News · 1 August 2026
World Youth Petanque 2026: Bleuets qualified in Santa Susanna
NewsFrench team at the 2026 mixed youth world championships: doublet, triplet and precision shooting after the1.The context of the Mixed Youth Worlds
The mixed youth world championships bring together the best training nations. For France, the challenge is twofold: confirming the quality of the youth sector and transforming a good start into medals. The format requires you to remain solid in several exercises, because the doublet, the triplet and the precision shot do not require exactly the same reflexes.
The French selection cited by Sportmag brings together Kimberley Bousch, Roxane Croquefer, Sacha Jacquet and Dawson Herlemann. This versatility is essential in a mixed competition: each player must assume a clear role, but also adapt to the tables and opponents.
2.Doublet: a setback then three victories
The start against Thailand was tough, with a 13-5 defeat. This score reminds us that the Bleuets are not entitled to a slow start against the big nations. But the reaction set the tone for the rest of the day: victory against Hungary, 13-4 success against England, then 13-1 against Switzerland.
What to remember. The initial defeat did not break the dynamic. The Bleuets come out of the groups among the top seeds, which validates the minimum sporting objective before the eighth.
3.Precision shooting: podium already assured
Mixed precision shooting already provides a strong guarantee: the Herlemann - Bousch duo is in the semi-final after a victory against Monaco, announced 29-22 by Sportmag. The final square pits France against Belgium, while Madagascar faces Thailand in the other semi-final.
In this format, the medal is already assured, but the color remains to be defined. The key will be consistency on target after target: a shooting competition is won less on a spectacular shot than on the ability not to give away a free hole.
Herlemann - Bousch in the semi-final
Next opponent for a place in the final
The other semi-final in the table
4.Mixed triplet: qualification snatched
In mixed triplets, France experienced a more nervous scenario. The clear victory against Japan, 13-0, launched the campaign. Two defeats then complicated the situation: 11-13 against Belgium, then 8-13 against Thailand.
The match against Monaco was therefore mandatory. The Bleuets won 13-8, solidly enough to reach the round of 16. This victory counts as much mentally as sportingly: it shows that the team was able to play a tough match without panicking.
| Proof | Quoted review | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed doubles | Defeat Thailand then victories Hungary, England, Switzerland | Qualified in eighths |
| Precision shooting | 29-22 victory against Monaco | Medal guaranteed |
| Mixed triplette | Decisive 13-8 victory against Monaco | Qualified in eighths |
5.What to watch for now
The rest will tell if this start turns into multiple podiums. Three points will be observed: the ability to find Thailand with better responses, the management of precision shooting in the semi-final, and mental freshness after several matches under pressure.
For French clubs, this type of competition is also a useful reminder: youth training is not limited to learning the gesture. Young people must learn to lose a first match without leaving the tournament, to correct quickly, to read a table and to show up for the next match with the same intensity.
Registrations, pools, tables, game sheets: the PetanqueLand software helps clubs structure their competitions without wasting time at the table.
Discover the software6.Sources consulted
Sportmag, article from July 31, 2026, “Petanque: start validated for Bleuets at the World Cup”. Image source: Sportmag / FFPJP, press file associated with the article. Score and qualification data are taken from this report.
FFPJP, federation context and mixed youth championships, cited by Sportmag as a source of information.
