Champions League table tennis: Alexis and Félix Lebrun lead Alliance Nîmes-Montpellier to final with stunning win over Düsseldorf

Alliance Nîmes-Montpellier (ANMTT) has written a new chapter in its history by securing a place in the Champions League table tennis final after a commanding 3-1 victory over Borussia Düsseldorf on Saturday. The milestone achievement, a first for the French club, was powered by the twin brilliance of Alexis and Félix Lebrun, whose masterclasses set the tone for an unforgettable weekend in top-flight European club competition.

The breakthrough comes just months after the brothers overcame setbacks at the World Team Championships in London, where they fell to China in a tight semifinal. Undeterred, the Lebrun brothers turned the tables with a display of skill and resilience that left Düsseldorf—long considered Europe’s pongist powerhouse—humiliated on the biggest stage.

Alexis and Félix Lebrun dominate the semifinal stage

With the weight of a nation on their shoulders, the Lebrun brothers delivered when it mattered most. Alexis Lebrun, ranked 12th in the world, set the tone early by dismantling Düsseldorf’s top seed Dang Qiu (world No. 10) in straight sets (11-5, 11-8, 11-8). His composed performance under pressure gave ANMTT an unassailable 1-0 lead.

The momentum shifted to Félix Lebrun, the 19-year-old sensation ranked third globally, who faced Sweden’s Anton Källberg. In a tightly contested opener, Félix clawed back from the brink, saving three set points to clinch a thrilling 16-14 first game before closing out the match 11-9, 16-14, 11-8. The victory was a statement: the Lebruns were not just present—they were dominant.

The stage was now set for a dramatic decider. With the score tied 2-2 after an intense doubles clash, the weight of expectation fell on Félix’s shoulders once more. Facing the USA’s Kanak Jha and India’s Manav Thakkar, he delivered a clutch performance, securing the decisive fourth rubber 16-14, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8. His heroics sent a clear message to the competition: this team is not going home empty-handed.

A historic milestone for French table tennis

The Alliance’s victory marks the first time a French club has reached the Champions League table tennis final. The journey has been one of relentless ambition, from local gymnasiums to the grand stage of European club sport. Under the guidance of head coach and visionary leader, the team has evolved into a force to be reckoned with.

Now, all eyes turn to Sunday’s final against FC Sarrebruck, the German juggernaut and defending champions led by the unstoppable Fan Zhendong. With a record three consecutive titles under their belt, Sarrebruck enters the match as heavy favorites. But in table tennis, momentum is everything—and the Lebruns have it all.

Expect fireworks. Expect history. And expect a final that could redefine French table tennis forever.

Key highlights from Saturday’s semifinal

• 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

With this historic result, Alliance Nîmes-Montpellier stands on the brink of greatness. The final in Sarrebruck is not just a match—it’s a chance to etch a new legacy in French sport.