Despite leading 3-1 in sets and having a match point in the fifth game, Lebrun ultimately lost to the 30-year-old Duda, who unexpectedly advanced to the finals.

Félix's frustration during the match led him to throw his racket, damaging an LED board, which resulted in a red card from the referee.

Fortunately for Félix, he was not disqualified from the tournament, allowing him to focus on the upcoming doubles final.

The brothers advanced to the final after a dominant 3-0 victory over the Austrian duo Maciej Kolodziejczyk and Moldovan Vladislav Ursu.

In a brighter turn of events, Félix and his brother Alexis secured their spot in the men's doubles final, aiming for a European gold medal.

Celebrating their doubles success, the Lebrun brothers showcased their camaraderie with a light-hearted boxing gesture after their win.

Félix Lebrun, an 18-year-old French table tennis player, faced disappointment in the quarter-finals of the European Championships held in Linz, Austria, where he was eliminated by German player Benedikt Duda.

Alexis, 21, also advanced to the singles final against Duda, hoping to achieve a personal title after a strong performance throughout the tournament.

This tournament has positioned the Lebrun brothers as new heroes in French sports, especially after their previous bronze medal win at the European Championships in Munich two years ago.

Despite Félix's earlier defeat, the German team had a successful championship overall, with notable performances including Nina Mittelham winning bronze and four out of six German men reaching the quarter-finals.

Duda's victory marks a significant moment in European table tennis, ending a period of German dominance with only the third non-German individual champion in the last 13 tournaments.

On the final day of competition, Alexis did not lose a single game, demonstrating his skill and determination.