Germany’s Dang QIU and Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG became the first two players to secure places in the Men’s Singles semifinals at the European Championships in Ljubljana on Saturday. QIU produced an outstanding performance to eliminate defending champion Alexis LEBRUN of France, while KÄLLBERG ended the remarkable run of Norway’s Borgar HAUG. Both players are now guaranteed a medal at Arena Stožice.
The 2022 European champion QIU defeated second seed LEBRUN 4-1 (11-4, 14-12, 11-4, 8-11, 11-4), ending the Frenchman’s hopes of retaining the title he won in Linz two years ago.
The 29-year-old German took control from the beginning, imposing an aggressive game that prevented LEBRUN from establishing his rhythm. QIU dominated the opening game and held his nerve to take a closely contested second 14-12. Although LEBRUN managed to claim the fourth game, the German responded emphatically in the fifth to complete a convincing victory.
“I’m extremely happy with my performance. From my perspective, it was a very good match. I played really, really well, was fully focused right from the beginning and played very aggressively. I wouldn’t say I was completely error-free, but I was honestly very close to it,” said QIU.
“Tactically, mentally and technically, everything worked extremely well. I also felt very good physically. Overall, I’m really pleased with how I played, and that was reflected in the 4-1 victory.”
QIU had already defeated LEBRUN in the final in Astana just a few weeks earlier, a result that helped restore his confidence against an opponent who had previously caused him considerable difficulties.
“I actually beat him in the final in Astana just a few weeks ago, and I think that gave me another boost of confidence. Before that, it felt as though I had lost about 700 matches against him!
“So it feels really good to beat him again, especially here at a European Championships. I had lost to him at the Europe Top 16, at the European Games and in other competitions. Those defeats stay in your memory.
“I prepared myself for a very difficult match. He is one of the best players in the world, not just in Europe. I knew I would have to play at my absolute limit to have a chance against him, and that’s exactly what I managed to do.”
The German, who also defeated France’s Simon GAUZY in Friday’s Round of 16, has relied on an aggressive approach throughout the decisive stages of the tournament.
“I think, in general, being an aggressive player is a good thing. Of course, I can also win points when I’m playing more passively, but at the very highest level, you certainly don’t gain an advantage by staying passive for too long.
“I feel that I’ve found a very good balance here in terms of playing aggressively. Naturally, it also depends on the opponent and how the match develops.
“Today, I had opportunities to take the initiative, and I made good use of them. Alexis also plays extremely aggressively. If I become too passive against him, he simply overwhelms me, as he has done in some of our previous matches. That’s why staying aggressive was definitely one of my main objectives today.”
QIU believes that his performances in Ljubljana reflect not only his confidence but also a clearer understanding of his own game.
“I think confidence is definitely the right word, but it’s also about having clarity in my own approach and knowing exactly what I want to do. That gives me a lot of belief in myself.”
QIU already has an impressive record at major international competitions. He won the European Men’s Singles title in Munich in 2022, having previously claimed Mixed Doubles gold in Warsaw in 2020 and Team gold in Cluj-Napoca in 2021. He added Team bronze at the 2025 European Championships in Zadar and won silver at the 2023 Europe Top 16.
At the 2023 European Games in Kraków-Małopolska, QIU won gold in both Mixed Doubles and the Men’s Team event. His achievements also include Team silver at the 2022 World Championships in Chengdu and Mixed Team bronze at the 2025 World Cup.
Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG also secured his first European Men’s Singles medal with a 4-2 victory over Norway’s Borgar HAUG (11-7, 11-3, 7-11, 11-9, 4-11, 11-5).
The sixth seed made a strong start, winning the opening two games before HAUG, who had stunned third seed Truls MOREGARD in Friday’s Round of 16, responded by taking the third.
KÄLLBERG regained control to claim the fourth game 11-9, but the Norwegian refused to surrender and dominated the fifth 11-4. The Swede then raised his level again in the sixth, winning 11-5 to end HAUG’s impressive campaign and book his place in the semifinals.
“Right now, I obviously feel very happy, but also a little relieved that things went my way today. It was a close match. I’m very glad to have made it this far and to have played such a good tournament, but I’m not finished yet. I want more,” said KÄLLBERG.
The encounter carried additional significance for the Swede, who shares a close friendship with HAUG away from the table.
“It was both fun and special to face him today. We’ve become good friends and grown very close over the past few years. During the match, we both gave everything we had and tried our best to win, but afterwards we shared a hug and immediately went back to being close friends.”
The victory marks another milestone for the 29-year-old Swede, who arrived in Ljubljana with an extensive European and international medal record but had never previously reached the podium in Men’s Singles at the European Championships.
KÄLLBERG won Team gold at the 2023 European Championships in Malmö and Men’s Doubles silver in Linz in 2024. His European Championships achievements also include Team bronze in Nantes in 2019 and Cluj-Napoca in 2021, as well as Men’s Doubles bronze in Munich in 2022.
He also claimed Team silver at the 2023 European Games, was part of Sweden’s silver-medal-winning team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and won Team bronze at the 2018 World Championships in Halmstad.
KÄLLBERG remains in contention for two titles in Ljubljana. In addition to his Men’s Singles semifinal place, he will compete in Saturday evening’s Men’s Doubles final alongside Kristian KARLSSON against defending champions Alexis and Félix LEBRUN of France.
