Photo: Bildbyrån
Alexis Lebrun knocked out Truls Möregårdh in the EC singles, then he and his brother Felix won against the Swedes in the doubles final.
Now Truls Möregårdh can get his revenge right away. Namely, he meets Alexis in a tournament in France.
When Felix Lebrun18, threw his racket in pure anger and frustration after being eliminated in the singles tournament at the European Table Tennis Championships last weekend, many were surprised he was not beaten in the doubles final as well. After all, he got a red card. If he had been allowed to leave the championship, Sweden would have won EC gold on a walk over.
Swedish criticism of the decision
Now that wasn’t how it turned out. Instead, Felix Lebrun was judged to play the final together with his brother Alexis Lebrun21, and they defeated Truls Möregårdh22, and Anton Källberg27, by 3-0 in sets in the final. Many were disappointed that the French were even allowed to play the match.
– I spoke to the chief judge who justified in that way that he will be disqualified from the singles tournament altogether. Won’t be participating, won’t get any ranking points or anything but will get to play on in the doubles tournament then. They mean that there are different classes then and refer to the fact that he is disheveled in one class but okay in another class. This decision is unique in some ways. It has never happened before. I’ve never experienced that before, said the expert Ulf Tikan Carlsson to Radiosporten.
READ MORE: The Swedish criticism after Lebrun was allowed to play in the EC final in table tennis
Just a couple of days later, it turns out that Truls Möregårdh gets a chance for revenge against Alexis Lebrun – who also knocked out the Swede in the semi-finals of the EC singles. They meet in the second round of the world tour competition in Montpellier.
Back in France
Truls is back in France for the first time since winning two silver medals at the Paris Olympics. He loves being back in the country where he made history as recently as last summer.
– I am grateful for the support from the audience tonight. I love France and have only good things to say about the country. It was fun to be back, he says according to SVT Sport.
READ MORE: Truls Möregårdh admits his favorite sport besides table tennis
What makes it extra clever for him in the match against Alexis Lebrun is that the tournament is played in the hometown of the Lebrun brothers, Montpellier. The Swede can therefore expect that it will be heard in the stands who is the favorite in the match.
– I will probably have a few against me in the next match, but it will still be fun, says Truls.
Fight Truls! We know you have the ability and skill to win against Alexis Lebrun. There are many of us who believe in you and support you.
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