Luxembourg wins SCA U18 Women’s Championship without conceding a single set

It was clear from the start of the match that Team Luxembourg was well-formed and stable in all their actions against a Northern Irish team that had small chances of seizing the bronze medal. That dream came to a quick end as the Luxembourg girls secured a 3-0 win and the SCA U18 Championship title without losing a set in all their matches.

In the first set, the young ‘Red Lionesses’ dominated the scene, winning 25-12 and the direction was set for the gold medal. In the second set, the Northern Irish team managed to edge ahead at 13-12, so their rivals had to work hard but it was like their game faded out despite coming close. Luxembourg cruised to a three-point advantage at 21-18 and they scored the last four points without an answer from Northern Ireland, thus winning the set 25-18.

In the third set, Luxembourg imposed their rule in every aspect of the match, securing the win with strong serves and better attacking while the Northern Irish players had problems in setting up attacks and the reception did not enable many counterattacks. It was an easy 25-8 set win by the Luxembourg team which completed an outstanding championship with a group of players that has good perspectives for the years to come.

San Marino took the silver medal by beating Ireland 3-1 (25-14, 25-14, 23-25, 25-14). The first two sets were dominated by the San Marino team but in the third set, the Irish side showed its best actions and took San Marino by surprise with a two-point win. Following this blow, the San Marino girls came back with strong intensity winning the fourth set unchallenged to claim the SCA U18 silver medal.

In the final match of the tournament, despite hard efforts from Ireland, they lost the first set 25-22, and the second set 25-18 to hosts Malta. In the third set, it was a tight and great battle. Ireland levelled 16-16 and edged ahead at 19-16, when Malta came back, drawing level at 19 and 21 before securing the necessary two points to win the match (25-23) and claim the bronze medals with a good performance on home soil.

Final standing

1. Luxembourg
2. San Marino
3. Malta
4. Northern Ireland
5. Ireland

Dream Team

Best Setter: Tamie Boudot (Luxembourg)
Best Outside Spiker: Shania Camilleri (Malta)
Best Middle Blocker: Lou-Ann Fischbach (Luxembourg)
Best Opposite: Alice Pedrelli (San Marino)
Best Libero: Margherita Grossi (San Marino)
Most Valuable Player: Lilly Tarantini (Luxembourg)