Table tennis: The year or never for the French?

The French, led by the Lebrun brothers, hope to finally defeat China this Saturday in the semi-finals of the World Table Tennis Championships.

It’s the much-anticipated showdown, the big day. The French men’s table tennis team will face China in the semi-finals of the World Championships in London this Saturday. Two years after the final in Busan, South Korea, where the French took home their second silver medal in history (0-3), the Chinese giant stands in their way again in the quest for the ultimate title.

An expected yet surprising clash, as it is not in the final but in the semi-finals that the French will meet the Chinese. This is due to China’s first defeats in a World Championship in 25 years, against Sweden (3-2) and South Korea (3-1) in the group stage. These surprises have led Simon Gauzy to suggest that the level of the Chinese team, winners of eleven consecutive titles since 2001, has “weakened”. Is this the right moment to play (and beat) the Chinese?

“We have our chance”

According to Jean-René Mounié, director of high performance, these two defeats in the group stage do not change anything. “It’s not ‘the year or never’,” he told L’Équipe. I think the opposite. By definition, in my opinion, we will have more chances to win the World Championships in four or two years than this year. We will be stronger, our team is very young.” China has indeed taken revenge with authority against South Korea in the quarter-finals (3-0), showing a growing strength.

If France wants to reach the final, they will likely have to overcome Wang Chuqin. However, Félix Lebrun has never beaten the world number one in seven encounters, even though he came close last summer in Las Vegas during an epic duel (defeat 4-3). “If we win against China, it will be a feat. They are rising in power, and I am super excited to play against them,” said the younger Lebrun brother after the victory against Brazil (3-0) in the quarter-finals. “We have our chance,” added Jean-René Mounié. “We see that at the moment they are struggling. But we must keep in mind that they are world number ones.” And so, it will not be easy to beat them. But the French believe.