France's men's table tennis team broke a nearly three-decade drought on October 19, claiming their first European Team Championship title since 1998 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Romania in Zadar, Croatia. The triumph marks France's fourth European team title overall, adding to their previous victories in 1984, 1994, and 1998.

The French squad, featuring rising stars Alexis and Félix Lebrun alongside veteran Simon Gauzy, delivered a flawless performance in the final that left no doubt about their superiority. The team swept through each match with precision and confidence, never allowing Romania an opportunity to gain momentum.

Félix Lebrun, one of the standout performers throughout the tournament, was elated after the victory. "It was just a perfect match! We enjoyed every moment of this championship, and to win the gold is the perfect ending," he said following the final. The Lebrun brothers have been instrumental in France's resurgence on the European table tennis stage, bringing youth and energy to a squad hungry for continental glory.

For Romania, the final represented a historic achievement despite the loss. Their men's team reached the European championship final for the first time in the nation's history, signaling the growing strength of Romanian table tennis on the international stage. While they fell short of the ultimate prize, their journey to the final demonstrated significant progress for the program.

The 2025 European Team Table Tennis Championships, held from October 12 to 19, showcased the best of European table tennis talent. Germany and Slovenia claimed bronze medals in the men's competition, with Germany particularly noteworthy as their squad included established stars Benedikt Duda, Patrick Franziska, and Dang Qiu.

In the women's competition, Germany continued their dominance by capturing their tenth European title with a 3-0 victory over Romania. This represented Germany's third consecutive championship, having also won in 2021 and 2023. Star player Nina Mittelham highlighted the team's mental strength, stating, "When it really matters, when the opponents are stronger, that's when I start to play better." Portugal and the Netherlands secured bronze medals, with the Netherlands returning to the podium for the first time since 2017.

France's victory comes at a pivotal time for European table tennis, as traditional powerhouses face increasing competition from emerging nations. The championship served not only as a celebration of continental excellence but also as a qualifier for future international competitions. With young talents like the Lebrun brothers leading the charge, France has positioned itself as a serious contender for years to come, potentially challenging the long-standing dominance of nations like Germany and Sweden in European table tennis.