Double defeats in the European Championship table tennis – Swedes helpless

First a clear defeat in the singles semifinal, then the same in the doubles final. It was not a pleasant Swedish ending to the Table Tennis European Championship in Linz.

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Double defeats in the European Championship table tennis – Swedes helpless
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

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Sunday began with Truls Möregård being crushed in four straight sets by Frenchman Alexis Lebrun.

Möregårdh had a good start to the match and led the first set 6–2.

Then it was all over.

Alexis Lebrun brought out the big game, while Möregårdh couldn't quite be recognized.

Lebrun managed to turn the first set into a win, 12–10. Then there was a class difference in the second and third sets, both ending 11–5 to the Frenchman.

"Just small"

Möregårdh was under pressure – and soon also eliminated. For Lebrun didn't let up and also won the fourth set clearly, 11–6.

Man, he hit really hard on most balls today. It was hard to do anything, says the Swede.

He never managed to get Lebrun off balance when the Frenchman early on gained an advantage in set after set.

It just small in the beginning. I'm aware that he can do it, but I couldn't take them today simply. He did it way too well. I think I played okay, but I didn't get anything going and then it gets tough, says Möregårdh to SVT.

"Got overrun"

Thus, Möregårdh won a European Championship bronze in singles, and had to try to recharge his batteries before the men's doubles final with Anton Källberg. But a few hours later, Alexis Lebrun, in pair with little brother Felix, dished out a new thrashing.

We get completely overrun, unfortunately, and don't get into the match at all, says Anton Källberg to SVT.

The numbers 11–2, 11–6, 11–8 secured a French gold. Sweden leaves the European Championship tournament in Austria with two medals – one silver and one bronze.

We have to be super happy with this silver medal and that we've come this far, we know they're fantastic in doubles and we did our best today and tried to find solutions, says Truls Möregårdh after the meeting with the more harmonious Frenchmen.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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