The French men's table tennis team, strong against Spain, made a successful debut at the European Championships this Sunday in Zadar (Croatia). Beaten by the Netherlands, the French, on the other hand, already have their backs against the wall.
They are among the favorites, and they responded. The table tennis Blues showed seriousness this Sunday in Zadar (Croatia) for their entry into the European table tennis championships. Opposed for this first match to Spain, in groups of three where the first two qualify for the eighth, but where the slightest missed meeting can complicate the rest, the French inflicted a fairly clear defeat on their Iberian neighbors.
Félix Lebrun first beat Daniel Berzosa in four sets (8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-2), before his brother Alexis dominated Alvaro Robles in three sets (11-8, 11-8, 11-4). Simon Gauzy, however, lost against Juan Perez in match 3 lost in five sets (11-8, 6-11, 11-5, 7-11, 2-11). But Félix Lebrun corrected the situation immediately, beating a physically diminished Alvaro Robles and forced to retire for the 3-1 (11-3, 11-9, 4-2 ab.).
The Blues will face Hungary on Monday for their second match, with the objective of locking first place in Group B and securing – perhaps – a slightly easier table from the eighth onwards.
Les Bleues will also play Spain on Monday… so as not to be eliminated
The French will have to work hard to see these eighths. A little earlier this Sunday in the women's table, the Blues lost their duel against the Netherlands (3-2) although they led two games to nothing and seemed to have the upper hand. But while Jia Nan Yuan and Prithika Pavade each won their first duel, Charlotte Lutz lost the third match… and everything went wrong. Opposed to Britt Eerland in match 4, Pavade – who led 2 sets to 1 – lost in five sets, just like Jian Nan Yuan against Jie Li in match 5.
Ludovic Rémy's players will already be playing for their survival in these championships on Monday morning against Spain.
