Lebrun brothers power Nîmes/Montpellier to 3-1 ETTU win

Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier opened their ETTU Champions League Men quarter-final tie with a 3-1 home victory over KS Dekorglass Działdowo on January 15, 2026, a result that hands the French side a clear advantage heading into the away return leg.

The tie was decided by two strong performances from the Lebrun brothers. Felix Lebrun set the tone by winning the opening match in straight games against Samuel Kulczycki, taking the scoreline 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-4). Alexis Lebrun followed with another straight-games win, defeating Hou Yingchao 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 11-7) to push Alliance to a 2-0 lead and put Dekorglass on the ropes early.

Działdowo fought back in the third rubber when Jakub Dyjas beat Antoine Hachard 3-0 (4-11, 7-11, 4-11), pulling one back and injecting life into the Polish side. That momentum, however, was short-lived. Felix Lebrun returned for the fourth match and closed out the tie with a composed 3-1 victory over Hou Yingchao, winning 11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7 to seal the overall 3-1 result.

Coach Vincent Avril praised the pair of Lebrun brothers for delivering at home and highlighted the significance of a 3-1 scoreline heading to Poland. Securing three points on home boards gives Alliance a cushion: it leaves Dekorglass needing at least two wins in the return to force a decider and reduces the pressure on Nîmes/Montpellier’s selection and tactics for the away match.

For local clubs, club nights, and weekend players, the tie is a reminder of how momentum and early set wins shape a team match. Felix’s opening victory and his ability to close the fourth match illustrate the value of a reliable number one who can both start and finish a tie. Alexis’s straight-games win against a seasoned opponent shows how depth behind a top player can be decisive in team competition.

The return leg in Poland now becomes the focal point. Dekorglass will need a strong response from players like Dyjas and Hou to overturn the deficit, while Alliance can approach their lineup choices with the strategic benefit of being ahead. Fans should expect a tactical, high-stakes rematch where serves, first-to-three resilience, and match-order decisions will determine who advances to the next stage.