Champions Begin Enovos Basketball League Seasons with Victories

On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026, Luxembourg’s men’s and women’s Enovos Basketball Leagues began their 2026/27 seasons, with reigning champions Etzella Ettelbruck and T71 Dudelange both securing opening-round victories.

Men’s League: Etzella Begin Title Defence with Victory

In the men’s league, Etzella Ettelbruck began their title defence with a 109-81 away victory over last season’s newcomers, the Kordall Steelers. The visitors established a ten-point lead in the opening quarter and extended their advantage to 21 points by the end of the third (91-70). US forward Deantoni Isaiah Gordon led the scoring with 27 points, having already registered 23 before the final quarter.

Reigning cup holders Arantia Larochette also opened their campaign with a convincing away victory, defeating T71 Dudelange 89-59. Despite a 28-point performance from T71 leader Jimmie Lee Taylor III, the hosts struggled to match their opponents, with Daniel Alves Brandão’s side leading 40-29 at half-time.

T71 Dudelange responded by winning the third quarter, but Joshua Robinson-McClary and Michael Esosa Imariagbe helped Arantia extend their advantage to 30 points over the final ten minutes. Joshua Robinson-McClary finished with 24 points, while Michael Esosa Imariagbe recorded a double-double of 21 points and twelve rebounds.

Game Day 1:

Basket Esch - Résidence Walfedange 78-74
T71 Dudelange - Arantia Larochette 59-89
Kordall Steelers - Etzella Ettelbruck 89-109
Sparta Bertrange - AS Soleuvre 86-72
Racing Luxembourg - Amicale Steinsel 96-81
Gréngewald Hueschtert - Musel Pikes - 84-83

Women’s League: Champions T71 Fight Back at Ladies Open

In the women’s league, the second edition of the Ladies Open took place on Sunday at the Gréngewald Hueschtert sports hall in Oberanven, attracting almost 500 spectators per game, according to the Luxembourg Basketball Federation.

Reigning champions T71 Dudelange recovered from a thirteen-point deficit to defeat Basket Esch 84-61. Tom Schumacher’s team responded with a dominant 48-12 second half to secure victory. Catherine Mreches led the scoring with 25 points, while Lauren Van Kleunen added nineteen. Shalonda Winton also registered a double-double of fourteen points and ten rebounds. 

Speaking to Chronicle.lu after the game, T71 Dudelange coach Tom Schumacher commented: “I did not expect us to start like this. Esch played very well and very smartly in the first half. They tried to find the advantage, and we did not compete. I told the players that this would be our first challenge, and we reacted very well throughout the entire twenty minutes of the second half. We kept moving straight forward.”

Reflecting on the season ahead and the pressure facing the reigning champions, Tom Schumacher added: “Of course, there is pressure, but I like having pressure. I like being challenged. There is no secret: we want to win the double. It is not going to be easy – we saw that today – but we will accept the challenge and do everything in our power to win.”

Ladies Open hosts Gréngewald Hueschtert returned to the Enovos League following a one-year absence, fielding a renewed squad featuring several young players. Their opening fixture brought them up against Musel Pikes, whose squad this season includes Luxembourg national team captain Magaly Meynadier, who spent the previous campaign in Germany with Saarlouis Royals. The 34-year-old guard scored twenty points in the first half, converting three of her six attempts from three-point range. Although she did not add to her tally after the break, Magaly Meynadier remained Musel Pikes’ leading scorer, with Sophia Nolan contributing nineteen points.

Gréngewald Hueschtert reduced the deficit to three points during the final quarter but could not complete the comeback. Akilah Bethel recorded a double-double of 28 points and twelve rebounds, while Olivia Olsen added another with twelve points and 22 rebounds. Musel Pikes ultimately held on for an 87-83 victory.

Ladies Open Day:

Basket Esch - T71 Dudelange - 61-84
Gréngewald Hueschtert - Musel Pikes 83-87
AB Contern - Les Sangliers Wiltz 84-72

Game Day 2 of the men’s and women’s Enovos Basketball Leagues will take place on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026.