Fortress players gained valuable international experience against strong competition at the Charleville International Tournament in France, with Leni Heckel winning the U13 title and Niklas Reuter reaching the quarter-finals.
Fortress Table Tennis travelled to Charleville, France, on 29 and 30 August 2026 for a well-organised international tournament that gave our young players another opportunity to compete beyond Luxembourg.
Niklas Reuter, Paul Heckel and Leni Heckel made their international debuts, while Benoit Ries and Rodrigo Bastos Soares represented Fortress at an international event for the second time. Every player recorded match wins and returned with valuable competitive experience. Rodrigo and Benoit also showed clear progress since the LINZ AG Youth Championships in April, reflecting the work they have put into their development.
The weekend produced two outstanding individual results. Leni Heckel won the U13 competition to become Charleville champion, while Niklas Reuter advanced to the quarter-finals. Achieving these results at one of their first international tournaments gives both players a strong foundation for future challenges.
Momo and Mirko led the team throughout the weekend. They were joined by Gilles Ries, who gained his first experience as a coach and provided excellent support from the sidelines, particularly during the U13 final.
We thank all the parents for their commitment and support throughout the trip. Their help allowed the coaching team to focus fully on the players and their performance.
Compete. Learn. Improve. Repeat. This is how we grow.