Luxembourg Lacrosse Secures 2 Wins at Eurolax Sixes Cup 2025

The Luxembourg men's national lacrosse team competed from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 March 2025 in the Eurolax Sixes Cup 2025 as part of its preparations for the Olympic qualification.

The tournament, which featured six teams, took place in Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal, where Luxembourg faced national teams from Switzerland, France, Armenia, the Netherlands and the host nation, Portugal.

Luxembourg Lacrosse reported that tournament was played in the Olympic version of the game, the fast-paced competition in the Sixes format. Included in the Los Angeles 2028, the fast and furious game has been gaining traction across the European community. The EuroLacrosse event served as the first international event of merit and doubled this year as host for the European women’s teams qualifier for the next World Games.

Compared to last year's winless performance, Coach Chet Koneczny's team secured two victories at the Eurolax Sixes Cup 2025. Luxembourg opened the tournament with a match against Portugal. The hosts led 14-5 during the game, but the Red Lions managed to reduce the deficit, finishing the match with a 15-9 (2-1, 8-3, 4-1, 1-4) victory for Portugal.

In their second match, Luxembourg faced France, who were ahead 5-2 in the first half. However, Luxembourg managed to narrow the gap, take the lead and secure a 14-11 (1-2, 4-2, 4-6, 2-4) victory.

The next match against Switzerland was interrupted due to heavy rain. The game, which had been stopped after the first half with Luxembourg leading 5-4, was rescheduled to be completed on Saturday 8 March 2025, following the other scheduled matches.

Saturday started with a match against Armenia. The latest addition to European Lacrosse displayed great offensive skill, as expected from the runner-up at the last Eurolacrosse event in Greece in autumn 2024. The Luxembourg side ultimately lost 6-22 (1-4, 2-6, 1-6, 2-6), according to the Luxembourg Lacrosse statement.

The resumed match against Switzerland brought Luxembourg their second win at the Eurolax Sixes Cup 2025. The teams returned to the field with the score at 5-4, after which Switzerland equalised. However, in the final four minutes, Luxembourg captain and youth player Clemens Schusterschitz scored twice, securing a 7-5 victory for Luxembourg.

The team entered Sunday 9 March 2025 with two wins and two losses. They closed the tournament with a match against the eventual champions, the Netherlands. “Luxembourg finished the tournament playing its best lacrosse, which was the team’s primary goal,” noted Luxembourg Lacrosse. In their final game, Luxembourg fought hard in a 5-7 loss - “a dramatic improvement” from last year’s 18-3 defeat to the Dutch in Ghent. The Netherlands went on to win the Euro Sixes tournament in overtime against Switzerland.

Team Luxembourg captain Yves Audrimont credited the team’s patience and steady improvement, saying: “Patience is the key to success. We have been working on this over the last few months and it has paid off. Now there is only one way and that is forwards.”

IK