For the first day of the Europétanque, which will conclude with the finals on Monday, success is already evident. The opening rounds gathered many spectators at the various competition venues. Matches and sweltering heat were on the agenda this Saturday.
Triples teams, jack balls, and spectators were present from 8 a.m. at the two sites: the Promenade des Anglais and the Esplanade de Lattre de Tassigny near the Palais Acropolis. In a festive and friendly atmosphere, the 512 triples teams of the competition began the Europétanque. The first matches started at 8:30 a.m. with the 1/256 finals. Petanque fans and curious onlookers gathered early in the morning around the barriers and in the stands. The matches ended in the evening after a long day for the participants due to the very high temperatures.
This Sunday morning, only 32 triples teams remain in the running for the Europétanque 2014 title. The 96 survivors will begin their 1/16 finals from 9 a.m., and the competition will continue until the early evening with the quarter-finals. For the final four and the grand final, we will have to wait until Monday night. The world’s best in the discipline have already arranged to meet Monday at the honor court of the Acropolis site.
This Sunday will see the start of three other competitions of the Europétanque, including the 2014 National Women’s contest, whose final will take place from 10 p.m. at the Acropolis. The 2014 Youth contest will take place all day at the Henri Bernard Bouledrome, on the route de Grenoble. For the finals, the best will meet in the honor court, the venue for all the finals. Let’s not forget the Malatesta contest for the triples teams eliminated in the first round this Saturday.
The grand precision shooting contest began this Saturday evening with the 1/8 and 1/4 finals. This event included the year’s eight best in the world as well as eight qualifiers from the regional round. The final will take place this Sunday around 6 p.m. at the Acropolis.
