(L-R) Kamiah Smalls (Bosnia analyst Herzegovina); Joyce Isi Etute (Luxembourg); Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu

On Tuesday 18 November 2025, Luxembourg’s women’s national basketball team defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first round of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers at the Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

Patrick Unger’s team played in front of 1,100 spectators against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their third Group A fixture, having entered the match with one win, away to Ireland, and a defeat to Israel (65-77), also away, on Saturday 15 November 2025.

The hosts lined up with Anna Simon, Svenia Nurenberg, Magaly Meynadier, Dionne Madjo and Joyce Isi Etute. The latter proved decisive in the opening quarter, scoring ten points, nearly half of Luxembourg’s total, helping the team to a 23-11 lead.

Midway through the second quarter, Luxembourg extended their advantage to +21 points, prompting Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Emir Halimic to call a timeout. However, the visitors were unable to reduce the deficit before halftime, with Luxembourg heading to the break 46-23 ahead.

“We always want to win the third quarter. That's one of those things that we keep saying in the locker room,” Patrick Unger told Chronicle.lu. “Bosnia, fortunately for us, couldn't hit any shots today and our ladies were really good on the defensive end, so that wasn't the trouble for us.”

Early in the third quarter, Svenia Nurenberg suffered an injury under the basket in a contest with Ivona Krakic. She was replaced by Sofie Fuglsang, who converted both free throws. Luxembourg continued to control the game, increasing their lead to 56-29 before the final period.

In the last ten minutes, the Red Lionesses added another nineteen points, including eight from Magaly Meynadier, who finished as the game’s top scorer with eighteen points. Joyce Isi Etute recorded a double-double with seventeen points and fourteen rebounds. Luxembourg secured a convincing 75-39 victory.

Patrick Unger concluded: “We're happy. I mean, look at the score, why can't you be happy? At the same time, we know that we have a lot of work in front of us, but as it is right now, we're just going to go celebrate.” He added: “I think we can be satisfied with two wins. Looking back now to the Israel game, it hurts even more. If we could have pulled that one, we would be three and oh right now. But you know what? It is like it is and we're fully satisfied as it is right now.”

Luxembourg will play their remaining three Group A fixtures in mid-March 2026, starting at home against Ireland on Wednesday 11 March 2026.