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!) SEASON INTRO AND JAI ALAI WOMEN'S WINTER TOUR 2024 (2/22/24)!!!

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Pasaka--Oiartsun V. Txapelketa Final

The Oiartsun V. Txapelketa Final was contested at Oiartsun Kontzejupea Arkupe (1--click on video to the left of photo for a more intimate look) (2) on August 3, 2016. The arkupe is in the alcove of a building that dates to the late 17th Century.

Urbieta-Esnal (an ex professional mano player) defeated Nazabal-Zabala (last year's defending champions) 13-1

Note that the back courters are listed first in this modality.

Esnal simply hit the ball too hard, too often for N-Z to handle. Urbieta contributed many excellent rebotes (rebound shots). A very easy victory was the result.

Line score:

8-0; 8-1; 13-1

Full match video (Source: EITB) (Match begins at 12 minutes 7 seconds on the recording). The first twelve minutes are interviews, mostly with a very strong promoter of the sport, Anton Mendizabal.

EITB televised this match because Pasaka has great historical and cultural significance in Basque Pelota. It is one of the ancestor games of all the modalities that exist today. It is a "direct" court game, that is to say, there is no wall. A net separates the two teams. The sport is played with either bare hands or a small glove. This match was played with bare hands. There is no serve. The ball is tossed across the net into play. Tennis is scored the way Pasaka is, and some Basques will tell you that tennis modeled its scoring after Pasaka. 4 points wins a game. Games must be won by 2 points. Service only changes when a team with the 40-30 advantage loses the point and the game reverts to 30-30. The match is played to 13 games. The ball is soft but very heavy (about 235 grams, over 1/2 pound for the game played with the glove--the bare hand modality uses a smaller ball). The evolution of the small glove, begun in the 19th century, has taken Basque Pelota to all the modalities it has today. EITB has a short documentary about early Basque Pelota.

This particular match is difficult to follow because there is no scoreboard for a good deal of it. Another match played as part of  Aste Negusia in Donastia (San Sebastian) in 2013 at Donostiako Trinitate plazako frontoian shows the last few games of a festival match (bare hand, three on each side) with a scoreboard that makes it easy to figure out what is going on. That match can be seen here. (You will recognize the front courter in red. He is Esnal of the final match above, and he hits the ball equally hard in this match).

Watch and enjoy this ancestor game. And enjoy also that it is still taken seriously as part of the culture, though more modern games have the limelight today. Also, that EITB broadcast this match tells us much.

MY ARTICLE:  How these two teams got to this match

Pala--Asta Nagusia and Plentsia Tournaments

Two Pala tournaments concluded on August 27 and 28.

1. Asta Nagusia Tournament played at Bizkaia Fronton (Bilbo (Bilbao))

This was a combination short court Pala and Jai Alai/Cesta Punta (Jai Alai World Tour CTO. singles MPB) tournament played during the week of August 21-28. For the Jai Alai story see this blog post

May 28, 2016:

Final:

Necol-Imanol defeated Fusto-Ibai Perez 3-1 (5-10; 10-8; 10-9; 10-6)

Match article (Deia)

This was a match that consumed 619 balls in play. The third Joko alone consumed 220. Necol was the star of the match.

Full match Video (Source: EITB)

May 26:

Second Semi-final

Fusto--Ibai-Perez defeated Landeta-Brefel 3-2 (8-10, 10-6, 6-10, 10-7, 10-3)

Match article (Deia)

Fusto returned to action after his injury in the Master Kirol Txartela. According to the match article, he was not 100% fit. In the fourth Joko F-I won after trailing 1-4.

May 21:

First Semi-final

Necol-Imanol defeated Gaubeka-Ayerbe 3-1 (10-7, 10-8, 7-10, 10-6)

Match article (Deia)

The pala match is summarized in the last paragraph of the article.

=========================================


2. Plentzia (1) (2)

This tournament was played on August 25 and 27 on a long court. It is unkown as to whether it was a pala larga or pala motza (corta) tournament.

Score source: Diario Vasco cartaleras for August 26 and 28.

August 25, 2016:

Semi-Finals

Gaubeka-Brefel defeated Landeta--Ibai-Perez 3-1 (8-10, 10-6, 10-3, 10-7)

Necol-Ayerbe defeated Zubiri-Imanol 3-1 (5-10, 10-2, 10-5, 10-3)

August 27, 2016:

Final

Gaubecka-Brefel defeated Necol-Ayerbe 3-1 (10-8, 10-6, 7-10, 10-7)

3rd Place

Zuberi-Imanol defeated Landeta--Ibai Perez 3-0 (10-6, 10-5, 10-7)

Main Nue--23rd Coupe de Chasseurs begins

The  23rd Coupe de Chasseurs, an EP 500 Tournament will be held from August 29-October 31, 2016. Matches will take place at Trinquet Garat, Donibane Garazi  (Saint-John-Pied-de-Port)  This is a 50 point match tournament organized by Goizeko Izarra. The tournament will be followed on a match by match basis at the "Main Nue--Recurring 50 point match results page on the right side of this blog (under "Recurring Results"). This post is simply an announcement. We will also provide semi-final and final result information in one of the main blog posts at the end of the tournament.

Brackets (Source: Esku Pilota Facebook page).

Results from 22nd (2015) and 21st (2014) tournaments

The latest match information only will be available at Goizeko Izarra's CdC Tournament Page

August 29, 2016

Mainhaguet*-Amulet defeated Bereterbide*-Benesse* 50-49

This was a play-in match for a final bracket slot in the tournament. See the bracket page above for how this works. As the information on this week's tournament page says, this match got the tournament off to a "flying start." Note that Esku Pilota, as of August 31, had a different score for this match (50-45). We will stay with the GI score until there is a clarification.

According to the brackets, Next Monday, September 5  match should be:

Elgart-Migueltorena* v Ospital-Lucu*

However the match listed at the tournament page is:

Bereterbide*-Migueltorena* v Olcomendy*-Lucu*

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Jai Alai World Tour--CTO. Individual MPB Quarter and Semi-Finals and change of schedule due to player injuries

The Jai Alai World Tour has moved into its second phase the CTO. Parejas MPB (doubles) and CPO. Indidual MPB championships. At the site you will find scheduled matches, results, match articles, rules of the competition, player pages, and how the player points are determined, among other information.

CPO Individual MPB Tournament. This entire competition was originally scheduled at Bizkaia for August 21 (2 quarter-finals), August 26 (quarter-final winners v Goikoetxea and Egiguren respectively), and a final on August 28. Due to injuries to both Goikoetxea and Egiguren the August 26 matches were postponed. A semi-final was scheduled between the two quarter-final winners on August 28. The rest of this tournament will resume after the end of the CPO Parejas Tournament on September 10, assuming Goikoetxea and Egiguren are fit to play.

This is a short court (36 meters) Jai-Alai/Cesta Punta tournament. The rules are slightly different in that jokos (sets) are played to 12 instead of 15. This tournament was played simultaneously with a Pala Tournament. Matches in each modality were held on August 21 and 28. A pala match was held August 26.

CPO Individual MPB Quarter Finals at Bizkaia Fronton (Bilbo (Bilbao))

August 28, 2016

1st Semi-final

Background article about short court Jai Alai (Deia)

Olharan defeated Hormaextea 2-1 (10-12, 12-10, 5-1)

At 4-8 in the second joko, it looked like Hormaetxea was on his way to an easy victory. He made an error which took the score to 5-8 and opened the door just a crack. Olharan kicked that door down, outscoring Hormaetxea 12-3 to win the match.

Full match video (Source: EITB)

August 21, 2016

Olharan defeated Barandika 2-0 (12-11, 12-9)

Hormaetxea defeated Ohla 2-0 (12-4, 12-9)

Match article for both matches (JAWT)

Match article for both matches (Deia)

Olharan overcame a 2-6 deficit in the first set. In the second set he overcame 0-6 and 4-9 deficits to win.

Selected linescore

1st joko:

2-6; 7-7; 8-8; 9-9; 10-10; 10-11; 12-11

In the second match 6 service faults (4 in the second joko) hurt Olha's cause.

Egiguren injury article (left thigh injury)

Goikoetxea injury article (sprained right ankle injury)

MY ARTICLE: Long court to short court trends in Jai Alai/Cesta Punta, Remonte, and Pala

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Mano--Antiguoako Pilota Txapleketa Amateur finals

Antiguoako Pilota Txapleketa finals: at Donostia Udala Fronton (1) (2)

The 68th edition of this revered amateur mano tournament took place from July 12-August 28, 2016. It featured some of the finest amateur players in the South Basque country. The tournament finals were played on a very short (only just past the 6 line) outdoor court with a retractable roof for protection against the elements. The roof came in very handy on this rainy day.

Tournament backround article (21iguales.com--Euskararen)

Match story for the second and third matches (Diario Vasco--Castellano) including links to 27 photos

Full match videos for the three finals (Source: EITB)

1. Lau t'Erdian  (4 1/2) (0:00-30 minutes, 4 seconds on the video)

Labaka  (red) defeated Errandonea (blue)  22-15

2. Gazteen (Juvenile) Finala (32:01-1:22:14).

Zubizarreta-Salaverry (red) defeated Salaberria-Eskiroz (blue) 22-15

Zubizarreta, according to the 21iguales.com article above, is the "best juvenile handball player in the region" (translation from Google translate).

Watch the first point of this match, which consumed 90 balls in play before a Zubizarreta cross court kill shot gave Z-S a 1-0 lead. The point runs from 32:01-36:06. It is astonishing that players of this age can play at this level. In all, 635 balls in play were consumed in this 50 minute match.

3. Nagusian Finala (1:26:10-2:20:37)

Santxo-Aldusin (red) defeated Urretabizkaia-Garmendia (Blue) 22-16.

The final match was followed by 15 minutes of interviews and a closing ceremony.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Internationaux Cesta Punta--SLAM Tournament

The 2016 Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) Internationaux Cesta Punta Masters competitions began on July 7, 2016 and ended August 25, 2016. At the ICP website, you will find scheduled matches, results, match articles, rules of the competition, player pages, and how the player points are determined, among other information.

The SLAM Internationaux Cesta Punta Tournament was held at Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) (1) (2) from August 18-25, 2016. The SLAM tournament was a championship of championships, pitting the winners of the four Masters championships against each other to determine an overall champion.

To recap:

Masters Championships:

Master 1: Olharan-Minvielle
Master 2: Olha-Minvielle
Master 3: Beaskoetxea-Lekerika (substituting for the injured Irastorza)
Master 4: Hormaetxea-Eyheragary (substituting for injured Irastorza)

The four teams in the SLAM competition were:

Master 1: Olharan-Lekerika
Master 2: Goikoetxea (substituting for the injured Olha)-Minvielle
Master 3: Beaskoetxea-Irastorza (returning from injury)
Master 4: Hormaetxea-Ihitsague (substituting for Eyheragaray)

All match scores and match articles are available at the Internationaux Cesta Punta site. Note: as of February 11, 2017 this link no longer worked. I was able to link directly to the match articles. Those links are below.


Full Match videos are also available at the Internationaux Cesta Punta Youtube site.

August 18, 2016:

First Semi-Final:  Beaskoetxea-Irastorza  defeated Hormaetxea-Ihitsague 2-0 (15-2, 15-9)

Match article

Match highlights

Full Match Video

August 23, 2016

Second Semi-Final: Olharan-Lekerika defeated Goikoetxea (substituting for the injured Olha)-Minvielle  2-0 (15-9, 15-9).

Match article

Highlights

Jean Olharan's play of the season

Full Match Video

August 25, 2016:

Final: Beaskoetxea-Irastorza  defeated Olharan-Lekerika 2-1 (15-7, 12-15, 5-3)

Match article

Highlights

Full match video (Canal +--en Francais)

Full match video (EITB (Canal+ feed)--Euskararen)

Beaskoetxea finished with the best record and most championships for both competitions. He was 9-2 in 11 matches and 4-1 in 5 championship finals (Hondarribia--JAWT; Mutriku-Markina--JAWT; Master 3--ICP; and SLAM--ICP). He lost one final (Gernika II--JAWT). He played in 6 competitions all told. It was a remarkable performance.

MY ARTICLE: SLAM Final: commentary, enhanced linescores.

MY ARTICLE: Cumulative match records for all participants in both Internationaux Cesta Punta and Jai Alai World Tour Summer Partidos through the all eleven tournaments.

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Jai Alai World Tour--CTO. Parejas MPB quarter-finals

The Jai Alai World Tour has moved into its second phase the CTO. Parejas MPB (doubles) and CPO. Indidual MPB championships. At the site you will find scheduled matches, results, match articles, rules of the competition, player pages, and how the player points are determined, among other information.

Source for all score and match article information, unless otherwise specifically stated: Jai Alai World Tour website.

CPO Parejas Quarter Finals

At Jostalde FrontonHondarribia:

August 19, 2016

Egiguren-Enbil defeated Hormaetxea-Amigorena 2-1 (15-9, 13-15, 5-1)

Goikoetxea-Etcheto defeated Barandika-Txasio 2-0 (15-6, 15-10)

Match article for both matches

Full match video for both matches (Source: EITB)

August 20, 2016

At Fronton Gernika Jai Alai (1) (2):

Erik-Lekerika defeated Olha-Alliez 2-0 (15-2, 15-9)

Beaskoetxea-Aldazabal defeated Olharan-Erkiaga 2-0 (15-5, 15-9)

Match story for both articles

Semi-finals are on September 2, 2016 at Zumaia, with the final on September 10, 2016, at Donastia.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Main Nue--Player Rankings--August 21, 2016

Main Nue complete player rankings are available on the player rankings page (Under "Main Nue") on the right side of the main blog page. You can also find how these rankings are calculated there.

Complete Player Rankings as of August 21, 2016. Current through Turnois de Larrau--Trophee Betzua. (Source: Esku Pilota)

Top 5

Ducassou
Larralde
Guichandut
Ospital
de Ezcurra

As of August 10, 2016 the top five were:

Larralde--11350
Ducassou--11350
Guichandut--8400--up from July 27 7th rank (5400)
Bilbao--7450
Amulet--7200

Main Nue--Turnois de Larrau--Trophee Betzula

Turnois de Larrau--Trophee Betzula (1) (2), an EP 1000 competition, was contested on August 19 and 21, 2016

August 19, 2016:

Semi-Finals (Source for Scores--Esku Pilota results Page) Scroll to "Turnois de Larrau, Vendredi, 19 aout".

Larralde-de Ezcurra defeated Etchegaray-Amulet 40-36

Ospital-Ducassou defeated Bielle-Harismendy 40-13

August 21, 2016:

Final

Ospital-Ducassou defeated Larralde-de Ezcurra 40-33

Match article, photos, audio interview with Mathieu Ospital, and full match video (Source: Esku Pilota)

Note: full match video is also available from Esku Pilota Youtube site:

At the Youtube site there is a note that mentions that the sound commentary (provided by Julien Etchegaray) is lost from the point that begins at 33-29 to the end of the match. That note links to the exact point later on the recording where the 33-29--40-33 points are replayed with sound, followed by a closing ceremonial cultural event.

The video never points to a scoreboard. That may be because there is no scoreboard or it is inaccessible to the camera. The score is called out by the commentator in the early part of the match. Otherwise,it is important to listen carefully to the Judge, who calls out the score with every point, or keep score yourself, which is easy enough to do if you watch closely. 

As a result of this match, Ducassou replaced Larralde at the top of the EP rankings table.

Friday, August 26, 2016

Pala--InnPala Rankings Update--August 23, 2016

InnPala player rankings as of August 23, 2016 (includes the recently completed Master Kirol Txartela de Donosti)

For full rankings and how they are derived see the rankings links on the right side of the page. (Source: InnPala).

Front Courters

Fusto.......248
Necol...... 222
Gaubeka...206
Zubiri.......176
Landeta.....156

Back Courters

Imanol.......224
Brefel........212
Ibai-Perez..204
Ibargari......182
Ayerbe.......170

Change from 6/19/2016 (Leaders only)

Leaders: Front Court: Fusto: 228. Back Court: Imanol: 204

Monday, August 22, 2016

Mano--Torneo Villa de Zarautz

Torneo Villa de Zarautz was contested at Aritzbatalda Fronton (1) (2) August 17, 19, and 21, 2016

Asegarce tournament page

Match articles and statistics for all three matches (Source: 21iguales.com)

Three things stood out in this tournament. The first was how easily Oliazola II-Untoria defeated Urrutikoetxea-Albisu. Linescore numbers like 5-0, 9-2, and 19-4 indicate this. The second was the second match, easily the most exciting of the tournament. Irribarria-Merino II staggered from 10-11 to 10-18 but then roared back to force a 43rd point. The third was Oliazola II, winner of player of the tournament. O-U evened the ledger with Altuna III-Zabaleta after a crushing defeat two weeks ago in Tourneo Virgen Blanca. This was Oliazola II's 2nd consecutive Tourneo Villa de Zarautz victory.

August 17:

First semi-Final

Oliazola II-Untoria defeated Urrutikoetxea-Albisu 22-9

Match highlights (Source: EITB)

August 19:

Second semi-final

Altuna III-Zabaleta defeated Irribarria-Merino II 22-21

Full match video (Source: fronton.tv). Scroll to "Zarautz 19/08/2016"

August 21:

Final

Oliazola II-Untoria defeated Altuna III-Zabaleta 22-18

Match highlights (Source: EITB)

Full match video (Source: EITB) (match begins at 1:03:17 on the recording)

Multiple Modalities--Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque Grand Semaine

FFPB (Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque) recently completed it's Grand Semaine of amateur National Championship Finals. The competitions took place from August 7-14 at various locations in the North Basque. Most of the competitions were contested outdoors at Fronton Place Libres.

Finals were held on many age and competency levels. The highlights were National A and B finals in the following modalities:

Main Nue, Paleta Cuir, Grand Chistera, Rebot, Grosse Pala, Paleta de Gomme Creuse, Joko Garbi, and Paleta de Gomme Pleine. Paleta de Gomme Creuse finals were women's competitions. All others were men's.

Grand Semaine:

Program:

Results:

Match Summaries:

637 photos--each final score is in the photos

Complete competition contexts:

Select "Championnat de France 2015-16"

Click on "voir le resultats"

Five competitions were accompanied by match videos, either full, condensed, or selected.

A. Main Nue:

National A Final (Sources: Esku Pilota and Pays d'Orthe Main Nue Youtube sites):

Esku Pilota (complete match)

Pays d'Orthe Main Nue (selections, different angle, scoreboard visible)

For the context of this match see the Main Nue competition page at pelotelive.free.fr

B. Paleta Cuir

4 match videos (Source: Toutes sur la Pelote Basque Youtube site)

See all "Cuir MAG Nat. A" videos. Matches are full, condensed, or selected points.

For full context of these matches see the Paleta Cuir competition page at pelotelive.free.fr.

Scroll until you see film icons.

These were competition matches. There was no video of the final.

C. Grand Chistera:

National B Match (Source: Toutes sur la Pelote Basque Youtube site).

For full context of this match see the National B Grand Chistera Competition page at pelotelive.free.fr

Scroll to July 10, 2016 "Section Paloise" for this particular match. Video
is of selected points. This was a selected match. Final match was not available. The Pau team in this video won the National B title.

D. Rebot:

National A Final (Source: Pilotarivideo Youtube site).

This is a selected points video

For the context of this match see the Rebot competition page at
pelotelive.free.fr

E. Grosse Pala

1. National A: (Source for both: PilotariP Youtube site)

Second Semi-final (Soustonnaise v Basco-Bearnais)

Final: 

For complete context of both see the Grosse Pala A competition page at pelotelive.free.fr

National B: (Source: Grosse Pala Facebook page)

Semi-Final: (Pey v Agenais)

For complete context see the Grosse Pala B competition page at pelotelive.free.fr

Final was not available.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Pala--Kirol Txartela Masters Tournament--Players--Tournament Regulations--Championship and Third Place Match

The Kirol Txartela Masters Tournament  at the Atano III FrontonDonastia (San Sebastian) began on July 6, 2016.  It ended with a final and third place match on August 17, 2016. The Tournament link above explains the nature of the tournament and how it is to be contested. The same information is also available in less graphic form at InnPala. Basically it was an 8 team doubles tournament, consisting of the entire 10 man InnPala roster along with 6 invited amateurs. The teams were split into two 4 team groups. This was a short court tournament. Each match was contested to a best three out of five 10 point jokos (sets). Table points were determined entirely by number of jokos won. The league phase consisted of a single round robin in each group, with each player playing every other week. Matches took place every Wednesday evening. At the end of the league phase there was a final and a third place match. Source for all match scores unless otherwise stated: InnPala Twitter feed. For more information on professional players see the player pages linked to on the right side of the blog.

Note: *=Amateur

August 17, 2016:

Final:

Navarro*-Brefel defeated Zubiri-Ayerbe 3-2 (6-10, 10-8, 4-10, 10-6, 10-9). (Match and joko score source: EITB).

Third Place Match:

Landeta--Ibai-Perez defeated Arozena*-Irrigoyen* (substituting for Ibargari) 3-1 (10-5, 9-10, 10-4, 10-5). (Match and joko score source: EITB),

Match articles and photos for both matches (source: Innpala Fronton Facebook page).

Selected player analysis article for the league phase of the tournament (source: Innpala Fronton Facebook page).

Full match video for both matches (third place match: 0:00-50 minutes, 32 seconds on the video, final match and trophy presentation: 52:02 to end of video). (Source: EITB).

Sylvain Brefel was named Player of the Tournament.

MY ARTICLE: Individual joko linescores and analysis for both matches

MY ARTICLE: Kirol Txartela Masters Tournament--full tournament summary: scores, cumulative tables, articles, video

Remonte--Tourneo Kutxabank--Workings of the Tournament, Players--Results through the end of the league phase

Oriamendi2010 Player Pages

Note: all the below listed matches, as well as all of the rest of the tournament have been and will continue to be covered individually in the Remonte Galarreta "Star" match results under the recurring results links on the right side of the page.

The 34th Tourneo Kutxabank singles competition, at the Galarrata Fronton (Hernani), a 54 meter mur a gauche, entered its league phase on Saturday, August 13, 2016. The lead up to the league phase was played from July 23 - August 11. Four players have been seeded into the league phase in two groups. Urriza and Endika  are in Group A. Uterga and Barrenetxea IV are in Group B , Nine other players played for the third slot in each group.

The league phase of the tournament ended on August 20, due to a rib injury to Endika which forced him out of the tournament. There was no substitute.

Table determination in the league phase:

Matches are played to 30 points.

Winner of a match--4 points
Loser: 27-29--2 points; 24-26--1 point; <24--0 points

Results:

August 13, 2016:

Group B

Barrenetxea IV defeated Uterga 30-21

August 16, 2016

Group B

Barrenetxea IV defeated Aizpuru III 30-14

August 18, 2016

Group A

Urriza defeated Ion 30-14

August 20, 2016

Group B

Uterga defeated Aizpuru III 30-14

Final League Table:

Group A

Urriza 1-0--4 points
Ion 0-1 (1-1)--0 points
Endika 0-0

Group B

Barrenextea IV 2-0--8 points
Uterga 1-1--4 points
Aizpuru III 0-2 (2-2)--0 points

Semi-finals:

Barrenextea IV v Ion (August 27)
Urriza v Uterga (September 3)

Final will be played September 10

===========================

Preliminaries:

Zaldua defeated Martirena 30-18 on July 23 (Martirena finished 0-1)
Otano defeated Erburu 30-19 on July 28 (Erburu finished 0-1)
Zaldua defeated Otano 30-12 on July 30 (Otano finished 1-1)

Segurola defeated Zaldua 30-28 on August 4 (Zaldua finished 2-1)
Ion defeated Segurola 30-20 on August 9 (Segurola finished 1-1)

Ion won the right to join Urriza and Endika in Group A

Aizpuru III defeated Ansa II 30-17 on August 6 (Ansa II finished 0-1)
Aizpuru III defeated Matxin III 30-29 on August 11 (Matxin III finished 0-1)

Aizpuru III won the right to join Uterga and Barrenetxea IV in Group B.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Internationaux Cesta Punta--Master 4 Tournament

The 2016 Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) Internationaux Cesta Punta Masters competitions began on July 7, 2016 and run through August 25, 2016. At the ICP website, you will find scheduled matches, results, match articles, rules of the competition, player pages, and how the player points are determined, among other information.

The Master 4 Internationaux Cesta Punta Tournament was held at Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) (1) (2) from August 9-16, 2016.

All match scores and match articles are available at the Internationaux Cesta Punta site. Note: as of  February 11, 2017 this link no longer worked. I was able to link directly to the match articles. Those links are below

Full Match videos are also available at the Internationaux Cesta Punta Youtube site.

August 9, 2016:

First Semi-Final Goikoetxea-Aldazabal defeated Beaskoetxea-Alliez 2-0 (15-7, 15-7)

Match article

Match highlights

Full Match Video

August 11, 2016

Second Semi-Final: Hormaetxea-Eyheragaray (substituting for the injured Irastorza) defeated P. Tambourindeguy-Txasio 2-1 (9-15, 15-6, 5-1).

Match article

Highlights

Full Match Video

August 16, 2016:

Final: Hormaetxea-Eyheragaray (substituting for the injured Irastorza) defeated Goikoetxea-Aldazabal 2-1 (10-15, 15-3, 5-4)

Match article

Highlights

Full match video

After winning the first set 15-10, G-A were serving with a 3-2 lead in the second set (37 minutes, 17 seconds on the recording). For the rest of the set, Hormaetxea played spectacularly and G-A never scored again, a run of 13 straight points. Though the tie-breaker could have gone either way, it was this run of great play that turned the match around and gave H-E their chance at victory.

MY ARTICLE: Cumulative match records for all participants in both Internationaux Cesta Punta and Jai Alai World Tour Summer Partidos through the first 10 tournaments

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Jai Alai World Tour--Masters Series: Lekeitio

The Jai Alai World Tour, a series of 6 tournaments played in the South Basque, from July 7 through August 13, 2016, finished its sixth and final tournament on August 13. At the site you will find scheduled matches, results, match articles, rules of the competition, player pages, and how the player points are determined, among other information.

Source for all scores and articles: Jai Alai World Tour website.

At Lekeitio Fronton (1) (2) (3) (4) (Lekeitio)

July 30, 2016

1st Semi-final

Olharan-Etcheto defeated Olha-Alliez (substituting for the injured Inza) 2-1 (14-15, 15-8, 5-1).

Second Semi-final

Goikoetxea-Erkiaga defeated Egiguren-Enbil 2-0 (15-13, 15-12).

Match article for both matches

August 13, 2016:

3rd place

Egiguren-Enbil defeated Alberro (substituting for the injured Olha)
-Alliez (substituting for the injured Inza) 2-0 (15-7, 15-11)

Final

Goikoetxea-Erkiaga defeated Olharan-Minveille (substituting for the
injured Etcheto) 2-1 (13-15, 15-12, 5-1)

Match article for both matches

MY ARTICLE: Goikoetxea moves to the back.

MY ARTICLE: Cumulative match records for all participants in both Internationaux Cesta Punta and Jai Alai World Tour Summer Partidos through the first 9 tournaments

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Main Nue--Tournoi Chilhar de Souraide

Tournoi Chilhar de Souraide, an EP 1000 competition, was contested at Trinquet Chilhar  (1) (2)  August 12 and 14, 2016.

Competition page at pelotelive.free.fr  The competition page has sub pages for each of the three matches. Each contains match scores, linescores, match graphs, and links to full match videos. If you use pfp to watch the matches, make sure to click "desactiver" below the matches to turn off pfp's auto-refresh. The notes about pelotelive.free.fr on the right side of this page will explain how to navigate back to the competition page from any of the individual match pages. Videos are also available with the match articles (see below) and at the Esku Pilota Youtube site. Note that the matches will move on the Youtube page, but you will always be able to find them by title.

August 12, 2016:

First Semi-final

Larralde-Ducassou defeated Etchegaray-Guichandut 40-23

Second Semi-final

Waltary-Bibao defeated Xala-de Ezcurra 40-34

Match articles and full match videos for both matches, as well as audio interviews with Ducassou and Waltary  (Source: Esku Pilota) Note that the match article has an incorrect score for the first match. A full linescore for that match is available through the above listed pelotelive.free.fr link.

August 14, 2016:

Final

Larralde-Ducassou defeated Waltery-Guichandut (substituting for the injured Bilbao) 40-23

Match article, full match video, and audio interviews with Ducassou and Guichandut  (Source: Esku Pilota)

Bilbao was unable to play due to "bad hands" and Guichandut took his place. He and Waltary played well early and held a couple of  leads (6-4 and 9-7), but then L-D went on a 20-5 run and coasted home from there. They played exactly as one would expect the two highest ranked EP players to play. The match video for this match is particularly instructive to newer Main Nue fans, as two cameras were used, one from the back dugout and one from a high angle in front of the players. The editing was done expertly and it was easy to see what back courters have to contend with in order to defend the large scoring area behind them, or to follow the ball along the back dugout roof. After the 26-13 point, the match was stopped and a song was communally sung. For Guichandut and Ducassou, who also played in the Garat 50 point match on Tuesday, June 16 (moved from its usual Monday time--see the Main Nue recurring 50 point match results link on the right side of this page), this five day sequence contained three matches against each other and contested 208 total points. Ducassou's team won all three.

Main Nue--Tournois d'Ascain

Tournoi d'Ascain, an EP 500 competition, was contested at Trinquet d'Ascain (1) (2)  August 13 and 15, 2016.

* Not listed in Esku Pilota player pages at this time.

August 13, 2016:

Semi-finals

Ospital-Migueltorena* defeated L. Lambert-Lazcano 40-25

Inchauspé-de Ezcurra defeated Aguirre-Bénesse* 40-30

Source for both scores (Esku Pilota) Scroll to Samedi 13 août, "Tournoi d’Ascain Demi-Finales". The scores will eventually be moved to lower pages, but you should always be able to find them by date or title.

August 15, 2016:

Final

Inchauspé-de Ezcurra defeated Ospital-Migueltorena* 40-27

Source for Score: (Esku Pilota)

Other than the two photos that accompany the final score, I have found no ancillary information about this tournament. If and when I do, I will add it here.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Remonte--Tourneo Kuxtabank--Workings of the Tournament, Players--Results leading to the beginning of the league phase

Oriamendi2010 Player Pages

Note: all the below listed matches, as well as all of the rest of the tournament have been and will continue to be covered individually in the Remonte Galarreta "Star" match results under the recurring results links on the right side of the page.

The 34th Tourneo Kuxtabank singles competition, at the Galarrata Fronton (Hernani), a 54 meter mur a gauche, entered its league phase on Saturday, August 13, 2016. The lead up to the league phase was played from July 23 - August 11. Four players have been seeded into the league phase in two groups. Urriza and Endika  are in Group A. Uterga and Barrenetxea IV are in Group B , Nine other players played for the third slot in each group.

Zaldua defeated Martirena 30-18 on July 23 (Martirena finished 0-1)
Otano defeated Erburu 30-19 on July 28 (Erburu finished 0-1)
Zaldua defeated Otano 30-12 on July 30 (Otano finished 1-1)

Segurola defeated Zaldua 30-28 on August 4 (Zaldua finished 2-1)
Ion defeated Segurola 30-20 on August 9 (Segurola finished 1-1)

Ion won the right to join Urriza and Endika in Group A

Aizpuru III defeated Ansa II 30-17 on August 6 (Ansa II finished 0-1)
Aizpuru III defeated Matxin III 30-29 on August 11 (Matxin III finished 0-1)

Aizpuru III won the right to join Uterga and Barrenetxea IV in Group B

Table determination in the league phase:

Matches are played to 30 points.

Winner of a match--4 points
Loser: 27-29--2 points; 24-26--1 point; <24--0 points

The league phase will be a round robin in each group. This phase will be played on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, lasting from August 13-25. First and second place in each group advance. Semi-finals are August 27 and September 3. 1st place v 2nd place in the other group. Winners will play in a final on September 10.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Pala--Kirol Txartela Masters Tournament--Players--Tournament Regulations--Schedule--Day 6 (Round 3) Results

The Kirol Txartela Masters Tournament  at the Atano III FrontonDonastia (San Sebastian) began on July 6, 2016.  It will end with a final on August 17, 2016. The Tournament link above explains the nature of the tournament and how it is to be contested. The same information is also available in less graphic form at InnPala. Basically it is an 8 team doubles tournament, consisting of the entire 10 man InnPala roster along with 6 invited amateurs. The teams are split into two 4 team groups. This is a short court tournament. Each match will be contested to a best three out of five 10 point jokos (sets). Table points are determined entirely by number of jokos won. The league phase will consist of a single round robin in each group, with each player playing every other week. Matches will take place every Wednesday evening. At the end of the league phase there will be a final. Source for all match scores: InnPala Twitter feed. For more information on professional players see the player pages linked to on the right side of the blog.

Note: *=Amateur

6th Day: August 10, 2016. 

Group A: Gaubeka-Irigoyen* defeated Necol-Andueza* 3-1 (10-4, 9-10, 10-1, 10-2)

Group B: Zuberi-Ayerbe defeated Arozena*-Ibargari  3-2 (5-10, 10-9, 7-10, 10-7, 10-9).  (Joko score source: Diario Vasco)

(Match article: Diario Vasco)

According to the match article, this was the best match of the entire league phase. Both teams were given a standing ovation at the end of it. Both teams finished the league phase with equal points, but Z-A advance to the finals based on their victory in this match.

The final, between Zuberi-Ayerbe and Navarro*-Brefel will be held on August 17, 2016.

A third place match will also be held between Landeta--Ibai-Perez and Arozena*-Ibargarai

Final League Results:

Group A Table

Navarro*-Brefel (3-0) (3-0; 3-0, 3-2)--9 points
Landeta--Ibai-Perez (2-1) (3-1; 3-2; 2-3)--8 points
Gaubeka-Irigoyen* (1-2) (0-3; 2-3; 3-1)--5 points
Necol-Andueza* (0-3) (1-3; 0-3; 1-3)--2 points

Group B Table:

Zubiri-Ayerbe (2-1) (3-2; 2-3; 3-2)--8 points
Arozena*-Ibargarai (2-1) (3-0; 3-2; 2-3)--8 points
Ibarguren*-Imanol (1-2) (2-3; 2-3; 3-1)--7 points
Fusto-J. Irigoyen* (1-2) (0-3; 3-2; 1-3 )--4 points

Ibaruren*-Imanol were credited with only 6 points by InnPala, even though they should have been credited with 7. The rules of the tournament specify that a full 3 points should be given the winner of the match even if the match isn't finished because of an injury. 

In a separate match at Larrabetzu Fronton (1) (2) on August 14, 2016

Gaubeka--Ibai-Perez defeated Necol-Imanol 40-35 (Source: Innpala).

MY ARTICLE: Kirol Txartela Masters Tournament cumulative scores and tables

Mano--Torneo LaBastida

Torneo LaBastida was contested at Bastida Fronton (1) (2) July 29 and August 12, 2016.

July 29:

Only Semi-Final

Berasaluze II-Albisu defeated Ezkurdia-Merino II 22-9

Match article and statistics (21iguales.com)

Full match video (match begins at 1:16:10 on the recording)

August 12, 2016:

Final

Berasaluze II-Albisu defeated Urrutikoetxea-Rezusta 22-21

Match article and statistics (21iguales.com)

Match statistics (Asegarce)

Full match video (match begins at 1:03:14 on the recording)

BA came back from 16-18 to lead 20-18. Then they came back again from 20-21 to win 22-21.

Article that summarizes Berasaluze II's 2 victories (Deia) within three days, on the eve of his retirement.

Mano--Torneo Villa de Ezcaray

Turneo Villa de Ezcaray was contested July 31 and August 10 at Ezcaray Fronton, (1) (2)

July 31, 2016:

Only Semi-final

Victor-Untoria defeated Gorka-Merino II 22-14

Match article (Diario Vasco)

Match statistics (Asegarce)

Full match video (match begins at 1:04:44 on the recording)

August 10:

Final

Berasaluze II-Rezusta defeated Victor-Untoria 22-20

Match article and statistics (21iguales.com)

Match highlights (15 selected points, including the winning point: 21iguales.com Youtube site)

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Mano--Tourneo Virgen Blanca (La Blanca)

Turneo Virgen Blanca was contested August 5, 6, and 8 at Ogueta Fronton (Vitoria-Gasteiz).

Asegarce Tournament page

Source for all full match videos: EITB

August 5:

First Semi-final

Oliazola II-Untoria defeated Artola-Albisu 22-18

Match article (Source: Asegarce)

Full match video (match begins at 37:20 on the recording)

August 6:

Second Semi-final

Altuna III-Zabaleta defeated Ezkurdia-Rezusta 22-15

Match article (Source: Diario Vasco)

Full match video (match begins at 1:01:08 on the recording)

August 8:

Final

Altuna III-Zabaleta defeated Oliazola II-Untoria 22-6

Match article (Source: Diario Vasco)

A 9-0 run by the winners at the start of the sealed the outcome, but they kept applying pressure, adding to their lead throughout for a surprisingly easy victory.

Video highlights (11 selected points, including the winning point: 21iguales.com Youtube site)

Full match video (match begins at 55:43 on the recording)

Friday, August 12, 2016

Main Nue--Player Rankings--August 10, 2016

Main Nue complete player rankings are available on the player rankings page (Under "Main Nue") on the right side of the main blog page. You can also find how these rankings are calculated there.

As of August 10, 2016 the top five were:

Larralde--11350
Ducassou--11350
Guichandut--8400--up from July 27 7th rank (5400)
Bilbao--7450
Amulet--7200

Ospital dropped to 7th rank--6400
De Ezcurra dropped to 9th rank--5050

It is unclear from the rankings explanation how points can be lost from one ranking to another.

As of July 27, 2015 the top five were:

Larralde--9350
Ducassou--8850
Ospital--5900--up from June 26 7th rank (4000)
Bilbao--5700
De Ezcurra--5550

Main Nue--Tournois Espela d'Espelette

Tournoi Espela d'Espelette, an EP 500 competition, was contested at Trinquet d'Espelette (1) (2)  August 6 and 9, 2016.

* Not listed in Esku Pilota player pages at this time.

August 6, 2016:

Semi-finals

Elgart-Guichandut defeated Lambert-Lazcano 40-26

Inchauspe-Amulet defeated Monce-Migueltorena* 40-27

Source for both scores (Esku Pilota)

August 9, 2016

Final

Elgart-Guichandut defeated Inchauspe-Amulet 40-26

Match article, photos, and audio interview with Elgart (Source: Esku Pilota)

As the match story indicates, Inchauspe-Amulet had little chance to win. Three days earlier they won a 67 point match in the semi-finals of this tournament. The day before they played a marathon 50-48 Monday at the Garat match against each other (see under the recurring 50 point match Main Nue results on the right side of the page), a match that took an hour and 50 minutes. So, counting the 66 points of this final, they played 231 points in 4 days.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Main Nue--Tournoi de Cambo les Bains

Tournoi de Cambo les Bains, an EP 1000 competition, was contested at Trinquet Cambo les Bains  (1) (2)  August  3, 4, and 8, 2016.

Competition page at pelotelive.free.fr

August 3, 2016:

First Semi-final

Bielle-Bilbao defeated Xala-de Ezcurra 40-28

Match article (Source: Esku Pilota)

Match graph and selected linescore:  (Source: Esku Pilota via pelotelive.free.fr)

Full match video: (Source: Esku Pilota Youtube page, match article above, or match graph source)

Note the high angle the entire match is filmed from. This is because Cambo les Bains is an "Argentine" trinquet. There is no "dugout" in the back, just a solid wall. This allows for much greater freedom of movement of the back courters. They do not have to defend the open scoring area in the back that they do on most trinquet courts. They also do not have to follow the ball around the non-existent back trinquet roof, which allows for more ease of rebote (rebound) shots.

August 4, 2016:

2nd Semi-final

Ospital-Ducassou defeated Waltary-Harismendy 40-38

Match article (Source: Esku Pilota)

Perhaps as important as the article are the images that accompany it. Here we can clearly see the solidity of the front and back walls of this trinquet.

Match graph and (for all practical purposes) full linescore (Source: Esku Pilota via pelotelive.free.fr

Waltary almost turned this into a fantastic victory at the end. But not quite.

August 8, 2016:

Final

Ospital-Ducassou defeated Bielle-Bilbao 40-26

Match article, photos, audio interview with Ospital (Source: Esku Pilota)

Match graph, selected match statistics, selected linescore and commentary (Source: Esku Pilota via pilotelive.free.fr)

Main Nue--"Meste du Marcat"

"Meste du Marcat", a singles competition, was contested at Trinquet Recalde, Peyrehorade, July 27, August 3, and  August 7, 2016.

Source for all score information: pelotelive.free.fr

July 27

1st Semi-final

Ospital defeated de Ezcurra 40-37

August 3

2nd Semi-final

L. Lambert defeated Harismendy 40-21

August 7

Final:

Ospital defeated L. Lambert 40-27

Selected Match Video: (Source: Daniel du Peyrehorade Sport Facebook page via pelotelive.free.fr) Remember to click on "desactiver" below the video before viewing to turn off pfp's auto refresh feature.

Video covers first 7 points (3-0O, 3-3, 4-3O) and last 5 points (begins at 36-26) 36-27, 40-27.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Jai Alai World Tour--Masters Series: Gernika II

The Jai Alai World Tour, a series of 6 tournaments played in the South Basque, from July 7 through August 13, 2016, finished its fifth tournament on August 5. At the site you will find scheduled matches, results, match articles, rules of the competition, player pages, and how the player points are determined, among other information.

Source for all scores and articles: Jai Alai World Tour website.

At Fronton Gernika Jai Alai (1) (2) Gernika II

Aug. 5:

3rd place:

Barandika-Amigorena defeated Erik-Lekerika 2-1 (14-15, 15-13, 5-2).

Final:

Hormaetxea-Aldazabal defeated Beaskoetxea-Txasio 2-1 (15-10, 13-15, 5-1).

Full match video for both matches (3rd place match--0:00:00-1:18:50, Final: 1:18:56-2:37:37, followed by interview and trophy presentation)

Match article for both matches

Note: the match article has the tie-breaker set score reversed from the actual score.

The night after winning his 7th consecutive match without a loss and 3rd consecutive championship of the summer (two in the JAWT and one in the Internationaux Cesta Punta Master 3 competition at Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz), H-A ended Beaskoetxea's great run.

July 24: First Semi-final:

Hormaetxea-Aldazabal defeated Erik-Lekerika 2-1 (10-15, 15-14, 5-3)

Match article

This was Hormaetxea's first victory of the summer partido season, after four defeats.

July 30: Second Semi-Final

Beaskoetxea-Txasio defeated Barandika-Amigorena 2-1 (10-15, 15-12, 5-2)

Match article

MY ARTICLE: Cumulative match records for all participants in both Internationaux Cesta Punta and Jai Alai World Tour Summer Partidos through the first 8 tournaments

Monday, August 8, 2016

Pala--Paleta Goma--San Nicolas Pala Txapelketa Finals, 2016

This club tournament was contested in late June-early July 2016, and is of interest not only for the competition itself, which took place in the Algorda neighborhood of Getxo,  but for the venue. The frontón municipal de la plaza San Nicolás de Algorta (updated with a new link--March 5, 2022) is a very different venue from any that have been linked to in this blog. It is an "Arkupe". Arkupes are normally the atriums of churches or city halls. They usually host one of the most ancient of Basque Pelota modalities, pasaka, which can be played with bare hands (video) or a "glove" (video) (1) (2). Look closely at the glove and you will see the ancestor of the xisteras (cestas) of the modalities of joko garbi (video), which in turn is the direct ancestor of Jai Alai/Cesta Punta, and Remonte, which evolved along a different line. Arkupes are rare in the Basque Country these days, probably less than one hundred remain. For more on the history of this arkupe see this blogpost.

In this case the fronton was used for a paleta goma tournament (watch for the large hitting area of the paleta, and the large rubber pelota). Three championship matches were held, for which full video is available for the first and third, and partial video for the second.

Video for all matches (Source: EITB)

For the record, in the first match, a women's final

Ane-Txaso (red) defeated Maria-Xandra (blue) 30-23 (0:00- 30 minutes 26 seconds on the recording).

In the second match, a men's 2 match

Aitor-Txoper (red) defeated Alaintxo-Txiki 30-26 (last few points, 31:18-36:41).

In the third match, the men's final

Batis Albonica-Natxo Garcia (blue) defeated Jon Arrieta-Alex Gonzalez (red) 30-29 (38:34-1:46:22).

The last point of this match was a fantastic point.

After the match there were the usual wonderful closing ceremonies that capped a great day of competition.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Mano--Elizkano moves from Asegarce to ASPE

"Aspe ficha a Danel Elezkano," by Enrique Echavarren (El Diario Vasco) (Donostia (San Sebastian)), July 30, 2016

Mano--An Interview with Asegarce's Inaki Artola

"Iñaki Artola (manista de Asegarce): '¿Menos partidos que Irribarria? La txapela, que yo sepa, no está en mi casa'," by Joseba Lezeta (El Diario Vasco) (Donostia (San Sebastian)), August 3, 2016.

Remonte--July 2016 Rankings

The July 2016 monthly rankings for the Oriamendi2010 roster were updated at the beginning of August. For full rankings and explanation see the rankings page on the right side of the blog.

Leaders were

Group A: Barrenetxea IV: 36.5
Group B: Azpiroz: 40

Maximum ranking is 40.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Internationaux Cesta Punta--Master 3 Tournament

The 2016 Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) Internationaux Cesta Punta Masters competitions began on July 7, 2016 and run through August 25, 2016. At the ICP website, you will find scheduled matches, results, match articles, rules of the competition, player pages, and how the player points are determined, among other information.

The Master 3 Internationaux Cesta Punta Tournament was held at Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) (1) (2) from July 28-August 4, 2016.

All match scores and match articles are available at the Internationaux Cesta Punta site. Note: as of February 11, 2017 this link no longer worked. I was able to link directly to the match articles. Those links are below.

Full Match videos are also available at the Internationaux Cesta Punta Youtube site.

July 28, 2016:

First Semi-Final: J. Tambourindeguy-Txasio defeated P. Tambourindeguy- Eyheragary (substituting for the injured Inza) 2-0 (15-12, 15-6)

Match article

Match highlights

Full Match Video

August 2, 2016

Second Semi-Final: Beaskoetxea-Lekerika defeated Egiguren-Urtasun 2-0 (15-11, 15-9).

Match article

Highlights

Full Match Video

August 4, 2016:

Final: Beaskoetxea-Lekerika defeated J. Tambourindeguy-Txasio 2-0 (15-11, 15-11)

Match article

Highlights

Full match video

MY ARTICLE: Cumulative match records for all participants in both Internationaux Cesta Punta and Jai Alai World Tour Summer Partidos through the first 7 tournaments

Friday, August 5, 2016

Pala--Kirol Txartela Masters Tournament--Players--Tournament Regulations--Schedule--Day 5 (Round 3) Results

The Kirol Txartela Masters Tournament  at the Atano III FrontonDonastia (San Sebastian) began on July 6, 2016.  It will end with a final on August 17, 2016. The Tournament link above explains the nature of the tournament and how it is to be contested. The same information is also available in less graphic form at InnPala. Basically it is an 8 team doubles tournament, consisting of the entire 10 man InnPala roster along with 6 invited amateurs. The teams are split into two 4 team groups. This is a short court tournament. Each match will be contested to a best three out of five 10 point jokos (sets). Table points are determined entirely by number of jokos won. The league phase will consist of a single round robin in each group, with each player playing every other week. Matches will take place every Wednesday evening. At the end of the league phase there will be a final. Source for all match scores: InnPala Twitter feed. For more information on professional players see the player pages linked to on the right side of the blog.

Note: *=Amateur

Fifth Day: August 3, 2016. 

Group A:  Navarro*-Brefel  defeated Landeta--Ibai-Perez 3-2 (10-9, 10-8, 6-10, 9-10, 10-5)

In the fourth joko, L-I came back from an 9-8 deficit to force a deciding joko. With the victory N-B won Group A and a place in the final on August 17.

Group B: Ibarguren*-Imanol defeated Fusto-J. Irigoyen*  3-1 (3-10, 10-7, 10-?, 10-?)

Fusto was forced to retire with a pectoral injury. How long he will be out of action is unknown. Group B: Ibarguren*-Imanol defeated Fusto-J. Irigoyen*   3-1 (3-10, 10-7, 10-?, 10-?)

Fusto was forced to retire with a pectoral injury. How long he will be out of action is unknown. There were no details in the Innpala Twitter feed explaining when Fusto retired.

Group A Table:

Navarro*-Brefel (3-0) (3-0; 3-0, 3-2)--9 points
Landeta--Ibai-Perez (2-1) (3-1; 3-2; 2-3)--8 points
Gaubeka-Irigoyen* (0-2) (0-3; 2-3)--2 points
Necol-Andueza* (0-2) (1-3; 0-3)--1 point

Group B Table:

Ibarguren*-Imanol (1-2) (2-3; 2-3; 3-1)--7 points
Arozena*-Ibargarai (2-0) (3-0; 3-2)--6 points
Zubiri-Ayerbe (1-1) (3-2; 2-3)--5 points
Fusto-J. Irigoyen* (1-2) (0-3; 3-2; 1-3 )--4 points

MY ARTICLE: Kirol Txartela Masters Tournament cumulative scores and tables

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Main Nue--Masters de Bayonne

Masters de Bayonne, an EP 2000 competition, was contested at Trinquet Moderne (1) (2) July 27, 28, and 31, 2016.

Full match videos of all three matches (source: Esku Pilota Youtube site) are linked to from pelotelive.free.fr, which also has the complete competition scores, linescores, charts, selected match statistics and video highlights. Match videos are also linked to from the individual match stories (see below). Each source has its advantages. Use whichever is best for you. If you use the pelotelive.free.fr site remember to "disactiver" under the videos to disable pfr's auto-refresh.

July 27, 2016

(Source for all match articles: Esku Pilota)

1st Semi-final:

Etchegaray-Ducassou defeated Waltary-Bilbao 40-32

Match article: . An audio interview with Etchegaray is also available here. Video of the amazing point that began at 24-17 and consumed 61 balls in play is available at the pelotelive.free.fr site above.

July 28, 2016

2nd Semi-final

Larralde-Guichandut defeated Xala-Harismendy 40-14

Match article: Audio interviews with Xala and Larralde are also available here.

July 31, 2016

Final:

Larralde-Guichandut defeated Etchegaray-Ducassou 40-17

Match article: Audio interviews with Larralde and Etchegaray are also available here. Seven spectacular points from the match are excerpted (source: Esku Pilota Facebook site). and available at the pelotelive.free.fr site above.

Preliminary match before the final:

Migueltorena defeated Darmendrail 40-39. Note that neither of these players has an entry in the Esku Pilota player pages at this time.

The match article for this match is available at the end of the final match article linked to above. A video of the last point of that match is available there as well.

Full Match Video (Source: Esku Pilota Youtube site).

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Main Nue--Tournoi De La Magdeleine

Tournoi De La Magdeleine, an EP 500 competition, was contested at Trinquet Saint Palais (1) (2) July 22 and 26, 2016.

* Not listed on the Esku Pilota player pages at this time

July 22

Full Match Videos (first semi-final begins at 10-7),  match charts and linescores for the two semi-finals only: Source: Esku Pilota via pilotelive.free.fr Click on the links below the scores for all of this. Click on "disactiver" below the match videos to disable pfr's auto-refresh.

Semi Finals

Ospital-de Ezcurra defeated L. Lambert-Bennesse* 40-30

Inchauspe-Amulet defeated Monce-Lucu* 40-30

Match Statistics for both (Source: Esku Pilota)

Match article for both (Source: Esku Pilota) Note: this article also links to the two full match videos.

July 26, 2016

Final

Ospital-de Ezcurra defeated Inchauspe-Amulet 40-21

Match article and an audio interview with de Ezcurra

One of the most interesting things about this competition was the venue. When you watch the semi-final matches, the camera will focus on the scoreboard high above the front wall to keep score. But to the left and a little below, you will see the dedication stone: 1891. Certainly one of the oldest active trinquets in the North Basque. I have seen none older, but I am new to this. The only trinquet I've ever seen that is older is the famous Valencian Pelota Trinquet Pelayo, which dates back to 1868. Anytime you see a sporting arena that began in the 19th century and is still in use, you are seeing something very special. If the Trinquet Garat (1937) is the Cathedral of Main Nue, then perhaps Trinquet Saint Palais is its Parthenon.

Main Nue--Tournoi Intermarche Pays Basque

Tournoi Intermarche Pays Basque, an EP 500 competition, was contested at Trinquet Medionde  (1) (2) July 15 and 17, 2016.

* Not listed on the Esku Pilota player pages at this time

July 15

Semi-finals

Inchauspe-Bennesse* defeated Darmendrail*-de Ezcurra 40-30

Elgart(?)-Lazcano defeated Berreterbide*-Guicandut(?) 40-33

Source for both match scores: Esku Pilota

July 17

Final

Inchauspe-Bennesse* defeated Elgart(?)-Lazcano 40-33

Source for match score: Esku Pilota

Match article: (Source: Esku Pilota)

Monday, August 1, 2016

Main Nue--Tournoi Hoberenak--Unfinished

Tournoi Hoberenak, an EP 1000 competition, was contested at Trinquet D'Arcangues  (1) (2) from July 2-14, 2016. It has yet to be completed.

July 2, 2016:

Ospital-Amulet defeated Bielle-Guichandut 40-20 (Source: Esku Pilota)

Semi-Finals:

July 9, 2016:

Larralde-Ducassou defeated Etchegaray-Harismendy 40-8 (Source: Esku Pilota)

Note: these were the same players who had played in the final of the Trophee Elhina in June, 2016. The back courters switched partners.

July 10, 2016:

Waltary-Bilbao defeated Ospital-Amulet 40-31 (Source: Esku Pilota)

Full match video (Source: Esku Pilota Youtube site)

Final:

July 14, 2016:

Waltary-Bilbao lead Larralde-Ducassou 16-13 when Larralde suffered an ankle injury and had to retire. The match will be replayed in its entirety.

Match article and full match video (Source: Esku Pilota web site and Youtube site

Match Linescore, graph, and full match video (Source: pelotelive.free.fr) Make sure to click on "desactiver" below the match video to disable pfp's auto-refresh.

Rather than award the match to Waltary-Bilbao due to the inability of Larralde to continue, Esku Pilota decided to reschedule the match in its entirety. In this age of winning as the be all and end all of all sporting competitions, of "too bad, you lose" and move on, Esku Pilota decided to reschedule the match in its entirety. Because it was a good matchup. Because people wanted to see these two teams play. Because it wasn't a good way to end a tournament. Esku Pilota decided to reschedule the match in its entirety. Magnifique!

(Added Nov. 10, 2016). The match was replayed on November 1, 2016

Mano--Torneo Bizkaia de Parejas Dentro del Cinqo Y Medio

The Torneo Bizkaia de Parejas Dentro del Cinqo Y Medio took place from July 17-30, 2016, with 6 competing teams, two of which had a seeding in the semi-finals. The cinqo y medio format is simlar to the quatro y medio, except that the fault line is 5 1/2 instead of 4 1/2 and the serve must be between the 3 and 5 1/2 line. The purpose is the same as the 4 1/2 format for singles matches. Shorten the court and emphasize speed and shot making over raw power.

July 30, 2016:

Final: Bizkaia Fronton (Bilbo (Bilbao))

Altuna III-Barriola defeated Oliazola II-Aretxabeleta 22-16.

Match Article: (noticias de Gipuzkoa)

The winners scored the last 9 points of the match.

Full match video: (Source: IETB)  (Match begins at 1 hour, 8 minutes, 14 seconds on the recording).

MY ARTICLE: Tournament Roundup: links to match scores, articles and videos.