French delegation claims seven victories at European Table Tennis Championships

The French table tennis delegation claimed seven victories across eight matches on the opening day of the European Table Tennis Championships in Ljubljana, dominating the doubles schedule dedicated entirely to pairs competition.

Brothers Lebrun Open Title Defense in Slovenia

Alexis Lebrun and Felix Lebrun began their defense of the men’s doubles crown won at the 2024 championships in Linz with a straightforward three-set victory. The French duo defeated the Hungarian-Dutch pair of David Szantosi and Milo De Boe 11–3, 11–7, 11–6 on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The performance signaled a firm rebound for the brothers following their defeat in the men’s doubles final at the China Smash in Beijing just days prior. Up next for the French pair in the round of 16 are Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic and Deni Kozul.

Parallel Paths Through the Men’s Draw

Esteban Dorr and Florian Bourrassaud joined their compatriots in the next round by overcoming the Netherlands pair Ivan Kahn and Gabrielius Camara in straight sets, 11–7, 11–6, 11–5. Dorr and Bourrassaud advance to face Sweden’s Truls Moregard and Jonatan Ranefur. Tournament brackets ensure that Dorr and Bourrassaud cannot cross paths with the Lebrun brothers prior to a potential semifinal encounter.

Mixed Fortunes in Women’s and Mixed Doubles

Prithika Pavade and Charlotte Lutz secured their spot in the women’s doubles round of 16 following a five-set battle against Belgium’s Julie Van Hauwaert and Lilou Massart, prevailing 7–11, 13–11, 11–8, 8–11, 11–5. They will meet Romania’s Andreea Dragoman and Elizabeta Samara in the next phase.

In mixed doubles, both entered French pairs advanced to the quarterfinals. Alexis Lebrun and Charlotte Lutz dispatched Italy’s Niagol Stoyanov and Giorgia Piccolin 12–10, 11–7, 11–5 before overcoming Russia’s Evgeny Tikhonov and Mariia Tailakova 11–6, 8–11, 12–10, 11–7. Meanwhile, Thibault Poret and Prithika Pavade defeated Croatia’s Ivor Ban and Hana Arapovic in four sets before eliminating Germany’s Patrick Franziska and Annett Kaufmann by the same margin (11–13, 11–2, 11–8, 11–7). Poret and Pavade face Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu and Bernadette Szocs next, with the draw keeping the two French mixed pairs apart until a potential final.