Saarlouis' D youth handball players conquer Brittany at the Kalon Breizh Cup!

Saarlouis' D youth handball players conquer Brittany at the Kalon Breizh Cup!

It's a memorable day for the D-youth handball players of HG Saarlouis. Mayor Carsten Quirin welcomed the young athletes today in the magnificent tapestry hall of the town hall to honor them for their participation in the Kalon Breizh Cup 2025 in Pontivy, France. This trip to Breton is not only a sporting highlight, but also a cultural adventure that brings the talents from Saarlouis onto the big stage as representatives of German handball.

The team, accompanied by their coaching team and parents, embarked on a journey of around 840 kilometers. After a long but smooth journey, the players finally reached the tournament venue, where they were duly introduced at the opening ceremony. A total of 84 teams took part in this prestigious event - 48 boys' and 36 girls' teams formed in the Brittany center sports hall. The turnout is huge: over 1,200 athletes under the age of 13 come from all corners of France, while more than 200 volunteers actively support the event.

Cozy accommodation and new friendships

For the young athletes, the accommodation in a youth hostel in an old castle on an island was a special experience. On the first evening, the players had the opportunity to make international friends: In addition to a German girls' team, they also made friends with two Bulgarian teams. Communication wasn't a problem - sometimes it even worked without words.

Another highlight was the meeting with a team from the sister city of St. Nazaire, where the young people were able to support each other during the games. These connections have not only sporting but also cultural value: a joint exchange in spring 2026 has already been considered.

Sporting success and impressive achievements

The handball players showed a committed performance in the tournament games and reached 20th place in the overall ranking. Particularly noteworthy is the 2nd place in the international rankings, which they took behind a Bulgarian team. Every team member has developed noticeably and the potential that this team has has been impressively demonstrated.

Being able to introduce the young athletes to their community as ambassadors in an international setting is not only a source of pride, but is also a step in the right direction to promote new values ​​and emotions for the 13-year-old generation. Because at Kalon Breizh Cup It's not just about sporting skills, but also about working together and learning team spirit and respect.

This exchange and the experiences that the players have gained will certainly accompany and shape them in the long term. The sporting and cultural exchange is an important aspect that underlines the importance of such events and further fuels the enthusiasm for handball among young people.