Róbert Beran: a journey from Slovakia to Luxembourg’s Hockey Legacy

Róbert Beran grew up in Martin, Slovakia, in a well-known hockey family. His younger brother Michal, three years his junior, was a long-time professional forward, playing nearly 900 matches for teams like Martin, Žilina, Trenčín, Zvolen, and Nitra.

However, Róbert took a different path, connecting his hockey career and life with Luxembourg, where he moved in 1992 and continues to reside today.

How did you end up in Luxembourg?
"I played for Martin and Banská Bystrica in Slovakia's 1 Liga while I was at university. In 1992, after finishing my studies, I initially went to Luxembourg on vacation. There, I met Ivan Oško, a fellow Slovak who was coaching Tornado Luxembourg at the time. We agreed that I would play a few games for Tornado and then head home... but a few games turned into a full season. I received an interesting offer to stay on permanently as both a player and coach, so I stayed. I'm really glad I took part in this journey, helping to elevate Luxembourg's hockey. It’s an amazing country, and I was pleasantly surprised by how many passionate hockey players there are."

You moved to Luxembourg in 1992, but didn’t start representing the country until 2004. What happened in between?
"I started working with very young players from the beginning. When they reached the U18 and U20 levels, Luxembourg participated in the Junior World Cup for the first time, and we won a bronze medal in the third division for under-18s. That success paved the way. We then entered the Senior World Championship, and the Luxembourg federation approached me: 'You know all the players, and they know you—wouldn’t you like to play alongside them?' It was a challenge I hadn’t considered, but I decided to give it a try. I applied for Luxembourgish citizenship and started my international career at 34. I don’t regret it at all. Playing in the World Cup with players you’ve coached is an incredible feeling. I debuted in the 2005 World Championship in Mexico, where we won bronze. I was even named the tournament’s best forward. That year, my teammates and I set a goal to win gold someday. It took several years, but after several bronze and one silver medal, we finally did it."

You ended your career in 2017 at age 47, and at the Division III tournament in Sofia, you were named the best forward of the championship.
"It was a very successful tournament for us because we won the division for the first time and took home the gold medals. After that success, I decided to retire from the national team. I’m particularly happy that I got to play with my older son Thierry, which is something quite special in hockey."

Robert and Thierry Beran (personal archive)

But you and Thierry played in several tournaments together for Luxembourg, right?
"Yes. The first time we played together was at the 2011 World Cup in South Africa. Thierry scored four goals in his first national team game against Turkey, and I assisted him on all of them. Until 2017, we were a stable part of the national team together. I also played with my second son Markus, who is ten years younger than Thierry, though only in one exhibition match. We all played in the same line, and Markus even managed to score his first goal in senior hockey."

World Championships in the lower divisions often involve facing exotic opponents and playing hockey in countries where it’s not a mainstream sport.
"Yes, hockey has taken me to places I never imagined. As a player or coach, I’ve been to Mexico, South Africa, New Zealand, and Kyrgyzstan, among others. Closer to home, we’ve played in countries like Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Turkey, Bulgaria, and the former Yugoslavia. Each destination had its quirks. For example, in Mexico, we played at an altitude of 2,200 meters; in New Zealand, the rink was near a beach; and in Istanbul, it was next to ancient walls. This year, in March, I was with the U18s in Iceland, where we played in Akureyri in -22°C weather. A month later, I was in Cape Town, South Africa, with the senior team, where it was +28°C."

Has the Luxembourg national team improved over the years?
"Definitely. Our U20 team has won silver twice in the past three years. The senior team is also improving. We now have a solid youth system that can support a strong senior team. The boys are passionate, and some of them play in youth leagues in Finland, Sweden, Austria, and Germany. I remember when we struggled just to field a team... back then, we had only 130 registered players across all categories. Today, we have 700 players, 250 of whom are seniors. And now, we even have a women’s hockey team, which started two years ago."

What is the hockey infrastructure like in Luxembourg?
"There are three ice rinks: two in the capital city and one in Beaufort, about 40 km from Luxembourg City. The country has three hockey clubs that play in regular competitions. Beaufort competes in the first Belgian league, and Tornado Luxembourg has been promoted to the second division of France this year, which is semi-professional. Huskies Luxembourg is a youth club that competes in French youth divisions. We also have our own national league, the Luxembourg Hockey League (LHL), where twelve teams compete in two divisions. Fan interest has grown too—400 to 500 people typically attend Tornado or Beaufort games, and national team matches are often sold out."

What is your current role in Luxembourg hockey?
"I am the head coach of the U20 national team and an assistant coach for the senior national team, where I focus on helping younger players transition to the senior level. In the LHL, I coach the Hurricanes in the first division."

Coaching isn’t your full-time job, though. What do you do professionally?
"I’m one of those lucky people who can say that their work is also their passion. I graduated as a physical education teacher, and I’ve always wanted to work in sports. Currently, I’m a sports monitor."

*What does that involve?
"I use sports to help people who have gone off track in life. I believe that for those facing challenges or who have made mistakes, sports can be a powerful tool to help them rediscover themselves."

What’s life like in Luxembourg?
"Luxembourg is a small country with about 670,000 residents, and people speak four languages: Luxembourgish, German, French, and English. What’s unique is that almost half of the population are foreigners, which gives the country its charm. People are very tolerant, and it’s normal to sit at a restaurant and hear multiple languages at the same table. Children grow up immersed in this multicultural environment."

How often do you return to Slovakia?
"I used to visit more often, mainly to see my parents and brother. But honestly, I feel at home in Luxembourg now. I have my family and my life here. Of course, I still enjoy returning to Slovakia, but not as frequently as before."

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