SPO Rouen captured the first French Pro A Men title in club history after edging GV Hennebont 3-2 in a dramatic final played in front of a packed Kindarena on 29 May.
In only the second edition of the French championship final played as a single-match event, regular season winners GV Hennebont came within one match of the trophy before Rouen produced a remarkable comeback in front of their home supporters.
Hennebont made the perfect start through Vladimir SIDORENKO. The Russian international fully justified his favourite status against French international Lilian BARDET, dominating the opening game before showing impressive composure in the crucial moments of the next two games to secure a straight-games victory and put Hennebont ahead.
With Rouen trailing 0-1, all eyes turned to the clash between two members of France’s victorious 2025 European Team Championships squad, Thibault PORET and Simon GAUZY.
The encounter lived up to expectations. PORET edged the opening game before building confidence and taking a two-game lead. GAUZY responded strongly to claim the third game and force a tense fourth. Both players had opportunities to close the match before PORET converted his fourth match point to level the final at 1-1.
The third match proved equally dramatic. China’s Qihao ZHOU and Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES traded games throughout a high-quality encounter before ZHOU prevailed in the deciding game to restore Hennebont’s advantage.
With the title within reach for Hennebont, SIDORENKO returned to the table to face PORET. Inspired by his earlier victory and driven on by the home crowd, the Frenchman produced one of the finest performances of his career. PORET edged a dramatic opening game before taking full control of the match, defeating the Russian star in straight games and once again bringing Rouen level.
Everything came down to the decisive fifth match between Simon GAUZY and Lilian BARDET.
BARDET made a fearless start, racing into a two-game lead and moving Rouen within one game of a historic triumph. GAUZY fought back brilliantly, winning the next two games to force a decider. However, backed by the passionate Kindarena crowd, BARDET held his nerve in the decisive game to secure the winning point and spark celebrations among the Rouen supporters.
The victory crowned an outstanding season for SPO Rouen, who claimed their first-ever French Pro A Men championship title in front of their home fans.
PHOTO: FFTT / Rémy Gros
SPO Rouen – GV Hennebont 3-2
- Vladimir SIDORENKO – Lilian BARDET 3-0 (11-2, 11-9, 11-6)
- Simon GAUZY – Thibault PORET 1-3 (7-11, 8-11, 11-6, 14-16)
- Qihao ZHOU – Alvaro ROBLES 3-2 (11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-6)
- Vladimir SIDORENKO – Thibault PORET 0-3 (11-13, 8-11, 6-11)
- Simon GAUZY – Lilian BARDET 2-3 (5-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2, 8-11)
