First success at the European Championships in Linz

Outside the door to the Tips Arena there is a life-size cardboard advertising stand with the image of Felix Lebrun, one of the big stars of this European Championship in Linz. A few meters further on, the 18-year-old Olympic bronze medalist tried to warm up between two stands and caught a few glances at Austria’s doubles Robert Gardos and Daniel Habesohn. But then the folder comes and stamps the figurehead from France away.

How could the gentleman know that just a few weeks ago thousands of French people frenetically cheered for the young star when he sensationally won bronze at the Olympics in Paris? Felix Lebrun, his brother Alexis and the Swede Truls Möregardh have been the most famous European table tennis players since the Olympic Games. And also those who like to fulfill autograph requests after the parties in Linz.

Live to China

After the Olympics, the European Championships are a very important tournament, and not just for the Swedes and French. Chinese television takes over the live signal from the arena. A total of 80 journalists are accredited. The French sports bible L’Equipe reports in words and pictures and broadcasts on its own TV channel from Linz.

The sporting team includes 700 people, consisting of athletes, supervisors, ball children and referees. Transport is provided by two large buses and eight minibuses that take the athletes to the arena from the five partner hotels. There is a players lounge and 16 tables for playing.

Slippery balls

This is also urgently needed, as Daniel Habesohn said after the opening win in the doubles with Robert Gardos: “You have to adapt to the conditions.” The balls are quite hard, we slide a little on the table. This makes the ball quick after the bounce. You have to work on the ball, otherwise it will slip into the net.” Against Putuntica/Levajac, Habesohn/Gardos were 0:6 behind in the deciding set. “We knew we had to play more simply,” said Habesohn. Suddenly it was 8:6 and ultimately 3:2 in sets.

First medal

Austria’s first medal was already won in the mixed doubles on Thursday. Sofia Polcanova and Robert Gardos won their quarter-final against Poland’s Maciej Kubik/Katarzyna Wegrzyn 3-2 and met the Germans Annett Kaufmann/Patrick Franziska in the semi-final on Friday. Third place will not be played because the medal is already fixed. “I was really nervous in the first game,” said Polcanova, who wants to defend two European Championship titles in Linz.