Luxembourg’s footballers even have to exist in the mountains

The football women are traveling for the first time in this North League season. On Friday next week, the national team around captain Laura Miller will compete in Armenia and four days later in Liechtenstein. The red lionesses are therefore not just about sporting challenges. A big question will be how well you put the loads away due to the wide flight and bus transfers.

« It won’t be easy. We don’t have a lot of training sessions, » said national coach Dan Santos on Thursday at the FLF seat in Monnerich when the squad was announced. The team already flies from Paris to the Armenian capital Yerevan on Tuesday, and the return trip via Paris and Zurich to Liechtenstein is also becoming time -consuming. « But that’s the way it is, we can’t change it, » said the coach. The fact that the game in the Caucasus Republic in a stadium is played at over 1,000 meters of altitude is also a change for the FLF team. The kick -off time is also unusual, which corresponds to 12 p.m. Luxembourg period.

With four points from the two opening duels in February, the Luxembourg women are currently second in Group 3 of League C, now they want to conquer the lead. « Our goal is very clear, we want to be number one, » emphasized the national coach. His team started the new campaign a month ago with two home games in Esch/Alzette. On February 21, she started 2-2 against Kazakhstan, four days later they celebrated a 7-0 against Liechtenstein. Armenia is the only team to have two victories in the account so far and lead the group.

Luxembourg wants to get at least one point in Yerevan. « Armenia is a favorite because the team is at the moment. But I think we are the best team in the group. We have to show it in the field, » said Santos confidently. « We are not allowed to lose in Armenia so that we have a final for group victory in May in May. »

In the current squad, there are several changes compared to the line -up in February: Among other things, Barbara Serra, who recently became more and more important for the national team, is missing and Rita Bleit. Gioia Fiorucci from the second division club Käerjeng was first nominated for the A selection. « She plays a good season, worked a lot on her and she deserves to be there, » said Santos. Philippa Costa, Nathalie Ludwig, Emma Thill and Lisi Oberweis returned to the squad.

One player more than usual

For school reasons, Charlotte Schmit has to do without the game in Liechtenstein, Edina Kocan does not travel to Yerevan for professional obligations. That is why this time 24 instead of 23 players are on the bid.

After the two away games in April, the group phase after the local league season ends with the home duel on May 30th against Armenia and the game on June 3 in Kazakhstan. The aim of the Luxembourgers is the first promotion to League B. As a group winner, they would be qualified directly for the next higher division. As one of the best second, they would be entitled to participate in play-off duels against a B league team.