rumen Galabov now had a chance to be a part of the highest division: „The difference between Division A and Division B in the European Championship is really big. The athleticism and physicality of the players in Division A are on a different level. Teams in Division A are better-prepared and have more depth and versatility. There are no « easy » games here. The biggest difference is that every mistake gets punished. The margin for error is really small, and the level of competition is such that any lapse in concentration or execution will hurt you. This level of intensity and precision is what sets Division A apart from Division B. »
Luxembourg finished the tournament in last place and relegated back to Division B (the bottom 3 teams relegated, including Germany). „From our team’s perspective, we managed to compete with the best teams in Europe for some minutes, which is an achievement in itself. The fighting spirit and the effort that the team puts in are really impressive, and we can be proud of that determination. However, it’s also clear that there’s a significant gap between us and the top teams. Their level of skill, experience, and cohesion highlights the areas where we still need to improve. While our attitude and work ethic are commendable, closing that gap will require even more focus, development, and possibly more exposure to this higher level of competition. »
Asked about the areas to improve the most, Galabov says that playing at a high level for all 40 minutes is a goal to set in the future. „We managed to compete for 25 to 30 minutes per game, but in the other 10 minutes, we dug ourselves into too deep of a hole to come back. To secure a victory, it would have been crucial to maintain a high level of competition throughout the entire game. Being able to compete at this level regularly during the year would be a huge step forward, as you can see that we’ve become more adapted to this level over time. Regular playing time together, combined with high-intensity practices, is key to being able to compete at a high level. »
Joyce Isi Etute finished the Division A as the top scorer and rebounder at 16 years of age, Isa Hämäläinen finished in 3rd place in the scoring list, impressive individual numbers for both of them. „Both Isi and Isa performed well and had some great moments on the court. They demonstrated their talent and potential, showing that they can compete at a high level. However, playing a full 40 minutes at this intensity is incredibly challenging, even for them. Despite their individual success, our best moments came when we played together as a team and supported each other. It was the collective effort, rather than individual brilliance, that truly allowed us to shine. For their future, continuing to focus on teamwork and building on these experiences will be key to the success of the team. »
Overall, it was an exceptional experience in Portugal, not only for the 12 players but the entire staff and the fans. „Experiencing the level of competition in the A-division for the first time has been a challenging yet enlightening journey for our team. Facing off against top teams like France (1st), Spain (2nd), and Israel (4th) highlighted just how punishing every mistake can be at this level. Despite these challenges, the commitment our girls have shown is truly encouraging. It’s heartening to witness moments where we hold our own against the best teams in Europe, reaffirming that our efforts are worthwhile. We hope our supporters understand the magnitude of this challenge and recognize the immense effort our entire team is putting into this campaign. We also hope to inspire young players to develop the desire to experience even a small taste of this level of competition, showing them that it’s possible with hard work and determination. Lastly, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to our supporters who have traveled to each game. Your support is immensely appreciated and means the world to us. »
