Wild-Card Grandet Surprises at Petanque Masters
Called at the last moment to replace the Moroccan team, the wild-card Grandet has made it to the final in Douai (North), marking an unexpected turn of events in the first stage of the Masters.
Just a few days ago, no one anticipated their presence, but now they stand only 13 points away from winning a stage of the prestigious Petanque Masters. The Grandet team, invited as a last-minute replacement for Morocco, has caused quite a stir. Fresh off their victory as the French champions last weekend, Thierry Grandet and Moïse Helfrick have been performing exceptionally well. Alongside Pierre Lucchesi, who stepped in for Jean “Moineau” Feltain, the team has reached the final. In the semi-finals, Grandet and his team defeated Henri Lacroix’s formidable opponents.
A Fierce Battle Against Lacroix
The game started in Lacroix’s favor, with an outstanding performance by Maison Durk in the middle position, giving the gray team an early advantage (5-2). The competition grew intense as Helfrick and Ligan Doerr showcased their shooting skills. The match remained closely contested (6-6). After a well-executed play, the Grandet team came close to regaining the lead. However, in an attempt to add another ball, the usual sharpshooter Moïse Helfrick slipped and accidentally nudged the opposing ball… (7-6). Nevertheless, this setback did not demoralize the French champions, who quickly regained the advantage. In a stunning display of skill, Pierre Lucchesi secured a four-point lead.
Advancing to the Final
The battle at the Douaisis Boulodrome continued to be a back-and-forth affair. Lacroix and his team managed to equalize with a three-point lead (10-10), teetering on the edge of victory. However, the French champions persisted in their relentless pursuit of success. As the winning points seemed within reach for Grandet, Ligan Doerr proved to be a formidable opponent. The young sharpshooter secured a crucial win but had to concede two points (12-10). In the end, Moïse Helfrick and his teammates sealed the deal. As an unexpected guest, the wild-card Grandet has had an impressive journey, now set to face the Suchaud team in the final.