After five days of fierce fights, the European Under 13 Championships came to an end. Newly crowned champion in the Boys’ Singles event is Ladimir MAYOROV of Spain, whilst Michelle WU of Switzerland clinched gold in the Girls’ Singles event. Tim ESCUDIER and Albane ROCHUT of France won the gold in Mixed Doubles. A day earlier, France beat Switzerland in the final of the Mixed Teams event, while Poland and Bulgaria secured bronze medals. In the ultimate stage of the Under 13 Boys’ Singles, Ladimir MAYOROV of Spain beat his teammate, Alexander MALOV. “It feels amazing. It is my first time being European champion and of course it is very special. I played so good, everything just clicked,” said MAYOROV. “Facing my teammate in the final was special, we have played each other so much and know everything about how to play against each other. I’m very happy for him too, reaching the final.” Joel ISAKSSON of Sweden and Marcos GOMEZ of Spain also reached the medal rostrum as semifinalists. European Singles champion in the Under 13 Girls’ Singles event is Michelle WU of Switzerland, while Ela Su YÖNTER of Türkiye clinched silver. “I’m so happy. When I came here, I didn’t think winning the event was possible for me, but I played maybe my best tournament ever. I won against some really good players who are all one year older than me, so I’m very proud and happy to be the European Champion,” said WU. The bronze medalists were Zsófia FEGYVER of Hungary and Nadalia IONASCU of Romania. After success in the Mixed Teams event the day earlier, Tim ESCUDIER and Albane ROCHUT won the final in the Mixed Doubles event and added another gold to the list. They overcame Hungary’s Simon ZSIGMOND and Zsófia FEGYVER. “We both lost earlier today in the singles event, so we were hungry for a victory and it feels great,” said Albane ROCHUT. “To win the European Championships feels amazing. We are good friends and that is why we play so well together. It has been a great event for us where our team spirit and pushing each other has really helped us a lot,” added Tim ESCUDIER. The bronze medalists were Ladimir MAYOROV of Spain with Enya HU of Switzerland, and the Swiss pair Arthur LOUSTALOT and Michelle WU. U13 Boys’ Singles Final Ladimir MAYOROV (Spain) – Alexander MALOV (Spain) 3-0 (11-9, 13-11, 11-7) Semi finals Alexander MALOV (Spain) – Joel ISAKSSON (Sweden) 3-2 (11-4, 2-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9) Ladimir MAYOROV (Spain) – Marcos GOMEZ (Spain) 3-0 (11-1, 11-1, 11-8) U13 Girls’ Singles Final Ela Su YÖNTER (Turkey) – Michelle WU (Switzerland) 1-3 (7-11, 11-13, 11-4, 10-12) Semi finals Zsófia FEGYVER (Hungary) – Ela Su YÖNTER (Turkey) 1-3 (12-10, 8-11, 4-11, 6-11) Michelle WU (Switzerland) – Nadalia IONASCU (Romania) 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-2) Mixed Doubles Final Simon ZSIGMOND, Zsófia FEGYVER (Hungary) – Tim ESCUDIER, Albane ROCHUT (France) 0-3 (6-11, 4-11, 8-11) Semi finals Ladimir MAYOROV, Enya HU (Spain, Switzerland) – Simon ZSIGMOND, Zsófia FEGYVER (Hungary) 1-3 (7-11, 13-11, 10-12, 3-11) Arthur LOUSTALOT, Michelle WU (Switzerland) – Tim ESCUDIER, Albane ROCHUT (France) 0-3 (9-11, 8-11, 4-11)

Although France finished as number one on the medals table with two gold medals, Switzerland and Spain emerged as the most decorated nations, each collecting four medals at the 2025 European Under 13 Championships held in Kosta. For Switzerland, this represents a historic breakthrough that surpasses all previous achievements in their table tennis history. The Swiss team tripled their total number of medals in the sport, celebrated their first-ever team medal, and Michelle WU became the first Swiss player to win a European title. This success is a clear reward for the work of the Swiss Association and, in particular, coaches Samir MULABDIC and Pedro PELZ. Spain also recorded one of their strongest campaigns, winning four medals and placing three boys in the semifinals of the singles event. This was the first time in the short history of the Under 13 Championships that a country achieved such depth, and it remains rare even across other youth competitions. Only a few parallels exist: Romania with three girls in the U19 semifinals at the 2023 European Youth Championships, Russia in Cadet Boys in 2004, Germany in Junior Girls in 2001, and the Commonwealth of Independent States in Cadet Girls in 2002. The only country to surpass this achievement in the 21st century was France, who in 2011 and 2012 filled all four semifinal spots in Junior Boys.     Gold Silver Bronze Total 1 France 2   2 2 Switzerland 1 1 2 4 2 Spain 1 1 2 4 4 Hungary   1 1 2 5 Türkye   1   1 6 Poland   1 1 6 Bulgaria   1 1 6 Sweden   1 1 6 Romania     1 1

France beat Switzerland in the final of the Mixed Teams event at the European Under 13 Championships in Kosta, while Poland and Bulgaria secured bronze medals. This was the first team final for France at the U13 Championships, having previously celebrated only individual victories and finals. What stood out most was the absolute superiority of the French team. Not only did they win all seven matches, but their record in individual encounters was an outstanding 30–1. The only player to take a point off them was Türkiye’s Ela Su YÖNTER, who defeated Albane ROCHUT. In every other match, France proved untouchable. In the group stage, they overcame Greece, Türkiye and Latvia, before defeating Romania and Germany in Stage 2. A 3–0 win over Bulgaria in the semifinals set up their decisive performance in the final against Switzerland. The title match showed France’s dominance once again. Arthur LOUSTALOT and Enya HU pushed hard in the opening doubles, but Simon CLIN and Lisa ZHAO were too strong, giving France the early lead. Albane ROCHUT followed with a commanding straight-games win over Michelle WU, before Tim ESCUDIER sealed the triumph by overpowering Silas STALDER 3–0 (11–4, 11–1, 11–8). “I honestly think the team played the perfect tournament. They only lost one match and kept such incredible focus and spirit throughout the entire event. The players have been more professional than we could ever expect from them, and I am very impressed and proud. This is a big result for France,” said coach Stephane HUCLIEZ. Tim ESCUDIER added: “It has been a team effort all the way through, where everyone has pushed each other in every match. We have a great team spirit and everyone has played well to deserve this victory. I’m so happy.” For Switzerland, this European Under 13 Championships marks a truly historic achievement. Enya HU, Michelle WU, Arthur LOUSTALOT, Silas STALDER and coaches Samir MULABDIC and Pedro PELZ accomplished what no Swiss table tennis team had ever done before: winning a medal at a European or World title event. In fact, apart from veterans’ competitions, this is only the third medal in Swiss table tennis history. Thierry MILLER captured bronze in cadet boys’ singles at the 1981 European Youth Championships, while Tu DAI YONG reached the women’s singles final at the 1990 European Championships in Gothenburg, where she lost to Bulgaria’s Daniela GUERGUELCHEVA. Bulgaria also rewrote the history books by reaching the semifinals of the team event. While Bulgarian players have collected a number of individual medals at youth championships, this is only their third team medal in European history. The previous ones came from the cadet boys’ team at the 1991 European Youth Championships, led by Kostadin LENGEROV, and the cadet girls’ team in 1979 — a team that also featured Daniela GUERGUELCHEVA, who years later went on to face Tu DAI YONG in that 1990 European Championships final. See the pictures here Final: Switzerland – France 0-3

In the final of the Mixed Teams Event at the European Under 13 Championships in Kosta, France will face Switzerland.France were the first to book their place in the final, overcoming Bulgaria with a commanding 3–0 win. Simon CLIN and Lisa ZHAO gave the French side the perfect start, defeating Lachezar HRISTOV and Kalina STEFANOVA in straight games. Albane ROCHUT followed up with a solid performance against Polina ENCHEVA, before Tim ESCUDIER was pushed to the limit by Stefan BONCHEV but eventually prevailed in five games to seal the overall triumph.“A very solid performance from the team. They look stronger with every match and are acting very serious and focused, especially considering their age. At this level we are hard to beat,” said French coach Stephane HUCLIEZ.Looking ahead to the final, HUCLIEZ added:“We just need to continue on this path. As I said, we are improving with every match, so if we stay focused and aggressive, we can hopefully reach an even higher level tomorrow and clinch the victory. It will certainly be tough, so we must keep our strong team spirit and push each other.” Switzerland joined them in the title clash after defeating Poland 3–1. The opening doubles set the tone, as Arthur LOUSTALOT and Enya HU edged out Ignacy SLAWINSKI and Julia SZARMACH in five games. Michelle WU kept the momentum going with a confident straight-games win over Nicol BARTOSZKO.Poland responded through Olaf GLANERT, who impressed with a commanding 3–0 victory against Silas STALDER. However, Enya HU proved decisive in the fourth match, overcoming Julia SZARMACH to clinch the overall victory for Switzerland. Pedro PELZ ahead of final versus France: “Fance is a really strong team, so we will need to carefully consider the best options regarding who plays which match. Since the singles event is still ongoing, we want the players to stay focused on their individual campaigns for now. As the final gets closer, we will shift the focus back to the team and get everyone ready. This final is very special for us, and we want to enjoy the moment.” Semi-Finals Poland – Switzerland 1-3 Bulgaria – France 0-3

The opening-round clash of Stage Two at the European Under 13 Championships in Kosta saw No. 4 seeds Bulgaria prevail over No. 3 seeds Spain. Top-seeded singles player Ladimir MAYOROV, partnering Aina CASANOVAS, gave Spain a strong start by defeating Lachezar HRISTOV and Kalina STEFANOVA. However, Polina ENCHEVA overcame Celia VALPUESTA to level the score. The key duel between No. 3 seed Alexander MALOV and No. 2 seed Stefan BONCHEV went according to the rankings, pushing Bulgaria into the lead. STEFANOVA then defeated CASANOVAS to extend the advantage to 3–1, before MAYOROV succeeded against HRISTOV to secure Spain’s second point in the group standings. “I’m very happy that both me and the rest of the team performed well. It is especially nice to win when you feel that it is a team effort,” said Stefan BONCHEV. Asked if he enjoys mixed team competitions, BONCHEV added: “I like the team event with the mixed doubles, and I enjoy how there is a lot of tactic involved regarding who plays in what position. It makes the matches more interesting.” Türkiye swept Croatia 5–0 in Group 1, while France denied Germany a single point in Group 2. In Group 3, alongside the Spain–Bulgaria battle, Italy narrowly edged Hungary in a full-distance duel. In Group 4, Sweden defeated Czechia 3–2, and Switzerland overcame Slovakia by the same margin. A reminder: a special scoring system is in place to reward every effort. A 5–0 victory brings five points, while even a narrow 2–3 defeat still counts for two points. The system encourages teams to fight for every game: a 5–0 win equals 5 points, 4–1 gives 4, 3–2 brings 3, while losses of 2–3, 1–4 and 0–5 are worth two, one and zero respectively. Swiss coach Samir MULABDIC spoke after Switzerland’s 3–2 victory over Sweden, which left his team with five wins in five matches. In addition to the hosts, Enya HU, Michelle WU, Arthur LOUSTALOT and Silas STALDER also recorded wins against Hungary, Portugal, Moldova and Czechia. “Everything has felt really good from the start of the event — not just the results but everything around it, such as the venue and organization. Since we arrived, everything has been excellent, and that is also reflected in the players’ performances. We did not expect to win five out of five matches, but since the players are performing at this level, we now look forward to fighting for a place in the final.”