In Cagnes-sur-Mer, boules enthusiasts were thrilled at the boulodrome. Dylan Rocher put on a masterful display of strength over two days. He started by winning the precision shooting trophy. Then he won the gold medal in the triples with Maison Durk and Stéphane Robineau. With this phenomenal double, the French champion rounded off a perfect weekend at the 2025 Europétanque des Alpes-Maritimes. In doing so, he secured first place in the 2026 Qualif’Masters. This is enough to restore the reputation of Dydy la Foudre, who had a mixed 2025 pétanque season.
A decisive event for the 2025 boules season
The final stage of the 2026 Qualif’Masters circuit, the Europétanque des Alpes-Maritimes served as a veritable early final. On 18 and 19 October, the Cagnes-sur-Mer racecourse was transformed into a veritable boules arena. The world’s pétanque elite gathered on the playing fields. Rocher, Lacroix, Doerr, Rizzi, Bonetto and Andriantseheno… Who would climb to the top step of the podium?
But beware! This prestigious line-up hides a major challenge. Each player wants to secure their place among the three captains for the next Petanque Masters in 2026. With 72 points before the event, Dylan Rocher enters the FFPJP competition as the leader. Simply qualifying for the quarter-finals would be enough to secure his place in the 2026 Masters.
And this past weekend, mission accomplished — and much more for the Albatross of the boules courts. The Var native won in all categories of the pétanque tournament. He thus confirms that he remains the absolute benchmark on the French boules circuit.
Dylan Rocher wins precision shooting at the Alpes-Maritimes Europetanque tournament
On Friday evening, Rocher struck gold in Cagnes-sur-Mer. In front of an audience of pétanque enthusiasts, the three-time world precision shooting champion won himself another trophy. He dominated the final against an unexpected opponent. Indeed, the other finalist was not a pétanque player famous for his shooting skills, such as Mickaël Bonetto or Diego Rizzi. It was Olivier Sanchez, a local pétanque player from the Amicale Bouliste des Eucalyptus (Antibes), who faced Rocher in this prestigious shooting competition.
It is worth noting that Olivier Sanchez usually plays as a pointer. He had an exceptional run, eliminating several favourites before bowing out with honours. Opposite him, Dylan Rocher played an incredible game of pétanque, combining power, consistency and composure. He secured an inaugural victory in precision shooting, setting the tone for a flawless weekend at the Europétanque des Alpes-Maritimes.
Durk-Robineau-Rocher : A trio in steamroller mode
Maison Durk and Stéphane Robineau join Dylan Rocher for the rest of the FIPJP competition. The trio approaches the triplet boules competition with ambition. Already winners at the International de l’Olivier de Nyons, the team members play with surgical precision. They breeze through the qualifying rounds, leaving their opponents no chance.
In the quarter-finals, the future Europétanque 2025 champions dominated the team led by Tunisian Mohamed Bougriba (13-5). In the semi-finals, they got the better of Joseph Gimenez, Mayron Baudino and Adrien Delahaye (13-8). Solid pétanque games, punctuated by a formidable series of shots… And perfect harmony between the three players!
On Sunday 19 October, the grand final of Europétanque 2025 lived up to all expectations. Facing the Rocher team were Cyril Bégon, Bruno Gire and William Dauphant of Pétanque Arlancoise, the reigning French champions. A valiant opposing team, but quickly overwhelmed by the consistency and power of the Rocher-Durk-Robineau trio. The final score was a resounding 13-4.
Dylan Rocher went on to win the double of the year in precision shooting and triples. A rare performance, symbolic of the dominance of a boules player at the top of his game.
The big losers: Lacroix, Doerr, Rizzi
The 2025 edition of the Alpes-Maritimes Europétanque tournament did not spare the big names. The French team composed of Mickaël Bonetto, Moïse Helfrick and David Moineau Feltain fell prematurely. Les Bleus were powerless against the young prodigy Dawson Herlemann, already a winner in Ajaccio and Romans.
Diego Rizzi, Henri Lacroix, Ligan Doerr and Christian Andriantseheno suffered the same fate! These big favourites all bowed out before the semi-finals. These surprise defeats and eliminations confirm the rise of a new, ambitious and talented generation… Starting with Herlemann, barely 15 years old, now a regular at major events!
A high-level women’s tournament at the Europétanque des Alpes-Maritimes
The women’s competition was also spectacular on the courts. At the end of an exciting weekend, victory finally went to Florence Schopp, partnered with Mouna Beji (Tunisia) and Torea Tairio (France). In the final, they dominated Marine Piquerez’s team. But it was their resounding 13-1 victory over defending champions Laura Vierjon, Christelle Silve and Sabine Fara that really marked their run at the 2025 Europétanque des Alpes-Maritimes!