Arantia shock Etzella to end 56-year Luxembourg Cup drought

Arantia Larochette won their first Loterie Nationale Coupe de Luxembourg since 1970, stunning Etzella Ettelbruck 87-83 in the men's final at the Coque Arena on February 7 before 5,250 fans one of the highest Cup Finals attendances in the past 20 years. Fifty-six years between titles. For a club that last lifted the Cup when the competition was barely a decade old, this was a moment to savour.
Vic Heuschling (198-PF-1996) came off the bench to torch Etzella with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting including six three-pointers a display that transformed the contest in the third quarter. Kevon Godwin (188-G-2000, college: Angelo St.) led the winners with 25 points (4-of-8 from three), while M.A. Carter III posted 16 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Tyrell Sturdivant (201-F/C-1995, college: Stony Brook) added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and De Sousa Silva contributed seven points, seven rebounds, and three assists off the bench.
Etzella who would go on to win the Enovos League championship three months later controlled the first half, leading 36-35 at the break after winning the second quarter 26-19. But Arantia's 30-17 third-quarter explosion flipped the game entirely. Nick Davis (206-F/C-2001, college: Omaha) led Etzella with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting and eight rebounds, while Billy McDaniel (199-F/C-1984, college: UAM) had 17 off the bench and Philippe Gutenkauf (183-PG-1995) added 14 with seven assists. Adrian Delph (191-G-2000, college: App State) pulled down 14 rebounds but shot just 1-of-10 from three-point range in a frustrating night from the perimeter.
Arantia had reached the final by edging Sparta Bertrange 79-78 in the semifinals, making their entire Cup run an improbable fairy tale capped by the perfect ending.