France saw their impressive run at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals come to an end in London after a hard-fought 3-1 defeat against reigning champions China in the semi-finals. Despite the disappointment of missing the final, the French team once again secured a place on the World podium, adding bronze to the historic silver medal won in Busan two years ago.
The opening match immediately set the tone for a memorable evening. Flavien COTON pushed world No. 2 WANG Chuqin to the limit in an extraordinary battle lasting more than an hour. The young Frenchman showed tremendous courage and composure, even taking the lead before eventually falling in five dramatic games.
France responded in spectacular fashion through Felix LEBRUN, who delivered one of the finest performances of his career against world No. 1 LIN Shidong. The French star played with confidence in the key moments, winning in straight games to level the match and ignite the French supporters.
The turning point of the semi-final came in the third encounter. Alexis LEBRUN completely dominated the opening stages against LIANG Jingkun, racing through the first two games 11-3 and 11-1 and moving within touching distance of giving France the overall lead. However, the Chinese player fought back dramatically, saving match points before turning the match around in heartbreaking fashion for the French side.
With France trailing 2-1 overall, Felix LEBRUN returned to the table needing victory against WANG Chuqin to keep French hopes alive. The match was once again highly competitive, but the Chinese star ultimately secured the decisive point to send China into the final.
Although the journey ended in the semi-finals, France once again confirmed its status among the world’s elite nations. After finishing the group stage unbeaten and producing several outstanding performances throughout the tournament, the French team leaves London with another World Championships medal and further proof of the remarkable progress of French table tennis.
Led by Nathanael MOLIN and supported by experienced players such as Simon GAUZY and Thibault PORET, alongside the outstanding LEBRUN brothers and Flavien COTON, France once again showed they belong among the very best teams in the world.
France – China 1-3
- Flavien COTON – WANG Chuqin 2-3 (13-15, 13-11, 11-9, 4-11, 8-11)
- Felix LEBRUN – LIN Shidong 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 12-10)
- Alexis LEBRUN – LIANG Jingkun 2-3 (11-3, 11-1, 13-15, 10-12, 2-11)
- Felix LEBRUN – WANG Chuqin 1-3 (11-13, 11-9, 9-11, 4-11)
