The French women’s and men’s teams each finished third at the European Team Championships in Liévin this Saturday after their respective defeat at the semi-finals stage. The bronze of the Blue, the first in their European history, and that of their male counterparts, the second after that obtained two years ago, constitute genuine satisfaction for the “bad” blue.
In terms of disappointments: the defeat of Brice Leverdez, who lost (2-1) to the Dutchman Mark Caljouw. A quack erased by Christo Popov who perfectly mastered Joran Kweekel (2-0). The Dutch pair Maas-Tabeling then disposed of the one made up of Thom Gicquel and Ronan Labar (2-1). After Arnaud Merkle’s success against young Wessel Van der Aar (18) and victorious after a first round won 21-13, followed by his opponent’s abandonment, everything was decided in the last match.
In an incredible atmosphere, Christo and Toma Popov then fought to the end (15-21, 21-14, 18-21), but the duo Jille-Van der Lecq finally had the last word.
In the final on Sunday, the Dutch will face the Danes, scorers in the semi-finals of the Russians (2-0).
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