Alliance Nimes/Montpellier TT will arrive in Saarbrücken carrying confidence, momentum and unfinished business. The French champions will face Borussia Dusseldorf in the semi-final of the HYLO® ETTU Champions League Men Final 4 on 15-16 May, in a meeting that already carries extra emotion after last season’s quarter-final defeat to the German powerhouse. This time, however, Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier TT arrive as a more mature and battle-tested side, strengthened by another year of experience and the continued rise of one of the most exciting line-ups in European table tennis. Their journey to the Final 4 started earlier than most. Entering the competition from Stage 1, the French club had to build their campaign match by match. Victories against ASD TT Santa Tecla Nulvi, SF SKK El Nino Praha and Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 helped establish rhythm and confidence from the beginning. That momentum continued into the knockout stages. Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier comfortably overcame SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt in the Round of 16 before facing a much tougher challenge against KS Dekorglass Dzialdowo in the quarter-finals. Once again, the French side delivered under pressure, winning 3-1 at home before confirming qualification with another strong away performance. At the centre of the project stand brothers Felix LEBRUN and Alexis LEBRUN, currently ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in Europe. Alongside them, Indian international Manav THAKKAR adds further quality, while experienced players such as Esteban DORR and Brian AFANADOR provide valuable depth. The club also arrives in Saarbrücken as reigning French champions, having completed an almost flawless domestic campaign last season. Their title confirmed the remarkable rise of the club, which only two years earlier had celebrated promotion from Pro B. Felix LEBRUN also arrives in Saarbrücken full of confidence after a remarkable World Championships campaign in London, where he lost only two matches and produced one of the standout performances of the tournament by defeating LIN Shidong in the semi-final against China. “It was a great tournament for us that unfortunately ended in the semi-finals,” said Felix. “I’m proud of our team and the way we played. We all showed our best level so far. This match against China will motivate us more than ever to take the next step in the future.” The younger LEBRUN brother believes his current form gives him extra belief ahead of the Final 4. “My level over the last six or seven months has been really good. I enjoy playing every match and I feel confident, so this World Championships will keep me going in that direction.” For Felix, Montpellier’s greatest strength this season has been the unity within the team. “Our team spirit was the key point of our qualification to the Final 4 this year. We had tough moments, but we always stayed together and pushed each other to give our best.” Asked about the rematch against Düsseldorf, Felix insisted the motivation comes from the occasion itself rather than revenge alone. “It’s not extra motivation because it’s against them, but because it’s a semi-final and nobody wants to lose in the semi-final. They have experience as a team, expertise inside the club and regularity at the highest level.” Like Alexis, Felix values the opportunity to experience these moments together with his brother. “It feels so nice to share moments like this with him. I’m glad we can be on the same team and share these emotions together.” And with Saarbrücken expected to deliver another packed arena and electric atmosphere, the French star cannot wait for the event to begin. “Everyone is looking forward to the event. With Saarbrücken being the favourites this year, I think the atmosphere will be amazing. I cannot wait to be there.” Fresh from winning bronze with France at the ITTF World Team Championships Finals in London, Alexis Lebrun admits the recent success has only strengthened his confidence ahead of the Final 4. “It gave me a lot of confidence. We played a great tournament in London and finished with a beautiful medal, so I come to the Final 4 with a lot of confidence,” said Alexis LEBRUN. The French star also reflected on the dramatic semi-final against China, where France came extremely close to reaching the final. “For sure it’s not easy to lose such a big match. I was also very close to winning my individual match and had two match points, but that’s table tennis. I will keep working hard to have more chances to win these kinds of matches.” The quick transition from the World Championships to the Champions League Final 4 will not be easy. “It’s very difficult to play the week after a World Championships. I will try to rest as much as possible to be ready and do my best in the Final 4.” There is also no hiding the additional motivation created by last season’s defeat to Düsseldorf. “For sure we want to take our revenge. But the real goal is to reach the final.” Despite the pressure of the occasion, Alexis believes one of the team’s greatest strengths is the atmosphere inside the squad. “We like to play together as a team. It’s always a pleasure to share the court with my teammates. We are very happy about our journey in this competition and we want to continue like this.” Still, the French club knows exactly how difficult the challenge will be against one of the most decorated clubs in Europe. “They have a lot of experience and very strong players, so we will need to play our best table tennis if we want to have a chance to reach the final,” concluded LEBRUN.
Borussia Düsseldorf ready for another shot at European glory
Few clubs in world table tennis can match the history, prestige and expectations carried by Borussia Düsseldorf. As the most successful club in European table tennis history, the German giants arrive at the HYLO® Champions League Men Final 4 (to be played on 15th and 16th May) in Saarbrücken once again among the main contenders for the title. The club’s legacy on the continental stage is unmatched. Borussia Düsseldorf have won the Champions League six times – in 1999/00, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2017/18 and 2020/21. Before the introduction of the Champions League era, they also lifted the Cup of European Champions six times – in 1988/89, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1996/97 and 1997/98. In addition, Düsseldorf claimed four ETTU Cup titles in 1986/87, 1994/95, 2006/07 and 2011/12, confirming their status as the most successful club in the history of European table tennis. Since then, Borussia Düsseldorf have also collected 34 German team championship titles and 28 German Cup trophies, further underlining decades of domestic and international dominance. Now, with a new generation leading the way after the retirement of club icon Timo BOLL, Düsseldorf are determined to add another chapter to their remarkable story. Their route to the Final 4 was highly convincing. Düsseldorf swept past Real Club Cajasur Priego TM in the Round of 16, opening with a 3-0 away victory before completing the job at home. They maintained the same level in the quarter-finals against Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V., once again producing a dominant away performance before confirming qualification in front of their supporters. The squad combines proven quality with international experience. European champion Dang QIU leads the lineup as European No. 6, alongside European No. 10 Anton KALLBERG and American star Kanak JHA, currently ranked No. 29 in the World. The team is further strengthened by Borgar HAUG and Yongyin LI, while coach Danny HEISTER continues to guide the transition into a new era. For Dang QIU, the HYLO® Champions League Men Final 4 in Germany carries extra significance. “I’m looking forward to the Champions League Final 4,” said QIU. “It’s a tough tournament, but it’s always nice to play in front of a German crowd. I think this year is even more special because FAN Zhendong is taking part for the first time. We’ve obviously got a very tough task ahead of us against Montpellier in the semi-finals, but I’m still really looking forward to it.” The semi-final against Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier TT promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend, especially with the rapid rise of the LEBRUN brothers on the European and world stage. Coach Danny HEISTER knows his team will need to deliver its very best performance. “We’ll start preparing on Monday. The players have just returned from the World Championships,” said HEISTER. “Anton and Dang obviously need to come to terms with their bitter defeats first, but we’re working on that together. We really need to come up with something special for our semi-final against Montpellier and play our best table tennis.” Both Sweden and Germany lost in the quarterfinal of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals London 2026. HEISTER also acknowledged how much stronger the French side has become since Düsseldorf bat them in the quarterfinals last season. “We won last year, but the LEBRUN brothers have got even stronger. We’ll take it one match at a time. In any case, we’re all really keen to play in the Final 4 again.” PHOTO BY Jörg FUHRMANN
China Celebrate Double Gold at Centenary World Championships
China once again proved why they remain the powerhouse of world table tennis, leaving London with both the men’s and women’s titles at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals London 2026. On the centenary stage where the first World Championships were held 100 years ago, China lifted both the Swaythling Cup and Corbillon Cup once again after two memorable finals against Japan. In the men’s event, China secured a 3-0 victory to claim a record 24th world title. The road to gold had not been entirely smooth, with rare defeats earlier in the tournament against Korea Republic and Sweden raising questions around the defending champions. But when the pressure was highest, China responded in trademark fashion. LIANG Jingkun delivered one of the moments of the final by fighting back from 0-2 down against Tomokazu HARIMOTO, saving match point before completing a remarkable comeback victory. WANG Chuqin then extended the lead with a composed win over Sora MATSUSHIMA, before LIN Shidong finished the job against Shunsuke TOGAMI. The women’s final brought even more drama. Japan pushed China to the edge and briefly looked capable of ending their long dominance after taking a 2-1 lead. Teenager Miwa HARIMOTO gave Japan the perfect start with a stunning victory over WANG Manyu, her first ever win against the Chinese star. SUN Yingsha answered immediately by defeating Hina HAYATA, but Japan regained the advantage when defender Honoka HASHIMOTO overcame KUAI Man. With the title slipping away, China once again found another level. Sun returned to produce a dominant straight-games win over HARIMOTO before WANG Manyu held her nerve in the deciding match against HAYATA to seal another world crown.
KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki chasing new milestone
KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki will arrive in Saarbrücken at HYLO® Champions League Men Final 4 (to be played on 16th and 17th May) with growing confidence and the ambition to continue one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. Over the past two decades, Bogoria have established themselves as a dominant force in Polish table tennis, collecting 10 national team championship titles and building a strong reputation on the European stage. The Polish side have been regular contenders in both the Champions League and the Europe Cup, formerly the ETTU Cup. One of their biggest European achievements came in the 2012/2013 season, when they reached the ETTU Cup final. More recently, last year, the club reached a historic breakthrough by advancing to the Champions League Final 4 for the first time, confirming their place among Europe’s elite clubs. Their route to this year’s HYLO® Champions League Men Final 4 once again highlighted both quality and consistency. Bogoria opened the knockout stage with a dominant Round of 16 display against SF SKK El Niño Praha, recording back-to-back 3-0 victories to underline their authority. The quarter-finals against domestic rivals KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów proved far more demanding. Bogoria edged the first leg 3-2 away from home before securing qualification with another tense 3-2 victory, showing composure and resilience in the decisive moments. One of the club’s greatest strengths is the balance between experience and emerging talent. Milosz REDZIMSKI continues to establish himself as one of the brightest young players in Europe, while the experienced Panagiotis GIONIS brings calmness, tactical intelligence and leadership to the squad. Alongside them, Takuya JIN and Marek BADOWSKI provide further depth, supported by promising young Polish players including Wojciech SZYMCZAK and Michal GAWLAS. For Gionis, reaching the Final 4 once again is already a major achievement for the club. “Reaching the Final Four of the Champions League in back-to-back seasons is something very special for us,” said GIONIS. “From the beginning of the season, this was one of our main goals, so we are very happy we managed to do it again. Now we want to see if we can make something even more special.” The experienced Greek knows the challenge awaiting Bogoria in Saarbrücken will be enormous. “We know it will be extremely difficult against 1. FC Saarbrücken TT. They are an unbelievable team, especially at home, with fantastic fans and world-class players like FAN Zhendong, Truls MOREGARD, Patrick FRANZISKA and Darko JORGIC. But we will try our best.” GIONIS also highlighted the importance of the younger generation inside the team, especially REDZIMSKI’S rapid development. “Milosz is becoming our superstar. He is an incredible young talent and I’m very impressed with how quickly he is improving. At 46 years old, of course I no longer have the same speed or power as before, but I believe my experience helps the younger players deal with pressure, feel more confident and enjoy these moments. “It’s a great combination – experience and young talent together. Marek is also improving year after year and he is still very young. It works both ways. Their energy gives me extra motivation as well.” REDZIMSKI believes the experience gained from last season’s Final 4 appearance could be important for Bogoria this weekend. “I think our previous experience gives us a lot of confidence because we know what to expect at this level,” said REDZIMSKI. “Playing in the Final 4 is always something special, and having players in the team who already experienced these matches helps us stay calm and focused. At the same time, we know every season is different, so we need to prove ourselves again at the table.” Despite his young age, the Polish international has already become one of the key figures in the squad. “Of course there is always some pressure in important matches, but I try to see it as motivation rather than something negative,” he explained. “I focus on my preparation, trust my work and try to enjoy the opportunity to play at this level. Being trusted by the team gives me extra confidence. We expect a very difficult match because Saarbrücken are one of the strongest teams in Europe and they have a lot of experience in these competitions. Every match will be tough and details can decide everything. But we also believe in our qualities and we will fight for every point.” The young Pole also stressed the importance of the balance between youth and experience inside the team. “Experienced players like Panos bring calmness, knowledge and leadership, especially in difficult moments. Younger players bring energy and ambition. Together it creates a very good atmosphere and helps the whole team develop.” REDZIMSKI recently competed at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals, where Poland suffered a disappointing Round of 32 defeat against Romania, but he insists the focus has now fully shifted back to the club season. “It was definitely a difficult moment emotionally because we had bigger expectations for the tournament. Losing a match like that is never easy, but in professional sport you have to recover quickly. After a short time, my focus was already back on the club season and preparing for the Final 4.” He also believes the World Championships experience can help him ahead of the decisive weekend in Saarbrücken. “Every international event gives you valuable experience and extra motivation. Competing against strong players always helps you improve and prepares you mentally for the biggest matches.” Asked what could make the difference if Bogoria are to reach the final, REDZIMSKI pointed to mentality and teamwork. “The key will be staying mentally strong and fighting for every single point. In matches at this level, small details are very important. We need to play with confidence, support each other as a team and take our chances when they come.”
France settle for bronze after spectacular battle with China
France saw their impressive run at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals come to an end in London after a hard-fought 3-1 defeat against reigning champions China in the semi-finals. Despite the disappointment of missing the final, the French team once again secured a place on the World podium, adding bronze to the historic silver medal won in Busan two years ago. The opening match immediately set the tone for a memorable evening. Flavien COTON pushed world No. 2 WANG Chuqin to the limit in an extraordinary battle lasting more than an hour. The young Frenchman showed tremendous courage and composure, even taking the lead before eventually falling in five dramatic games. France responded in spectacular fashion through Felix LEBRUN, who delivered one of the finest performances of his career against world No. 1 LIN Shidong. The French star played with confidence in the key moments, winning in straight games to level the match and ignite the French supporters. The turning point of the semi-final came in the third encounter. Alexis LEBRUN completely dominated the opening stages against LIANG Jingkun, racing through the first two games 11-3 and 11-1 and moving within touching distance of giving France the overall lead. However, the Chinese player fought back dramatically, saving match points before turning the match around in heartbreaking fashion for the French side. With France trailing 2-1 overall, Felix LEBRUN returned to the table needing victory against WANG Chuqin to keep French hopes alive. The match was once again highly competitive, but the Chinese star ultimately secured the decisive point to send China into the final. Although the journey ended in the semi-finals, France once again confirmed its status among the world’s elite nations. After finishing the group stage unbeaten and producing several outstanding performances throughout the tournament, the French team leaves London with another World Championships medal and further proof of the remarkable progress of French table tennis. Led by Nathanael MOLIN and supported by experienced players such as Simon GAUZY and Thibault PORET, alongside the outstanding LEBRUN brothers and Flavien COTON, France once again showed they belong among the very best teams in the world. France – China 1-3
Germany and Romania women settle for bronze at World Championships Finals in London
European hopes of reaching the final came to an end at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, as both Germany and Romania suffered 3-0 defeats in the women’s semi-finals. Nevertheless, both teams leave the event with bronze medals after impressive campaigns. Japan secured their place in the final with a strong performance against Germany. Miwa HARIMOTO overcame Ying HAN in four games, before Hina HAYATA edged past Sabine WINTER in a dramatic five-game battle. Honoka HASHIMOTO then sealed the victory against Nina MITTELHAM. Meanwhile, reigning champions China proved too strong for Romania. SUN Yingsha defeated Elizabeta SAMARA, while WANG Manyu overcame Bernadette SZOCS despite a strong fight in the third game. KUAI Man completed the sweep against Andreea DRAGOMAN. Although denied a place in the final, both Germany and Romania can take pride in securing bronze medals on the world stage. Japan – Germany 3-0 China – Romania 3-0
France overpower Brazil and march into World Championships semi-finals
France booked their place in the semi-finals of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London with an impressive 3-0 victory over Brazil in the quarter-finals, setting up a blockbuster clash against China. The French side delivered a dominant team performance, led by an outstanding opening win from Flavien COTON against Brazil’s star player Hugo CALDERANO. France knew the opening match would be crucial, and COTON rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion by defeating CALDERANO in straight games. “We knew the first match was very important to launch the tie because he is by far their leader,” explained COTON. “I really wanted to produce a strong performance and put the team on the right track. I’m very happy with my level throughout the entire match. In the third game I was down 8-4, but I managed to turn things around and win in straight games. Honestly, it was a very good performance from both me and the team.” The victory gave France immediate momentum, and Felix LEBRUN followed with a ruthless display against Guilherme TEODORO, conceding only ten points across three games. “It was incredible today. Special mention to Flavien for beating their number one player. That was an unbelievable match and it gave us huge momentum,” said Lebrun. “It’s already a great achievement to secure a medal, but tomorrow against China will be an incredibly exciting match.” After dropping the opening game, Alexis LEBRUN completed the sweep by overcoming Leonardo IIZUKA to seal France’s place in the last four. “Flavien played probably the match of his life at exactly the right moment for us,” said coach Nathanael MOLIN. “He put the team on the right track brilliantly. We can really feel that everything is smooth inside the team. The guys are fully committed, growing stronger and stronger. We already felt that during the preparation camps and everything that was put in place before the championships.” France will now face China in the semi-finals, with the French camp embracing the opportunity to challenge the reigning world champions. “Playing China in a World Championship semi-final is something exceptional,” added Coton. “Of course, we also want to win and try to dethrone them. They have been world champions for many years, but we believe we can produce a great performance.” France – Brazil 3-0
Romania through to semifinals as China awaits in London
Romania secured a place on the podium at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals after defeating France 3-1 in the women’s quarterfinals on Friday evening in London. With the victory, Romania guaranteed at least a bronze medal and advanced to the semifinals, where they will face China for a place in the final. France made the stronger start as Yuan Jia NAN edged past Adina DIACONU in five games. Romania quickly responded through Bernadette SZOCS, who recovered after losing momentum in the fourth game to defeat Prithika PAVADE in the decider. Andreea DRAGOMAN then put Romania ahead with a confident 3-1 win over Charlotte LUTZ before SZOCS sealed the overall victory in the fourth match. The Romanian star came through another hard-fought battle against Yuan Jia NAN, winning the decisive fourth game in deuce to send Romania into the semifinals. “This medal means more to me than words can truly describe. Winning a medal at last year’s World Championships gave me valuable experience and helped me handle the pressure much better this time. Before today’s match, I already knew what it feels like to fight for a World Championship medal, and that experience allowed me to stay calm, focused and confident throughout the day,”said SZOCS reflecting of Busan’s defeat in quarters against Japan.” From the first point until the last, I just wanted to fight for every ball and give absolutely everything I had to help bring this medal home for Romania.” SZOCS continued: “What makes this achievement even more special is the incredible unity within our team. In the difficult moments we supported each other, stayed together and managed to complement one another perfectly. I am extremely proud of my teammates and our staff because together we achieved something truly historic.I also want to thank everyone who supported me during this journey. The encouragement and belief people showed in me really meant a lot.” France – Romania 1-3
In Memoriam: Norbert VAN DE WALLE
Belgian table tennis has lost one of its greatest names with the passing of Norbert VAN DE WALLE at the age of 85. A legendary defender and one of the most respected figures in Belgian table tennis history, VAN DE WALLE left a remarkable mark on the sport through a career that spanned decades. He won six Belgian national titles, claiming his first crown in 1964 and his last in 1972, while also representing Belgium an incredible 215 times in the national team colours. Widely regarded as the finest defensive player Belgium has ever produced, VAN DE WALLE was admired not only for his consistency and fighting spirit at the table, but also for his deep love of the sport that remained with him throughout his life. His table tennis journey began far from Belgium. After his parents moved to Chicago, he started his career in the United States and even represented the US junior national team before eventually returning to Belgium, where he would go on to become one of the country’s most iconic players. Even in recent years, VAN DE WALLE remained closely connected to the table tennis community. He was still present in March at the Belgian National Championships in Spa, once again showing his passion and dedication to the sport that shaped his life. The European table tennis family extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, former teammates and the Belgian table tennis community. His legacy will remain an important part of Belgian table tennis history forever.
Germany’s women secure World Championships medal after victory over Hong Kong
Germany’s women booked their place in the semifinals of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals after overcoming Hong Kong 3-1 in a tense and emotional quarterfinal clash in London. Sabine WINTER, Ying HAN and Annett KAUFMANN secured Germany’s 57th medal in the history of the World Championships and guaranteed a place on the podium once again. The German team will now face either Japan or Ukraine in Saturday’s semifinal. Japan, seeded second in the tournament, handed Germany their only defeat during the group stage. Sabine WINTER played a decisive role in the victory by collecting two crucial points. She produced a remarkable comeback in the opening match against Doo Hoi Kem after trailing by two games and facing a difficult situation midway through the third game. WINTER gradually turned the momentum around with clever variation and strong forehand play before sealing the match in five games. Ying HAN then delivered one of the most dramatic encounters of the tournament against NG Wing Lam. The experienced defender survived a marathon battle filled with spectacular rallies and momentum swings. In the deciding game, HAN also showed great sportsmanship by correcting a point in favour of her adversary after the umpire missed an edge ball. Despite missing several match points herself, she eventually closed out the contest 15-13 to double Germany’s lead. “It was a crazy match. I kept believing in myself until the very last point,” said Ying HAN afterwards. Hong Kong responded through SU Tsz Tung, who defeated Annett KAUFMANN in four games to reduce the gap to 2-1. However, WINTER stepped up once more in the fourth match, producing a dominant straight-games win over Ng Wing Lam to secure Germany’s place in the semifinals. “It’s something huge to be in the semifinal,” said Sabine WINTER. “The score may say 3-1, but every match was extremely close. We fought for every single ball and stayed mentally strong in the key moments.” Germany – Hong Kong 3-1
