“We expected a great atmosphere, and it was”: exceptional enthusiasm for the return of the Lebrun brothers to Montpellier

"We expected a great atmosphere, and it was": exceptional enthusiasm for the return of the Lebrun brothers to Montpellier

Le public était au rendez-vous pour le retour des frères Lebrun à Castelnau-le-Lez. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Les Montpelliérains Alexis et Félix Lebrun ont fait leur retour à la compétition avec leur club, jeudi 10 octobre, à Castelnau-le-Lez, avec une toute nouvelle popularité.

Never seen before in France. After the two bronze medals won by Alexis and Félix Lebrun at the last Olympic Games in Paris, the craze for table tennis has never been so strong in France. Back on their home turf, the siblings were welcomed by a large audience in a much larger room than the usual Alain-Achille gymnasium (250 seats), bordering the Philippidès stadium in Montpellier. Indeed, there were more than 1,200 people in the Palais des sports Jacques Chaban-Delmas in Castelnau-le-Lez to support the Alliance Nîmes-Montpellier for the first Pro A championship match against Jura-Morez, Thursday, October 10.

Proof that the club from the south of France has changed dimension, a hundred supporters were impatiently waiting for the opening of the hall, an hour before the start of the match. Among the spectators present on Thursday, regulars but also first-timers like Fabien, 50 years old. “I found them efficient at the Olympics. I told myself that this was the opportunity to see them in real life. We're not used to seeing table tennis in Castelnau”, he rejoices.

The return of the big heads

For regulars at the Alain-Achille gymnasium, the Jacques Chaban-Delmas Sports Palace is also a change. “Alexis and Félix are used to playing in big venues in China. For us, it's different. We're not used to seeing them in such a big venue”, confided a spectator.

The atmosphere was still there despite everything. “Allez Alexis” and “Allez Féfé” came down from the stands while a souvenir of the Olympic Games resurfaced with the big heads bearing the image of the two Montpellier table tennis players. The party was great until the end with the final success of the Nîmes-Montpellier Alliance after a very close match (three wins to two) and a defeat by Félix Lebrun. "With the excitement since the Olympics, we expected a lot of people and a great atmosphere, which was it. So it's really great to come back and play in Montpellier", the youngest of the siblings was satisfied after his team's victory.

A lot of children present

For Nathanaël Molin, coach of the French team, present for this inaugural match, this can also be explained by the good work of the club, the region and the federation. “Table tennis has gone from being a nice sport to a super attractive activity where people have a great time.”

Among the spectators in the evening, a lot of children. This was the case for Victor, 9 years old, for whom the brothers from Montpellier are real idols. “I am very happy to come and see them. I want to have a dedication from them.”Wish finally granted at the end of the match. One certainty: Victor and the others will return for the next matches.

Next meeting at the end of October

After the European Championships (October 15 to 20) in Linz, Austria, the Lebrun brothers will return to Hérault for the WTT Champions in Montpellier, a competition that will bring together most of the world's best players and which will take place at the Sud de France Arena, starting October 22.

A competition that will last for six days. For the first time organized in France, a tournament of such magnitude will be the opportunity for the Montpellier siblings to win a first major title in their career.

The price of the seats varies between 4.50 € for a session concerning the first matches of the tournament, and 22.50 € for the chance to attend the final on Sunday October 27.

More information on worldtabletennis.com

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