Telstar Hesperange opened its W-Nationale 2 campaign with a 47-33 home win over Arantia Larochette and moved into 2nd place at 1-0, while Arantia is 5th at 0-1.
The game started in a very controlled, low-scoring rhythm. Arantia led 5-2 late in the first quarter behind Sarah Nunes Birchen and Clara Walter, but Telstar closed the period with 4 unanswered points for a 6-5 edge. That sequence set the tone of the evening: Telstar did not score much, but it gradually took control.
The first decisive stretch came across the quarter break. Telstar turned a 2-5 deficit into a 10-5 lead with 8 straight points. Arantia fought back to 15-15 in the second quarter, mainly through Nunes Birchen, but coach Ivan Yeromin's side answered immediately. Milla Lutgen scored 6 points in a row, and Telstar finished the half on an 8-0 run for 23-15.
That momentum carried into the third quarter. Telstar opened separation through Charline Lutgen, Noélie Dhur and Lynn Rock, then closed the period on another strong push to reach 37-22. The highest lead was 17 points at 39-22 early in the fourth.
Charline Lutgen (23, TEL) was the main offensive reference with 17 points. Milla Lutgen (18, TEL) added 10 and produced the key second-quarter burst, while Noélie Dhur scored 6 and Lynn Haupert added 5. For Arantia, Sarah Nunes Birchen (16, ARA) led with 12 points, including two 3-pointers. Suellen Santos Cruz (18, PRT) added 8, Erika De Sousa Silva (17, PRT) had 5, and Nora Hansen finished with 3 points but also 4 fouls, which limited Arantia's margin for recovery in the second half.
Telstar won the middle quarters 31-17, which was the real difference in a defensive game.
(AI generated)