Japan's Sora Matsushima is a tricky opponent. When the two met in the second round of the grand smash competition in Malmö in August, it took a tough five-setter before Truls Möregårdh could advance further and ultimately take home the entire tournament.
Now it was a completely different journey in the WTT Champions final in Montpellier. After just 27 minutes, the blue-and-yellow world number five had secured the victory and was able to celebrate with his big brother and coach Malte Möregårdh.
“So cool”
I said to my brother: "It doesn't feel real". It's so cool in this arena in front of this awesome audience. It feels incredible, says the 23-year-old in the victory interview on SVT's broadcast.
Recently, Möregårdh was forced to decline the European Team Championships due to an overexerted knee. After a rest, he made a comeback in the table tennis field in France and ended with another tournament victory on the world tour.
It was clear that double Olympic silver medalist Möregårdh – who also won World Championship silver in singles in 2021 – has a completely different routine than the five-year-younger Japanese.
The Swede won the first two sets 11–9 and 11–8. In the third set, a frustrated Matsushima threw his racket and was cautioned. Möregårdh was ice-cold and won the set 11–7.
Matsushima did come back a little after a timeout to 9–9 in the fourth set, but two straight blue-yellow points and Möregårdh could celebrate victory.
Earlier on Sunday, the Swede silenced the crowd when he knocked out home favorite Alexis Lebrun 4-1 in the semifinals.
For the victory in the WTT Champions tournament, he will receive a prize check of 380,000 kronor ($40,000).
New competition in Frankfurt
When the Swede won the Europe Smash in Malmö in August, he became the first non-Chinese to win a grand smash tournament.
Now he becomes the second player from Europe to win a Champions tournament – the second highest competition category – after Félix Lebrun won the competition in Montpellier last year.
Next week, Möregårdh will face another WTT Champions competition – this time in Frankfurt. Just like in France, he was drawn against national teammate Anton Källberg in the first round.
Born: February 16, 2002.
Occupation: Table tennis player.
Lives: Malmö.
Club: Eslövs AI.
Main achievements: Victory in the world tour competition Europe Smash 2025, victory in the world tour competition WTT Champions in Montpellier 2025, Olympic silver in singles and Olympic silver in team 2024, World Championship silver in singles 2021, World Championship bronze in singles 2025, World Championship bronze in team 2018, European Championship gold in team 2023, European Championship bronze in singles and European Championship silver in doubles 2024, European Championship bronze in team 2021 and 2019.
Other: Voted by the Swedish people as winner of the Radiosportens Jerringpris 2024.
