The line-up for the HYLO ETTU Champions League Men Final 4 is now complete. After two victories in the quarterfinal against KS Dekorglass Działdowo, Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier secured their place in May’s decisive stage in Saarbrücken.
Just like in the opening leg in France, which they won 3-1, Alliance repeated the same result away to seal qualification with authority.
The Polish side opened strongly as Jakub DYJAS defeated Gregoire JEAN to give the hosts an early advantage. However, last week’s CCB Europe Top 16 Cup winner Alexis LEBRUN, currently No. 2 in Europe and reigning European champion in singles, doubles and team, responded with a commanding straight-games win over Patryk LEWANDOWSKI.
Antoine HACHARD then edged a tense five-game encounter against Samuel KULCZYCKI to swing momentum firmly in favour of the French club. Alexis LEBRUN closed the tie in style, overcoming DYJAS in straight games to secure the decisive third point and complete a 3-1 victory on the night.
“We had a bit of stress before the match because Felix LEBRUN felt some pain after the Europe Top 16 Cup. Together with the team, we decided it was better for him to stay on the bench and rest. We knew from the start that it would be difficult without him. However, everyone showed great courage and we managed to prevail in a very tense duel. The key moment was the match between Antoine HACHARD and Samuel KULCZYCKI. His five-game victory gave us the edge. I am proud of the entire team and of this opportunity to play in the Final 4 for the first time in the club’s history. We are looking forward to competing in Saarbrücken and trying to win the title,” said coach Vincent AVRIL.
Seeded No. 13 and required to progress through the first stage, Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier have produced an impressive campaign to reach the Final 4. In May, in Saarbrücken, they will face reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT, while last year’s runners-up Borussia Düsseldorf will meet 2025 semi-finalists KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki in the other semi-final.
KS Dekorglass Działdowo – Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier 1-3
- Jakub DYJAS – Gregoire JEAN 3-1 (12-10, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8)
- Patryk LEWANDOWSKI – Alexis LEBRUN 0-3 (11-13, 5-11, 5-11)
- Samuel KULCZYCKI – Antoine HACHARD 2-3 (11-4, 10-12, 11-3, 7-11, 4-6)
- Jakub DYJAS – Alexis LEBRUN 0-3 (4-11, 4-11, 10-12)
Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier (FRA) – KS Dekorglass Dzialdowo (POL) 3–1
- Felix LEBRUN – Samuel KULCZYCKI 3–0 (11–4, 11–7, 11–4)
- Alexis LEBRUN – Yingchao HOU 3–0 (11–5, 11–9, 11–7)
- Antoine HACHARD – Jakub DYJAS 0–3 (4–11, 7–11, 4–11)
- Felix LEBRUN – Yingchao HOU 3–1 (11–3, 10–12, 11–5, 11–7)
