France finished at the top of the medal table at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana, claiming six medals – two gold, one silver and three bronze – across the five events at Arena Stožice. Germany secured second place with five medals, including one gold, one silver and three bronze, while Poland completed the top three with one gold and one silver. Russia and Slovakia each claimed one gold medal to share fourth place in the standings. Sweden collected three medals – two silver and one bronze – to finish sixth. Romania followed with two bronze medals, while Moldova completed the list of eight medal-winning nations with one bronze. France’s success was highlighted by Félix LEBRUN’s Men’s Singles triumph and the successful defence of the Men’s Doubles title alongside his brother Alexis. Event Gold Silver Bronze Men’s Singles Félix LEBRUN (FRA) Anton KÄLLBERG (SWE) Léo DE NODREST (FRA), Dang QIU (GER) Women’s Singles Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (RUS) Annett KAUFMANN (GER) Prithika PAVADE (FRA), Nina MITTELHAM (GER) Men’s Doubles Alexis LEBRUN / Félix LEBRUN (FRA) Kristian KARLSSON / Anton KÄLLBERG (SWE) Esteban DORR / Florian BOURRASSAUD (FRA), Vladislav URSU / Andrei PUTUNTICA (MDA) Women’s Doubles Tatiana KUKULKOVA (SVK) / Natalia BAJOR (POL) Zuzanna WIELGOS / Anna BRZYSKA (POL) Annett KAUFMANN / Nina MITTELHAM (GER), Bernadette SZOCS / Elizabeta SAMARA (ROU) Mixed Doubles Benedikt DUDA / Nina MITTELHAM (GER) Alexis LEBRUN / Charlotte LUTZ (FRA) Kristian KARLSSON / Christina KÄLLBERG (SWE), Patrick FRANZISKA / Sabine WINTER (GER)

Félix LEBRUN of France completed a magnificent European Championships in Ljubljana by claiming the Men’s Singles title, adding a second gold medal to the Men’s Doubles crown he won alongside his brother Alexis just 24 hours earlier. The 20-year-old top seed defeated Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG 4-3 (7-11, 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-1) in a dramatic final at Arena Stožice, succeeding Alexis as European champion. KÄLLBERG secured silver, while France’s Léo DE NODREST and Germany’s Dang QIU claimed bronze medals. Pictures by Remy GROS here. The final was a thrilling contest in which KÄLLBERG came within one game of victory before the Frenchman produced an extraordinary finish. The Swede made the stronger start, taking the opening game 11-7, but LEBRUN responded to win the next two 11-9 and 13-11. KÄLLBERG then regained control, claiming the fourth and fifth games 11-8 and 11-9 to move ahead 3-2. With his European title hopes hanging in the balance, LEBRUN made a crucial decision. Rather than continuing with a tactical approach that was not producing the desired results, he decided to play more freely and fight for every point. The transformation was spectacular. LEBRUN won the sixth game 11-6 before delivering a breathtaking performance in the decider, overwhelming KÄLLBERG 11-1 to complete his comeback and secure the title. “I really don’t know what happened, to be honest. I played the best game of my life in the last one,” said LEBRUN. “At 3-2, I told my coach that we had a tactical plan, but I wasn’t serving well enough to execute it. So I said, ‘OK, let’s forget about the tactics, just fight and see what happens. I’ll give everything I have.’ “And somehow, that helped me produce some amazing table tennis in the last two games. “I’m incredibly proud of myself and of the entire team that works with me every day to achieve results like this.” The triumph was particularly meaningful because Félix succeeded his older brother Alexis, who had won the European Men’s Singles title in Linz in 2024. “It’s amazing. I think we always manage to play well at the biggest tournaments,” said Félix. “I’m really proud to succeed Alexis after he won the title two years ago. It’s a wonderful feeling for our family. I’m also so happy for everyone on the team who works with us. And, of course, for myself. I’m really, really happy and proud.” The LEBRUN brothers had already celebrated together on Saturday evening, when they successfully defended their European Men’s Doubles title by defeating KÄLLBERG and Kristian KARLSSON 3-2 in another dramatic final. “I really didn’t think I could achieve something like this before the tournament. I wasn’t feeling at my best when I arrived, but step by step, I started playing better and better. “And in the end, I won both titles. It feels incredible.” As for his celebrations, the new European champion was already looking forward to sharing the moment with those closest to him. “It’s Sunday, so maybe there won’t be much of a party outside, but I’ll celebrate with my family and friends. And when I return to Montpellier, I’ll enjoy it there as well.” KÄLLBERG left with two silver medals after another final against the LEBRUN brothers For KÄLLBERG, the defeat was particularly difficult after he had taken a 3-2 lead and appeared to be closing in on his first European Men’s Singles title. The 29-year-old Swede had already secured his first European Championships Men’s Singles medal by reaching the semifinals, but his ambitions had grown considerably during the tournament. “It’s disappointing, of course. You want to win gold. This would have been so much sweeter with a gold medal,” said KÄLLBERG. “There’s a big difference between winning gold and silver, so it’s really tough to take.” KÄLLBERG acknowledged that he had felt confident about his chances after taking the lead, particularly given his previous encounters with the Frenchman. “I felt I had a real chance. We’ve played each other before, and I knew I could beat him, so I felt good about my chances. “But in the last two games, I was pretty much helpless. He started serving better, and after he changed his serves, I couldn’t find a way back into the match. “I wasn’t getting much out of the rallies or putting him under any pressure, so I struggled to deal with his spin and his shots.” Despite continuing to search for a solution, the Swede could not halt LEBRUN’s momentum. “I was just trying to keep fighting and find something that would work, hoping he might make a few mistakes “Unfortunately, he didn’t. I simply didn’t have much left to fight back with towards the end. Of course, I kept trying, but it was tough.” KÄLLBERG leaves Ljubljana with two silver medals, having also finished runner-up in the Men’s Doubles alongside KARLSSON. Although that represents an outstanding achievement, the disappointment of missing out on gold was still fresh. “Obviously, before the tournament, I would have been happy to win two silver medals. “But if you’d asked me yesterday, I wouldn’t have been satisfied with two silvers. “Right now, I’m disappointed because winning gold would have been so special.” LEBRUN survives French semifinal battle against historic qualifier DE NODREST Earlier on Sunday, Félix LEBRUN had been pushed to the limit by compatriot Léo DE NODREST, whose extraordinary run from the qualification groups was one of the biggest stories of the Championships. The top seed eventually prevailed 4-2 (6-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 14-12), but the scoreline only partly reflected the difficulties he faced. DE NODREST, seeded No. 67, made an excellent start, winning the opening game and then taking a 2-1 lead. His aggressive play, strong service and ability to attack immediately after the serve repeatedly disrupted LEBRUN’s rhythm. The favourite responded by winning the fourth and fifth games, but the sixth remained fiercely contested before he finally closed it out 14-12. “It’s fantastic! But it was really tough. Every time I play against Léo,

Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia completed an extraordinary journey from the qualification groups to the top of the European podium, claiming the Women’s Singles title at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana. The 23-year-old, seeded No. 35, became the first qualifier ever to win the European Singles title, defeating Germany’s 20-year-old Annett KAUFMANN 4-3 (15-13, 11-5, 5-11, 9-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6) in a dramatic final at Arena Stožice. KAUFMANN secured silver, while France’s Prithika PAVADE and Germany’s Nina MITTELHAM claimed bronze medals. Pictures by Remy GROS here. ABRAAMIAN’s triumph was the culmination of a remarkable week in which she overcame difficult preparations, battled through qualification and survived two consecutive seven-game encounters on the final day of the Championships. Her victory also brought an end to KAUFMANN’s impressive campaign, with both players contesting their first senior European Women’s Singles final. The title decider delivered everything expected of a European Championships final, with dramatic momentum swings, outstanding rallies and two exhausted players refusing to surrender. ABRAAMIAN took the opening game 15-13 and extended her advantage with an 11-5 second game. KAUFMANN responded by winning the next two games, including the third after recovering from a 3-9 deficit, to level the contest. The fifth game proved another turning point. KAUFMANN led 10-8, but ABRAAMIAN fought back to claim it 12-10. The German refused to give up, winning the sixth 11-6 to force a decider. In the seventh game, ABRAAMIAN found the strength and composure to finish the contest 11-6 and become European champion. “I think this is the best match I’ve ever played. There were amazing rallies, and the level was incredible, both mentally and tactically,” said ABRAAMIAN. “We were both so tired, and you could really feel it. This was the last match of the tournament, and we were both ready to give absolutely everything we had left. “This is exactly why I love table tennis. “Of course, if I had lost, I would have been sad, but I still want to say that I really enjoyed this match and the entire tournament. Maybe that’s easier to say because I won, but I genuinely enjoyed every moment.” Despite the intensity of their battle, the final was also a meeting between two players who have been close friends since their youth. ABRAAMIAN revealed that KAUFMANN had predicted their meeting in the final several days earlier. “Two or three days ago, after I won one of my matches, Annett sent me a message saying, ‘Congratulations! You’re playing really well. See you in the final!’ “I don’t think either of us really expected it to happen exactly like that, but we had this little agreement between us, and I felt I had to make it happen!” The new champion also had warm words for her opponent. “I hope Annett enjoyed it too, and I hope she understands that she played at an incredibly high level. She has her whole future ahead of her, and I’m sure that one day she will become European champion as well.” ABRAAMIAN paid tribute to everyone who had contributed to her success. “I’m just so happy. I want to thank my entire team, everyone who has worked with me, helped me prepare and tried to make me a better player. “I love everyone around me – our federation, our coaches, my family and everyone who has supported me. “I also want to thank all the people who watched the matches. I know there were so many people following, cheering and supporting us. It felt as though everyone was connected. “Table tennis brings people together, and that’s something incredibly important to me. Once again, that’s why I love table tennis.” For KAUFMANN, the defeat was particularly painful after coming so close to taking the lead in the fifth game. “It was definitely a difficult match. I never really found my rhythm on the return of serve, and I didn’t feel that I could gain a significant advantage with my own service either,” explained the German. “ABRAAMIAN produced some incredible shots, often at moments that were particularly difficult for me. “I shouldn’t have let the fifth game slip away when I was leading 10-8 at 2-2 in games. But then again, she shouldn’t have let the third game slip away when she was leading 9-3. That’s how it goes sometimes. It’s a game of give and take. “It was a tough match. In the end, she played the better shots and placed the ball more effectively, so she deserved to win.” Although disappointed, KAUFMANN recognised the significance of reaching the European final. “Of course, I know it was a good result. I’m not really used to losing finals, to put it a little bluntly, because whenever I’ve reached a final, I’ve usually managed to win it. “But yes, I think it was a good tournament. Once I’ve had a little time to distance myself from the match, I’m sure I’ll be able to look back on it positively. “I fought hard, gave everything I had in the final, and I can’t blame myself for anything. The only thing I can do now is accept the result, focus on the positives and use this experience as motivation.” ABRAAMIAN survives match point to reach the final Earlier in the day, ABRAAMIAN had already demonstrated extraordinary mental strength in her semifinal against Prithika PAVADE. The Frenchwoman, who had eliminated top seed Sabine WINTER (GER) in the Round of 16, came within a single point of reaching the European final. ABRAAMIAN eventually prevailed 4-3 (8-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 13-11), recovering from a 2-3 deficit and winning the deciding game 13-11. The contest was another example of the resilience that had carried the No. 35 seed through the tournament. “I seem to play like this all the time. Maybe I like a little drama, I don’t know!” ABRAAMIAN joked afterwards. “I remember winning a Contender tournament in Tunisia this year, where I won every match 3-2 and then the final 4-3.” She praised PAVADE’s attacking

Tatiana KUKULKOVA of Slovakia and Natalia BAJOR of Poland claimed their first European Women’s Doubles title together at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana, defeating Poland’s Zuzanna WIELGOS and Anna BRZYSKA 3-0 in Saturday’s final at Arena Stožice. WIELGOS and BRZYSKA secured silver, while Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN and Nina MITTELHAM and Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS and Elizabeta SAMARA took bronze. Pictures by Remy GROS here. Two years after winning bronze in Linz, KUKULKOVA and BAJOR completed their journey to the top of the European podium. Their triumph was particularly significant after the disappointment of the 2024 semifinals, when they held match point but failed to reach the final. This time, the Slovak-Polish partnership made no mistake. Despite the straight-games scoreline, the final was far more competitive than the result suggested, with WIELGOS and BRZYSKA putting the eventual champions under considerable pressure. For BAJOR, the victory was an emotional reward for the pair’s decision to continue their partnership with future Olympic ambitions in mind. “We are extremely happy, really very, very happy. About a month ago, we decided that we would continue playing together because doubles is now part of the Olympic programme. Our federations agreed, and we are delighted that we managed to win this title. “At the previous European Championships, we had match point in the semifinal but lost. Now, two years later, we have won the final 3-0. It’s an amazing feeling,” said BAJOR. KUKULKOVA pointed out that their path to gold had been far from straightforward. The pair began the tournament with victories in five and four games before finding their best rhythm in the later rounds, winning their final three matches without dropping a game. “When I think about our tournament, we won our first match 3-2 and the second 3-1, but then we won three consecutive matches 3-0. Maybe it looked easy from the outside, but it certainly wasn’t. “I think the final was a genuine 50-50 match. In one of the games, they were leading 9-5, but we managed to come back and win it. That was a very important moment. “I think winning 3-0 was crucial because if the score had become 2-1, everything would have been open again. This is a European Championships final, and anything can happen,” explained KUKULKOVA. The champions’ tactical preparation proved decisive against a Polish pair who had already eliminated several strong combinations on their way to the final. “We were very well prepared tactically, and perhaps we also had a little luck at certain moments. But I have to say that our opponents played an unbelievable tournament. They defeated the German pair and the French pair, so I want to congratulate them on their performance. “Of course, we are extremely happy that we managed to win,” added KUKULKOVA. The final also carried an unusual personal dimension for BAJOR, who found herself competing for the European title against two of her Polish national teammates. “Yes, it was very difficult because it was the first time I had played a European Championships final against my teammates. It was also a new situation with the coaching arrangements. “We know each other very well, but today we were the better pair, and we are very happy,” said BAJOR. For WIELGOS and BRZYSKA, silver marked a breakthrough at senior European Championships level. The Polish pair had demonstrated remarkable resilience in Friday’s semifinal, recovering twice from a game down to defeat Germany’s KAUFMANN and MITTELHAM 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5). KUKULKOVA and BAJOR reached the final with an impressive 3-0 (13-11, 11-6, 11-7) victory over Romania’s experienced SZOCS and SAMARA, overcoming a difficult opening game before taking control. The triumph also marked a historic milestone for both Slovakia and Poland. For Slovakia, it was only the second European Championships title in any event, following the Women’s Doubles gold won by Barbora BALAZOVA and Hana MATELOVA in 2024. For Poland, BAJOR’s victory delivered the country’s fifth European Championships title and its first ever in Women’s Doubles. Poland’s previous four European titles came through Li Qian in Women’s Singles in 2018, Wang Zeng Yi alongside Croatia’s Tan Ruiwu in Men’s Doubles in 2013, Lucjan BLASZCZYK with Luxembourg’s Ni Xia LIAN in Mixed Doubles in 2002, and Andrzej GRUBBA with the Netherlands’ Bettine VRIESEKOOP in Mixed Doubles in 1982. For WIELGOS and BRZYSKA, the silver medal was a remarkable achievement, although the narrow margins in the final left them wondering what might have been. “Of course, we’re happy to win silver, but we’re also disappointed that we couldn’t win this match. We lost 0-3, but I think it was a close match. We lost the first game 12-14, after having two game points. In the last game, we were leading 9-5. We knew we could win, so we went out and played as we always do. For us, it was just a normal match,” said Anna BRZYSKA. Asked whether she had imagined reaching the final before the tournament began, BRZYSKA admitted that the achievement had exceeded their expectations. “I don’t think we would have believed it. We came here wanting to play our best, and we didn’t expect to reach the final. So we’re very happy.” Zuzanna WIELGOS was more critical of their performance, believing that the Polish pair had failed to reproduce the level they had shown earlier in the competition. “I think we played much better in our previous matches. We didn’t play well in the final at all. Our game was too passive, and we made things difficult for ourselves. It’s also different when you’re playing against fellow Polish players, of course, but we tried to do our best. “The games were quite close, so we could actually have won 3-0. Still, I have to say that we played poorly and didn’t execute our tactics well,” said WIELGOS.

Alexis and Félix LEBRUN did it again! The French brothers battled past Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON and Anton KÄLLBERG in a dramatic five-game final to retain their Men’s Doubles crown at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana. Their 3-2 (5-11, 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8) victory at Arena Stožice secured a second consecutive European title, while the Swedish pair settled for silver. France’s Esteban DORR and Florian BOURRASSAUD and Moldova’s Vladislav URSU and Andrei PUTUNTICA completed the podium with bronze medals. Pictures by Remy GROS here. With their latest triumph, the LEBRUN brothers joined an exclusive chapter of European Championships history. Having won gold in Linz in 2024 and bronze in Munich in 2022, they became only the second pair ever to successfully defend the Men’s Doubles title. Germany’s Timo BOLL and Christian SÜSS were the first, winning four consecutive crowns between 2007 and 2010. The final also brought a landmark achievement for KARLSSON, whose silver medal took his European Championships collection to ten – one gold, three silver and six bronze. The Swede joins a select group of players to reach double figures, while Germany’s Timo BOLL remains the all-time record holder with 28 medals, including 20 gold, four silver and four bronze. However, their latest triumph was anything but straightforward. KARLSSON and KÄLLBERG made an impressive start, taking the opening game 11-5 and immediately putting the defending champions under pressure. The LEBRUN brothers responded strongly, winning the next two games 11-5 and 11-8 to move within one game of the title. The Swedish combination refused to surrender, taking the fourth game 11-7 to force a decider. The final game was another intense battle, with the French pair having to recover from a difficult position before finding their best table tennis when it mattered most. Alexis took the initiative in the closing stages, while Félix produced a spectacular backhand to seal the victory and spark emotional celebrations. For Félix, winning a second consecutive European title alongside his brother was an unforgettable moment, made even more special by the presence of their family. “It’s incredible, really incredible. It was a very difficult match, and to come through it as winners is just amazing. We know how difficult it is to defend a title, especially at European level. To share this achievement with Alexis and the whole team makes it even more special. My parents were here as well, so there are so many emotions. I’m extremely happy,” said Félix LEBRUN. The younger brother paid tribute to the quality of their Swedish opponents, who pushed the defending champions throughout the five-game contest. “It was a tremendous battle, but we expected that because we were facing two exceptional players. Kristian KARLSSON is one of the best doubles players, while Anton KÄLLBERG is outstanding in both singles and doubles. We knew how difficult it would be, and the match proved exactly that. “I think we were even a little bit under pressure and being outplayed in the deciding game, but we managed to come through it very well. We are incredibly happy and very proud of ourselves.” For Alexis, the victory carried particular significance after an exhausting week in Ljubljana. Having already secured silver in Mixed Doubles alongside Charlotte LUTZ, he was determined to finish the Championships on the highest possible note. “It’s incredible. This one was particularly difficult, and I really had to dig deep within myself to keep fighting and never give up. These European Championships have been extremely demanding for me, and I’ve had to push myself to the limit. “My goal was to finish the Championships with a title, and to finish with a gold medal and a silver medal is simply extraordinary. It’s an amazing feeling, and I’m absolutely delighted.” Alexis also highlighted the importance of the brothers’ teamwork during the decisive moments of the final, particularly when the Swedish pair appeared to have gained the upper hand. “First of all, I think they are an extraordinary pair. The playing conditions also suited them very well, so we really had to fight for everything because they put us under tremendous pressure. “I think it was a genuine 50-50 match, but we never gave up and kept looking for solutions. I feel that I took the initiative halfway through the deciding game, which allowed Félix to relax a little and then finish the match with an unbelievable backhand. It was absolutely incredible, almost impossible to return. I think he is probably the only player in the world capable of producing a shot like that. “We really worked together as a team in the closing stages of the deciding game, and that makes this victory even more special.” The French pair’s road to gold had already tested their resilience. In the quarterfinals, they survived a five-game battle against Finland’s Alex NAUMI and Benedek OLAH before overcoming their French teammates DORR and BOURRASSAUD in the semifinals. Alexis believes those demanding encounters made their achievement even more satisfying. “We know how difficult it is to be the favourites, especially in doubles, where matches are played over the best of five games and everything happens so quickly. We have seen throughout the tournament that anyone can beat anyone. We almost lost to a relatively new partnership in the quarterfinals. “We work very hard on our doubles together, and we have big ambitions as a pair. To see that we can remain strong even when things become difficult is a real source of pride. “Winning this title again is extraordinary. I don’t know how many pairs have managed to win consecutive European titles, but I don’t think there have been many.” For KARLSSON, the silver medal adds to an outstanding European Men’s Doubles record. The experienced Swede won gold in 2022 alongside Mattias FALCK, silver in 2018 and 2012, and bronze in 2024, 2016 and 2015, all with the same partner. In Ljubljana, he reached another European final with KÄLLBERG, who added another silver medal to his European Championships collection after finishing runner-up in Linz

Germany’s Nina MITTELHAM and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia claimed the remaining two places in the Women’s Singles semifinals at the European Championships in Ljubljana on Saturday. MITTELHAM overcame Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS to secure her third consecutive European Singles medal, while ABRAAMIAN continued her impressive campaign with victory over Wales’ Anna HURSEY to guarantee her first senior European Championships medal. The results completed Sunday’s semifinal line-up at Arena Stožice, with MITTELHAM set to face her German teammate Annett KAUFMANN, while ABRAAMIAN will meet France’s Prithika PAVADE. Germany is therefore guaranteed a representative in the Women’s Singles final. MITTELHAM, 29, defeated reigning European Singles silver medallist SZOCS 4-1 (11-4, 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 13-11), producing a commanding performance in the opening stages before holding off a determined comeback from the Romanian. The German took control immediately, winning the first three games with impressive consistency and aggression. SZOCS responded in the fourth, increasing the pressure and forcing MITTELHAM into a more defensive approach. The fifth game developed into a tense battle, but MITTELHAM held her nerve to close it out 13-11 and secure another place on the European Singles podium. “I think I played incredibly well in the first half of the match. I didn’t make any easy mistakes and took advantage of every opportunity I had,” said MITTELHAM. “Then I became a little more passive, and she started putting me under much more pressure. I also became a bit nervous. Suddenly, so many things start going through your mind that really shouldn’t be there in a situation like that. “But I’m simply happy. Whether it had been 4-1, 4-0 or 4-3, I would have taken any of those results. I’m in tomorrow’s semifinal, and I’m very proud and happy about that.” MITTELHAM has enjoyed an increasingly successful record against SZOCS, although she explained that the improvements in her game were not specifically designed to counter the Romanian. “I think I’ve incorporated a lot of things into my game through training that are now helping me enormously, particularly against her. “But I didn’t specifically work on those things because of Bernadette. I worked on them to develop my game in general. “Through that process, I’ve found more solutions and ways of playing that allow me to compete with far fewer difficulties against her, which is great. “But she’s still an outstanding player. She’ll keep looking for solutions herself, so we’ll see what happens the next time we play.” MITTELHAM’s victory guarantees her third successive European Women’s Singles medal, following silver in Munich in 2022 and bronze in Linz in 2024. A five-time European champion, she has also won Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles titles and three consecutive European Team gold medals. Her next challenge will be an all-German semifinal against 20-year-old Annett KAUFMANN, who earlier defeated Ying HAN to secure her first European Women’s Singles medal. “One German player will definitely be in the final, that’s true. Which one? I hope it will be me!” said MITTELHAM. “I think we’re familiar with this kind of situation. We already had an all-German match today, and you simply have to accept these things as they come. “We knew before the tournament that when you’re playing against other German players, these situations can arise. It could just as easily have happened in an earlier round, or I could have faced a different German opponent. “I’m just happy that I played very, very well today. I hope we can produce a fantastic match tomorrow, and may the better player win.” MITTELHAM also revealed how difficult it had been to recover from Friday’s demanding schedule, which included a late finish and additional commitments after the medal ceremony. “Yesterday was definitely very exhausting. There were a lot of matches, and everything finished very late. “After the medal ceremony, we still had doping control. By the time we managed to get something to eat and finally went to bed, it was extremely late. “That’s not something I’m used to. It’s completely outside my normal routine. “So today, I tried to do as little as possible apart from what was necessary, just to conserve my energy. “But yesterday definitely gave me a lot of confidence, and I think that confidence helped me enormously today.” For SZOCS, 31, the defeat ended her hopes of returning to the European Singles final after claiming silver in Linz in 2024. The Romanian is a three-time European champion, a former Europe Top 16 winner and the 2023 European Games Women’s Singles gold medallist. Elizabet ABRAAMIAN secured her place in the semifinals with a 4-1 victory over Anna HURSEY of Wales (11-7, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10, 11-9). The Russian player, who had already eliminated fifth seed Jia Nan YUAN of France in Friday’s Round of 16, maintained her impressive form against another opponent enjoying an outstanding tournament. HURSEY had produced one of the biggest surprises of the Championships by defeating defending champion Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria in seven games in the previous round. ABRAAMIAN made the stronger start, taking the opening two games before HURSEY responded to win the third. The fourth was closely contested, but ABRAAMIAN prevailed 12-10 to establish a 3-1 advantage. The fifth game brought another tense finish, with ABRAAMIAN closing out the match 11-9 to secure her first senior European Championships medal. “It’s crazy! But I’m not satisfied with bronze. I want more,” said ABRAAMIAN. “At the beginning, I wasn’t thinking about the medal at all. I was just preparing for another match, whether it was a quarterfinal or the first round of the main draw. I was focused on playing every ball. “I’d prepared really well, and I’ve been getting better and better throughout the tournament. Of course, when you’re leading 3-1 and make a good start to the final game, you start to feel that you’re close. “Then I lost my focus a little. I started thinking that I only needed to win one more game to reach the semifinals. That’s the problem when you start thinking too far ahead. “You have

France is guaranteed a place in the Men’s Singles final at the European Championships in Ljubljana after Félix LEBRUN and Léo DE NODREST secured their semifinal places on Saturday. Top seed LEBRUN produced an outstanding performance to overcome Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA in straight games, while DE NODREST continued his remarkable run with a seven-game victory over reigning European silver medallist Benedikt DUDA. The two French players will meet in Sunday’s semifinal at Arena Stožice, with LEBRUN aiming for his first European Singles title and DE NODREST celebrating a breakthrough tournament that has already guaranteed him his first senior European Championships medal. LEBRUN, 20, defeated FRANZISKA 4-0 (11-2, 11-8, 11-2, 11-8), delivering one of his most complete performances of the Championships. The Frenchman took control immediately, allowing the experienced German just two points in the opening game. FRANZISKA offered greater resistance in the second, but LEBRUN maintained his aggressive approach and never allowed his opponent to establish a rhythm. After another dominant game, LEBRUN completed the victory in four games, securing his first European Men’s Singles medal. “I’m incredibly happy. I played a great match. I honestly didn’t expect to win like that. I’d been feeling good since I woke up this morning, and I said during the warm-up that I was feeling good. But to beat FRANZISKA 4-0 is something special,” said LEBRUN. “It’s always difficult to beat him. He’s capable of defeating anyone on a good day, so I’m extremely happy. The adventure continues, and that’s fantastic.” For LEBRUN, the performance was particularly encouraging following a short break from competition. “As I’ve been saying since the beginning of the competition, the further you progress, the higher the level becomes, and I have to keep improving as the tournament goes on. “I’m particularly happy because, since my short break, I think this is the first time I’ve played a truly complete match against a top player. That means a lot to me and gives me plenty of confidence for the rest of the tournament.” The victory also carried additional significance following the disappointment LEBRUN experienced at the European Championships two years ago. “Yes, of course. I had beaten FRANZISKA the last time we played, so it wasn’t really about him. But what happened two years ago wasn’t a pleasant experience, and winning a European Championships medal is a big achievement. “I’m already very happy to be on the podium. After a match like this, naturally you start thinking about achieving even greater things. But first, I’m going to focus on the Men’s Doubles final and the Singles semifinal.” Earlier on Saturday, Félix watched his older brother Alexis, the defending champion, lose to Germany’s Dang QIU in five games. However, he stressed that the result was far from unexpected given the quality of the opposition. “I wouldn’t describe it as a warning when you lose to Dang QIU. He’s around No. 10 in the world and Alexis is around No. 8. You’re talking about two players at an incredibly high level. “Of course, I think Alexis is hugely disappointed, and I was sad too when I watched the match. But at the same time, I wouldn’t say the result was a huge surprise. Perhaps Alexis was a slight favourite, but there wasn’t much between them. These things can happen. “Dang QIU played an incredible match. “I’m sure Alexis will now focus on the Men’s Doubles final. If we can manage to defend the title we won two years ago, I think it would still make this an incredible European Championships for him.” Félix and Alexis will face Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG and Kristian KARLSSON in Saturday evening’s Men’s Doubles final, with the French brothers attempting to retain the title they won in Linz in 2024. However, Félix also has his sights firmly set on the European Singles crown. “I think we all want to achieve everything we possibly can in life. Of course, this is a title that means a great deal to me. For every table tennis player, the European Championships is a historic competition. “I’m 100 per cent focused on trying to achieve that goal. If I don’t manage it, it’s not the end of the world, but we’re doing everything we can to give ourselves the best possible chance.” FRANZISKA, 34, leaves the Singles competition with an outstanding European record that includes Men’s Doubles gold in Budapest in 2016 and four European Team titles, won in 2013, 2017, 2019 and 2021. He also claimed Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles bronze in Alicante in 2018, Mixed Doubles bronze in Linz in 2024 and Team bronze in Zadar in 2025. The German won the Europe Top 16 in 2021 and collected bronze in 2022 and 2025. His achievements also include European Games gold medals in Team and Mixed Doubles in Minsk in 2019 and another Team title in Kraków-Małopolska in 2023, alongside Olympic Team silver in Tokyo and multiple World Championships medals. In the other quarterfinal, Léo DE NODREST produced another outstanding performance to overcome Germany’s Benedikt DUDA 4-3 (11-5, 11-3, 4-11, 3-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-7). The Frenchman, seeded No. 67, had already caused one of the biggest surprises of the Championships by eliminating Slovenian home favourite Darko JORGIC in Friday’s Round of 16. Against DUDA, the reigning European Men’s Singles silver medallist, DE NODREST made a flying start, taking the opening two games 11-5 and 11-3. The experienced German responded strongly, winning the next two games to level the match. DE NODREST regained the advantage in the fifth, but DUDA forced a deciding game with an 11-4 victory in the sixth. The Frenchman held his nerve in the seventh, winning 11-7 to complete another memorable victory and secure his first senior European Championships medal. “It’s crazy. Absolutely crazy. I’m really struggling to find the words,” said DE NODREST. “To be able to perform at this level at the European Championships is something extraordinary. I didn’t arrive here with a great deal of confidence. In my last two

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

France’s Prithika PAVADE and Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN became the first two players to secure places in the Women’s Singles semifinals at the European Championships in Ljubljana on Saturday. Both celebrated their first European Singles medals after impressive quarterfinal victories at Arena Stožice. PAVADE overcame Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA in straight games, while KAUFMANN defeated her experienced German teammate Ying HAN. A day after eliminating top seed Sabine WINTER, 22-year-old PAVADE continued her outstanding campaign with a 4-0 victory over ZAHARIA (11-4, 11-9, 16-14, 11-8). The French player maintained her impressive form against an opponent she knows well from their junior careers. The third game proved particularly demanding, but PAVADE prevailed 16-14 before completing the victory in four games. “Of course, I’m extremely happy to be in the semifinals. As the tournament progresses, you naturally start thinking about a medal, and when you reach the quarterfinals, it’s obviously somewhere in the back of your mind,” said PAVADE. “But above all, I’m really pleased with the way I approached this match and how I managed it from beginning to end. Elena is someone I know extremely well, although it’s actually been quite a long time since we last played each other. She was something of a rival of mine, and I think that rivalry could continue in the future. “So to win 4-0 and produce such solid table tennis is really satisfying. It’s a continuation of the level I’ve been showing throughout this tournament, and that’s very encouraging for me.” PAVADE arrived in Ljubljana with four senior European Championships medals already to her name. She won Mixed Doubles bronze in Warsaw in 2020 and Linz in 2024, as well as Team bronze in Cluj-Napoca in 2021 and Malmö in 2023. She was also part of France’s bronze-medal-winning team at the 2024 World Championships in Busan. Her success in Ljubljana guarantees her fifth European Championships medal, but her first in Women’s Singles. However, the French player is determined not to become distracted by the achievement while the opportunity to reach the final remains. “To be honest, I don’t really want to think too much about what this medal represents just yet, because I want to keep the momentum going. I think I’ll reflect on everything once the tournament is over and the emotions have settled. “For now, I just want to enjoy the feeling, enjoy the way I’m playing and make the most of this experience. There are still some wonderful things to achieve here.” PAVADE also emphasised the tactical adjustments required to follow her victory over WINTER with another commanding performance. “Every player is different. Yesterday I faced WINTER, who has a very particular playing style, and today I played against someone who uses both sides of the racket in a much more rhythmic game. The rallies and the rhythm are completely different, especially when you only have one day between matches. “You almost have to start from scratch tactically every time. There are always adjustments to make depending on the opponent. “That’s why it’s so important to have a clear plan in mind. But having a plan is one thing – the most important part is actually putting it into practice at the table. You also have to trust your instincts because situations change during a match, and you need to be able to adapt.” Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN also celebrated a major milestone, defeating third seed Ying HAN in the all-German quarterfinal to secure her first European Women’s Singles medal. The 20-year-old, who has enjoyed considerable success in European youth competitions, demonstrated the progress she has made physically, mentally and tactically against one of Europe’s most accomplished defensive players. “I certainly had quite a bit of luck at important moments today. For once, luck was on my side. Of course, that wasn’t what decided the match. I also played really well, but at crucial moments I managed to get that one net ball or edge ball when I needed it,” said KAUFMANN. “I’ve actually never trained very much with Ying. I’m not based in Düsseldorf, so we haven’t had many opportunities to practise together. I played against her in Frankfurt last year and lost 3-0 quite convincingly. Then, at the Europe Top 16, I started playing better after falling 2-0 behind. “Even back then, I felt relatively comfortable playing against her, but physically and mentally I simply wasn’t ready to compete at that level throughout the match.” KAUFMANN believes the improvements she has made over recent months were crucial in allowing her to maintain the intensity required against HAN. “Today, I could really see how much the work I’ve put in over the past several months, more than half a year, has paid off. I’m now physically capable of maintaining my fitness throughout a tournament and continuing to play high-quality table tennis right until the end of a best-of-seven match. “That’s exactly what you have to do against Ying. You don’t get easy points against her. You have to work for every single ball and position yourself properly for every shot. “There’s a reason why she was one of the top players before her injury and remains one of the best even after coming back. I really had to concentrate and consistently execute my tactical plan to win points against her.” The German also explained how the playing conditions influenced her approach, with her aggressive opening shots helping her avoid becoming involved in too many long rallies. “I think the playing conditions also make a difference. On the black table with the Nittaku ball, there’s an incredible amount of spin. “In the first game, I hit four high balls straight into the net, even though my racket was open almost like a frying pan! That really showed me just how much spin there was. “One of my strengths is the quality of my first attacking shot, which can be very difficult for opponents to handle. That’s something I’ve worked on a lot over the past few months, and today I tried