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

Germany’s Benedikt DUDA and Nina MITTELHAM are the new European Mixed Doubles champions after overcoming France’s Alexis LEBRUN and Charlotte LUTZ in a thrilling five-game final at the European Championships in Ljubljana. In a contest filled with spectacular rallies, dramatic momentum swings and match points for both pairs, the Germans prevailed 3-2 (11-7, 7-11, 13-11, 6-11, 17-15) at Arena Stožice. Bronze medals went to Romania’s Eduard IONESCU and Bernadette SZOCS, and Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON and Christina KALLBERG. The victory gave MITTELHAM her second European Mixed Doubles crown, following her triumph alongside Dang QIU in 2020, while DUDA celebrated his first title in the event. For LEBRUN and LUTZ, who only began playing together in July, the silver medal marked an impressive achievement, with LUTZ securing her first European Championships medal. The final delivered drama until the very last point. DUDA and MITTELHAM took the opening game 11-7, but the French pair responded to level the contest. The Germans edged the third game 13-11 before LEBRUN and LUTZ forced a decider with an 11-6 success in the fourth. Nothing could separate the two pairs in the fifth game. Both had opportunities to claim the title, with the French pair holding several match points, but DUDA and MITTELHAM refused to surrender. After a remarkable battle, the Germans finally converted their opportunity to seal the gold medal 17-15. “What an incredible final! We weren’t quite as sharp as we had been in the earlier rounds, but that’s understandable after playing so many matches. It was a real battle. Alexis played extremely well, and Charlotte LUTZ was incredibly strong too. She caught me out two or three times with perfectly placed shots, both down the line and into the wide angles,” said DUDA. “I was actually relieved when Alexis started serving with sidespin on match point because that gave me the opportunity to put real quality into my return and make the next ball difficult for them. Nina and I fought incredibly hard. We saved a match point, and then Nina produced some fantastic returns against the backhand serve that had been causing us problems throughout the match. I’m just incredibly happy. A European title is a European title, and winning one feels amazing. It’s such a fantastic feeling.” DUDA explained that dealing with LUTZ’s service game had been one of their biggest challenges throughout the final. “One of the biggest difficulties for us was when Nina had to receive Charlotte LUTZ’s serves. I have to say, Charlotte served extremely well. I also had some problems with the high serves, and Alexis occasionally got a few easier balls to attack. That was something we really struggled with, and we kept trying to find a solution. “But Nina did an excellent job. Charlotte’s serves eventually became a little less effective, some of them started coming half-long, and Nina was immediately there to attack. She made some excellent decisions and played very bravely, especially at the crucial moments.” The German pair also had to overcome the physical demands of a long tournament. “Of course, by the end of the tournament, we were both a little tired. This was my eleventh match here and Nina’s twelfth, so it’s normal that you don’t feel quite as sharp anymore. But we fought incredibly hard, and there were some outstanding rallies in the fifth game. Towards the end, Charlotte started making a few more mistakes and became a little more rushed, which fortunately helped us secure the victory. It was an excellent final that really could have gone either way,” DUDA added. MITTELHAM, who added another European title to her record, acknowledged the extraordinary quality of the contest and the narrow margin between victory and defeat. “It was an incredibly intense match, absolutely crazy. Both pairs played unbelievably well. The level was extremely high, and nobody was making many easy mistakes, so the match was close throughout. “I’m just so happy that we managed to win in the end. I don’t think this final deserved a loser. Both pairs deserved to win because it was such an incredibly close contest. “If someone had told me before the tournament that we would win the gold medal, I wouldn’t have believed them. We certainly weren’t expecting this.” The German champions had already shown their potential earlier in the competition, including an impressive straight-games victory over a strong partnership featuring Álvaro ROBLES. “You always start to think about what might be possible. We had already beaten a very strong pair 3-0 earlier in the tournament. Álvaro is an excellent doubles player, a World Championships silver medallist in doubles, so beating them was a very important result for us,” explained DUDA. “To be honest, I think that was probably our best match of the tournament. Not that the other matches were bad, but the level we had to produce in that one was extremely demanding. After that, of course, you begin to think that a medal might be possible. Then we played against the pair from Moldova, our semifinal went extremely well, and once we reached the final, anything was possible.” MITTELHAM agreed with her partner’s assessment of their progress through the tournament. “I agree with everything Benedikt said. I don’t really have much to add.” For the French pair, the defeat was particularly painful after coming so close to their first title together. “I’m very sad to lose this match,” admitted LEBRUN. LUTZ shared her partner’s disappointment but was also proud of their achievement. “I feel the same. We had match points, but it was a very high-level match, and in the end we lost. Hopefully, next time. It’s still a very good medal, and it’s my first one.” Reflecting on the decisive moments, LUTZ admitted that the difference between gold and silver had been extremely small. “It was a very difficult match, and I think both sides had plenty of chances. We both had match points, and it really was a 50-50 contest. In the end, it came down to small

The Women’s Singles Round of 16 at the European Championships in Ljubljana delivered a major surprise on Friday as Wales’ Anna HURSEY eliminated defending champion Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria in a dramatic seven-game encounter. Bernadette SZOCS also survived a fierce battle, while Germany’s Ying HAN and Annett KAUFMANN secured an all-German quarterfinal. HURSEY produced one of the biggest victories of her career, defeating POLCANOVA 4-3 (6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 20-18, 8-11, 10-12, 11-8). The encounter featured a remarkable fourth game, which HURSEY eventually claimed 20-18. POLCANOVA, who won the European Singles titles in Munich in 2022 and Linz in 2024, fought back to force a deciding game, but the Welsh player held firm to end the Austrian’s title defence. “It was a really tough match, both mentally and physically. Playing best of seven is demanding, especially when the rallies are so long. She’s a very strong opponent, and we know each other very well because we’ve played doubles together,” said HURSEY. “I’m very happy to have won. She’s also a very nice person, and it was a good match.” HURSEY also highlighted the adjustments required to adapt to the playing conditions in Ljubljana. “It’s really nice to play here. The conditions are quite different from what I’m used to. At WTT events, we play with different balls, so I’ve had to adjust to the tables and balls here. I’m still getting used to them, but things are going well for me.” Looking ahead, she added: “I’ll give it everything I have, and hopefully I can produce another good performance.” Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS was forced to dig deep against Poland’s Natalia BAJOR, recovering twice from difficult positions to prevail 4-3 (13-15, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 13-15, 11-3, 11-6). BAJOR took the opening two games before SZOCS responded to level at 2-2. The Polish player regained the lead by taking the fifth game 15-13, but SZOCS again fought back, dominating the final two games to secure her quarterfinal place. “In the games I lost, I made some easy mistakes and some very poor decisions. But in the games I won, I felt very comfortable and won by quite a big margin. After going 2-0 down, I managed to come back to 2-2 quite easily,” said SZOCS. “I wasn’t afraid at all, but somehow I didn’t feel that I had everything under control. I told myself that I had nothing to lose and that I had to keep fighting. I had never lost against her before, so that gave me confidence and helped me stay positive.” The Romanian explained that the deciding game was won through patience and better tactical decisions. “I’m proud of myself for coming back from 2-0 and then 3-2 down. In the deciding game, I think I played very intelligently. I made much better decisions and placed the ball extremely well. That was the key to winning, because I think the match was really 50-50 today.” SZOCS admitted that the disappointment of losing the Women’s Doubles semifinal earlier in the day, alongside Elizabeta SAMARA, had affected her. “We had played very well until the semifinal, but today we simply didn’t produce our best table tennis. Our opponents played well, of course, but we didn’t perform the way we wanted. I genuinely believed that Elizabeta and I had a chance to become European champions. We have both been European champions in doubles before, and I hoped that our experience could make the difference.” She also praised the emerging generation of young players and emphasised the importance of mental strength. “There is a very strong new generation coming through, and I’m really proud to see so many talented young players emerging. At the same time, it puts a lot of pressure on us because it’s never easy to play against them.” “I’m not particularly happy with the way I played today, but I have to take the positives from this match. You cannot always win easily or play perfectly. What really matters is how you deal with difficult situations. My game wasn’t at its best, but mentally I was very strong.” Germany’s Ying HAN continued her impressive progress with a commanding 4-0 victory over Slovakia’s Tatiana KUKULKOVA (11-4, 11-9, 11-7, 11-4). HAN’s defensive game proved too difficult for KUKULKOVA, although the German remained cautious throughout the encounter. “I actually felt quite confident that I could win this match. She’s a very good player, but I knew that playing against defenders isn’t necessarily one of her strengths,” said HAN. “Nevertheless, I took the match very seriously because she’s been playing extremely well recently and has had a very good tournament. There were a few important points where she played some excellent shots, and I thought things might become a little more difficult, particularly in the second and third games.” HAN believes she is gradually finding her best rhythm at Arena Stožice. “I’m gradually getting used to the hall and the playing conditions, and I’m slowly finding my rhythm. I feel more comfortable now, and I hope I can continue playing like this.” Her next opponent will be German teammate Annett KAUFMANN, who overcame Luxembourg’s experienced Ni Xia Lian 4-1 (11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 11-1). KAUFMANN had to adjust her tactical approach against the experienced left-hander’s unusual playing style. “It definitely wasn’t an easy match. I enjoy playing against opponents who use this kind of rubber, but I was really impatient at the beginning. I also have to say that she didn’t play like a typical long-pimple player,” said KAUFMANN. “But around the middle of the fourth game, I realised that I could simply push a few balls back onto the table and wait for the right opportunity to attack. It took me some time to settle down and remind myself what the game plan actually was.” KAUFMANN credited her early training against different types of rubber for helping her deal with such opponents. “I’m really grateful to my first coach, who has been working with me since I was seven years old. He

Friday’s Men’s Singles Round of 16 at the European Championships in Ljubljana produced two major upsets, with France’s Léo DE NODREST eliminating Slovenian home favourite Darko JORGIC and Norway’s Borgar HAUG stunning third seed Truls MOREGARD of Sweden. Both victories came after dramatic battles, while top seed Félix LEBRUN and Germany’s Dang QIU also secured their places in the quarterfinals. DE NODREST produced one of the biggest surprises of the Championships, overcoming fourth seed JORGIC 4-3 (9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 7-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-9) in front of the Slovenian crowd at Arena Stožice. The Frenchman held his nerve in a tense deciding game after seeing a 9-5 advantage disappear as JORGIC fought back to level at 9-9. “I’m incredibly happy. Once again, it went right down to the wire, and it’s difficult to find the words immediately after a victory like this. My emotions are still running very high. All the hard work has paid off. I managed the match well tactically, and I was able to find an extra burst of physical energy when I needed it. I never gave up, even when things became difficult,” said DE NODREST. The closing stages tested his composure as the experienced Slovenian threatened another comeback. “I could feel myself becoming tense and wanting to finish the match as quickly as possible. But I managed to regain a clear head and get my thoughts back in order. My serve is a very important weapon for me. I managed to make the right decisions at the crucial moments and didn’t let my nerves take over.” Asked whether experience had made the difference, DE NODREST offered a different explanation. “I wouldn’t necessarily say it was experience, because Darko has an enormous amount of experience himself. I would say it was more youthful energy and determination that made the difference. I managed to raise myself to another level in the most important moments.” DE NODREST will now face Germany’s Benedikt DUDA in the quarterfinals, with a European medal at stake. “I’ll be facing another former teammate, Benedikt DUDA, with whom I played at the same club last year. Everything is still possible. I’m feeling good, and I’ll stick to the same preparation and the same approach that have worked for me so far.” The Frenchman also reflected on how previous disappointments have helped him become mentally stronger. “I’m trying to learn from my mistakes and react differently in difficult situations. That’s how you gain experience. If you keep repeating the same patterns, nothing really changes. I’ve been working on changing certain things mentally, and I can see that it’s paying off.” Norway’s Borgar HAUG delivered another sensational result, defeating third seed Truls MOREGARD 4-2 (12-10, 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 10-12, 11-7). HAUG raced into a 3-0 lead, but MOREGARD fought back to take the next two games and threaten a remarkable recovery. The Norwegian, however, refused to surrender his advantage and completed what he described as the finest performance of his career. “This was definitely the best match I’ve ever played. Right from the beginning, just like yesterday, I had an incredibly good feeling. I felt I could go for almost anything. My serves were working really well, and my receive was surprisingly good,” said HAUG. “Truls is probably one of the best players in the world when it comes to serve and receive, but somehow I managed to deal with that and impose my own game. I knew I had to go for my shots, and that’s exactly what I did.” Even with a commanding lead, HAUG knew the danger posed by the Swedish star. “Even at 3-0, I still didn’t see myself as the favourite. He’s one of the best players at coming back in matches. He started reading my shots better, made some tactical adjustments and managed to neutralise my game a little. I just had to keep going and stick to what I was doing.” HAUG will face Sweden’s Anton KALLBERG for a place in the semifinals. “We’re great friends, so it will definitely be a special match. But I’ll prepare for it just like any other match and try to play my own game.” Top seed Félix LEBRUN also faced a demanding challenge before overcoming Sweden’s Elias RANEFUR 4-2 (7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5). LEBRUN admitted that the encounter was considerably more difficult than their previous meeting in the league two weeks earlier. “It was a very different match from the one we played two weeks ago in the league. This time, he caused me much more trouble with his serves and the amount of spin he put on the ball in almost every shot. It was really difficult for me. I’m very happy to have won 4-2, because I think the match could have been even closer.” Germany’s Dang QIU produced an outstanding performance to defeat France’s Simon GAUZY 4-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7). QIU controlled much of the contest with his aggressive approach, preventing GAUZY from establishing the long rallies in which the Frenchman excels. “It was definitely one of the best matches I’ve played so far this season. In terms of aggression, I don’t think I could have played much more aggressively. I’m extremely happy with the result, but above all with my performance,” said QIU. “Once you get drawn into those long rallies against him, you don’t really stand a chance. I’m certainly not someone who shies away from rallies, but he plays them incredibly well. He moves exceptionally well and is physically one of the fittest players on the tour. That’s why I had to raise my level of aggression enormously.” QIU explained that his confidence grew as his attacking game continued to produce results. “If my success rate had been a little different, I might have had to ease off slightly. But today everything worked really well. At some point, you get into a flow, and then you just try to stay in it. That’s exactly what I managed to do.”

Defending champion Alexis LEBRUN of France, Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA and Benedikt DUDA, and Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG secured their places in the Men’s Singles quarterfinals at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana on Friday. While KÄLLBERG and DUDA progressed with convincing victories, FRANZISKA survived a dramatic seven-game battle against Croatia’s Tomislav PUCAR, and LEBRUN overcame a demanding challenge from Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON. LEBRUN, the No. 2 seed, defeated KARLSSON 4-2 (11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9), gaining a measure of revenge for his Round of 16 defeat against the Swede at the European Championships in Munich four years ago. “I’m very happy and relieved. It was a difficult match against an exceptional player who always rises to the occasion in major competitions, across all events. To have beaten KARLSSON twice here is a great source of pride, especially considering his achievements and experience. He is an extremely difficult opponent to face. He knocked me out in the Round of 16 at the European Championships in Munich in 2022, so this was also a little personal revenge. I’m really pleased,” said LEBRUN. The Frenchman admitted that the opening game had been particularly frustrating, with KARLSSON successfully countering his attacking play. “In the first game, KARLSSON countered my opening attacks extremely well. I was frustrated because I felt I had started the match well, but he immediately produced an exceptional level of play. Against a player like him, it is always better to take the lead. “Normally, it isn’t easy for opponents to adapt to the quality of my shots, but he managed to do that superbly. I had to find the resources to fight back, and that’s what matters.” LEBRUN, who earlier on Friday also reached the Men’s Doubles final alongside his younger brother Félix, emphasised the demands of competing at this stage of the Championships. “For the past two or three days, I’ve been giving 110 per cent in every match. At this stage of the competition, we’re playing matches at the very highest European level, even world level. You cannot hold anything back. You have to give absolutely everything you have and see whether it pays off.” One of the most dramatic encounters of the day saw eighth seed Patrick FRANZISKA overcome 12th seed Tomislav PUCAR 4-3 (5-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7). The German described the contest as a tactical chess match between two players who know each other’s strengths extremely well. “Playing against PUCAR is always extremely difficult. It feels almost like a game of chess. We are both tall, we both take quite a lot of risks, and he has such a strong backhand that you are constantly trying to take it out of the game. His forehand has also improved significantly, which makes him a very uncomfortable opponent for me. “When I lost the third game after leading 10-6, I had to sit down for a moment because I knew how important that game was. Once he gains the upper hand and starts playing with confidence, he can attack from absolutely any position. Fortunately, I managed to come back from 1-5 in the fourth game, and in the end it was a real battle of nerves.” Despite the exhausting encounter, FRANZISKA admitted that he enjoys the challenge of long matches and the mental demands they bring. “In a way, I love these kinds of matches. I am a big fan of the best-of-seven format because you really have time to get into the battle. There were moments during the match when I thought, ‘This is fantastic, a proper fight!’ In best-of-five matches, everything sometimes happens so quickly that you barely feel you have settled into the match. Even if I had lost today, I would still feel the same about best-of-seven. I am happy that I embraced the fight.” He added: “I am not sweating just because it is physically demanding. That is what I love about our sport. It is not only about physical effort and spectacular rallies, but also about battles of nerves like today’s match. It becomes extremely tactical, and you have to stay calm, constantly finding new solutions. If you make a bad decision, you have to forget it quickly and move on.” Looking ahead to a potential meeting with top seed Félix LEBRUN, FRANZISKA welcomed the opportunity to test himself against one of Europe’s strongest players. “Félix is coming through the draw very convincingly. I never really look at the draw, although I knew before today’s match that I could face him next. There are certainly easier opponents to draw at the moment! But you want to play against the best, and for me, Félix is probably the best player here right now. I am really looking forward to that challenge.” Germany’s Benedikt DUDA, the No. 5 seed and silver medallist from the 2024 European Championships in Linz, advanced with a 4-1 victory over Finland’s Benedek OLAH (11-4, 11-6, 11-2, 5-11, 11-5). DUDA dominated the opening three games before OLAH briefly interrupted his momentum, but the German quickly regained control. “The conditions here are quite challenging because the table is very fast and the ball has a lot of spin. But I am getting more and more used to the conditions with every round, and I am really happy to have reached the quarterfinals,” said DUDA. Looking ahead to Saturday, he added: “It’s the quarterfinals of the European Championships, so I will give it everything I have. I won’t make any excuses tomorrow. I’ll go out there and do my best. My goal is to take another step forward, although I know it’s going to be a tough match. I’ll give it my all, and we’ll see what happens.” Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG, the No. 6 seed, continued his impressive campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Greece’s experienced defender Panagiotis GIONIS (11-6, 11-9, 11-7, 11-1). The Swedish player, who has yet to suffer a defeat in either Singles or Doubles in Ljubljana, was particularly pleased with his form and

France’s Prithika PAVADE produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana on Friday, defeating top seed Sabine WINTER of Germany to reach the Women’s Singles quarterfinals. The opening Round of 16 sessions at Arena Stožice also brought impressive victories for Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA and Russia’s Elizabet ABRAAMIAN, while Germany’s Nina MITTELHAM survived a dramatic seven-game battle. Ninth seed PAVADE overcame WINTER 4-2 (11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10), ending the German favourite’s hopes of claiming the European Singles crown. PAVADE made an excellent start, taking the opening two games before WINTER responded to level the contest. The French player regained control in the fifth and held her nerve in a closely contested sixth game to complete a major victory. “Honestly, it’s quite incredible. The whole match was crazy. I started extremely well, then WINTER came back and I felt the match slipping away from me. I’m not entirely sure how I managed to win the fifth game, but in the end, it was a magnificent match,” said PAVADE. “Beating a player of her calibre at the European Championships obviously means a great deal to me. Everything happened so quickly towards the end that I’m still gradually coming down from the excitement. My heart is still racing!” Despite facing the top seed, PAVADE revealed that she had entered the match genuinely believing she could win. “When you go into a match like this, if you don’t believe in yourself, you’ve already lost before you start. I really had a lot of confidence in myself. I felt that I was playing well, and more importantly, I had some tactical ideas. I said yesterday that if I could manage to impose my game tactically, I knew I had the possibility of causing WINTER problems.” The French player admitted that finding solutions after WINTER’s comeback was crucial. “Above all, I needed to find tactical solutions when I felt the match turning in WINTER’s favour. She won two games quite quickly, and I could feel that she was dominating. I was frustrated, and the important thing was to find a few small adjustments that might allow me to get back into the match. “To be honest, I couldn’t even tell you exactly what made the difference. I just saw that I had managed to get back level on the scoreboard. When you reach 8-8, you have to make the right decisions. Suddenly, you begin to see things more clearly and understand better what you need to do.” PAVADE was particularly proud of the composure she maintained in the closing stages. “In the final game, it becomes much more mental because you can see that you have a real opportunity to win. I’m very proud that I managed to stay calm, maintain a clear mind and make the right decisions.” For now, she is determined to enjoy the victory before turning her attention to Saturday’s quarterfinal. “Everything is still very fresh, so I haven’t really started thinking about the next match yet. First, I need to come down from the excitement and enjoy this victory. Right now, I really haven’t thought about what comes next. I just want to enjoy this moment, and then, of course, do everything necessary to be fully ready for tomorrow.” Another major result came from 35th seed Elizabet ABRAAMIAN, who defeated fifth seed Jia Nan YUAN of France in straight games, 4-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8). ABRAAMIAN, ranked No. 40 in the October ETTU ranking, showed remarkable composure against one of the leading contenders for the title. “I’m really happy with how I played. It was my first time playing against YUAN, and I know she’s a really good player. To be honest, I’ve always wanted to play against her and see how I would do. I knew I had to get my tactics right because otherwise, it could have been a much tougher match,” said ABRAAMIAN. The Russian player also revealed that she has been competing with a painful muscle injury sustained earlier in the tournament. “It’s quite a serious issue, to be honest, but I’m trying not to think about it too much. I picked up the injury on the second day of the tournament. It’s a muscle injury, and it’s pretty painful. It’s not just the kind of soreness you get after training – it’s a proper injury. “We’re working with the doctor and the rest of the team to manage it. When I’m playing, I usually don’t feel it too much or think about it, but the pain comes back after the match. So I’m just happy I can keep playing. That’s the most important thing.” With a European Championships medal now just one victory away, ABRAAMIAN is determined to remain focused. “Of course, winning a medal is a dream of mine, and it’s the next big goal I want to achieve. I’ve won the national championships four times, and now I really want to win a medal here. I’d love to win gold, too. That’s my ambition, and I believe I can do it. But for now, I’m just taking it one match at a time and not thinking too far ahead.” Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA also continued her impressive campaign, defeating Italy’s Gaia MONFARDINI 4-2 (11-8, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9). Seeded 33rd, ZAHARIA has now reached the quarterfinals at only her second senior European Championships, having lost in the opening round two years ago. “I feel such a sense of relief now. I can finally breathe again because I knew I was facing a very tough opponent. MONFARDINI has played extremely well throughout this tournament. We met a few months ago at the US Smash, where I won 3-2, and that was an equally intense match. “I knew this would be a very tactical encounter. She is a very strong and aggressive player, and I knew I would have to keep raising my level and fight for every point because every single point was important,” said ZAHARIA. Reflecting on