1.The official framework of Saint-Étienne
The official Masters website presents Saint-Étienne as the 4th stage of the 2026 season, with a program open to the public: youth activities, health sports demonstrations, Women's Trophy and senior launch. The Saint-Étienne Métropole website confirms the hosting of the 27th edition of the Masters in the city center, on the Hôtel-de-Ville and Jean-Jaurès squares.
The point to remember: this stage arrives after Montluçon and before Santa Susanna. It therefore counts heavily in the race for the Final Four.
2.Pool A: Saint-Étienne creates the spark
The first big thrill comes from the local team. In front of its stands, Saint-Étienne beat Germany 13-10. Sportmag describes a close game, with a tie at 7-7 then a decisive passage from the locals in front, until the thirteenth point. Sébastien Besson, Maxime Font, Nicolas Kerherno and Jean-Philippe Soricotti thus created a strong image at the start of the stage.
In the same group, the Doerr team beat Zigler 13-7, then confirmed against Saint-Étienne 13-9. Sportmag indicates Doerr as qualified, while the jump-off must decide between Zigler and Saint-Étienne.
| Pool A | Score | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Germany - Saint-Étienne | 10-13 | Exploit of the locale |
| Doerr - Zigler | 13-7 | Doerr takes the ascendancy |
| Doerr - Saint-Étienne | 13-9 | Doerr qualification |
| Germany - Zigler | 12-13 | Zigler stays alive |
3.Pool B: the Etoiles du Sud strike first
Pool B starts with a shock score: the Étoiles du Sud dominate the Dream Team 13-2. In a stage where Quintais, Lacroix and Matraglia inevitably attract attention, this failed entry weighs immediately. Bonetto, for his part, beat Rocher 13-11 in a very high-level performance.
The Étoiles du Sud then confirmed against Bonetto, 13-8, and were announced qualified. The Dream Team reacts against Rocher 13-2, which sets up a hot barrage against Bonetto. The Sportmag article from July 23 on Bonetto then specifies that the title holders dismiss the Dream Team 13-2, with a very solid Ludovic Montoro.
4.The teams involved
The list published by Sportmag recalls the line-up: Bonetto with Mickaël Bonetto, Ludovic Montoro and Christophe Sarrio; Dream Team with Philippe Quintais, Henri Lacroix and Laurent Matraglia; Rocher with Dylan Rocher, Diego Rizzi and Jean-Michel Puccinelli; Doerr with Sébastien Rousseau, Baldwin Magny and Christian Andriantseheno. Added to this are Germany, Zigler, the Étoiles du Sud and the local team from Saint-Étienne.
This plateau explains the immediate tension: no chicken looks like a simple warm-up round. The roadblocks are already weighing on the general ranking and on the psychological dynamics of the leaders.
5.The challenges of the general classification
At this point in the season, each step brings teams closer or further away from the Final Four. Bonetto, title holder, is looking to regain momentum. The Dream Team, heavily beaten in the jump-off, complicates its path. Doerr and the Etoiles du Sud emerge strengthened from the first phase.
Saint-Étienne shows why the Masters remains such a lively format: a home crowd can push a guest team, but the favorites must then win the final matches with no margin for error.
6.Sources consulted
- Sportmag, “Pétanque Masters: all the results of the 4th stage in Saint-Etienne”, published July 23, 2026.
- Sportmag, “Masters of Pétanque: feat of the local in Saint-Etienne!”, published on July 22, 2026.
- Sportmag, “Pétanque Masters: Bonetto dismisses the Dream Team and reaches the final four!”, published on July 23, 2026.
- Official website of the Masters of Pétanque, page Stage 4 - Saint-Étienne.
- Official website of Saint-Étienne Métropole, Masters of Pétanque 2026 calendar.