Luxembourg make up for shocking loss to claim SCA U20 Men crown

Team Luxembourg claimed top honours from the CEV Small Countries Association (SCA) U20 men’s championship held earlier this week in Dublin – thus emulating their compatriots and friends that had won the SCA U19 women’s event held in the Grand Duchy late last week.

Actually, the young ‘Red Lions’ did not catch such a promising start to their campaign, as they surprisingly lost their opening match in the competition to Northern Ireland (2-3). However, they regrouped and secured back-to-back 3-1 wins over Andorra and hosts Ireland in their remaining fixtures to claim the top spot of the final standing.

Andorra finished second – as they lost to Luxembourg but they beat both Ireland and Northern Ireland in straight sets. Northern Ireland finished third, courtesy of their sensational victory over Luxembourg, before they lost at the tiebreak to their neighbours from the Republic of Ireland the following day. Andorra won the hearts of all those who visited the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena, their stylish play and dance routines adding a vibrant dynamic to the event.

Luxembourg have confirmed their dominant status in the Small Countries Association following their success in both the U19 women’s and U20 men’s championships. The event held in Dublin was especially important for Volleyball Ireland – as the country was hosting such an international indoor competition for the very first time in many years, which is testament to the steady growth of the sport across the island.

Dream Team:

Setter: Chaster Andreu (Andorra)

Outside hitters: Christian Galoppo (Luxembourg), Eric Forné (Andorra)

Middle blockers: Scott Craig (Northern Ireland), Nicolas T’Joen (Luxembourg)

Opposite: Xavier Mas Rodriguez (Andorra)

Libero: Ciagan Davoren (Ireland)

Final standing

1. Luxembourg
2. Andorra
3. Northern Ireland
4. Ireland