This week we can all enjoy the preliminary stages of the Euro League and Champions League. Maybe you will get to see your favourite team. Not much chance you’re a fanatic of F91 Dudelange. Dude who? Well, they’re the best club Luxembourg has had to offer in the past decade.
Despite winning the national title several times, Dudelange have progressed only two times in the first or second CL preliminary round. In their 17 appearances they have defeated NK Zrinjski Mostar, to be the first Luxembourg club to go through ever. Last year Santa Coloma from Andorra was beaten.
Luxembourgian teams were, in the last century, known as a willing sparring partner for insecure strikers, looking for goals. In the Champions Cup, Red Boys, Differdange lost 1-11 to AZ’67 (`77/78) and even 0-14 against Ajax (`84/85). “Small” competitors should not compete, some people argue. Personally I’ve got sympathy for underdogs, as major upsets don’t happen too often in international football. The national Luxembourg team have won, since qualifying for EC and WC in 1934, only six games (out of 206) beating Malta twice. Only one time have they created an upset, defeating the Czech Republic 1-0 in 1996.
The CL representative, F 91 Dudelange, had a lucky draw in the first preliminary stages to play against the mega tiny Tre Penne (a.k.a. Tre Fiore) from San Marino. In front of almost 1000 spectators Dudelange won easily 7-0 (11-0 on aggregate). Not a big challenge, considering their opponents, being part-time football players who earn a living as carpenters, farmers or bakers.
Where Dudelange is one or two levels above the San Marino team, their next opponent Red Bull Salzburg is supposed to be three levels better. Formerly known as Austria Salzburg, the Austrians have an honours list far more impressive: Runner up in the Mitropa Cup (1971), Intertoto cup (1998) and the 1984 Uefa cup (lost to Internazionale), recently took home several national championships under Mattheus (2008 and 2009) Adriaanse (2010) and another Dutchmen Ricardo Moniz (2012).
Current manager Roger Schmidt and his team suffered an embarrassing defeat in the first match, visiting F91. After a goalless first half, Joachim knocked down the Austrian pride with a splendid strike in the 75th minute. Next to their pride, they also lost midfield player Dusan Svento (26), to a serious knee injury.
In 1992 Austria suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to the Faeroe Islands, which made headlines. Although warned, the 1-1 draw of last year, showed underestimation was still present.
At Salzburg, the annoying Luxembourg mouse had to be crushed mercilessly. Although warned, the Bulls got off with a false start, receiving a quick goal. Before half-time the score showed a 2-1 advantage in favour of the Austrians. Still not focused after the second kick-off, the Luxembourg squad amazingly scores in the 48th and 57th minute. Even a red card can’t stop Dudelange. Salzburg score another two goals against the ten men, but the 4-3 result is not enough. The ambitious Austrian team bows its head. Mice don’t often beat elephants in CL. But they definitely can take on a bull.
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