LHC Women Reflect on EuroHockey Challenge I Debut

The Luxembourg Hockey Club (LHC) women's team made their debut in the EuroHockey Club Challenge I in April 2025, after moving up from Challenge II in 2024.

LHC finished fifth at the tournament held in Alanya, Turkey, after losing two group stage matches against SumPDU (Ukraine) and hosts Alanya Stars Hokey SK, but securing a win in their final game against Europa FC Hockey Club from Gibraltar 2-0. 

Chronicle.lu spoke with LHC head coach Natalia Sol Garcia Del Valle and team captain Heather Yanusas about the team’s debut in the EuroHockey Club Challenge I, their experience at the tournament and plans for the future.

“Without a doubt, the team exceeded all my expectations as a coach,” said Natalia Sol Garcia Del Valle, reflecting on the club’s recent progress. She recalled LHC’s first appearance in the EuroHockey Club Challenge II in 2023 as a major step forward, noting that "in terms of goals [the results] weren't as strong". In 2024, the team earned promotion to Challenge I and this year showed they truly belong at this level. “We were very competitive and, for the first time in the club's history, we secured 5th place in the EuroHockey Challenge I. Our performance was outstanding,” she added.

Team captain Heather Yanusas described the Challenge I debut as both exciting and demanding. “These EuroHockey tournaments have always been the most challenging matches our team faces,” she noted. She highlighted the match against hosts Alanya Stars as particularly tough, praising the team’s defensive discipline despite a 1-4 loss. “I’m really impressed with how we stayed organised under pressure - something we’ve struggled with in the past,” she said. 

Yanusas also reflected on the effort behind the scenes: “Sometimes the biggest challenge is just getting the team there.” This year, for the first time, family members joined the trip and supported the team from the stands. She added several moments stood out as a reflection of the team’s spirit and growth: “When our youngest team member, Delfina Ourget, made an amazing attacking run resulting in a goal against Turkey. When veteran Dany Holper, who was doubting her role as an attacker, scored the winning goal against Gibraltar. When our goalie [goalkeeper], Geraldine Berre, who only took on the position one year ago, confidently stopped a breakaway one-v-one.”

Head Coach Natalia Sol Garcia Del Valle praised the team’s dedication and adaptability: “They show incredible commitment on the field. They listen, adapt and respond - that’s a rare quality. Several players even reinvented their roles for the good of the team, which speaks volumes about their mentality and spirit.”

Reflecting on the team’s development, particularly their defensive progress and the balance between newcomers and veterans, captain Heather Yanusas remarked: “This year's focus was on getting the individual players working together, each with specific strengths and roles. At times this was challenging but the hard work showed in the tournament, especially against the toughest opponents.”

In mid-May 2025, the team secured first place in National 3 of the Belgian league. Looking ahead, the goal is to finish among the top two in the first round of the domestic competition, which would open the door to compete for promotion to National 2. On the international stage, following a strong showing in this year’s EuroHockey Club Challenge I, the team has set their sight even higher. “Our objective is to finish among the top two teams in the EuroHockey Club Challenge I next year,” said head coach Natalia Sol Garcia Del Valle.

Luxembourg Hockey Club has two upcoming events at the Boy Konen sports complex in Cessange ahead of the summer break: the "Luxury Tour Hockey" on Saturday 21 June 2025 and the "Family Day" on Saturday 28 June 2025.