French table tennis stars Lebrun brothers storm into Champions League final

The impossible became reality on Saturday. The Alliance Nîmes-Montpellier (ANMTT) team achieved a stunning 3-1 victory over Borussia Düsseldorf, securing their spot in the Champions League table tennis final. A historic milestone for French table tennis, fueled by the relentless performances of Alexis and Félix Lebrun.

After their elimination in the team World Cup semifinals in London, the Lebrun brothers returned stronger than ever. Their determination paid off as they led ANMTT to an unforgettable qualification, now standing one step away from glory. The final awaits them against the FC Sarrebruck “dream team,” the tournament’s overwhelming favorite, in a clash that promises to be epic.

Alexis Lebrun: The opening masterstroke

Alexis, ranked 12th in the world, set the tone in style. Facing Germany’s Dang Qiu (world No. 10), he dominated the match from start to finish, clinching victory in three straight sets (11-5, 11-8, 11-8). “It’s never easy against Qiu, but I played a great match,” he admitted, handing the baton to his younger brother, Félix, equally hungry for success.

Match results

Alliance Nîmes-Montpellier 3 – 1 Borussia Düsseldorf

Match 1: Alexis Lebrun (FRA/No. 12) def. Dang Qiu (GER/No. 10) 11-5, 11-8, 11-8

Match 2: Félix Lebrun (FRA/No. 3) def. Anton Källberg (SWE/No. 32) 11-9, 16-14, 11-8

Match 3: Kanak Jha (USA/No. 27) def. Manav Thakkar (IND/No. 37) 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9

Match 4: Félix Lebrun (FRA/No. 3) def. Dang Qiu (GER/No. 10) 16-14, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8

Félix Lebrun: The hero of the hour

The pressure was on Félix to seal the deal. Playing in front of a passionate French crowd, he delivered a flawless performance, defeating Sweden’s Anton Källberg 11-9, 16-14, 11-8. The second set was a nail-biter, with the French player saving multiple set points before triumphing in a thrilling decider.

The third match saw India’s Manav Thakkar push Kanak Jha to the limit in a grueling four-set battle (11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9), but in the end, it was Jha who advanced. However, all eyes were on Félix as he stepped up to close out the semifinal in dramatic fashion. Trailing 8-11 in the fourth set against Qiu, he staged a remarkable comeback, saving three set points to force a deciding game. The momentum shifted, and Félix closed the match 16-14, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, sparking jubilant celebrations.

With this hard-fought victory, ANMTT has earned the right to face FC Sarrebruck in the championship final. The German team, led by superstar Fan Zhendong and boasting a trio of consecutive titles, will be a formidable opponent. Yet, after such a display of grit and talent, the Lebrun brothers and their team are ready to rewrite history.

Sunday’s final at 2 PM promises to be a spectacle—a clash between French ambition and German dominance. One thing is certain: this will be a final to remember.