On Saturday, the Luxembourg national rugby team defeated Slovenia 29-10 at the Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg city to secure the Division 2C title of the European Nations Cup (2016-16), in front of 1,100 spectators.
Leading 13-3 at half-time, Luxembourg secured a home win against second-placed Slovenia, triumphing 29-10 at full-time, scoring two tries to one.
Although Slovenia were quicker out of the blocks than the home side and scored first in the 9th minute for the first penalty of the game, Luxembourg came back strongly and out-half William Browne levelled the scores wtwo minute later with the first of five penalties for the home side. Full-back Ciaran Keane score the first try of the game on 24 minutes which was converted by Browne who added three more points before the referee below for half-time.
Luxembourg started the second half with three changes to the team. Browne scored two more penalties before Slovenia's front-row substitute Samuel VRHOVEC was yellow-carded for foul play, closely followed by a Luxembourg player. After 71 minutes, the Slovenian scrun-half Enej RADELJ-ŠEMROV crossed for a (converted) try to narrow the gap slightly to 19-10. Luxembourg then scored another penalty and rounded off the match, and the campaign, with a try by scrum-half Stuart Logier.
Luxembourg have secured a second consecutive promotion, topping the table with 32 points having won all eight games - home and away against Slovenia, Serbia, Austria and Denmark.
Luxembourg are now promoted to Division 2B, swapping places with Hungary. In the 2016-18 European Nations Cup Division 2B they will play hoem and away matches against Latvia, Andorra and Cyprus (who finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively, and Israel who were relegated from Division 2A.
Going into the game, Luxembourg were ranked #61 in world rugby.
Photo by Luxembourg Rugby Federation
