French too strong: Table tennis team loses EM semifinal - Germany's Table Tennis Team Secures Bronze, Qualifies for 2026 Worlds After Semis Loss
The German men's table tennis team faced a disappointing defeat in the semifinals of the Team European Championships, losing to France. Despite the loss, Germany secured a bronze medal and a spot in the 2026 World Championships.
The match began with a victory for Germany's Benedikt Duda, ranked 8th in the world, who defeated Alexis Lebrun in the opening match. However, Germany could not maintain the lead.
The turning point came in the singles matches. Patrick Franziska, despite his efforts, fell to France's Felix Lebrun. Dang Qiu also suffered a loss against Simon Gauzy. These defeats proved decisive, with France securing a 3:1 victory.
This loss marks another early exit for Germany in major tournaments. Previously, they had been eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Olympics and the 2024 World Championships.
Germany's table tennis team may have lost the semifinal, but they still leave with a bronze medal and a qualification for the 2026 World Championships. The team will now focus on preparing for the upcoming world event, aiming to improve their performance and secure a better position.
