Defending champions Alexis and Félix LEBRUN of France will face Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON and Anton KÄLLBERG in the Men’s Doubles final at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana after both pairs secured straight-games victories in Friday’s semifinals at Arena Stožice. The LEBRUN brothers, who claimed the European title in Linz two years ago and bronze in Munich in 2022, defeated their French teammates Esteban DORR and Florian BOURRASSAUD 3-0 (12-10, 11-9, 11-7). KARLSSON and KÄLLBERG were equally impressive, overcoming Moldova’s Vladislav URSU and Andrei PUTUNTICA 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 15-13). For the French brothers, the scoreline did not reflect the intensity of their semifinal. The opening two games were closely contested, but the defending champions delivered when it mattered most. “I’m really happy. It wasn’t easy, and I think the 3-0 scoreline is quite harsh because the first two games were extremely close. The opening game was a major turning point and allowed us to relax a little. It feels particularly good because we could see that they were in excellent form and had prepared very well. We really had to fight for this victory, and it shows once again that we are capable of staying solid under pressure. I’m very proud of us,” said Alexis LEBRUN. Facing DORR and BOURRASSAUD was particularly challenging because of the close relationship between the two French pairs. “Of course, it’s a special match when you’re playing against your teammates from the French national team, especially Esteban and Flo, who train with us. We spend practically every day together,” explained Félix LEBRUN. “Alexis and I prepared for the match based on our previous encounters with them, but also on what we know from training together. We tried to exploit their weaknesses, and I think we managed to disrupt their game. We played a very good opening game and managed to win it despite how close it was. After that, I think we had a slight advantage in the match. The second game could also have gone either way, but we played well at the crucial moments, which was great.” The brothers had to recover from a difficult position in the opening game, but Félix insisted that their success came from maintaining their approach rather than making major tactical changes. “We didn’t change anything. We just kept fighting. That’s table tennis – sometimes the momentum changes. There were a couple of points when they were dominating, and then they made a mistake. Winning that game was a huge boost for us. We knew it was a blow for them, and we also know how difficult it is for anyone to come back against us when we lead 1-0.” “We didn’t make any particular tactical adjustments at that moment. Usually, we already know our tactics. We’ve prepared them and followed them, so they become quite natural. We just keep trying to win each point, sometimes with small variations or little surprises, but that’s something we do throughout the match.” In the other semifinal, KARLSSON and KÄLLBERG controlled the opening stages against URSU and PUTUNTICA before being pushed to their limits in the third game. The Swedish pair eventually prevailed 15-13 to secure their place in Saturday’s gold medal match. “We felt good going into the match. We were ready from the start and had a clear plan for how we wanted to play. We knew a little about URSU and PUTUNTICA’s strengths and what they were trying to do, so we started solidly and managed to maintain our lead throughout the match,” said KÄLLBERG. KARLSSON, one of Europe’s most decorated doubles players, was satisfied with how the pair handled the decisive moments. “We won the first two games relatively comfortably, although the margins were not huge. Then it became much closer. It is difficult to beat anyone easily in a European Championships semifinal. I think we played really well at the crucial moments after 10-10 and managed to win in three games.” The experienced Swede has an outstanding record in Men’s Doubles, having won European gold in 2022 alongside Mattias FALCK, silver in 2018 and 2012, and bronze in 2024, 2016 and 2015, all with FALCK. Now playing alongside KÄLLBERG, KARLSSON believes their contrasting strengths make them a formidable combination. “I have played a lot of doubles over the years, so I feel very comfortable in doubles. Anton is extremely good at playing over the table, which is very important in doubles, and he is also excellent in his movement. When you have a partner who is that good, it makes playing together quite easy.” KÄLLBERG, who is chasing his first European Championships Men’s Doubles medal in Ljubljana, knows that defeating the reigning champions will require another exceptional performance. “It will take a tremendous performance in the final, regardless of who we face. We will have to play at our absolute best, and I hope we can make it happen.” The LEBRUN brothers are equally aware of the challenge awaiting them. “They are an incredible pair, with Kristian KARLSSON, who has an outstanding record, and Anton KÄLLBERG, who is also a very strong player. We expect a difficult match. We know our strengths, and we will try to win the title by producing a great performance in the final,” said Félix LEBRUN.

The Women’s Doubles Event final at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana will feature two Polish players on opposite sides of the table after Zuzanna WIELGOS and Anna BRZYSKA (POL) and the Slovak-Polish combination of Tatiana KUKULKOVA (SVK) and Natalia BAJOR (POL) secured their places in the gold medal match. Both pairs came through demanding semifinals at Arena Stožice, with WIELGOS and BRZYSKA recovering twice from a game down to overcome Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN and Nina MITTELHAM 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5), while KUKULKOVA and BAJOR produced an impressive straight-games victory over Romania’s experienced Bernadette SZOCS and Elizabeta SAMARA 3-0 (13-11, 11-6, 11-7). For WIELGOS and BRZYSKA, the semifinal was a test of resilience. After losing the opening game, the Polish pair levelled the match, only to fall behind again. They saved their best table tennis for the decisive stages, taking the fourth game 12-10 before dominating the fifth. “It was a very close match. We started badly and lost the opening game, but in the second game our positioning changed and we felt much more comfortable playing in that formation. Even so, we only won it 11-9, so it was still very tight. We then lost the next game, but we kept believing that we could turn the match around. In the fifth game, we were in control and played our best game of the entire match. We are extremely happy that we managed to win and that we will play in tomorrow’s final,” said BRZYSKA. WIELGOS highlighted the importance of their complementary styles and the improvement in her attacking game as the match progressed. “I think it was a very difficult match for us. We lost the opening game, which was also very close, and I felt that I did not play particularly well at the beginning because my forehand was not working as it did later in the match. In the following games, my forehand improved a lot. I was hitting the ball hard, and whenever KAUFMANN and MITTELHAM managed to return my shots, Anna was there to finish the point.” She added: “Just like in yesterday’s match, I think the key was that I played aggressively and Anna finished the rallies with her forehand. Another important factor was Anna’s backhand. She moved very well and kept up with the rallies. Even when her return with the long pimples was a little higher, our opponents often just pushed the ball back, giving me the opportunity to attack with spin or more power. I think we played very well together, and in the deciding game we were completely dominant.” In the other semifinal, KUKULKOVA and BAJOR delivered one of the most significant victories of their partnership, defeating a Romanian combination with an outstanding European Championships record. SZOCS won the Women’s Doubles European title alongside Sofia POLCANOVA in 2022 and finished runner-up with the same partner in 2024. SAMARA is a two-time European Women’s Doubles champion, having won gold with Daniela DODEAN in 2009 and 2012, in addition to collecting three silver and two bronze medals. However, KUKULKOVA and BAJOR refused to be intimidated by their opponents’ experience. The opening game proved crucial as they recovered from 7-9 down to take it 13-11 before controlling the following two games. “We are very happy. It was the first time we played against the Romanian pair, Bernadette SZOCS and Elizabeta SAMARA. I think the most important moment was the opening game. We were leading 7-3, then suddenly found ourselves 7-9 down, but managed to win it 13-11. After that, we played better and better. We were leading throughout the following game, so we are really pleased,” said BAJOR. “At the last European Championships, we had match point in the semifinal against Baška and Hanna, but we lost that match. Now we are very happy because we have reached our first European Championships final together.” KUKULKOVA explained how their tactical approach helped them neutralise the Romanian pair. “As Natalia said, the first game was very important. We also won the toss again, so we knew I would play against Bernadette SZOCS in the first and third games because she does not like playing against pimples. I think it worked very well at the beginning. We went 5-0 up, and she could hardly return a ball. Of course, they came back because they are very good players, and that was normal. But we stayed calm and did our best.” The Slovak player admitted that memories of their previous European Championships semifinal defeat briefly returned when they approached match point. “The second game was also good, and in the third, I have to admit, we were a little lucky. When we were leading 10-6 and lost the next point, I thought, ‘Oh my God, here we go again.’ I remembered what happened at the previous European Championships. But this time we handled the situation very well, and I think we were the better pair.” KUKULKOVA and BAJOR, bronze medallists in 2024, have now improved on that achievement and will compete for their first European Women’s Doubles title together. Their adversaries, WIELGOS and BRZYSKA, have already secured their first European Championships Women’s Doubles medals, making Saturday’s final a meeting between an established medal-winning partnership and a Polish pair enjoying a breakthrough tournament.

Norway’s Borgar HAUG produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana, defeating 11th seed Marcos FREITAS of Portugal in a dramatic seven-game encounter to reach the Men’s Singles Round of 16. While HAUG celebrated a breakthrough victory, defending champion Alexis LEBRUN and home favourite Darko JORGIC were forced to fight back from two games down, and the leading contenders continued their pursuit of the European crown. HAUG, who entered the Championships through the group stage, overcame FREITAS 4-3 (11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 5-11, 7-11, 11-7). The Norwegian appeared to be heading towards a comfortable victory when he established a 3-1 lead, but the experienced Portuguese player fought back to force a deciding game. HAUG, who was eliminated in the Round of 32 at the previous European Championships in Linz, held his nerve to secure a place among Europe’s last 16. “It was a really long and intense match. I felt I got off to a very good start. I didn’t have to think too much; I could just go for every shot, and a lot of them were landing,” said HAUG. “After a while, my adversary started playing better. He made some adjustments and put more spin on the ball, which made things more difficult for me. I also got a little caught up in trying to play aggressively all the time.” The Norwegian found encouragement even during a difficult sixth game. “Towards the end of the sixth game, even though I was well behind, I started to find a few solutions and got a better feeling for my game again. That gave me confidence. So I went into the seventh game determined to give absolutely everything and leave it all on the table. Luckily, it worked out.” JORGIC survives a dramatic battle on home soil Fourth seed Darko JORGIC endured another emotional evening in front of his home supporters, recovering from a 0-2 deficit against Poland’s Milosz REDZIMSKI to keep his title ambitions alive. The Slovenian struggled with his rhythm and the playing conditions before gradually taking control. Even after turning the match around, he missed an opportunity to finish in six games when a fortunate edge helped REDZIMSKI survive a match point at 10-9. “We were supposed to play each other four times before, but one of us always lost before we could meet, so today was our first match against each other. Neither of us really knew what to expect,” explained JORGIC. “I struggled to find my rhythm, especially in the first two games. The balls were an issue, but the mental side was a problem too. I made far too many mistakes on the return, and both games got away from me far too quickly.” JORGIC admitted that his biggest battle was often with himself. “When I can’t find the right feeling for the ball, I get frustrated with myself after every point. I kept searching for that feeling, but I didn’t find it until the deciding game.” The Slovenian hopes the experience will help him produce a stronger performance in the next round. “Apparently, I’m used to drama! I don’t mind spending an extra game out there if it helps me get used to the conditions ahead of tomorrow. I really hope the real Darko shows up from the very first point tomorrow.” Defending champion Alexis LEBRUN fights back Defending champion and second seed Alexis LEBRUN also faced a serious challenge, falling two games behind against Moldova’s Vladislav URSU before finding the tactical solutions needed to turn the match around. “It was a complicated match against a player whose ranking doesn’t necessarily reflect his level because he doesn’t compete internationally very often. He has produced some excellent results and is a very dangerous adversary who takes a lot of risks,” said LEBRUN. “In the first two games, he was playing incredibly well. I got caught up in his rhythm, which made things difficult for me. I made mistakes at important moments, and suddenly I found myself in a very difficult situation.” LEBRUN credited coach Nathanaël MOLIN with helping him regain control. “He helped me make some technical adjustments. Considering the level URSU was playing at, I was a little lost and didn’t really know what to do. Nat helped me refocus on the first eight or ten points of the next game. That allowed me to understand the tactics better and see immediately that those changes were working.” Despite the difficulties, the Frenchman drew encouragement from his ability to recover. “You can come very close to elimination and still go on to become European champion. The level is incredibly high, so if you’re having a slightly difficult day, almost anyone can challenge you. What makes the difference is having a wide range of technical options and being able to find solutions.” Félix LEBRUN and MOREGARD advance in straight games Top seed Félix LEBRUN experienced a considerably smoother passage, defeating Croatia’s Ivor BAN 4-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-3, 11-7). The Frenchman dominated with his serve and never allowed BAN to establish a foothold in the contest. “I served very well, and my adversary also struggled with his returns. I think it was a combination of both, which allowed me to relax,” said Félix LEBRUN. “I knew he was a good server, but because I was winning almost all the points on my own serve, I only needed to win about half the points on his. That took a lot of pressure off me throughout the match, and I was able to play at a very high level.” LEBRUN welcomed another efficient victory as the competition approaches its decisive stages. “Whenever you can win the opening rounds relatively comfortably, it gives you confidence. Of course, the matches will become more difficult with every round, but I’m looking forward to the moment when the competition really heats up.” Third seed Truls MOREGARD of Sweden defeated Germany’s Andre BERTELSMEIER 4-0 (11-5, 11-2, 11-9, 18-16), reversing the difficulties he experienced against the German during their

The Women’s Singles Round of 32 at the European Championships in Ljubljana delivered another remarkable chapter in the career of 63-year-old Ni Xia LIAN, while defending champion Sofia POLCANOVA, top seed Sabine WINTER and former finalist Bernadette SZOCS all secured their places in the Round of 16. Luxembourg’s Ni Xia LIAN produced one of the day’s most memorable performances, overcoming Ukraine’s Margaryta PESOTSKA 4-3 in a dramatic seven-game contest. After taking a 3-1 lead, Ni saw PESOTSKA fight back to force a deciding game, but the experienced Luxembourg player held her nerve to clinch it 11-9. “My legs are still working sometimes, and the memory is still there!” joked Ni after her victory. “I really surprised myself. I’m very, very satisfied. I never imagined I could go this far, especially after a year without playing a match. I still have a metal implant in my hand, but it doesn’t bother me, and if I lose, I would never use that as an excuse. I haven’t been able to train enough, so of course there are some difficulties, but I really appreciate this result.” Ni also reflected on the extraordinary experience of facing another former European champion. “Remember, my opponent was European vice champion in 2008 and 2018, so she’s a very strong player. But for her, I’m also a strong opponent. Do you know why? Because I was European champion 30 years ago, in 1998 and 2002! So somewhere, somehow, we’re on the same level.” Her enthusiasm for the sport remains undiminished. “I’ve never stopped learning. There are so many great players in the world, and every time I watch them, I really enjoy it. Table tennis is so much fun because there’s always something new to learn. I think that’s what keeps you young.” Defending champion Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria continued her campaign with a 4-1 victory over Croatia’s Hana ARAPOVIC. The opening two games were closely contested, with POLCANOVA prevailing 13-11 and 11-9 before dropping the third. She responded emphatically, taking the next two games 11-3 and 11-2. “The first two games were very important. At the beginning, I struggled a little with her timing because she plays with a lot of curve on the ball, which confused me. I’m happy I managed to win those first two games,” explained POLCANOVA. “In the third game, I suddenly felt really tired. I had no energy, I was hungry and I couldn’t concentrate properly. After that game, I ate a banana, and the banana saved the world! I got my energy back and was able to fight again.” The Austrian also acknowledged the pressure of pursuing another European crown. “I really try not to think about the title because it puts a lot of pressure on me. At the same time, I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to defend it for a third consecutive time. Not many players get that chance, so I try to look at it that way.” Germany’s top seed Sabine WINTER overcame Croatia’s Lea RAKOVAC in straight games, although the 4-0 scoreline did not fully reflect the resistance she encountered. The first three games were decided 11-9, 11-9 and 12-10 before WINTER closed out the match 11-4. “It was a 4-0 win, but the match was much closer than the score suggests. My opponent was the underdog, took a lot of risks and landed plenty of her shots. But I was able to stand up to her very well, especially mentally. That’s an important takeaway from this match,” said WINTER. Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS also advanced without dropping a game, defeating France’s Alexia NODIN 4-0. Despite the convincing result, SZOCS was full of praise for her young opponent’s defensive skills. “It was an incredibly tough match. I had to work unbelievably hard. I must say that my opponent has a bright future ahead of her. The quality of her defensive play is amazing, and I honestly didn’t expect to have to work quite so hard,” said SZOCS. “I’m very proud of myself because I played at my best. I think I produced an excellent performance against defence, with very good tactics and ball placement. If I hadn’t been in my best shape today, I could easily have lost this match.” SZOCS explained that her confidence against defensive players had returned after overcoming the psychological effects of an earlier arm injury. “For about two years, I struggled against defensive players, but I think the problem was more mental than physical. Now I no longer have pain in my arm, so I don’t think about the injury anymore. I’m mentally very strong in these matches. I have a lot of patience, and I believe that’s the key to beating a defensive player.” France’s Prithika PAVADE came through an entertaining six-game encounter against Romania’s Adina DIACONU, winning 4-2. The French player showed impressive composure after her disappointment in the Women’s Doubles earlier in the day. “I’m extremely happy. I think it’s important to acknowledge when you’ve played really well, and today I feel I produced a very strong performance. My opponent played extremely well too. What was incredible was that the level kept getting higher as the match progressed, even though we had already started at a very high level,” said PAVADE. “The most important thing was being able to switch my focus quickly. Defeats can affect me quite deeply, but today I’m really proud of how I managed to put that disappointment behind me. Above all, I’m happy with the level of table tennis I produced. It’s important to see that I’m making progress.” Romania enjoyed further success through Andreea DRAGOMAN, who overcame Slovenia’s Sara TOKIC 4-2 in a demanding encounter. DRAGOMAN was pushed hard by the home player, eventually sealing victory 12-10 in the sixth game. “I can barely breathe after this match! It was incredibly intense. I knew from the beginning that it wouldn’t be easy, but my opponent played really well. I was actually surprised by how well she performed,” said DRAGOMAN. “I had

France’s Alexis LEBRUN and Charlotte LUTZ will meet Germany’s Benedikt DUDA and Nina MITTELHAM in tomorrow’s Mixed Doubles final at the European Championships in Ljubljana after contrasting semifinal victories at Arena Stožice. LEBRUN and LUTZ battled past Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON and Christina KALLBERG 3-2, recovering from a game down and a 6-9 deficit in the second to keep their title hopes alive. “It’s not just another final, it’s amazing. We weren’t among the favourites to reach the final at the beginning of the tournament, so we are incredibly happy and proud of what we’ve achieved. We’ve already secured a medal, but now we want to fight for the title,” said LEBRUN. “We have very tough opponents in DUDA and MITTELHAM. They are playing extremely well, but we’ll give our best, as always.” LUTZ pointed to their response under pressure as the decisive factor. “They started incredibly well. We were 1-0 down and trailing 9-6 in the second game, but we managed to make better decisions and raise our level. From 1-1, the match became much more balanced. At the crucial moments, we made the right choices, and Alexis produced a huge forehand at 10-9. I’m really happy that we came through this match together.” In the other semifinal, DUDA and MITTELHAM dominated Romania’s Eduard IONESCU and Bernadette SZOCS, winning 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-2). “Our partnership is getting better and better. With every match, we understand each other’s movements and routines more clearly and feel increasingly comfortable at the table. If we play like we did today, it’s very difficult for our opponents to beat us,” said MITTELHAM. DUDA praised his partner and made their ambitions clear. “We played an incredibly good match and exploited our opponents’ weaknesses very effectively. Nina was outstanding again today. Now that we’re in the final, of course we want more than just silver.” Mixed Doubles – Semifinal results

The Men’s Doubles semifinals at the European Championships in Ljubljana will feature an all-French encounter between brothers Félix and Alexis LEBRUN and Esteban DORR and Florian BOURRASSAUD, while Sweden’s Anton KALLBERG and Kristian KARLSSON and Moldova’s Vladislav URSU and Andrei PUTUNTICA have also secured their places on the podium. The quarterfinals produced two dramatic five-game battles, a remarkable Swedish comeback and a historic achievement for Moldova, with all four winning pairs now guaranteed at least a bronze medal. KALLBERG and KARLSSON produced one of the most impressive comebacks of the morning, recovering from 0-2 down to defeat Germany’s Benedikt DUDA and Dang QIU 3-2. The Swedish pair lost the opening two games 8-11, 8-11, but responded to take the next three 11-9, 14-12, 12-10. “We didn’t feel like we were far behind, even being down 2-0. So we had to make some small adjustments and kept believing that the match was ours to win or lose. It was close all the way to the end, so we really had to leave it all out there,” said KARLSSON. KALLBERG believes the manner of their victory will give the pair additional confidence heading into the medal matches. “This win obviously boosts our confidence, not only because of how we played but also how we turned the match around. We were at our best when it was most important, which is often what it comes down to in the latter stages of a European Championship.” The LEBRUN brothers also had to battle through five games to overcome Finland’s Alex NAUMI and Benedek OLAH 3-2. After losing the opening game, the French pair moved 2-1 ahead before their opponents forced a decider. Félix and Alexis eventually prevailed 11-8 in the fifth game. “Of course, it was a huge relief, especially knowing that we’ve secured a medal. We want to go further, but we’re already very happy to have guaranteed ourselves a medal. It was an extremely difficult match, with so much tension. To come through in the end, especially after being in such a difficult position, feels really good. I think our celebration was definitely a reaction of relief,” said Félix LEBRUN. Alexis LEBRUN shared his brother’s emotions. “I feel exactly the same as Félix. We’re very happy to have secured a medal, but it was incredibly tough. We really had to dig deep and rely on our fighting spirit to get through. That makes the victory even more satisfying.” Their semifinal opponents, DORR and BOURRASSAUD, overcame Serbia’s Zsolt PETO and Uroš NINKOVIC 3-0. Although the result suggested a comfortable victory, the French pair faced a difficult opening game, recovering from 8-10 down to win 12-10 before taking the following two games 11-7, 11-8. “It was a really tough match, even though the score doesn’t suggest that. A 3-0 result looks convincing, but every game was difficult, especially the first one. We were trailing 10-8, but we managed to come back to 10-10. We made some tactical adjustments, won that opening game, and I think that gave us a psychological advantage,” explained DORR. “We are really happy. This is our second medal at a major championship after winning bronze at the World Championships last year. Now we are delighted to have the opportunity to play in the European Championships semifinals.” BOURRASSAUD is looking forward to the challenge of facing his compatriots, with whom he regularly trains. “We will work on how to beat the LEBRUN brothers. That’s our task for this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Of course, we know them very well. We train together all the time, including in Doubles, so we know each other’s games. They are definitely the big favourites, but we will try to disrupt their rhythm, create an opportunity and take it. We will do our best.” “Playing a European Championships semifinal against our friends is something special. We are grateful to be here, and we will fight like hell to win and secure our place in the final.” Moldova’s URSU and PUTUNTICA completed the semifinal line-up with a commanding 3-0 victory over Belgium’s Adrien RASSENFOSSE and Martin ALLEGRO. Their success was particularly significant for PUTUNTICA, who celebrated his first European Championships medal. “It feels great! It’s our first medal playing together and my first medal overall at the European Championships. This is actually the first time we have competed together in Doubles at the European Championships, and we already have a medal. It’s a wonderful feeling,” said PUTUNTICA. “We have developed our own system and we understand each other very well. He knows me, I know him, and somehow everything works. We take it step by step, and I feel that we have controlled most of the matches we have played so far.” The Moldovan pair had not arrived in Ljubljana with a medal as their stated target. “To be honest, we didn’t come here with a medal as our goal. We just wanted to play and enjoy the game as much as possible, and somehow it worked. Everything that comes now is a bonus, but we are confident and we will definitely fight,” added PUTUNTICA. For URSU, the medal carries both personal and national significance. “This is my second European Championships medal in Doubles. It’s nice to win another one, although the first medal is always the sweetest. Of course, we are very happy, and we will fight to reach the final. It will certainly be difficult, but we have to find the right solution against our next opponents. I feel quite confident in my game, so I just need to maintain my concentration.” “It means a lot for our country because we don’t have many medals. I won Moldova’s first European Championships medal together with my Austrian partner, Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK. Now we have three medals in total.” With all four pairs having secured their medals, attention now turns to the semifinals and the battle for places in the European Championships final.

Poland, Romania and Germany, together with a Slovak-Polish partnership, will be represented in the Women’s Doubles semifinals at the European Championships in Ljubljana after an exciting morning of quarterfinal action. The Polish combination of Zuzanna WIELGOS and Anna BRZYSKA survived a five-game battle against France’s Prithika PAVADE and Charlotte LUTZ, while Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS and Elizabeta SAMARA, Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN and Nina MITTELHAM, and Slovakia’s Tatiana KUKULKOVA alongside Poland’s Natalia BAJOR also secured medals. WIELGOS and BRZYSKA were pushed to the limit by the French pair before prevailing 3-2. After winning the opening game 11-6, the Polish duo lost the next two games 9-11, 9-11, but responded impressively to take the fourth and fifth games 11-4, 11-3. “We started well and won the first game 11-6, but then we lost the second and third games 11-9, so it was very close. We were leading in the third game, but we knew we still had a chance. We tried to stick to our tactics, and we managed to come back in the fourth game,” explained BRZYSKA. “I think we played really well in the fourth and fifth games. We stayed committed to our tactical plan, and that was the key.” WIELGOS also highlighted the tactical adjustments that helped turn the match around. “At 1-2 down, we decided we needed to play better, put more balls on the table and be ready for the returns because our opponents were getting a lot of balls back. I tried to counterattack well, while Anna had to be ready for the next ball. I think we won most of our points when I played a stronger shot and Anna finished the rally with the following ball.” Romania’s SZOCS and SAMARA secured their semifinal place with a 3-1 victory over Germany’s Ying HAN and Sabine WINTER. The Romanian pair combined aggressive play with tactical discipline to overcome opponents whose different playing styles presented a significant challenge. “I’m very proud of us. We complemented each other very well today and played amazingly. Everybody knows that they are very strong players, and we knew from the beginning that it would be a very difficult match. But we prepared very well, and the most important thing was that we found the key to winning in the end,” said SZOCS. SAMARA explained that maintaining their approach throughout the match was essential. “I think the key was staying calm and not changing our tactics. We had to remain consistent and play the same way from the first ball until the last. We had to take a timeout, but in the end, the most important thing is that we won.” Germany’s KAUFMANN and MITTELHAM also booked their places in the last four, defeating Serbia’s Sabina SURJAN and Izabela LUPULESKU 3-1. The German pair recovered from losing the opening game to take the next three and guarantee themselves a place on the podium. “We struggled a little in one game, but towards the end of the first game, we could already feel that we were getting into the match more and more. After that, we had our opponents under control. Our playing styles now complement each other very well, and so do we as a partnership. We have very different personalities and needed some time to get used to each other, but by now it’s working really well,” said KAUFMANN. The Slovak-Polish combination of KUKULKOVA and BAJOR produced an impressive straight-games victory over Mariia TAILAKOVA and Elizabet ABRAAMIAN, winning 11-5, 12-10, 11-9. The victory marked another important achievement for the partnership, which had previously won bronze at the European Championships in Linz. “We are very happy. All the games were extremely close, and I think the first game was particularly important. In the second game, we were trailing 4-7, but we managed to come back and win 12-10. That was another crucial moment. Our opponents played very well, but I think today we produced our best performance in the three years we have played together,” said BAJOR. The pair reunited after a break in their partnership. “We played together for around three years before taking a one-year break. We reunited for the European Championships and also played a Feeder tournament together in Berlin. We already have a bronze medal from Linz, so this is another very special achievement for us,” BAJOR added. KUKULKOVA praised their preparation and determination against difficult opponents. “I have to say that I’ve been improving since the first day, and today was really good. I think we gave our best on every ball. We told ourselves that we had to fight and be vocal from the very first point because we knew how strong our opponents were.” “I think winning the toss and choosing to receive was already a very important decision because we knew exactly how we wanted to play. Our tactics were unbelievable today. Everything we planned seemed to work.” The Slovak player was especially pleased to have achieved the objective she had set for the day. “Winning a medal was my goal today. I even said it to the Slovak media, so I’m very happy that we achieved it.” With four semifinal places decided, all remaining pairs are assured of medals, while the race for the Women’s Doubles title continues in Ljubljana.

The opening day of the Women’s Singles main draw at the European Championships in Ljubljana delivered drama, major upsets and remarkable comebacks. Shuohan MEN of the Netherlands produced one of the biggest results of the day, defeating Spain’s Maria XIAO in a seven-game thriller, while Türkiye’s Ece HARAC recovered from 1-3 down to eliminate Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA. MEN prevailed 4-3 (14-12, 9-11, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 15-13) in a contest that went right to the wire. After taking the opening game, the Dutch player lost three consecutive games and found herself facing elimination. However, she fought back to level the match before holding her nerve in a dramatic deciding game, which she eventually won 15-13. HARAC produced an equally impressive comeback against the vastly experienced SAMARA, winning 4-3 (9-11, 11-7, 13-15, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7). The Turkish player admitted that the emotional challenge was particularly difficult because of her close relationship with her opponent. “We know each other very well because she’s my teammate in the league, and she’s also like a big sister to me. At 3-1 down, I just told myself to enjoy the match and fight for every point. That’s exactly what I did, and I managed to win,” said HARAC. The turning point came when she found a better answer to SAMARA’s service. “I was struggling a little with her serves at the beginning, but as the match progressed, I adapted better and better. Once I started receiving more effectively, I gained confidence, and I think that helped me a lot.” Slovenian celebrations as TOFANT and TOKIC advance The home crowd at Arena Stožice had plenty to celebrate as Ana TOFANT and Sara TOKIC both progressed to the Round of 32. TOFANT produced one of the finest victories of her career, defeating Portugal’s experienced Fu YU 4-1 (11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8). “Definitely one of the biggest wins of my career. The only one that comes close was when I beat Bernadette SZOCS in the Italian league back in March. Even then, I could hardly believe what was happening. I don’t think I’ll be falling asleep anytime soon tonight. It’ll probably take me a day or two, maybe even a week, to fully realise what I’ve done and who I’ve beaten today,” said TOFANT. Despite her impressive performance, the Slovenian admitted that doubts briefly appeared. “I only started having some doubts towards the end of the third game and at the start of the fourth because I felt I could have been 3-0 up. The Portuguese player played smartly, but I knew I was feeling the ball well, so I had to make the most of that and take my chances.” TOFANT explained that her determination to play without hesitation ultimately paid off. “Before the match, I’d promised myself I wouldn’t hesitate. I went for it at the end of the second game, but it didn’t pay off. I was a bit frustrated because I could perhaps have played it a little safer. Then, in the fourth game, I fell behind but managed to catch her and move ahead. I realised I was still in front, which gave me a real boost. From there, I just focused on one point at a time and kept going until the end.” TOKIC also gave the Slovenian supporters reason to cheer with a 4-1 victory over Türkiye’s Sibel ALTINKAYA (14-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5). “I was a little nervous at the start. There was some pressure playing in front of the home crowd, even though they were cheering me on, which was really nice. I think I was mentally stronger today. I took it point by point and never gave up, even when we were 1-1 in games and I was 5-2 down. I managed to turn it around and take a 7-5 lead. I stayed really strong mentally and felt I handled the match well,” said TOKIC. POLCANOVA and WINTER make confident starts Defending champion Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria began her title defence with a 4-0 victory over Italy’s Nicole ARLIA (12-10, 12-10, 11-4, 11-8), despite arriving in Ljubljana after suffering from illness. “I think I played quite well today. I had the flu a couple of days ago, and at first I was a little disappointed because I wasn’t feeling very well. But once the match started, the adrenaline helped, and I felt okay. I’m just trying to do my best,” explained POLCANOVA. The Austrian highlighted the importance of the opening two games, particularly the second, in which she recovered from 8-10 down. “She’s a very fast player, so I had to disrupt her rhythm a little. I think the first two games were really important, especially the second one, when I was 8-10 down. Most of the time, I felt I was really in the zone and able to concentrate well. I think that was also the key.” Top seed Sabine WINTER of Germany was equally convincing, defeating Veronika KOTSIUR 4-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8). “I didn’t know my opponent before, but I managed to find a video of her to help me prepare. I really enjoyed today’s match. I moved well, and there were lots of good rallies. Now I’m focusing on tomorrow, starting with the doubles match alongside Ying, which takes place before my singles match,” said WINTER. Her German teammate Ying HAN also advanced without dropping a game, overcoming Poland’s Katarzyna WEGRZYN 4-0 (11-3, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6). “I had to work hard for my win, even though it was 4-0. We know each other very well from the Polish league and have played against each other many times. She had nothing to lose, and it was a good match. I think I’m gradually finding my rhythm in the Singles competition. Today’s match definitely helped me with that,” said HAN. SZOCS recovers as YUAN and DE NUTTE progress Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS recovered from losing the opening game against Spain’s Sofia ZHANG to secure a 4-1 victory (7-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7, 11-8). “It was

Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC produced a remarkable comeback in front of his home crowd at the European Championships in Ljubljana, recovering from 2-3 down to defeat Spain’s Diego LILLO 4-3 in a thrilling Men’s Singles Round of 64 encounter. Defending champion Alexis LEBRUN, his younger brother Félix LEBRUN and several other leading contenders also advanced as the Singles main draw got underway at Arena Stožice. JORGIC, the fourth seed, faced a much tougher opening test than expected against the Spanish qualifier, who grew in confidence as the contest developed. The Slovenian took the opening game 11-4 but struggled to establish control. LILLO fought back repeatedly and, after winning the fourth and fifth games, moved within one game of a major upset. With his home supporters urging him on, JORGIC found another gear. He claimed the sixth game 11-8 before finally imposing his authority in the decider, winning 11-6 to complete a dramatic 4-3 victory (11-4, 6-11, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6). “It was similar at the last European Championships in Linz. I played a Hungarian in the first round and a Norwegian in the second, and both matches were really tough. You can feel the pressure, especially when you’re one of the favourites,” admitted JORGIC. “The first few matches are always different when you’re up against qualifiers who have already played three matches and are warmed up. You could tell that I wasn’t quite finding my rhythm. I was too stiff on the return and struggled to deal with his long and short serves. That was the key.” JORGIC acknowledged that the Spaniard had taken advantage of his difficulties. “If I’d got that right from the start, like I did in the final game, the score probably would have been 4-0. After the second game, the Spaniard started playing better and hit some really powerful shots, especially off his backhand. He gained confidence, and in the end, it turned into a really close match that could have gone either way right until the finish.” The Slovenian also highlighted the challenge of adapting to the conditions in the arena. “The balls are fast, they don’t bounce much, and they have a lot of spin. That’s table tennis, though. Every playing surface is different. I think I felt the biggest difference on his long, fast serves. The ball seemed to skid off the table, and I was often a fraction too late.” Despite the difficulties, JORGIC was optimistic about improving in the next round. “The quicker you adapt, the better you play. The guys coming through qualifying have already played a few matches, so they’re warmed up and in rhythm. I’ve played doubles, which isn’t quite the same, but it still helps you get into the flow of competition. Tomorrow is a new day, and I really hope I can play better.” Defending champion Alexis LEBRUN makes commanding start France’s Alexis LEBRUN began his defence of the European Men’s Singles title in impressive fashion, defeating Portugal’s experienced Tiago APOLONIA 4-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-0, 13-11). The Frenchman, who claimed the title in Linz two years ago, dominated the opening three games, including a remarkable 11-0 third game. APOLONIA offered greater resistance in the fourth, but LEBRUN held his nerve to close out the contest without dropping a game. His younger brother Félix LEBRUN also made a successful start, recording a 4-0 victory and expressing satisfaction at being able to conserve energy for the challenges ahead. “It was a quick match to start the competition, which is good because I managed to save some energy. I think the third game was the key. I started very well with my serves and caused him some problems. He began to play better as the match progressed, but winning that third game probably affected his confidence a little. After that, I was able to take the fourth game and secure a 4-0 victory. It’s a great start to the competition,” said Félix. The French star admitted that he was still managing some minor physical problems. “I still have a few minor physical issues that are taking longer than expected to go away, which is quite frustrating. But I’m trying to manage them as well as possible, spending time with my physiotherapist and fitness coach so that I can gradually improve my physical condition and get stronger as the competition progresses.” Sweden’s Truls MOREGARD also progressed without dropping a game, defeating the Netherlands’ Ivan KAHN 4-0 (13-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-7). Looking ahead to his Round of 32 encounter with Germany’s Andre BERTELSMEIER, MOREGARD expects another demanding contest. “We had a close battle in the US Smash this summer, so I’m expecting a tough game where I’ll need to avoid his strengths. He’s really good in rallies, so I’ll be focusing on directing the game away from them as much as possible,” explained MOREGARD. His compatriot Anton KÄLLBERG survived a much tougher test against Nikita ARTEMENKO. Having taken a 2-0 lead, the Swede was forced into a deciding game before securing a 4-3 victory (11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 12-14, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8). “A very close game. I really had to give it my all and he played very well, so I’m very happy that I managed to find a high level in the decider and clinch the victory,” said KÄLLBERG. Kristian KARLSSON completed another Swedish success, beating Germany’s Kay STUMPER 4-1. After already competing in Mixed Doubles earlier in the day, KARLSSON admitted that maintaining his energy and concentration had been a concern. “I was a bit worried earlier today about how focused and pumped I would manage to be after the mixed doubles this morning. But I’m happy with what I delivered and feel really confident going forward,” said KARLSSON. Elias RANEFUR added to Sweden’s successful opening day, recovering from losing the first game to defeat Croatia’s Andrej GACINA 4-1. He was particularly pleased with his performance in the service and receive phases. “He is a very good player, so today I’m very happy with how well I played