French pétanque teams advance to title match; Madagascar, Thailand secure semifinal berths

Moïse Helfrick’s triplette posted a 13-0 quarterfinal shutout at Espalion, and that result tells you everything about the competitive pitch of this International Pétanque Championship heading into its final weekend.

Semifinals are set. Madagascar and Thailand have both secured spots in the closing rounds, where they will face the French triplettes of Bonetto and Helfrick in matches that will decide Sunday’s finalists.

Thailand’s run through the Espalion bracket has been relentless. World champions Sriboonpeng and Khamdee dismantled opponents in succession with superior shooting precision, defeating Fafou (the playing name of Marc Cognard), then advancing past Durk, Herlemann and Faurel to earn their semifinal berth against Bonetto. Their consistency at the boules has made them a formidable obstacle for any remaining competitor.

The Bonetto triplette, operating under the Collectif France banner with teammates Sarrio and Montoro, built its momentum by eliminating defending champions Andriantseheno. The team also holds the 2025 Masters title. They removed Franck Millo, the former Monaco-based player who had compiled an impressive run through the earlier rounds by defeating Rousseau, Doerr, and the Madagascar team led by Lova Rakotoarisoa, winner of the 2025 Marseille championship.

Madagascar’s presence in the final weekend reflects the island nation’s sustained strength in international pétanque. Two Madagascan teams reached the quarterfinals, underscoring the depth of talent from the region. The team of Yves and Zigle from Décines, playing with Franck Picq, fell to Helfrick’s triplette in the quarterfinals. That defeat did not blunt Helfrick’s advance. He, alongside Jimmy Capeleaud and Christophe Constant, now faces another Madagascan formation in the semifinals, one that includes two vice-champions from the 2024 world championship triplettes competition.

The quarterfinal scorelines were decisive across the board. Bonetto’s team defeated the Gioe, Millo and Motte combination 13 to 3. Helfrick secured that 13-0 victory over Picq, Rakotondrainibe and Rakotoarisoa. Thailand’s Sriboonpeng and Khamdee beat Sicre, Rathqueber and Faurel 13 to 7. Madagascar’s Andrianantenaina, Rakotoniaina and Randriaharimana advanced past Laur, Even and Giraud 13 to 3.

By contrast, the round of 16 offered slightly closer margins, though the eventual semifinalists were already asserting control. Millo’s team overcame Andriantseheno 13 to 8. Helfrick’s squad defeated Fayard, Fayard and Prudhomme 13 to 2. Bonetto’s triplette topped Leandre, Faralli and Gerard 13 to 3. Thailand delivered another dominant performance against Perrot, Hut and Herlemann, winning 13 to 0.

Whether the semifinal matchups produce the same lopsided margins, or whether Madagascar’s 2024 world championship vice-champions can push Helfrick’s triplette into a tighter contest, is the question Espalion will answer this weekend.