Before the memory of 2016 fades, I thought it might be fun to link to some of the best matches of the year. I will stay within the constraints of five modalities, because they are the ones that had the best full match videos available. In some cases,these were simply great matches. In others they will show you great stars in the twilight of their careers. Let's not forget them any time soon. For those of you who are new to these great sports, this is as good an introduction as any.
Jai Alai/Cesta Punta
Singles
A. Jai Alai World Tour CTO Individual MPB championship
Final, September 17, 2016: Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1) (2) Goikoetxea defeated Olharan 2-0 (12-5, 12-11)
The best player of his generation defeats the (possibly) best player of the next generation. Jai Alai on the short court.
Full match video (match begins at 32 minutes, 51 seconds on the video). (Source: EITB)
Related blog post
Doubles
B. Internationaux Cesta PuntaTournament SLAM Competition
Final, August 25, 2016: Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Donibane Lohizune) (1) (2) Beaskoetxea-Irastorza defeated Olharan-Lekerika 2-1 (15-7, 12-15, 5-3)
Another generational battle won by the old guys.
Highlights
Full match video (Canal + French)
or
Full match video (EITB (Canal+ feed--Basque)
Related blog post
Quiniella
C. Dania Beach (1) (2) June 25, 2016, Game 2: Won by Erik-Urbieta
One of the better quiniella games you'll ever see.
Full game video
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Main Nue
Singles
July 31, 2016
A. Masters de Bayonne, "Lever de rideau" (curtain raiser). Preliminary match before the final.
Trinquet Moderne (1) (2) Migueltorena (red) defeated Darmendrail (blue) 40-39
Great matches don't always have to involve great players. These two young players played the best singles match of the year.
Final Point (Source: Esku Pilota Youtube site)
Full Match Video (Source: Esku Pilota Youtube site).
Related blog post
Doubles
B. Esku Pilota Lagunak (Friends) end of year celebration
December 3, 2016: Trinquet Haitz Pean, d'Anglet (1)(2)(3) Larralde-Bilbao defeated Waltary-Ducassou 40-39
Esku Pilota elite pros ranked #1,2,4, and 8 save the best for last.
Final point (Esku Pilota Youtube)
Full match video (Esku Pilota Youtube)
Related blog post
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Mano
Singles 4 1/2
A. Lau eta erdiko Txapelketa 2016/Campeonato del 4 1/2 de 1a categorÃa 2016 LEP. M competition.
Final, November 26, 2016: Ogueta Fronton, Vitoria-Gasteiz (1) (2). Bengoetxea VI defeated Altuna III 22-21
Match video highlights (EITB)
Video of final point of match (EITB)
Video highlights, various points (21iguales.com Youtube)
Full match video (EITB) (Basque)
or
Fronton.tv (Castilian) (scroll to Bengoetxea VI v Altuna III: Ogueta de Vitoria-Gasteiz - 27/11/2016)
Related blog post
Doubles
Final, Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1) (2) Olaizola II-Urrutikoetxea defeated Mtz. de Irujo-Rezusta 16-10
This
was possibly, very sadly, the great Mtz. de Irujo's final match. The
injury that ended this match was followed by the diagnosis of a heart
ailment that has possibly ended his career.
Full match video (EITB) (Basque) Match begins at 1:13:48 on the video.
or
Full match video
(Fronton.tv) (Castilian) (scroll to Olaizola II-Urrutikoetxea Mtz. de
Irujo-Rezusta: Bilbao - 09/04/2016). It is presently linked from P. 6 at
the bottom of the page.
Related blog post
Singles
C. Campionato Manonista 1a (Buruz Buruko Txapelketa)
Final, May 29, 2016Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1) (2) Irribarria defeated Urrutikoetxea 22-13
Crucial 3rd Point of the Match
Final 2 Points of the Match
Full Match Video (EITB) (Basque)
or
Full match video
(Fronton.tv (Castilian) (Scroll to Urrutikoetxea vs Irribarria: Bilbao -
29/05/2016). It is presently linked from P. 4 at the bottom of the
page.
Related blog post
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Pala
Singles
A. Binaka Tournament
Final, February 20, 2016: Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1) (2) Fusto defeated Gaubeka 3-0 (10-6, 10-5, 10-8).
Fusto, the greatest player of his generation, at his best.
Full match video (EITB)
Doubles
B. World Doubles Tournament
Final, April 16, 2016: Mungia (1) (2) Fusto-Brefel defeated Gaubeka-Imanol 3-2 (10-8, 8-10, 10-6, 7-10, 10-7).
A classic traditional long court big bat (pala larga) match, played at the Cathedral of Pala.
Full match video (EITB)
Related blog post
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Remonte
Singles
A. VI Individual Oriamendi Tournament
Final, January 9, 2016: Galaretta,Hernani (1) (2) Uterga defeated Urriza 30-27
A great final between two of the best players of this generation.
Full match video
Related blog post (Scroll to the Remonte section "concept of Botillero")
Doubles
B. January 9, 2016: Galaretta, Hernani (1) (2) Ezkurra-Agirrezabala defeated Etxeberria IV-Ion 40-36
Just another match in the bi-weekly 4 match sessions at Galaretta. It features Ezkurra, one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Still playing in his early 40s. Watch and enjoy the master.
Full match video (match begins at 1:20:10 on the video). Same video as above. It was the ho-hum match after the championship final.
