For the fourth consecutive season – and the third since the introduction of the Final 4 format – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT once again stood at the top of European club table tennis. In front of a packed Saarlandhalle, the German side defeated Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier 3-2 in a breathtaking HYLO ETTU Champions League Men Final 4 showdown, with the title decided only after five spectacular matches filled with dramatic momentum swings and world-class performances.
Day earlier in the semi final 1. FC Saarbrücken TT beat KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, whilst Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier prevailed against Europe’s most decorated club, Borussia Düsseldorf.
The opening duel between reigning Olympic champion FAN Zhendong and Europe’s No. 3 Alexis LEBRUN ended in favor of the French star. In a fantastic display of power and precision, Alexis LEBRUN took early control of the match by claiming the opening game in dominant fashion. FAN responded strongly in the second game, creating an advantage and maintaining the lead for much of the set, but Alexis rose to the occasion at the crucial moments to close it out.
FAN’s spectacular rallies ignited the fully packed Saarlandhalle, where 3,459 spectators created an electric atmosphere throughout the opening encounter. However Alexis maintained his focus to close the match
Alexis LEBRUN: “I had a great start in the first game and played really well. After that, I felt he adapted a little, so the match became tougher and tougher. I managed to win 3-0, which was very important because if the match had continued longer, it could have become even more difficult. I tried to change a few things during the match to keep him uncomfortable, and fortunately it worked.”
The clash between Europe’s No. 1 Truls MOREGARD and No. 2 Felix LEBRUN brought a fiercely focused Swede to the table, as MOREGARD prevailed in a nerve-wracking encounter to level the overall score for 1. FC Saarbrücken TT.
The duel kept spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the match, with MOREGARD demonstrating remarkable precision in the crucial moments. Each game was decided by the narrowest of margins. In the third game, the Swede appeared to be firmly in control with an 8-4 lead, but Felix LEBRUN fought back to level at 9-9 before MOREGARD once again held his nerve at the decisive stage.
“It was very important to stay calm despite the very tense moments. All games finished with only a two-point difference,” explained Truls MOREGARD.
After eight years in Saarbrücken, Darko JORGIC said goodbye to the club with an emotional victory over Antoine HACHARD.
The opening game was decided by the narrowest of margins before the Slovenian star took firm control of the match and comfortably secured the next two games to give 1. FC Saarbrücken TT the overall lead.
“It was important to stay calm. I watched videos and I was prepared. However, we have played against each other many times. I think the first time was at the European Championships in Ekaterinburg. Also, I have already played this kind of match around 12 times, while for him it was the first,” said Darko JORGIC.
“It was also very emotional. I see this place as my home and I am happy that I could say goodbye with a win.”
On his second exit at the table, Felix LEBRUN delivered a flawless performance. The French star raced through the opening game in commanding fashion and maintained the same intensity to build an 8-4 lead in the second.
FAN Zhendong responded strongly and managed to level the score in a dramatic finish, but he could not stop the younger LEBRUN brother from extending Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier’s hopes.
“I was disappointed after the first defeat against MOREGARD because I felt I played really well. Against FAN, I was just trying to put every ball on the table and keep the team in the match,” said Felix LEBRUN.
Europe’s top-ranked player Truls MOREGARD gave 1. FC Saarbrücken TT the decisive point in a dramatic smatch.
MOREGARD took control early and claimed the opening game before the momentum started to shift from side to side in the second. From the middle of the game onward, the Swedish star regained his grip on the match and closed out the second game with authority.
Alexis LEBRUN responded strongly in the third game to prolong the encounter, but MOREGARD once again stepped up in the fourth to secure a 3-1 victory and send the packed Saarlandhalle into celebration.
After the final point, the Saarlandhalle erupted as Truls MOREGARD received the Man of the Match award presented by Pedro MOURA.
1. FC Saarbrücken TT – Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier 3-2
- Zhendong FAN – Alexis LEBRUN 0-3 (6-11, 8-11, 9-11)
- Truls MOREGARD – Felix LEBRUN 3-0 (15-13, 15-13, 12-10)
- Darko JORGIC – Antoine HACHARD 3-0 (12-10, 11-4, 11-7)
- Zhendong FAN – Felix LEBRUN 0-3 (6-11, 11-13, 8-11)
- Truls MOREGARD – Alexis LEBRUN 3-1 (11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6)
