This weekend, Clermont-Ferrand hosted one of the most critical events for young French underwater hockey players: the final selection for the Youth National Teams heading to Turkey this summer for the 7th World Championships (July 16th – July 26th, 2026).
Between the stress of the stakes and the fear of falling short, the weekend was a rollercoaster of emotions. Unfortunately, high-level sport is tough and unforgiving. Out of the fifteen or so players present in each category (U19 and U24, Men and Women), only twelve per team saw their year of hard work rewarded with a spot.
For many, this weekend marks the end of a journey; for others, it is a brand-new starting point. From now on, the 48 selected athletes have their eyes fixed firmly on Turkey.