France and Serbia emerged as the 2026 Tennis Europe 18 & Under Summer Cups by Dunlop champions after three days of team competition, with both top seeds finishing the week in style to claim the Galea/Valerio Cup and Soisbault/Reina Cup respectively.
France lived up to expectations throughout the Final Rounds, opening with a 3-0 victory over Spain before edging Germany 2-1 to reach the championship tie. Awaiting them were second seeds Italy, who had defeated Romania and Slovakia en route to the final.
The title was decided in the singles matches. Daniel Jade (FRA) was tested from the start by Simone Massellani, recovering from the loss of the opening-set tie-break to turn the match around 6-7(4) 6-1 6-1. Mickael Kaouk then ensured France would not need the doubles, producing a composed 6-3 6-2 victory over Matteo Gribaldo to seal a 2-0 triumph.
For Jade, it was another milestone in a rapid progression through the Tennis Europe pathway. The Frenchman won both the European 14 & Under Championships and the Tennis Europe Junior Masters in 2024, and has since established himself on the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors, collecting notable results, including at junior Grand Slam level.
The girls' competition followed a similar script, with Serbia completing an unbeaten week to lift the Soisbault/Reina Cup. The top seeds had already come through two close ties against Bulgaria and Czechia before facing fourth seeds Hungary, who had impressed with victories over Romania and Sweden.
The final began with another comeback. Anastasija Cvetkovic recovered from a set down to defeat Lujza Beviz 6-7(5) 6-1 6-0, handing Serbia the early advantage. Lana Virc then wrapped up the title with a 6-1 4-6 6-1 victory over Luca Kalman, making the doubles rubber unnecessary.
Slovakia secured the boys' bronze medals with a 3-0 victory over Germany, while Czechia completed the girls' podium after defeating Sweden by the same scoreline.
While France's triumph further cemented the nation's remarkable record in the Galea/Valerio Cup, lifting the trophy for the sixth time in the last eight completed editions, Serbia celebrated a long-awaited return to the top of the Soisbault/Reina Cup, claiming the title for the first time since 2014.
Final Standings
GIRLS
1. Serbia
2. Hungary
3. Czechia
4. Sweden
5. Spain
6. Latvia
7. Romania
8. Bulgaria
BOYS
1. France
2. Italy
3. Slovakia
4. Germany
5. Czechia
6. Türkiye
7. Spain
8. Romania