The singles final between the blonde Lebruns did not take place. But the European table tennis championship held in Linz (Austria) bore the seal of the French brotherhood. On Sunday, October 20, Alexis and Félix Lebrun were proclaimed European doubles champions. Quickly defeating the Swedish pair Anton Kallberg and Truls Moregard, both team silver medalists at the Paris Games (11-2, 11-6, 11-8), the Lebrun brothers assumed their status as number one seeds A .
Once the match point was won, Alexis, 21, and Félix, 17, simulated a mini-boxing session, as another celebration. Without a doubt the least controlled action of the day, as they dominated their rivals in the final. “We thought about it right before and we didn’t really get there. “We wanted to innovate, but we were wrong”Félix had fun at the microphone of La Chaîne L’Equipe after the final. Just over two months after a magical summer, marked by two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics (for Félix in individuals and in teams), the duo conquered a title that had eluded the Blues for 24 years and the coronation of the duo Patrick Chila and Jean. -Philippe Gatien (in Bremen in 2000).
Bronze in the previous edition of the European Championship in Munich (Germany) – they were 18 and 15 years old at the time – the two brothers started the final at full speed. Like Alexis, untouchable since the start of the Euro Cup, the French did not give the Swedes any chance.
“It’s fantastic, it’s just incredible. “We really enjoyed all the competition.” Alexis Lebrun savored, asked by the competition broadcaster. He, who had formed a team with Simon Gauzy in doubles for the Olympic Games, found his brother, facing this European Championship, with the firm intention of “Look for a first European title. And we got there.” he insisted. Without celebrating too much: “I still have a small game left”concluded the new European champion.
Alexis Lebrun in the singles final, for the double
Because the Lebrun brothers’ weekend is not over. If Félix was eliminated in singles in the quarterfinals, defeated by the German Benedikt Duda, 28my world, his older brother continued on his path and on Sunday he subjected the Swede Truls Moregard to torture to offer himself his first personal continental final. Capable of achieving a double, he will meet at the end of the afternoon with his brother’s German executioner, who defeated Félix on Saturday (4-3) at the end of a match in which the young Lebrun lost his nerve due to disappointment and He threw his racket. to the ground, synonymous with a red card.
“I immediately saw that they could disqualify me [pour la finale du double], “Then I was very scared.”the player later said, confessing “a little shame, shame, it’s not what I like to do, nor the image I want to give”. But if they sanctioned the French teenager – who will not get points in this tournament, and will have to reimburse a screen damaged by his action -, the referees let him play in the final with his brother. And they rejoice at their title.
“It’s incredible, it’s a moment we wanted to live and experiencing it with Alexis is great. We enjoyed the game and experiencing this title is great”rejoiced the double Olympic bronze medalist from Paris 2024. He, who arrived in Linz showing his intention to leave Austria with a title, said that he had mobilized again after his disappointment in singles. “Losses happen, then came the incident… I took time for myself and regained energy in the final to move on to something else. » New heroes of French sport, the Lebrun brothers are now European champions.
