Basque Pelota Updates (June 2016-April 2017); 2019-

This is a current awareness blog that links to the latest sources of information on Basque Pelota matches and Tournaments. It covers all of both North and South Basque modalities: Pro and amateur. It links to match stories, statistics and video highlights and/or full match videos. NEW!!! JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) WINTER SERIES--OCTOBER 2024--FEBRAURY 2025!!!

Thursday, October 31, 2024

JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) JAI ALAI WINTER SERIES 2024-25 (Gernika)

JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) WINTER SERIES 2024-25 INTRODUCTION  

JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) JAI ALAI WINTER SERIES 2024-25 (Gernika) 

Note: Links to All Jai Alai Winter Series full match videos back to 2021-2 are available from EITB TV Winter Series Page (click on "Gernika 4 Denboraldia". JAWS 2023-24 (16 full match videos), JAWS 2022-2023 (16 full match videos), and JAWS 2021-2022 (9 full match videos).

You can follow the entire tournament via EITB (Basque). The main Tournament page will give the scores of each match, standings, with links to match articles,  and the entire schedule. It is very easy for you to translate the EITB coverage via any number of translators or automatically through your computer. I will give no spoiler links to each match video.

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Day 1 (October 28, 2024)

GROUP B:

ARITZ ERKIAGA--ION IBARLUZEA v
JOHAN SOROZABAL--UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA (LEKE)

 GROUP A:

ALEX GOITIA--JULEN DEL RIO v
ENAUT URRIESTI--GORKA SOROZABAL

FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB--In the order listed above)

SCORES, STANDINGS, MATCH ARTICLES (CLICK ON SCORE FOR LINK TO MATCH ARTICLES)




Wednesday, October 30, 2024

JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) JAI ALAI WINTER SERIES 2024-25 (Gernika)

JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) WINTER SERIES 2024-25 INTRODUCTION  

JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) JAI ALAI WINTER SERIES 2024-25 (Gernika)

Note: Links to All Jai Alai Winter Series full match videos back to 2021-2 are available from EITB TV Winter Series Page (click on "Gernika 4 Denboraldia". JAWS 2023-24 (16 full match videos), JAWS 2022-2023 (16 full match videos), and JAWS 2021-2022 (9 full match videos).

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The 2024-2025 Jai Alai League (Ereman!) Season opened with the first League match of the Jai Alai Winter Series (Gernika). This is a Grand Slam Tournament with 8 pairs, 4 in each of 2 groups. It will consist of a single round robin. The top two teams in each division will then square off in the semi finals, Group A#1 v Group B#2 and Group B#1 v Group A#2. The two winners will face each other in the final. The 16 match tournament will be played (2 matches the first week) one match per week for the rest of the tournament, with the groups alternating, each Monday night, with the exception of New Years Eve and the Final, which will be held on Sunday afternoon. All matches will be streamed on delay and then on demand via EITB. 

You can follow the entire tournament via EITB (Basque). The main Tournament page will give the scores of each match, standings, with links to match articles,  and the entire schedule. It is very easy for you to translate the EITB coverage via any number of translators or automatically through your computer. I will give no spoiler links to each match video. 

Scoring: 2 sets to 15 with a tie breaker to 5

2-0 win=4 points
2-1 win=3 points
1-2 loss=1 point
0-2 loss=0 points 

Standings ties will be broken by net point differential

Group A:

ALEX GOITIA--JULEN DEL RIO
ENAUT URREISTI--GORKA SOROZABAL
XABIER BARANDIKA--IMANOL LOPEZ
LUDOVIC LADUCHE--MIKEL MANZICIDOR

Group B:

ARITZ ERKIAGA--ION IBARLUZEA
JOHAN SOROZABAL--UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA (LEKE)
THOMAS URRUTIA--THIBAULT BASQUE
JEAN OLHARAN--JON ZABALA






Thursday, February 22, 2024

JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) WOMEN'S WINTER LEAGIUE 24 BEGINS--INTRODUCTION

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JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) WOMEN'S WINTER LEAGUE 2024 INTRODUCTION  

JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) WOMEN'S WINTER SERIES 2024 (DURANGO)

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The 2024 Jai Alai League (Ereman!) and EUSKOTREN ("a public company of the Basque Government are the promoters of  the Women's Winter Series Tournament (February, 26, March 4, and March 11, to be played at recently renovated and remodeled Ezkurdi Fronton (EITB), Durango (Wikipedia), with 4 pairs. It is a Master Tournament, consisting of 2 Semi-finals and a Final. All three matches will be streamed on demand by EITB. In addition,  there will be a Men's Masters singles Tournament featuring Aritz Erkiaga, Unai Lekerikabeaskoa, Ludovic Laduche, and Johan Sorozabal (top finishers in the FINAL FOUR tournament, which was held last October between the top finishers in the 2023 Summer Partidos). Complete details of matchups and dates, along with other relevant information is available via Jai Alai News Facebook (Basque, with links to 19 photos). Note that a Facebook membership is not required. Simply click on the circled X and you will be linked. 

An English Google translate of the Facebook article is available below.

EITB and the Jai Alai League are promoting this competition heavily in order to shine a spotlight on the growth of the Women's game in the Basque country. The Women's game is growing by leaps and bounds, with the players improving exponentially. The fact that EITB is televising all of the matches on a slight delay, in the same time slot as was used for the recently completed Jai Alai Winter Series, speaks volumes about the importance of promoting the Women's game. And the secondary Men's tournament won't be too bad either.

The blog will cover this Tournament as it did the JAWS, with No Spoiler and Spoiler sections separated by a ===== barrier.

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

EUSKOTREN WOMEN WINTER SERIES
DURANGO WILL TAKE GERNIKA'S WITNESS!
Take it!

From Monday, the best female cesta Punta players will compete in Ezkurdi, in the Euskotren Winter Series tournament.

Lizardi's injury has opened the door for young Elaia Gogenola and she is the main novelty.

Last year's champions Erika and Arai will not repeat as a couple.

In the men's individual competition Erkiaga, Johan, Laduche and Lekerika will compete.
ETB 1 will offer all the matches: February 26 and March 4 and 11.

The women's cesta punta has its main date in Ezkurdi of Durango from this Monday. After last year's success, the Women Winter Series tournament has its second edition, this time also under the auspices of EUSKOTREN, the public company of the Basque Government. It has been working for women's sports in the South Basque Country for several years and now it has taken another step, jumping to the top of the basket.

The stage, of course, will be the historic Ezkurdi stadium. It's only been a year since it was repaired and inaugurated and Durango is once again among the most important squares of Cesta Punta, with the Women Winter Series, the Individual Series or the Final Four of the Jai Alai League, that was played by the top scoring players in the 2023 Summer League.

Lizardi's injury and the novelty of Gogenola

In terms of the sports approach, there is a significant change in this year's edition. Eneritz Lizardi from Mutriko, who is a reference in women's cesta punta, will not participate. The defender from Gipuzkoa has a fracture in the right knee cruciate ligament.

She will undergo surgery on March 14 and according to the forecasts she will be out of the courts for half a year. This unfortunate news has opened a door for a new player. Elaia Gogenola (Born, 2007) strong and courageous striker.

Women's cesta punta is still a growing sport and Eraman has chosen five forwards and three defenders to organize a high level tournament. 
It is therefore mandatory for a striker to play in the back court. This has happened many times in the ball world and in the cesta point and it also shows the ability of a ball player to adapt. That being the case, Ihart Arakistain from Sopela will play as a defender. If Arakistein performs well, it will open up opportunities for her to play as a striker or a defender in the future. Her partner will be Elaia Gogenola, new this year. Both are members of the Berriatu club and know each other well.

Champions will not repeat as a pair

Erika Mugartegi and Arai Lejardi from Marina (?) are last year's champions, but this year they will not repeat as a couple. Mugartegi will play with Maialen Aldazabal from New York and Lejardi with Helena Barrenetxea from Durango. Lejardi is at the top of the ball: she is the current champion of the Winter Series and Buruz Buru and the point guard that all opponents want to beat. 

The other couple that will participate in the tournament is made up of Maite Ortiz de Mendibil from Gasteiz and Frida Watkins from Zumaia.

Individual Series

Four players will take part in the men's head-to-head in Erama! In the Individual Series organized by the company: the main favorite Aritz Erkiaga, Johan Sorozabal, Ludovic Laduch and Unai Lekerika.

February 26

19:00  SEMI-FINALS
HELENA-ARAI vs MAITE-FRIDA (WS)
Johan vs Laduche (Single Series)

March 4
 
19:00  SEMI-FINALS
ERIKA-MAIALEN vs ELAIA-IHART (WS)
Erkiaga vs Lekerika (Individual Series)

FINALS on March 11

All matches can be seen on ETB 1, on Mondays from 22:15.

Vouchers and tickets
Tournament tickets and vouchers are available at www.eramanjaialai.com .

Reviving the cesta-punta in Durango

A year after the inauguration of Ezkurdi, the zesta punta has been revived in Durango. With the formation of the new club, they already have 44 players, but in all there are 64 players who are training with the Ezkurdin basket. First, there was a lack of young players and now, there is a lack of free hours on the court in Durango.

Aritz Erkiaga, the player of ERAMAN!, is the instructor of the club. He is the main point of reference for the cesta school in Durango. Aritz's bold and spectacular play is, to one degree or another, what all fans want to see.

Players

HELENA BARRENETXEA (Durango, 2007)
ARAI LEJARDI (Markina-Xemein, 2007)
MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL (Gasteiz, 2005)
FRIDA WATKINS (Zumaia, 2008)
ERIKA MUGARTEGI (Markina-Xemein, 2008)
MAIALEN ALDAZABAL (2006)
ELAIA GOGENOLA (2007)
IHART ARAKISTAIN (Sopela, 2006)

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JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) WOMEN'S WINTER LEAGUE 2024 INTRODUCTION  

JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) WOMEN'S WINTER SERIES 2024 (DURANGO)

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JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--JAI ALAI LEAGUE (ERAMAN!) WOMEN'S WINTER SERIES 2024 (DURANGO)

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Links to: 


2. JAI ALAI LEAGUE (ERAMAN!)  WOMEN'S WINTER SERIES 2024  

Note: Links to All Women's Jai Alai Winter Series full match videos back to 2023 are available from EITB TV Winter Series Page (click on "Denboraldia 2" and a drop down menu will appear that will link to "Denboraldia 1", last year's complete Women's Tournament (3 full match videos).

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This post will consist of the following:

A.  "Non Spoiler" section (a simple link to the video of latest match with no other information)

=== barrier

B. "Spoiler" section, including the video link, winners, the score, line scores, match statistics

C.  Link to a match article(s)
D.  Google English translation of that match article.

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NOTE: THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR ALL SIX MATCHES IN THIS TOURNAMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR EASE OF ACCESS.

Non-Spoiler

FINAL

MARCH 1, 2024

ERIKA MUGARTEGI--MAIALEN ALDAZABAL v
HELENA BARRENETXEA--ARAI LEJARDI

INDIVIDUAL SERIES

ARITZ ERKIAGA V JOHAN SOROZABAL


Women's match  begins at 0:00 on the video.
Men's match begins at 1:04:07 on the video.

SPOILER INFO BELOW IS IN PROCESS OF COMPILATION.

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Spoilers

2ND SEMI-FINAL

MARCH 4, 2024

ERIKA MUGARTEGI--MAIALEN ALDAZABAL 2
ELAIA GOGENOLA--NAROA MARINO  (substituting for IHART ARAKISTAIN) 0
15-7, 15-12 (30-19)


Women's match  begins at 0:00 on the video.

Linescores (match winners always listed 1st)

Set 1:

1-0; 1-1; 3-1; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 6-3; 6-6; 11-6; 11-7; 15-7
+1;=;+2;+1;+2;+1;+3;=;+5;+4;+8
2 equal scores, 0 lead changes

Set 2:

2-0; 2-1; 3-1; 3-2; 6-2; 6-4; 7-4; 7-5; 9-5; 9-6; 10-6; 10-9; 11-9; 11-11; 13-11; 13-12; 15-12
+2;+1;+2;+1;+4;+2;+3;+2;+4;+3;+4;+1+;+2;=;+2;+1;+3
1 equal score, 0 lead changes

Scoring (EITB)

Mugartegi +16 -5; Aldazabal +2 -1
Gogenola +10 -9; Merino +3 -3

Mugartegi: 8 Atzean (behind); 4 Moztuak (passing shots); 2 Sakez (service aces)

Aldazabal: 2 Atzean
 
Gogenola: 5 Atzean 2 Bi Paretak (2 walls); 2 Errestoan Tantoa (serve intercept/immediate kill)

Merino: 2 Atzean; 1 Bi Paretak

Total score: +31 -18 (.633)

M-A +18; 12 G-M errors (.600 winners)
G-M +13; 6 M-A errors (.684 winners)

Balls in Play (Deia)EITB did not provide full match BIP information

313

Non-error percent (BIP - errors) / BIP  (313 - 18)/ 313 (.942)

Average BIP per Point: 6.4

Time of the match (Deia) EITB did not provide time. This is total match time, no actual playing time was provided.

51:37

Average time per point: 63.2 seconds

Note Erika Mugartegi was the star of a well played but rather one sided match. She had more winners than both of her opponents combined, putting them on the back foot throughout the match. M-A never trailed, and were only tied on 3 occasions. However, G-M put up a spirited fight in Set 2, coming back from 10-6 to 13-12 before finally succumbing. Both back court players were excellent, with only 4 errors between them, and the non-error percent for the match was over 94%, an excellent rate for any partido match. 

Match Article (Deia) (Igor Vigo) (Castilian). The article is accompanied by a photo gallery of 18 pictures.

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Erika Mugartegi and Maialen Aldazabal, finalists of the Euskotren Women Winter Series

The forward of Markina and Maialen Aldazabal overcome Elaia Gogenola and Naroa Merino and reach the final of the Women 
Winter Series

Igor G. Vico NTM
DURANGO | 04·03·24 | 21:45 | Updated at 21:48


The difference is called Erika Mugartegi. The Markina-Xemein forward, powerful and decisive, was the main protagonist of the second semifinal of the Euskotren Women Winter Series of the cesta punta played this Monday in an Ezkurdi fronton in Durango that presented a beautiful image, packed to the brim. 

And it was the Biscayan who took the lead. She is the point scorer with the most punch of the four that appeared in the championship and she makes it count. The current holder of the txapela and Maialen Aldazabal sign up for the final next Monday on the same stage, where the local Helena Barrenetxea and Arai Lejardi, Mugartegi's countrywoman and with whom she won the scepter in 2023, await. One of the two will repeat the crown.

The amazing ability of the Markinarra to give speed to the ball both from the backhand and from the forehand was combined with the seriousness of her partner in the long frames to mix in a couple with hardly any cracks. Not even in the face of a duet without complexes and with a lot of self-confidence. It is true that Elaia Gogenola made mistakes, but it is no less true that Berriatua's forward showed out with really beautiful and elegant postures, as well as with excessive ambition when it came to seeking the goal. She is honest. She exuded personality. In Durango she was thanked for her permanent volcanic character in the cheerful paintings. In fact, Elaia, who wanted to take center stage, had flashes of a true figure both on the side and on the right. She also hit complicated balls. However, the mistakes ended up taking their toll on her in the semi-final.

Erika-Maialen 15/15

Elaia-Naroa 7/12

Duration: 51:37 minutes of play.

Serves: 4 by Erika.

Hits: 313 good hits.

Winners: 12 from Erika, 1 from Maialen, 10 from Elaia and 4 from Naroa.

Errors: 4 from Erika, 2 from Maialen, 9 from Elaia and 3 from Naroa.

First set score: 1-0, 1-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2, 4-3, 6-3, 6-6, 11-6, 11-7 and 15-7.

Second set score:  1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 6-2, 6-4, 7-4, 7-5, 9-5, 9-6, 10- 6, 10-9, 11-9, 11-11, 13-11, 13-12 and 15-12.

Incidents: Match corresponding to the second semifinal of the Eusko Label Winter Series Tournament played at the Ezkurdi fronton in Durango. Full. In the semifinal of the Banakako Series, Aritz Erkiaga defeated Lekerika (12-3 and 12-5).

The reality is that luck eluded the yellow team and they suffered the siege of a more complete and solid Erika. Naroa Merino, Ihart Arakistain's substitute, assumed the role of playing outside her area, at the back, but the champagne bombardment caused her problems. 

Mistakes and power

The first joko was cold. Erika took the helm of the game and looked for the long frames. Her merger with Aldazabal denoted a plan: look for Merino. Furthermore, Elaia experienced moments of anxiety that benefited her opponents. Erika and Maialen managed the score until 6-6. A stick from Elaia opened the bleeding. Mugartegi put the ball back to unbalance the set. They went 11-6. The 11-7 was a shot from Naroa wide. The woman from Tolosa tried a drop shot that went into the mattress and the Biscayans did not forgive. The 15-7 was a blow from the Markinarra. 

In the second set, however, the yellows let go. The Berriatua forward arrived very brave. Although Erika and Maialen were ahead at all times (2-0, 6-2 and 9-5), for Elaia there is no such thing as surrender . They tied 11-11, but Mugartegi nailed a cut to return the advantage to the favorite side. The 13-11 score was a setback against the Markinarra team. Elaia drew a two-wall in the next return (13-12). Erika and Maialen did not forgive. 15-12 and to the final.

INDIVIDUAL SERIES

ARITZ ERKIAGA 2
UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA 0
12-3, 12-5 (24-8)


Men's match begins at 1:04:35 on the video.

Linescores (match winners always listed 1st)

Set 1:

1-0; 1-2; 2-2; 2-3; 12-3
+1;-1;=;-1;+9
3 equal scores, 2 lead changes

Set 2: 

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-4; 10-4; 10-5; 12-5
-1;=;-1;+3;=;+6;+5;+7
3 equal scores, 1 lead change

Scoring (EITB):

Erkiaga: +19 -2
Lekerikabeaskoa +6 -5

Erkiaga: 11 Bi Paretak (2 walls); 5 Atzean (behind); 1 Sakez (service ace)

Lekerikabeaskoa: 3 Atzean; 1 Dejadaz (drop shot); 1 Txik-Txak-Txula (hits back wall on bounce or in the air so low that it cannot be returned)

Total Score +25 -7 (.781)

Erkiaga +19; 5 Lekerikabeaskoa errors (.792) winners)
Lekerikabeaskoa +6; 2 Erkiaga errors (.750 winners)

No Balls in play or time data were provided by any source I found.

Match article: (El Correo) (Javier Garcia Legoburu) (Castilian)

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE ARTICLE

Erkiaga - who currently works at the Durango cesta punta school - offered a recital in the second of the semi-finals, with countless two walls before which the one from Gernika could do nothing. With 3-2 in his favor, Lekerika made a serve fault and from that moment on, he did not react at any time to the superiority of Erkiaga, who distanced himself with 7-3 in the first set. From there, it went straight to the final 12-3.

The second set played in the emblematic Durango fronton inaugurated in 1955 and reopened a little over a year ago, began more evenly. Lekerika wanted to make it difficult for Erkiaga and scored two goals that, supported by the chants of encouragement, the fans seemed to encourage him to get closer on the
scoreboard, but after the tie at four, Erkiaga went to 10-4 with ease, again offering a infinite amount of resources. He barely made a mistake in the entire game. With the final 12-5, Ispaster's showed that he is the current number one in the modality.

The final will be contested between Erkiaga and Johan Sorozabal, after the women's championship final.

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1ST SEMI-FINAL

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

HELENA BARRENETXEA--ARAI LEJARDI 2
MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL--FRIDA WATKINS 0
15-14, 15-12 (30-26)


Women's match  begins at 0:00 on the video.

Linescores (match winners always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-4; 3-4; 3-5; 5-5; 5-7; 6-7; 6-9; 10-9; 10-10, 10-11; 14-11; 14-14; 15-14
-4;-1;-2;=;-2;-1;-3;+1;=;-1;+3;=;+1
4 equal scores, 3 lead changes

Set 2: 

0-2; 2-2; 3-2; 3-3; 5-3; 5-4; 7-4; 7-5; 8-5; 8-6; 9-6; 9-9; 11-9; 11-10; 14-10; 14-12; 15-12
-2;=;+1=;+2;+1;+3;+2;+3;+2;+3;=;+2;+1;+4;+2;+3
3 equal scores; 1 lead change

Scoring: Deia (EITB did not provide any cumulative scoring)

Barrenetxea +13 (including 4 service aces) -3; Lejardi +6 -4

Ortiz de Mendibil +15 (including 3 aces) -7; Watkins +4 -4 

Total Score: +38 -18 (.679)

B-L +19 11 M-W errors (.633 winners)
M-W +19 7 B-L errors (.731 winners)

Balls in Play

293

Non-error percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (293 - 18) / 293 (.939)

Average Balls per Point: 5.2

Time of the match (Deia--total time only, actual playing time was not given): 56 minutes

Time per point: 60 seconds

Note: This was an extremely close, entertaining match, played in front of 500 fans. The largest lead in the entire match was 4 points and, as the above statistics demonstrate, it was a very well played match. 

Match article:  (Jai Alai News Facebook, Basque, includes 13 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X). 

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

PUBLIC STAND UP! HELENA AND ARAI WINNER!
Take it!

Euskotren Winter Series, 1st day

HELENA-ARAI vs MAITE-FRIDA: 15-14, 15-12

Beautiful atmosphere at the Ezkurdi fronton in Durango during the second edition of the Women Winter Series. 500 fans joined this cold Monday, improving the number of last year's premiere and those who were there did not regret the game they saw. The four protagonists have played a very competitive and hard-fought match, they have offered a great show and they have also shown that they have raised the level of their game this year. Good news for women's cesta punta! The people stood and applauded the four protagonists.

We have a good game and show, because Berrenetxea, Lejardi, Ortiz de Mendibile and Watkins showed a cheerful game and a good level. The latter is the youngest of the four and also from the tournament, together with Erika Mugartegi, they are both 16 years old.

The yellow couple gave a better start to today's final. They started 0-4 before, with Maite and Frida aggressive and scoring with the right. The first goal of the brown pair was scored by Barrenetxea from Durango, who looked for the ball well and finished behind (1-4). They maintained this advantage until the last round, but the browns came from behind. Thanks to Barrenetxea, they have come together. Maite hit the double wall, Helena guessed and finished very well with the same play (8-9). After drawing at nine. Lejardi scored a very difficult ball in the open area and finished it with his right hand (10-9). The people of Bizkaia were in front, but the Araba and Gipuzkoans held firm. From ten, Maite elegantly on the plate. From 10-11, Frida held well and Lejardi missed. From the line-up, a great drop from Arai Lejardi, who quickly threw two walls with her right hand. That's where the people of Bizkaia took the lead until 14-11. This was a great score, the four scored really excellent balls and got the public on their feet. But do not give up on them. 14-12, Maite strong with a return. 14-13, Maite's awesome serve to the rebound. 14-14 the same Araba on the badge. Fourteen on the scoreboard, great emotion on the court, the crowd enjoying themselves and finally the home player, Helena Barrenetxea, scored the goal that decided the set. After getting the ball in, the Durango player throws it quickly, gives life to the game and played a well-rounded game today.

The second game also started with a draw, but after the 3-3, the maroons took the lead, up to 7-4. Helena's task was to avoid the Araba striker. Maite presents great danger. She hurts a lot with the right. She is brave and has also been excellent with the serve. They have done well, but the browns have done a little better in defense. Lejardi is a guarantee of safety. She almost never misses a ball, she delays it very well with the return and always places the ball with intention with her right hand. The 9-6 was hers, rejected on the left wall and the 9-7 of Watkins, making the same play. They managed to tie the score at nine, but Maite made two mistakes in a row, at a bad moment, and Helena from Durango made some incredible plays. 12-10 with a wall double with the right hand, and 14-10 on the rebound a beautiful double wall. Zesta fans in the stands were enjoying the game, but Maite and Frida did not immediately give up. They narrowed the game to 14-12 but in the end they could not turn the difference. Lejardi, the champion of Markina-Xemeine has decided the set, the match and the classification for the final.

Today, the women's puntistas stood up in the front of Durango and the cesta punta fans greeted the four players with applause on their way to the locker room. They gave a great show. Next week, Elaia Gogenola and Naroa Merino will compete against Erika Mugartegi and Maialen Aldazabal.

Johan wins

In the Individual Series, in the match between Lapurti, Johan Sorozabal prevailed over Ludovic Laduchi, 12-10 and 12-3. Next week, Erkiaga against Lekerika.


INDIVIDUAL SERIES

JOHAN SOROZABAL  2 
LUDOVIC LADUCHE 0 
12-10, 12-3 (24-13)


Men's match begins at 1:07:40 on the video.

Linescores (match winners always listed 1st)

Set 1:

1-0; 1-1; 3-1; 3-2; 8-2; 8-5; 9-5; 9-8; 10-8; 10-10; 12-10
+1;=;+2;+1;+6;+3;+4;+1;+2;=;+2
2 equal scores, 0 lead changes

Set 2: 

1-0; 1-1; 5-1; 5-2; 7-2; 7-3; 12-3
+1;=;+4;+3;+5;+4;+9
1 equal score; 0 lead changes

I could not find any statistical data for this match.


Match article for this match (El Correo, Castilian)

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION FOR THE SECOND MATCH ARTICLE

The event is accompanied by a men's tournament, which featured a duel between Johan and Laduche. In the first set of the match, Johan took a 7-2 lead. However, the rival did not give up and despite suffering a slight fall on the counter court it was only a scare. He leveled the match by surprising his compatriot with several drop shots and managed to get closer to 9-10 and tie the set at ten points. Finally, Johan took the first set (12-10) thanks to a failure in Laduche's dropshot. in the happy pictures.

In the second set, Johan showed his superiority from the beginning and demonstrated his punch and all his offensive artillery. From the beginning, he escaped with partial scores like 5-2, 9-2 and took his place in the final with an incontestable 12-3, where he will face the winner of the other semifinal between Erkiaga - who currently works at the school of top basket of Durango- and Lekerika that will be played next Monday.

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Links to: 



2. JAI ALAI LEAGUE (ERAMAN!)  WOMEN'S WINTER SERIES 2024  

Note: Links to All Women's Jai Alai Winter Series full match videos back to 2023 are available from EITB TV Winter Series Page (click on "Denboraldia 2" and a drop down menu will appear that will link to "Denboraldia 1", last year's complete Women's Tournament (3 full match videos).


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Thursday, January 11, 2024

JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA: HEGOALDE (SOUTH BASQUE): JAI ALAI WORLD TOUR/WORLD PELOTA ASSOCIATION 2023 WORLD SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP--WOMEN'S AND MEN'S--COMPLETE

Munduko Pilota Batzarra (World Pelota Association) and Jai Alai World Tour  sponsored the 2023 World Singles Championship, played at Mendibarren Fronton, Berriatua (1--Frontons.net) (2--City, Wikipedia)

This was a seeded Tournament, with the higher seeded players entering in later rounds. There were  1/8, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and a Final. There was also a women's pairs Tournament, set up in the same fashion. Unfortunately there is no information available for the Women's Tournament before the Quarter Finals. 

The entire Tournament ran from December 1, 2023 through January 5, 2024, with Qurater Finals beginning on December 16. The Finals of both tournaments were televised by EITB.

Mendibarren is a 48 meter court, and has become the home of this tournament recently, after several years at 38 meter Bizkaia (Bilbo) Fronton. It is, in my opinion, a perfect court for the singles game.

We have little to no match information about any of these matches, but the Berritxu Zesta Eskola Facebook page  (click on the X if you don't have a Facebook account) provided scores and linescores for all matches.  Note that if you are unable to directly access the  Facebook links below, try using this link and then tracking back to the relevant links. Dates are noted for each match below.

As all of those posts include photos (69 total) I will link to them. The posts were all in Basque.


NON SPOILER:

Both women's and men's Finals were streamed by EITB. I will present this link in a non spoiler fashion, followed by a === barrier. Below that, all information (scores, linescores, available statistics, final standings of the players, selected Google translated match articles, and more, will be available.

January 5, 2024

Finals:

Women's

MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL (Deia article--Castilian) v
ARAI LEGARDI (linked information contains spoilers, see the link below)

Men's

ERIK MENDIZABAL (substituting for IMANOL LOPEZ)


Women's match begins at: 0:00 on the video
Men's match begins at 50:14 on the video

Note that between the end of the Women's match and beginning of the Men's match there is a ceremony celebrating the career of Aimar Aldazabal, who retired after 21 years as a professional player.

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SPOILERS

NOTE: THE MAIN THEME OF THIS TOURNAMENT, AS SHOWN BY THE MATCH ARTICLES AND VIDEOS AVAILABLE, WAS THAT IT WAS A MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT. 16 MEN AND 8 WOMEN WERE INVOLVED. THE MEN PLAYED 15 MATCHES, THE WOMEN PLAYED PLAYED 9 FROM THE QUARTER-FINAL LEVEL ON. THERE WERE EARLIER WOMEN'S ROUNDS, BUT THERE WAS NO COVERAGE THAT I COULD FIND REGARDING THOSE EARLIER MATCHES.

WOMEN'S CESTA PUNTA IS QUICKLY GROWING AND BECOMING POPULAR IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY. THE QUALITY HAS IMPROVED BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. JUDGE FOR YOURSELF IN THE ONE MATCH THAT WAS TELEVISED.

AS FAR AS THE MEN ARE CONCERNED, ARITZ ERKIAGA, AT PRESENT, TOWERS OVER THE CESTA PUNTA WORLD LIKE THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES. HE WAS SEEDED LATE IN THE TOURNAMENT AND DID NOT DISAPPOINT. HE WON 3 MATCHES, ALL IN STRAIGHT SETS, AND HAD AN ASTRONOMICAL 41 NET POINTS, MEANING THAT HE WAS WINNING EACH SET BY AN AVERAGE OF 12-5. HIS WINNING SCORES WERE 12-10, 12-5, 12-4, 12-1, 12-5, AND 12-6. 

HE TRAILED MIKEL MANCISIDOR BY 4 POINTS IN THE FIRST SET, BUT RALLIED TO WIN THAT. HE NEVER TRAILED BY MORE THAN ON POINT THE REST OF THE WAY, AND ONLY 3 TIMES. HE TOYED WITH ERIK MENDIZABAL (A MULTIPLE SINGLES QUINIELLA CHAMPION AT DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA) IN THE FINAL. MENDIZABAL WAS BROUGHT IN ON SHORT NOTICE WHEN IMANOL LOPEZ WAS UNABLE TO PLAY DUE TO INJURY. THIS MAY HAVE EFFECTED HIS PERFORMANCE, BUT NOBODY WAS GOING TO BEAT ERKIAGA. 

IT WAS ERKIAGA'S 3RD CONSECUTIVE SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP, AFTER DEFEATING IMANOL LOPEZ AND AIMAR ALDAZABAL THE LAST TWO YEARS. IT WAS HIS 4TH SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP OVERALL. ALDAZABAL RETIRED AFTER THIS TOURNAMENT, ENDING A 21 YEAR CAREER IN THE SPORT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE LACK OF COMPETITIVE FINALS BELIED THE FACT THAT THIS WAS A TERRIFICALLY COMPETITIVE TOURNAMENT, WITH SOME SPECTACULAR MATCHES. THE ONLY EVIDENCE OF THIS IS THE PRESENTATION OF LINESCORES FOR EACH MATCH (SEE BELOW).

I HAVE LINKED TO THE RELEVENT POSTS DUE TO THE 69 PHOTOS THEY CONTAINED. I HAVE COPIED OUT THE LINESCORES BELOW.

THE BEST WAY TO FOLLOW THE TOURNAMENT FROM BEGINNING TO END IS BY STARTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST.

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JANUARY 5, 2024
                                                                                                     
DAY 8: FINALS



Note that between the end of the Women's match and the beginning of the Men's match there was a ceremony to mark the retirement of Aimar Aldazabal, who finished off a 21 year career playing both front and back court, beginning at Fort Pierce Florida in 2003, playing in US quiniella Leagues at Fort Pierce and Dania Beach, among others. He began his sporting life at the Berriartua Club, so his final performance (today's doubles match--see below, which was not streamed), took place at his home Fronton. Cesta Punta Pro Tour website lists 8 Championships among his finest performances.  

Women's match begins at 0:00 on the video.
Men's match begins at 50:14 on the video.

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT

ARAI LEGARDI (2-0; +17) 2 (click on right arrow at top left of screen)
Deia Interview (Castilian)
12-8, 12-5 (24-13)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-1; 2-1; 2-2; 3-2; 3-3; 5-3; 5-5; 8-5; 8-6; 10-6; 10-7; 11-7; 11-8; 12-8
-1;+1;=;+1;=;+2;=;+3;+2;+4;+3;+4;+3;+4
4 equal scores, 1 lead change

Set 2: 

4-0; 4-1; 5-1; 5-3; 6-3; 6-4; 9-4; 9-5; 12-5
+4;+3;+4;+2;+3;+2;+5;+4;+7
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes

Scoring (EITB)

Lejardi +18 -5
Ortize de Mendibil +8 -6

Total Score: +26 -11 (.703)

Balls in Play: 129

Lejardi 69 (50 on the bounce, 19 in the air)
Ortiz de Mendibil 60 (46, 14)

Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (129 - 11)/ 129 (.915)

Avg. BIP per point: 4.4

Time of the match: 32:25 (entire time of the match, EITB did not keep track of actual playing time.

Avg. Time per Point: 52.6 seconds

ARAI LEGARDI WINS THE WOMEN'S SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP (3-0; +28)

Women's Final Standings

ARAI LEGARDI:            3-0 +28 Champion
MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL: 2-1 +11 2nd Place
ERIKA MUGARTEGI:         1-1   0
IHART ARAKISTAIN:        1-1  -1
MAIALEN ALDAZABALl:      0-1  -7
ELAIA GOGENOLA:          0-1  -8
ENERITZ LIZARDI:         0-1  -8
OIHANA SOROZABAL:        0-1 -15

MEN'S TOURNAMENT 

ARITZ ERKIAGA (2-0, +28) 2
ERIK MENDIZABAL (substituting for IMANOL LOPEZ) (2-0, +3) 0
12-5, 12-6 (24-11)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-3; 10-3; 10-5; 12-5 
+3;+2;+3;+1;+7;+5;+7
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes

Set 2: 

1-0; 1-2; 6-2; 6-4; 10-4; 10-6; 12-6
+1;-1;+4;+2;+6;+4;+6
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes

Scoring (EITB)

Erkiaga +17 -2
Mendizabal +9 -7

Total Score: +26 -9 (.743)

Balls in Play: 181

Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (181-9) / 181: .950

Erkiaga: 97 (80 on the bounce, 17 in the air)
Mendizabal 84 (76, 8)

Avg. Balls per Point: 5.2

Time of the match: 36:23 (entire time of the match, EITB did not keep track of actual playing time.

Avg. Time per Point: 62.4 seconds

ARITZ ERKIAGA WINS THE MEN'S SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP (3-0; +41)

In addition there was a "curtain raiser" 

JOKIN ARBE--ROBERTO LEKUE (manista.com) 25
(Alberdi interview, Xistera Kluba, Basque, Castilian, or French)

Men's Final Standings

ARITZ ERKIAGA:        3-0 +41; Champion
ERIK MENDIZABAL:      2-1 -10; Runner up
COSME AGUIRRE:        2-1  +4
MIKEL MANZICIDOR:     2-1  +2
LUDOVIC LADUCHE:      1-1 +13
AIMAR ALDAZABAL:      1-1  +4
JOHAN SOROZABAL:      1-1  +3
ANTXON ALBERDI:       1-1  -8
URKO LEKERIKABEASKOA: 1-1 -13
JULEN DEL RIO:        1-1 -18
THIBAULT BASQUE:      0-1  +2
ALEX GOITIA:          0-1  -2
ROBERTO LEKUE:        0-1  -3
JON TAMBOURINDEGUY:   0-1  -3
MARTIN:               0-1  -4
JOKIN ARBE:           0-1  -8
IMANOL LOPEZ: DID NOT PLAY DUE TO INJURY


Google English Translation

Arai Lejardi has worn the first cap of the Women's Individual Championship.

Aritz Erkiaga won the individual championship for the third time in a row [January 5], the fourth overall.

Mikel Reina Barros

01/08/2024

Little by little, the girls' cesta point is making progress . It already has the first champion of the Individual Championship: Arai Lejardi. Markina-Xemeindarra overcame Maite Ortiz de Mendibil in two sets [January 5] at the front of Mendibarren Fronton in Berriatu.

The first set was the most equal, everyone tried to impose their game, they were uncomfortable when they didn't play their way, the player from Gasteiz is a forward and Lejardi is a defender. But Lejardi adapted better, especially by delaying the ball with backhands, and won the first set 12-8. With the confidence of winning the set , Markina-Xemeindara worked more comfortably in the second, also she started to win 4-0 and left the set focused. In the end she prevailed 12-5.

Erkiaga also prevailed in two sets against Erik Mendizabal from Mutri. However, it was a tough match, especially physically. The native of Ispaster showed his mastery in front of the spectators who filled the stadium. He scored 16 goals and only missed two. Both puntistas wanted to work on the goals from the beginning, but Erkiaga finished better. He prevailed 12-5 in the first set and 12-6 in the second. The striker wore the cap for the third year in a row in Berriatu.

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December 29, 2023

Day 7: Semi-Finals

All 4 Scores (2 women's and 2 men's) and 14 photos

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT

MATCH 1

ARAI LEJARDI (1-0; +8) 2 (click on right arrow at top left of screen)
IHART ARAKISTAIN (1-0; +8) 1
(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Arakstain is  Berriatua's Front Court Player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube) 
12-4, 9-12, 5-1 (26-17)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 8-2; 8-3; 11-3; 11-4; 12-4
-1;=;-1;+6;+5;+8;+7;+8
2 equal scores, 1 lead change

Set 2:

0-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-3; 5-7; 6-7; 6-8; 7-8; 7-11; 9-11; 9-12
-1;-1;+2;+1;+2;-2;-1;-2;-1;-4;-2;-3
2 known equal scores, 2 lead changes

Tie breaker:

1-0; 1-1; 5-1
+1;=;+4
1 equal score, 0 lead changesl

LEJARDI ADVANCES TO THE FINAL

MATCH 2

MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL (1-0; +15) 2 Deia Interview (Castilian)
ERIKA MUGARTEGI (1-0; +7) 0
(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Mugartegi is Markina's front court  player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube)
12-8, 12-9 (24-17)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-3; 5-4; 8-4; 8-6; 10-6; 10-8; 12-8
-3;+1;+4;+2;+4;+2;+4
1 equal score, 0 lead changes

Set 2:

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-4; 5-4; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 7-8; 8-8; 8-9; 12-9
-1;=;-1;+2;=;+1;=;+1;=+1;-1;=;-1;+3
8 equal scores, 3 lead changes

ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL ADVANCES TO THE FINAL

MEN'S TOURNANAMENT

MATCH 1

ARITZ ERKIAGA (1-0; +9) 2
JULEN DEL RIO (1-0; +1) 0
12-4, 12-1 (24-5)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

1-0; 1-2; 3-2; 3-4; 12-4
+1; -1; +1; -1; +8
4 equal scores, 4 lead changes

Set 2: 

9-0; 9-1; 12-1
+9;+8;+11
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes

ERKIAGA ADVANCES TO THE FINAL

MATCH 2

ERIK MENDIZABAL (substituting for IMANOL LOPEZ) (1-0; -1) 2
AIMAR ALDAZABAL (1-0; +8) 0
12-9, 12-11 (24-20)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

1-0; 1-2; 2-2; 2-6; 6-6; 6-7; 8-7; 8-9; 9-9; 9-10; 10-10; 10-11; 12-11
+1;-1;=;-4;=;-1;+1;-1;=;-1;=;-1;+1
8 equal scores, 4 lead changes

Set 2: 

4-0; 4-4; 8-4; 8-5; 10-5; 10-6; 11-6; 11-9; 12-9
+4;=;+4;+3;+5;+4;+5;+2;+3
1 equal score, 0 lead changes

MENDIZABAL ADVANCES TO THE FINAL

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December 23, 2023:

Day 6: Quarter Finals

All 4 Scores (2 women's and 2 men's) and 9 photos

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT

MATCH 1

MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL 2 Deia Interview (Castilian)
OIHANA SOROZABAL 0 (French)
12-5, 12-4 (24-9)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

2-0; 2-1; 4-1; 4-5; 12-5
+2;+1;+3;-1;+7
1 equal score, 2 lead changes

Set 2:

5-0; 5-1; 7-1; 7-2; 10-2; 10-4; 12-4
+5;+4;+6;+5;+8;+6;+8
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes

ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

MATCH 2

(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Mugartegi is Markina's front court  player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube)
(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Aldazabal is Berriatua's back court
player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube)
12-11, 12-6 (24-17)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-2; 1-2; 1-6; 2-6; 2-7; 3-7; 3-8; 5-8; 5-10; 9-10; 9-11; 12-11
-2;-1;-5;-4;-5;-4;-5;-3;-5;-1;-2;+1
1 equal score, 1 lead change

Set 2:

1-0; 1-3; 5-3; 5-4; 9-4; 9-6; 12-6
+1;-2;+2;+1;+5;+3;+6
1 equal score, 2 lead changes

MUGARTEGI ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

MEN'S TOURNAMENT

Day 6: Quarter Finals

JOHAN SOROZABAL (1-0; +11) 0
12-9, 12-7 (24-16)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 2-2; 2-3; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4; 5-5; 6-5; 6-7; 11-7; 11-9; 12-9
-1;=;-1;=;-1;+1;=;+1;=;+1;-1;+4;+2;+3
7 equal scores, 3 lead changes

Set 2: 

2-0; 2-1; 5-1; 5-3; 6-3; 6-7; 12-7
+2;+1;+4;+2;+3;-1;+5
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes

ALDAZABAL ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

MATCH 2

ERIK MENDIZABAL (substituting for IMANOL LOPEZ) 2
LUDOVIC LADUCHE (1-0; +12) 1
12-9, 7-12, 5-4 (24-25)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-1; 2-1; 2-3; 4-3; 4-7; 5-8; 8-8; 8-9; 12-9
-1;+1;-1;+1;-3;-3;=;-1;+3
6 equal scores, 5 lead changes

Set 2:

1-0; 1-2; 3-2; 3-5; 5-5; 5-6; 6-6; 6-11; 7-11; 7-12
+1;-1;+1;-2;=;-1;=;-5;-4;-5
5 equal scores, 3 lead changes

Tie breaker:

0-1; 3-1; 3-4; 5-4
-1;+2;-1;+1
3 equal scores, 3 lead changes

MENDIZABAL ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

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December 16, 2023

Day 5: Quarter Finals

All 4 Scores (2 women's and 2 men's) and 14 photos

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT

MATCH 1

ARAI LEJARDI(click on right arrow at top left of screen)
(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Lizardi is Markina's back court  player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube) 
12-9, 12-7 (24-16)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

1-0; 1-2; 2-2; 2-4; 3-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 7-7; 8-7; 8-8; 10-8; 10-9; 12-9
+1;-1;=;-2;-2;+1;=;+1;=;+1;=+2;+1;+3
6 equal scores, 2 lead changes

Set 2:

0-1; 8-1; 8-3; 9-3; 10-4; 10-7; 12-7
-1;+7;+5;+6;+6;+3;+5
1 equal score, 1 lead change

LEJARDI ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

MATCH 2

IHART ARAKISTAIN 2 (from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Arakstain is  Berriatua's Front Court Player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube) 
ELAIA GOGENOLA 0
12-10, 12-6 (24-16)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

4-0; 4-3; 8-3; 8-5; 10-5; 10-10; 12-10
+4;+1;+5;+3;+5;=;+2
1 equal scores, 0 lead changes

Set 2:

3-0; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 6-3; 6-4; 10-4; 10-6; 12-6
+3;+1;+2;+1;+3;+2;+6;+4;+6
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes

ARAKISTAIN ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

MENS COMPETITION

MATCH 1

MIKEL MANZICIDOR (2-0, +6) 0
12-10, 12-5 (24-15)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-3; 2-3; 2-4; 3-4; 3-5; 4-5; 4-8; 9-8; 9-10; 12-10
-3;-1;-2;-1;-2;-1;-4;+1;-1;+2
3 equal scores, 3 lead changes

Set 2:

4-0; 4-2; 5-2; 5-3; 6-3; 6-4; 10-4; 10-5; 12-5
+4;+2;+3;+2;+3;+2;+6;+5;+7
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes

ERKIAGA ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

MATCH 2

COSME AGUIRRE (2-0; +6) 1
11-12, 12-11, 5-4 (28-27)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

5-0; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 10-6; 10-7; 11-7; 11-12
+5;=;+1;=;+4;+3;+4;-1
3 equal scores, 1 lead change

Set 2:

1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 4-2; 4-6; 5-6; 5-9; 6-9; 6-10; 7-10; 7-11; 12-11
+1;=+1;=+2;-2;-1;-4;-3;-4;-3;-4;+1
4 equal scores, 2 lead changes

Tie breaker:

0-2; 2-2; 2-4; 5-4
-2;=;-2;+1
2 equal scores, 1 lead change

WOW!!!

DEL RIO ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS

Quarter Final Preview (Hitza--Basque)

Google English Translation

For the first time, women will play the Individual Championship
They will play in Berriatua together with the men, the contract to play the tournament in the front of Mendibar ends this year. It will be Aimar Aldazabal's last tournament. The quarter-finals will begin on Saturday [December 16].

Presentation of the individual tournament in Berriat
Mikel Reina Barros
12/12/2023 

The Individual Championship organized by the Berriatu Zesta School, the Berriatu City Council and the World Ball Assembly comes with innovations. For the first time, women will participate. The last four years have been played in Mendibar's fronto, but this year the contract to play there ends. However, in today's [December 12] presentation, the organizers have expressed their intention to continue doing it there.

"Using the good moment of the Zesta-punta, we also wanted to make room for the girls, because they are also on the rise. We notice this at Zesta School, for example, and we wanted to give them a boost", he explained. He said that it is a "great opportunity" to see the best pointe players in Berriatuan and that it has been a tournament that has gained "strength" in the calendar in recent years. They highlighted the success of last year's tournament , both in terms of level and audience.

Mikel Plaza, the head of the World Football Association, explained that the tournament has become a benchmark in the front of Mendibar, and he admitted that he would be "very happy" if it were played there in the next few years: "The head-to-head has become regular there. It's not the most important tournament in the way of handball, but the front is very suitable, and that has opened the doors to other puntists." The mayor of the town, Joseba Goienola, emphasized that the tournament spreads the name of Berriatua around the world: "We don't have a football cathedral or a university, but we do have a school , and a very important one, too. And that is the most important thing in the beginning, to educate young children in all the senses".

The renewed Maialen Aldazabal was "enthusiastic" about playing the individual tournament, and said that in recent years it has strengthened its commitment to women. "We are not used to playing in this way, and we will see how we adapt. It is a new challenge for us and we will learn a lot." When asked about his favourites , he highlighted the names of Arai Lejardi, Elaia Gogenola and Ihart Arakistein and that usually the strikers perform "better", especially when finishing the shot.

Greetings It will be the first individual championship for Maialen, and the last for Aimar Aldazabal, but in general. The native of Berria will say goodbye to professional football, where and in his town. In fact, he has not played a professional match since last year's head-to-head tournament. " I'm full of enthusiasm , because I'm going to play in town. I know that I will lack rhythm and that the young people are coming strong, but it is my front line, and it is the modality that I like the most".

The quarter-finals will be played on December 16 and 23, the semi-finals on December 29 and the finals on January 5. All the festivals will start at 19:30 and the girls' and boys' doubles competition will be played. Tickets will cost 10 euros. They have played preliminary eliminations in the men's division , and Mikel Manzi, Cosme Agirre, Johan Sorozabal and Ludovic Ladutche have qualified to play against last year's four best point guards.

Matches:

December 16:
Erkiaga-Manzi, Del Rio Cosme, Arai-Eneritz and Ihart-Elaia
December 23:
Aimar-Johan, Lopez-Ladutche, Maite-Sorozabal and Erika-Maialen
December 29:
The semi-finals
January 5:
Finals (via EITB)


Google English Translation

Unsurprisingly, the favorites advanced in the Berriatu Individual Championship

On Saturday [December 16] they played the first ever quarter-finals for both men and women.

Mikel Reina Barros

12/18/2023 

The favorites have left no room for surprise in the top-of-the-line Individual Championship in Berriatu, and have entered the semi-finals . On Saturday [December 16] the girls played the Individual Championship for the first time. Two of the names drawn among the favorites played in the presentation and did not have much problem to enter the semi-finals.

Arai Lejardi beat Eneritz Lizardi 2-0. The second team started the game better by leading 3-5, but the Markina-Xemenida showed the ability to turn the score around and made fewer mistakes in the last points: 12-9. In the second, the defender who dominated from the beginning took an 8-1 lead, but even though Lizardi came within three points, she prevailed 12-7.

Ihart Arakistarin also had to work hard in the first set even though Gogenola was losing 10-5 , she was able to get a 10-10 tie , but the last two points were in favor of Arakistarin. In the second set, she went from a 6-4 lead to a 10-4 lead, eventually winning 12-6.

In the men's first ever quarter-final, current champion Aritz Erkiaga noticed Mikel Manzi's greater pace at the start. The team from Mutri came from two playoffs, and in the first set, the team from Ispaster had to squeeze. The defender was ahead 0-3, turned it around 9-8 for the champion to win 12-10. In the second, taking the speed, he went ahead 4-0 until Erkiaga prevailed 12-5.

Without a doubt, the most even match was between Julen Del Rio and Cosme Aguirre, the defender won 2-1. 11-12 prevailed in the first and 12-11 in Gasteiz in the second. The third and final set was even more equal, Del Rio won 5-4.

Matches:

December 23:
Aimar-Johan, Lopez-Ladutche, Maite-Sorozabal and Erika-Maialen
December 29:
The semi-finals
January 5:
Finals (via EITB)

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December 9, 2023

Day 4: 1/8

Scores and 7 photos

MATCH 1

ANTXON ALBERDI (1-0; +4) 0  (Xistera Kluba interview, Basque, Castilian, or French)
12-6, 12-6 (24-12)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

1-0; 1-2; 6-2; 6-3; 7-3; 7-4; 8-4; 8-5; 10-5; 10-6; 12-6
+1;-1;+4;+3;+4;+3;+4;+3;+5;+4;+6
1 equal score, 1 lead change

Set 2:

0-1; 5-1; 5-4; 9-4; 9-6; 12-6
-1;+4;+1;+5;+3;+6
1 equal score, 1 lead change

LADUCHE ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER FINALS

MATCH 2

URKO LEKERIKABEASKOA (1-0; -2) 0 (video of Urko in action) 
12-8, 12-5 (24-13)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

3-0; 3-2; 5-2; 5-3; 6-3; 6-4; 10-4; 10-5; 11-5; 11-8; 12-8
+3;+2;+3;+2;+3;+2;+6;+5;+6;+3;+4
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes

Set 2:

4-0; 4-1; 6-1; 6-4; 8-4; 8-5; 12-5
+4;+3;+5;+2;+4;+3+;+7
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes

J.SOROZABAL ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER FINALS 

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December 8, 2023

Day 3: 1/8

Scores and 9 photos

MATCH 1

MIKEL MANCISIDOR (1-0, +3) 2
12-8, 12-8 (24-16)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-5; 5-5; 5-6; 7-6; 7-7; 8-7; 8-8; 12-8
-1;=;-1;+2;-1;=;-1;+1;=;+1;=;+4
7 equal scores, 8 lead changes

Set 2: 

0-1; 2-1; 2-3; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-5; 5-5; 5-8; 12-8
-1;+1;-1;=;-1;=;-1;=;-3;+4
6 equal scores, 3 lead changes

MANCISIDOR ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER FINALS

MATCH 2 

COSME AGUIRRE (1-0, +2) 2
12-11, 11-12, 5-2 (28-25)

Linescores (winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

2-0; 2-1; 6-1; 6-2; 7-2; 7-4; 8-4; 8-7; 9-7; 9-11; 12-11
+2;+1;+5;+4;+5;+3;+4;+1;+2;-2;+1
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes

Set 2: 

4-0; 4-1; 8-1; 8-4; 9-4; 9-6; 10-6; 10-8; 11-8; 11-12
+4;+3;+7;+4;+5;+3;+4;+2;+3;-1
1 equal score, 1 lead change

Tie breaker:

0-2; 5-2
1 equal score, 1 lead change

AGUIRRE ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER FINALS

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December 2, 2023

Day 2: 1/8

Scores and 7 photos

MATCH 1

URKO LEKERIKABEASKOA 2 (video of Urko in action)
12-11, 6-12, 5-2 (23-25)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 2-2; 2-5; 4-5; 4-7; 7-7; 7-9; 11-9; 11-11; 12-11
-1;=;-1;=;-3;-1;-3;=;-2;+2=+1
5 equal scores, 1 lead change

Set 2:

0-2; 1-2; 1-3; 3-3; 3-5; 4-5; 4-6; 6-6; 6-12
-2;-1;-2;=;-2;-1;-2;=;-6
2 equal scores, 0 lead chantes

Tie breaker:

2-0; 2-1; 4-1; 4-2; 5-2
+2;+1;+3;+2;+3
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes

MATCH 2

ANTXON ALBERDI 2  (Xistera Kluba interview, Basque, Castilian, or French)
MARTIN 0
12-9, 12-11 (24-20)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-1; 1-1; 1-5; 4-5; 4-6; 6-6; 6-7; 8-7; 8-8; 11-8; 11-9; 12-9
-1;=;-4;-1;-2;=;-1;+1;=;+3;+2;+3
4 equal scores, 1 lead change

Set 2:

0-3; 2-3; 2-6; 5-6; 5-8; 6-10; 9-10; 9-11; 12-11
-3;-1;-4;-1;-3;-4;-1;-2;+1
1 equal score, 1 lead change

++++

December 1, 2023

Day 1: 1/8

Scores and 5 photos

MATCH 1:

ROBERTO LEKUE 0 (manista.com)
12-9, 10-12, 5-3 (27-24)

Linescores (match winner always listed first)

Set 1:

2-0; 2-1; 3-1; 3-4; 5-4; 5-6; 9-6; 11-7; 11-9; 12-9
+2;+1;++2; -1; +1; -1; +3; +4; +2; +3
3 equal scores, 4 lead changes

Set 2:

1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-3; 5-3; 5-5; 8-5; 8-7; 9-7; 9-8; 10-8; 10-12
+1;=;+1;-1;+2;=;+3;+1;+2;+1;+2;-2
5 equal scores, 3 lead changes

Tie breaker:

1-0; 1-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-3
+1;-1;+2;+1;+2
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes
 
MATCH 2

COSME AGUIRRE 2
12-11, 12-11 (24-22)

Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)

Set 1:

0-4; 1-4; 1-5; 4-5; 4-6; 5-6; 5-7; 6-7; 6-9; 7-9; 7-10; 11-10; 11-11; 12-11
-4;-3;-4;-1;-2;-1;-2;-1;-3;-2;-3;+1;=+1
1 equal score, 1 lead change

Set 2:

0-1; 4-1; 4-3; 5-3; 5-4; 6-4; 6-8; 9-8; 9-9; 10-9; 10-11; 12-11
-1;+3;+1; +2;+1;+2;-2;+1;=;+1;-1;+1
6 equal scores, 5 lead changes 

Sunday, December 24, 2023

JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--IPARRALDE--CESTA DE NADAU, DECEMBER 8, 15, 22, 2023--COMPLETE

The final Iparralde Tournament of the year, the 14th Cesta de Nadau, was played in Pau (1--City--Wikipedia) (2--Fronton--Frontons.net) December 8, 15, and 22, 2023. It consisted of two Semi-finals and a Final. Full match videos are available for the second Semi-final and Final. 

DECEMBER 22: FINAL 

NO SPOILER


FULL MATCH VIDEO (CANAL + via CESTA PUNTA PRO TOUR YOUTUBE)

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Spoiler

15-14, 15-9 (30-23)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (CANAL + via CESTA PUNTA PRO TOUR YOUTUBE)

Linescores (match winners always listed first)

Set 1: 

1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-4; 4-4; 4-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 7-8; 8-8; 8-10; 9-10; 9-12; 11-12; 11-14; 15-14
+1; =; +1; -2; =; -1; +1; =; +1; -1; =; -2; -1; -3; -1; -3; +1
8 equal scores; 4 lead changes

Set 2:

0-1; 1-1; 1-3; 2-3; 2-5; 7-5; 7-8; 12-8; 12-9; 15-9
-1; =; -2; -1; -3; +2; -1; +4; +3; +6
4 equal scores, 3 lead changes

Scoring (Canal +)

Set 1:

*=inferred from the other scores in order to make the outcome 15-14

Erkiaga +6 -5; Minvielle +4* -0
Goikoetxea +8 -2; G. Sorozabal +1* -3

Set 2: Canal + did not provide scoring but did provide partial scores for the fronts only

Total Scoring: Erikiaga  +10; Goikoetxea +12

Match Preview (GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION ONLY--original has been removed from the site; (Section Paloise Pelote, Raymond Cazadebat):

The best professional pelotaris will be on the cancha of Jaï-alaï de Pau on Friday, December 22 at 9:15 p.m. to compete in the final of the Cesta de Nadaü. This 14th edition will pit two Franco-Spanish duos against each other who delighted the public in the two semi-finals. First named on the bill, Iñaki Osa-Goïkoetxea and Gorka Sorozabal, the Zumaia phenomenon 7 times World Champion, 43 years old, will bid farewell to the competition on the French side on Friday in Pau where he will be honored; he is associated with the young full-back Biarrot, revealed to be the best Frenchman of the year in his position at just 22 years old. He represented the USA at the last World Cup in Biarritz where he placed 4th with his younger brother Johan. Which Johan will have been pinned in the semi-final with the Palois Jérôme Portet.

Second to enter the stage, Aritz Erkiaga and David Minvielle; Lekeitio's forward is today the benchmark for the forward position; talented, precise “limpio”, formidable as soon as he picks up the ball; he is a gold medalist at the last two World Championships in Barcelona 2018 and Biarritz 2022. He is supported at the back by the Béarnais de Caresse-Cassaber Minvielle, trained in Salies then Biarritz via the Section Paloise with which he was titled several times nationally. The association worked wonders in the semi-final eliminating Jon Tambourindeguy and Zumaia's other galactic Imanol Lopez.

The finale promises; two masters of the game at the front, Goïko and Erkiaga, we can't wait to watch their performance; they know how to do everything, have all the tricks, all the most difficult technical gestures and know how to take the debate into their own hands. We saw the precise attacks in two walls slam, the rear “tornillos” ending up on the fence during the half; we are sure to appreciate these feats every time an opening emerges. The rear will hold their camp firmly; the young Gorka and Minvielle know the opposing strengths perfectly, having both played within the Biarritz Athletic Club and confronted each other regularly during their training sessions. The young Gorka dares everything, the Béarnais has achieved the serenity of the “briscard”; he is patient, measuring his blows with the erebot, tightens his balls on the left in the purest classic and puts his partner in a favorable situation. Cohesion and complementarity are assured, the show is guaranteed on Friday.

Match article  (French--Section Paloise Pelote, Raymond Cazadebat)

Minvielle and Erkiaga

Superb final evening on Friday at the Jaï-alaï in Pau hosted by Philippe Othaburu. The four best professional pelotaris of the Cesta de Nadaü will have offered the public a first-rate performance, drawing from their incomparable technical background all the tricks necessary to sign spectacular actions of defensive attacks, counterattacks, raises to bring the game to life. game and entertain the audience.

The first round played neck and neck showed the proximity of the two formations and did not reveal any superiority of one camp over the other; the matter remained completely undecided. At 14-11, a serious option was then taken by Goïko and Sorozabal following two errors from Erkiaga; in the process he rectified the situation, intercepting the following goal to slash an unstoppable two-wall. Minvielle like a metronome, sure of his art, moved the lines, stuck his measured balls perfectly to the erebot and successively made his opponents make mistakes to win on the 15-14 wire. 

The second round will be marked by a series of five points on both sides and a tie at 7 then at 8. The greens will then take the ascendant moving the game up, bringing up Sorozabal who spectacularly captures impossible balls but is out of balance and must be out of balance. limits to wanting to immediately conclude the point. They made the break at 12-8 but nothing was certain; the challenge remained legal; Erkiaga signed a new attack in two walls raised by Goïko and countered with the same gesture raising the enthusiasm of the public. The two final points (15-9) will fall into the hands of Erkiaga and Minvielle according to the same codes of mobile and tight play for conceded faults as in the first round. The reigning World Champion and Caresse Cassaber from Béarn were able to wear the beret of the winners of this 14th edition and lift the trophy.

 Zoom

Emotional sequences at the opening and closing of the evening with President Gérard Pierrou paying tribute to the Casty family for the 10th anniversary of the departure of Jean-Pierre, the Grand Chistéra champion, and of Bernard Casty, his predecessor at the helm of the Section, to Jean-Pierre Altuzarra, another great champion of the Section who recently passed away.

Tribute to Bernard Laporte-Fray, President of Pau Football-Club, and his team’s exceptional start to the season. Tribute to Paul Caparrus (18 years old) the Palois of the Cesta-punta World Vice-Champion Section of the Under 22s in Mexico. 

Final tribute to the champion Iñaki Goïkoetxea who bid farewell to the French public in Pau by the dancers of the Dantzeroak group from Lagun Eta Maïta who, after providing a popular first act of the evening, performed the traditional “Erreberenzia” in his honor.
 

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December 15: 2nd Semi-final

JON TAMBOURINDEGUY (substituting for Jean Olharan)--IMANOL LOPEZ 0
15-9, 15-10 (30-19)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (SECTION PALOISE PELOTE FACEBOOK). Note: this is not a commercial quality video, but it is a pretty good video. There is no score shown so you will have keep score.

Match article  (French--Section Paloise Pelote, Raymond Cazadebat)

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

The show lived up to the level expected on Friday at the ja-alaï for the second semi-final of the Cesta de Nadaü. The four tenors, including the two reigning World Champions, played their part to the fullest, each in their field of reference. The winning duo will have demonstrated more cohesion and efficiency in scoring. Best on the cancha, Aritz Erkiaga dazzling class, perfect in reading the opposing game and brilliant in the solutions provided in the conclusions; he will have impressed during the attacks of his opposite side going on the counter to sign a winning point each time. His balls shot at the two walls systematically flirting with the line and the outer limit proved impossible to catch. David Minvielle will play the metronome in the classics from the back; with his experience, he achieved a serenity which this year brought him to the end of all competitions; hold the exchange, tighten to the left, "erebote" by varying the return lengths, he will put the great Lopez at fault several times. Opposite Jon Tambourindeguy will show his valor, going for the most difficult balls in defense, returning from the back wall but will leave a lot of energy with his stunts on the ground by supporting these raises. This will be missing in the attacks that Erkiaga will face. Imanol Lopez will push his balls to the corner of the back, shorten his trajectories to move Minvielle but the Béarnais from Caresse-Cassaber will not give up an inch of ground to the champion, skilled in his holds of the ball even when cornered against the back wall. The great Spaniard will not find a solution to reverse the situation. Erkiaga and Minvielle led the score throughout the two sets, reaching 15-9 and 15-10.

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December 8: 1st Semi-Final

12-15, 15-7, 5-1 (32-23)

There was no full match video for this match.

Match article (French--Section Paloise Pelote, Raymond Cazadebat)

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Goïko and Gorka Sorozabal in the final

The Cesta de Nadaü program will have had to undergo some modifications due to the postponed return to competition of Jean Olharan and the farewell of Goïkoetxea on the international scene in the coming days. Initially scheduled to play the second semi-final on December 15, the colossus of Zumaia found himself obliged to respond to the American request from the USA where he played most of his long professional career.

The Galactic therefore teamed up with the young Gorka Sorozabal (22 years old), currently the best French fullback. The duo thus seemed favorites in this elimination game but it was Johan Sorozabal (brother of Gorka) and Jérôme Portet who won the first round. The two opposing brothers measured each other as usual in this case, playing at a brisk pace. Johan attacked at all costs and Gorka defended wonderfully, capturing balls that seemed impossible to take and moving forward to cover with release and cortadas. Goïko signed his first thrusts and punishing counterattacks for a promising 7-2. Portet will find his marks to compete and often take the advantage; equalization at 8, at 12 then thanks to an effective erebot game and two perfect walls from Johan, the challengers won the first round. The second started well with an encouraging 7-5, we began to hope to see the Palois take a serious option on the ticket for the final. Goïkoetxea, sensing the danger, moved back from his usual position to relieve his rear, free up the front space and take control. We will then see the best Goïko, sure of his choices, precise, flirting with the limits and excelling against his opponent's attacks. It's a 10-0 that Johan and Goïko will inflict on their opponents for a clear round victory. The use of the 5-point decider called everything into question. Wanting to score too quickly, the blues made mistakes 4 times and a winning point was enough to give victory to the reds (5-1), who dominated this semi-final.