The best players from across Europe assembled in Monaco for the Pétanque European Championships from 12 to 15 October. Star-decorated jerseys were given to the proud winners of the European competition in triples and in shooting for women’s and men’s categories.
Monaco’s Louis Marsille beats Flavien Sauvage in the Finals!
On his home turf, Monegasque Louis Marsille was crowned European U23 precision shooting champion! During the precision shooting match, Louis Marsille delighted the audience at home when he went up against Flavien Sauvage, from France, who was one of the top players and one of France’s favourites to win. But by the last round, Marsille had an astounding seven-point lead. When he hit the first three goals in the final, the crowd couldn’t contain its excitement!
After his big win, Louis Marsille confided that he had given everything he had and that he was very proud. The first-time champion thanked his family, especially his father. On the square of honour in the Principality, he stood on top of the podium and put on his winning jersey for the first time.
Spain wins the Women’s Championship
Pétanque has been experiencing a revival in Spain over the past few years, which paid off during the women’s European championships. Led by the 2022 European precision shooting champion Maria Artacho, Spain won the gold medal.
Italy comes out on top in the Men’s Championship
France was the big favourite for the men’s event, but they were knocked out by Italy in the semi-finals. Italy then faced Spain in the finals and got off to an excellent start with a score of 7-0, before Spain quickly caught up! The suspenseful match was close, with the Italians and the Spaniards both determined to win. But there can only be one winner and Italy came out on top, winning the European Championship cup.
But it was the final of the European championship in triples which would end it in apotheosis. Italy, after knocking out France in the semi-final, with a team whose three members have just shone all summer in the Masters of pétanque (Baudino, Delahaye and Sauvage) and a Bastien Hyvon who we have seen excel on several national. In precision shooting, however, it will be the Spaniard Escacho who will have the favor of the forecast, even if we can think that Sauvage or the Monegasque Marsille, in particular, will have their say.
As for the players, we will follow title holder France with interest, because we will only find two of the 2022 champions, Aveyron’s Camille Agrinier and Northerner Manon Pruvot, associated this year with Picquard and Bodenghiem. A renewal which will have to prove itself against the Belgians led by Madison Vleminckx, the Monegasques Godard, Albecq and Thivoz who won bronze medals last year or the Spanish, in the wake of the European precision shooting champion Maria Artacho.
This will of course also be very prominent in this discipline, but the competition will be tough, even if the number of competitors is reduced, since we will also find Agrinier, Vleminckx and Thivoz for Monaco.
Very beautiful pétanque in the Principality, and the opportunity to contemplate all the young European talents who will, in a few years, animate the international circuit. It starts tomorrow, and it will be broadcast live, starting Friday afternoon, on WebTV Boulistenaute.
Ranking of pétanque players in the Nationals
Only 5 players can now claim first place!
Sylvain Bonnet, our “Mr. Ranking” has just updated the ranking this Tuesday, October 10 after careful compilation of the results available on the federal software as well as those obtained through research, exchanges and data collection from the organizers of nationals. This long-awaited ranking highlights the performances of the most talented players on the circuit.
Before presenting the modium to you, a brief review of the scale used:
National up to 128 teams: Winners 6 points – Losers 5 pts – Semi-finalists 4 pts – 1/4 finalists 3 pts
Up to 256: G7-P 6-1/2 5-1/4 4-1/8 3 Up to 512: G8-P7-1/2 6-1/45-1/8 4
Up to 1024: G9-P8-1/2 7-1/4 6-1/8 5
1st – Henri LACROIX
90 points
2nd – Michel HATCHADOURIAN
79 points
