Anton Källberg lost the EC final after a huge shock

Earlier on Sunday, Anton Källberg had a resounding win against German world eleven Dang Qiu in the semi-finals.

The question was whether the Swedish 29-year-old would be able to recharge for the final just a few hours later against the big favorite and world number two, Frenchman Felix Lebrun, 20.

The answer was yes. Källberg played focused and won the first set 11–7.

Already in the second set, Källberg forced the young Frenchman to use up his timeout after taking four straight balls at 10-5 to Lebrun. The "time" had an effect, however, and Lebrun shouted his joy after winning the set with 11-9.

"How strong is he mentally?!"

Källberg, ranked 29th in the world, played variedly and surprised Lebrun several times with long serves. Despite the Swede playing good ping pong, Felix Lebrun won the subsequent set 13–11.

But Källberg got up again and equalized at 2–2 in the set.

- How strong is he mentally?! asks J-O Waldner rhetorically in SVT's broadcast.

The final developed into a first class nail biter. Källberg took home the fifth set with 11–9 and was just one set away from a historic EC gold.

In 2000, Peter Karlsson won European Championship gold in Bremen. Since then, a Swedish men's player has not won the European Championship in singles - and now Källberg had the chance to take the first Swedish European Championship gold in 26 years.

But, with the knife to his throat, Felix Lebrun scored his two best sets of the match by far, winning the final two sets 11–6 and 11–1.

The women's final was won by the Russian Elizabet Abraamian after she defeated the German Annett Kaufmann 4–3 in sets.