“We are entering the history of French table tennis”, savors Félix Lebrun
Félix Lebrun on La Chaîne L'Equipe: “We had a great time all week. It's like a dream. Each time there are incredible emotions, it's difficult to compare. Being in a team increases all the emotions tenfold. We're entering the history of French table tennis. We're going to enjoy being on the podium. We're going to celebrate with our loved ones and this evening again. We had a perfect match, we knew we were superior even if we was wary because they had a good tournament. In Europe, we have won a lot of things. Now, we will try to achieve great things at the world and Olympic level.”
“Something very strong”, greets Nathanael Molin
Nathanael Molin, coach of the Blues, on La Chaîne L'Equipe: “it's a great feeling of joy, something very strong. It's the story of this French team born 2-3 years ago. There is a risk between ambition and having the melon, we managed to achieve what we wanted. It's great! We must be proud of our country. We are doing the European grand slam, it's huge. Alexis is champion of Europe in singles, Alexis and Felix in duplicate…”
It sings “and 1, and 2, and 3-0”!
Under the eyes of the president of the French Table Tennis Federation, the French table tennis players celebrate this coronation with dignity.
FRANCE OFFERS THE EUROPEAN TEAM TITLE!
WHAT A DEMONSTRATION BY THE FRENCH, WHO ARE OFFERING THEMSELVES A 4TH EUROPEAN CROWN!
After 1984, 1994 and 1998, the 2025 version of the Blues triumph in Zadar and can exult with the supporters! And what a symbol to see Simon Gauzy, the oldest of the group, offer the decisive point.
Gauzy-O. Ionescu: 11-9, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3
Gauzy regains length
Romania calls a time out.
Gauzy-O. Ionescu: 11-9, 11-9, 3-11, 5-2
A little reprieve for Romania
Very nice reaction from Ionescu, who brings Simon Gauzy into a 4th set.
Gauzy-O. Ionescu: 11-9, 11-9, 3-11
A little nervousness for Gauzy
While Ionescu is more relaxed, the first racket shots are more effective.
Gauzy-O. Ionescu: 11-9, 11-9, 2-8
Gauzy one set away from glory
The 7th point of the match could have made him lose his footing, but Simon Gauzy was aggressive to bring France closer to the title.
Gauzy-O. Ionescu: 11-9, 11-9
Big confusion, Gauzy peste but Ionescu gives the point
The ball hits the net and Gauzy thinks he wins the point, and goes to complain to the referee. The Romanian gives the point to the Frenchman, who gets back in front.
Gauzy-O. Ionescu: 11-9, 4-3
Gauzy takes the lead
Despite a little scare at the end of the set, the Frenchman took the first set.
Gauzy-O. Ionescu: 11-9
Big comeback from the Romanian
Ionescu regains efficiency on the forehand.
Gauzy-O. Ionescu: 8-8
Gauzy starts very strong
For his first European final, the Frenchman is solid.
Gauzy-O. Ionescu: 6-2
Here we go for Simon Gauzy
The Frenchman challenges Ovidiu Ionescu. The deal is simple: a victory and it's the title for the French team, which has been waiting to be crowned since 1998 in these European team championships, that is to say 27 years!
France leads 2-0 thanks to Félix Lebrun
Like Alexis, Félix Lebrun showed a lot of solidity to get rid of Ionescu despite losing a set. It's up to Simon Gauzy to go for the title!
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4
It goes by, it goes by
Félix Lebrun is on a mission
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 7-2
Félix one set away from victory
The Frenchman finds adversity but knows how to find the answer.
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 11-3, 9-11, 11-5
Felix goes back in front
The storm has passed for the Frenchman.
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 11-3, 9-11, 9-5
It's more complicated for Felix
Ionescu is much better in this match.
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 11-3, 9-11, 2-4
Ionescu takes a set
The Frenchman gave a few points to his opponent, also more comfortable returning Félix's serve.
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 11-3, 9-11
Felix's comeback
Two huge serves from the Frenchman, who was trailing by three points.
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 11-3, 9-9
A hooked start to the set
First sign of annoyance for Félix, who gets angry with himself.
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 11-3, 4-6
Like his brother, Félix unfolds
Ionescu is caught by the throat by the pace imposed by Félix, who already takes the first set.
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 11-3
Here we go for Félix Lebrun
The world number 5 faces Eduard Ionescu, the Romanian thousand player.
F. Lebrun-Ionescu: 4-0
Alexis Lebrun brings the first point to France
Impressive mastery, Alexis leaves nothing to his opponent, whom he sweeps away in 18 minutes, and puts France on the royal road towards a 4th European crown.
A. Lebrun-Chirita: 11-2, 11-6, 11-7
Time out requested by Chirita
He has just lost the last three points.
A. Lebrun-Chirita: 11-2, 11-6, 5-4
Chirita present against
The Romanian leads in this third set.
A. Lebrun-Chirita: 11-2, 11-6, 2-4
Alexis gets closer to victory
After a complicated start to the set, Alexis reacted perfectly to suffocate Chirita again. He was only one set away from bringing France a first point.
A. Lebrun-Chirita: 11-2, 11-6
Chirita explodes
Alexis is the strongest on the backhand diagonal.
A. Lebrun-Chirita: 11-2, 8-5
Alexis recolle
He regains power and precision.
A. Lebrun-Chirita: 11-2, 6-4
Chirita's revolt
Alexis makes a few mistakes, leaving the Romanian alive.
A. Lebrun-Chirita: 11-2, 2-4
Alexis in demonstration
The points go by for the eldest of the siblings, who demonstrates power and monstrous mastery. The Frenchman gives almost nothing, apart from a failed serve. The start is perfect for France.
A. Lebrun-Chirita: 11-2
WHAT AN ENTRY POINT!
Very good return from the Frenchman, who is already showing aggression in return. The third point is of exceptional intensity, with very good defense from Alexis.
A. Lebrun-Chirita: 3-0
Time for the first match
Alexis Lebrun faces Iulian Chirita.
Only a few minutes left before the start of the final
The players enter, with the Lebrun brothers in the lead.
In the women's category, the Romanians lost in the final
Romania made a strong impression in these European Team Championships, as the women's team also reached the final. But the Romanians were soundly beaten by Germany (3-0).
“Marking the history of our sport”: French table tennis players ready to seek a first European title in 27 years
Winner of Germany this Saturday in the semi-final of the European team championships in Zadar (Croatia), France can seek a first coronation since 1998. Led by the Lebrun brothers and Simon Gauzy, the Blues want to make history.
>> “Marking the history of our sport”: French table tennis players ready to seek a first European title in 27 years
Hello everyone
Welcome to RMC Sport to follow the final of the European table tennis championships, in Zadar, Croatia. The French team will be there against Romania, after its great victory against Germany in the semi-final on Saturday (3-1). Led by brothers Alexis and Félix Lebrun and Simon Gauzy, the Blues have not been crowned in the event since 1998. Start of the final at 5 p.m.
