The team events at the 68th European Youth Championships concluded in Gondomar with France emerging as the dominant nation, winning three of the four available titles. France triumphed in the Under 19 Boys, Under 19 Girls and Under 15 Girls competitions, while Poland celebrated a historic breakthrough by claiming the Under 15 Boys crown.
It marks only the eighth time in the history of the European Youth Championships that one association has won three of the four team events in the same edition. France previously achieved the feat in 2014, Russia in 2017, Germany in 2003, EUN in 1992, and the Soviet Union in 1971, 1978 and 1990. Only the Soviet Union has ever completed a clean sweep of all four team titles, accomplishing the unique achievement in 1976.
A total of eight associations reached the podium across the four team events. France led the way with medals in all four competitions, Germany finished with three podium places, Poland, Romania and Sweden each secured two medals, while Portugal, Spain and Switzerland each celebrated one.
One of the standout stories came from Switzerland. Their bronze medal in the Under 15 Girls Teams event represents the country’s first-ever team medal at the European Youth Championships. Switzerland’s only previous medal at the championships came in 1981, when Thierry MILLER won bronze in the Cadet Boys Singles. The result continues the impressive progress of the generation that also claimed silver at last year’s European Under 13 Championships.
France extended its remarkable tradition in the junior events by securing a 12th Under 19 Boys Teams title. Seeded eighth, the French side defeated ninth seeds Romania 3-0 in the final after overcoming a dramatic semi-final against Poland. Nathan LAM, Nathan PILARD and Antoine NOIRAULT each won their singles to complete a flawless performance.
France also captured its fourth Under 19 Girls Teams title with a commanding 3-0 victory over second seeds Romania. A tactical line-up change proved decisive, with defender Alexia NODIN opening the final by defeating Bianca MEI ROSU before Nina GUO ZHENG and Leana HOCHART completed the victory.
The Under 15 Girls final produced one of the most dramatic encounters of the championships. France recovered from 1-2 down against Germany to secure a 3-2 victory and claim its second title in the event. Eva LAM won both of her singles before Albane ROCHUT sealed the championship in the deciding match.
The remaining title went to Poland, whose victory in the Under 15 Boys Teams event marked a historic first. Until now, Poland had won team gold only in the Under 18 and Under 19 categories. After trailing Germany twice in the final, Hubert KWIECIŃSKI and Jakub TURECKI delivered victories in the last two singles to secure a memorable 3-2 triumph.
