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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
Sport
RFI

Lebrun brothers shine as France claim European team table tennis crown

France's men's table tennis team beat Romania 3-0 in the final to claim the 2025 European team championships in Zadar in Croatia. 19 October 2025 © AFP

Brothers Alexis and Félix Lebrun starred for France in the 3-0 sweep past Romania to claim the country's first European team table tennis championship in 27 years.

France's Alexis Lebrun, the world number 12, disposed of Iulian Chirita in straight sets to start the road to glory.

The 22-year-old saw off his 19-year-old adversary 11-2, 11-6, 11-7 at the the Kresimir Cosic Hall in Zadar in southern Croatia.

World number five Félix Lebrun doubled the advantage following a four-game victory over Eduard Ionescu.

And team mate Simon Gauzy sealed the triumph 11-9, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3 against Ovidio Ionescu 3-1 (11-9, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3)

"This was spectacular, miraculous, to win the title with the national team," said Félix Lebrun. "I know that we won the title without losing a match, that’s great, but it’s not that important to me.

"The only important thing is that we won the European championship title. I’m proud of that. Proud of all the guys, our team and myself."

France beat Hungary and Spain to advance from the pool stages to the last-16 where they saw off Slovakia. Belgium were dispatched in the last eight and on Friday they beat Germany in the semis.

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Alexis Lebrun added: "It’s crazy, European Champions. It’s unbelievable. We have such a great team, and it’s an incredible feeling to share this together. I’m just so happy to be part of this amazing team."

Gauzy, at 30, the eldest of the French team, said: "After so many years, to be European champions again in a team event feels amazing. I’m just really, really happy. We played a perfect tournament from beginning to end, we can only be proud."

It was France’s fourth European team title since the inception of the competition in 1958. At the last event in Sweden in 2023, they reached the semis.

Romania reached a final for the first time after emerging from Group F. They got past Serbia in the last-16 and beat defending champions Sweden in the last eight. Slovenia were dispatched in the semis before the defeat on Sunday.

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