Main Nue: FFPB CDC Elite Pro par Equipe--Week 4--March 25, 27 2017

The Main Nue Elite Pro par Equipe (pairs) Championnat de France A and B competition is sponsored by the  Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPB). The competition began on March 3, 2017 and ends on May 7, 2017. You can follow its progress here (link to "resultats" from the FFPB home  page).  Pelotelive.free.fr also provides A and B coverage. The tournaments have a "poule" phase, a single round robin, followed by a playoff system which is so byzantine that I will make no attempt to explain it because I can't. It is the most complex playoff system I have seen in my short time following these fascinating BP tournaments. Go to the FFPB site listed above and read P. 3 of the "resultats" booklet. See how clear it is to you. For now, we will just follow along and deal with the playoff system when we get to it.

*  not listed on the Esku Pilota player pages at this time.

Groupe A

Peio Larralde-Bixintxo Bilbao; Agusti Waltary-Peio Guichandut; Mathieu Ospital-Baptiste Ducassou; Julien Etchegaray-Vincent Lazcano; Alexis Inchauspe-Anton Amulet; Philippe Bielle-Ximun Lambert

Groupe B:

Laurent.Lambert-Mickael Palomes; Vincent Elgart-Pascal de Ezcurra; Mattin Olcomendy*-Jean-Philippe Bennesse, Antton Monce-Cedric Lucu

Source for all match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, is pilota-ttiki.com. Thus far, most Pilota Ttiki match articles are incorporated into the Pelotelive.free.fr match pages. I will link to them, for ease of access when they are.

Week 1: March 3-4, 2017  ;  Week 2: March 12-13; Week 3: March 18-19

Week 4: March 25, 27, 2017

March 25, 2017

Villefranque (1)(2)(3)

Preview article for both matches

A9: Ospital-Ducassou defeated Waltary-Guichandut 40-38

Match article for both matches

Match Statistics (scoring, equalities, decade linescores--spreadsheet format) (Source: Esku Pilota)

Selected linescore (including equalities and decade scores from the match statistics, along with selected scores from the match article) (winners always listed 1st)

0-5; 2-8; 5-10; 7-13; 10-16; 13-17; 19-21; 20-21; 20-23; 23-23; 26-24; 26-25; 29-26; 29-27; 29-29; 31-29; 34-34; 35-35; 36-36; 37-37; 40-38

B3: L. Lambert-Palomes defeated Olcomendy-Benesse 40-38

Match article for both matches

Match statistics (scoring, equalities, decade linescores--spreadsheet format) (Source: Esku Pilota)

Selected linescore (including equalities and decade scores from the match statistics, along with selected scores from the match article)  (winners always listed 1st)

1-1; 2-2; 4-6; 7-7; 7-13; 7-16; 11-19; 17-23; 22-28; 23-30; 27-30; 28-32; 31-35; 34-36; 34-38; 38-38; 40-38

Both matches were extremely close and hard fought. In the Groupe A match, Ducassou got caught up in the intensity of it all after what he thought was an incorrect call on the point beginning 29-26 O-D. He apologized for his reaction later. As for the match, the statistics show 6 equalities, the last at 37. O-D were behind for much of the first half. In the end, with a little help from "une petite incomprehension avec Waltary" (according to Guichandut) they figured out a way to win. Waltary was +20-10. Ospital was +15 -5. The win guaranteed O-D a place in the Semi-finals of the A Groupe. It was Ducassou's 8th consecutive victory overall in 2017.

In the Groupe B match L-P were favorites but they had to fight hard for their victory. An early 9 point run by O-B gave them a 16-7 lead. It took L-P the entire match to catch up. Down 34-38 they were still in dire straits. But from there, with the aid of 2 clutch winners by Lambert along with a  mis-communication between O-B at 38-38, L-P ended the match with a 6-0 run. Laurent Lambert's 10 service aces and +15 -4 were crucial to the victory.

March 27, 2017

Le Garat, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port  (1!)(2)

Preview article for both matches

A10: Bielle-X. Lambert defeated Inchauspe-Amulet 40-22

Match statitstics: (scoring, equalities, decade linescores--spreadsheet format) (Source: Esku Pilota)

Selected linescore Selected linescore (including equalities and decade scores from the match statistics, along with "remarkable points" from Le Garat "Lundi" page--GL information will be over written next week so I have copied it out):)

6-2; 8-2: 10-4; 11-9; 13-13; 15-13; 17-13; 24-16; 28-17; 31-19; 31-20; 32-20; 38-22

B4: Monce-Lucu defeated Elgart-de Ezcurra 40-36

Selected linescore (remarkable points--winners always listed 1st) (Source Le Garat "Lundi" page)

7-13, 9-16; 11-21; 24-32; 28-34; 31-34; 33-35; 40-36

1 equality: 35-35

Service aces: Monce 12, Elgart 9
Filet points: M-L 2; E-E 5
Time of the match: 1 hour 21 minutes

Lundi page brief commentary:

La course en tête de Elgart and Ezcurra s'est terminée avant la ligne d'arrivée.
Pugnaces et puissants, Monce-Ondars and Lucu ont arraché leur victoire après l'égalité à 35 partout.
Belle partie, aucun des quatre Joueurs n'a démérité !.

Google Translate English

The race at the head of Elgart and Ezcurra ended before the finish line.
Pugnacious and powerful, Monce-Ondars and Lucu snatched their victory after the tie at 35.
Nice part, none of the four Players has been unworthy !.

Match article for both matches

In the Groupe A match B-L continued their excellent play with an easy victory over I-A, though not as easy as the final score indicated. According to Philippe Bielle

...“la partie ne reflète pas vraiment le score On a dû batailler tout le long de la partie. Elle a duré pas loin d’une heure vingt”.

Google Translate English

"...the game does not really reflect the score, We had to fight all the way through the game. It lasted not far from an hour and twenty. "

Bielle's +12 -1 played a major role. Amulet had a bad day at the office (+8 -16). The win leaves  B-L with an outside chance at a Semi-final spot.

In the Groupe B match M-L trailed for the entire match before equalizing at 35 and then winning 5 of the last 6 points.

Full A table at the end of play March 27

Full B table at the end of play March 27

For cumulative records of Main Nue elite professionals see the "Cumulative records of EP players" on the recurring results page on the right side of the blog.

Mano--Semi-Final League---Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--Semi-Final League--Jornada 3

Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas, the premier doubles competition of the 2016-2017 Mano season, began December 2, 2016. 8 teams compete for the title. The first (league) phase is a double round robin (14 matches). The top 4 finishers will then face off in a single round robin (3 matches). The two winners will play in a final on April 9, 2017.

Asegarce Competition Page

Asegarce League phase table

ASPE League phase table

Wikipedia Competition Page (Castilian)

Full ongoing league phase table (with total points and differential):

Source for all match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, is 21iguales.com  21iguales.com will also keep an ongoing phase table at its main Parejas site and with every match article.

Match linescores will be provided from match articles when available. Full match linescores can be found at 21iguales.com Twitter feed.  Track back to the date and match and follow from beginning to en The feed is also available at the Main site of 21iguales.com while the matches are in progress.

Source for all highlights and full match videos, unless otherwise specifically stated, is EITB.

Week 1;  Week 2;  Week 3;  Week 4;  Week 5;  Week 6;  Week 7; Week 8 ; Week 9 ; Week 10;  Week 11; Week 12; Week 13; Week 14--End of the Quarter-final League phase; Semi-Final League--Jornada 1; Semi-Final League--Jornada 2

Table of the 4 teams that advance to the Semi-final League.

Key: Team, match record, point differential, winning-losing streak going into the Semi-final League.

Irribarria-Rezusta: 12-2, +79,  +5
Elezkano-Zabeleta 7-7, +41  +1
Oliazola II-Untoria 7-7, +10 +2
Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe 7-7 -12, -1

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

Semi-Final League--Jornada 3

March 25, 2017

Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1)(2): Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe defeated Jaka (substituting for Elezkano II)-Zabaleta 22-17  
B-L 2-1 +1 E-Z 0-3 -19

Match articles (analysis and/or linescores and statistics)

21iguales.com

Deia

Diario Vasco

EITB Interview with Danel Elezkano regarding his hand injury

This match was similar to B-L's victory over Olaizola II-Untoria in the first semi-final match 2 weeks ago. Again, Bengoetxea VI took a long time to "come to the party." But when he did, basically taking over the second half of the match, J-Z had no chance. They needed to hold B-L to under 11 points in order to have any chance at a finals berth. Once B-L reached that total, J-Z completely collapsed. Jaka, who substituted for the injured Elezkano II (see the above interview to see the hand injury), also was beaten up in this match. He ran his shoulder into the left wall twice (one of those collisions can be seen in the match highlights) and hit if full on once. He finished the match. His team was finished for this competition. All in all 10-16 became 22-17. And Bengoetxea VI finished with +15. On April 9, 2017, B-L will meet Irribarria-Rezusta for the championship. This will be their fourth meeting. B-L have won two, but I-R won convincingly in last week's Semi-Final League match.

Match highlights

Full match video (EITB--Basque) (match begins at 38 minutes 45 seconds on the video.

Full match video (fronton.tv--Castilian) (Scroll to "Labrit-Pamplona - 25/03/2017")

March 26, 2017

Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1)(2): Irribarria-Rezusta defeated Olaizola II-Untoria 22-18
I-R 3-0 +19  O-U 1-2 -1

Match articles (analysis and/or linescores and statistics):

21iguales.com

Deia

mundodeportivo.com

I-R needed to score 11 points to guarantee a place in the final. They set about achieving that goal relentlessly, scoring the first 5 points of the match and reaching their goal with an 11-3 lead. The only road to the final for O-U was to win the match. Down 17-11 and led by brilliant play by Oliazola II, O-U stormed back into the match with a 7-0 run. Serving with all the momentum and 4 points away from an improbable victory, the next point was epic. It consumed 45 balls in play and lasted 2 minutes (1:57:00--1:59:00 on the video). On the 25th ball of the rally (1:57:59), Olaizola II had an easy dejada down the left side because Irribarria was off the court from his retrieval of the previous ball and Rezusta, though coming up, was still behind the four line and far from the left wall. Whether Oliazola II wasn't aware of where his opponents were or had already committed to a different shot, the shot he chose was high and almost exactly to where Rezusta was standing. The point then went on for another 20 balls before an attempted cross court shot by Olaizola II went off the court. 19-17 became 18-18 and, more importantly, the serve and the ball were lost. I-R closed the match out from there, helped by two more Olaizola II errors of aggression. Of course, without his stellar play earlier, O-U would never have come close to pulling off such a great victory. The last 12 points of the match were scintillating.

Match Highlights

Match highlights (21iguales.com) (parts of 18 points, including the final point)

Full match video (match begins at 1:06:56 on the video)

Pala--2017 Mundo Parejas--Jornada 6

Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 17-18 ; Jornada 1: February 24, 2017 ; Jornada 2: March 3, 2017 (J2 links to full match video of both matches); Jornada 3 and 4 ; Jornada 5: March 17, 2017 ; Jornada 6: March 24, 2017; Final and 3rd Place Match: April 1, 2017 (Final and 3rd place links to full match videos of both matches).

Note: All explanatory information about the tournament can be found in the Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 17-18 link above.

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

Note: Source for all article links, unless otherwise specifically stated, is Munduko Pilota Batzarra (World Pilota Council). Usually MPB match articles are presented in both Basque and Castilian, using the same link. The articles appear first in Basque, and then below that in Castilian.

Individual joko scores source: InnPala Twitter feed

Jornada 6: March 24, 2017

Note: I have been unable to find individual joko scores for either Jornada 6 match. If I find them, I will copy them in.

1. Necol-Imanol  defeated  Landeta-Ibai Perez 3-2

2. Fusto-Brefel defeated Gaubeka-Gordon 3-2

Match article

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Necol and Brefel both won, but not decisively enough after last week's disasters. They were both eliminated. The final, next Saturday, April 1, will be:

Gaubeka-Imanol v Fusto- Ibai Perez.

There will also be a 3rd place match:

Necol-Brefel v Landeta-Gordon

None of these matchups took place during the League phase. Three of the four finalists last year are in this year's final. Ibai Perez is the only one who was not. He will be going for his 3rd tournament championship in 3 attempts this season (he won La Liga Kutxabank and Mundial Individual). Except for Ibai Perez, this will be a classic long court matchup. It should be a great match.

Final League Table:

Key: Player, W-win, L-loss, Joko Scores, Tournament points, Match record

Delanteros (Front Court)

Gaubeka (3-0, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-0, 2-3), 400 pts, 4-2
Fusto   (3-0, 3-0, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2), 380 pts, 4-2
Necol   (0-3, 3-0, 3-0, 3-2, 0-3, 3-2), 320 pts, 4-2
Landeta (0-3, 0-3, 0-3, 2-3, 1-3, 2-3), 100 pts, 0-6

Zagueros (Back Court)

Imanol     (3-0, 3-0, 0-3, 2-3, 3-0, 3-2), 400pts, 4-2
Ibai Perez (3-0, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-1, 2-3), 380pts, 4-2
Brefel     (0-3, 3-0, 3-0, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2), 340pts, 4-2
Gordon     (0-3, 0-3, 0-3, 2-3, 0-3, 2-3),  80pts. 0-6

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

Table of wins and losses for the 2016-2017 season.

Key: Player; Position (d=delantero (front court), z=zaguero (back court)); match wins-losses; joko (set) wins-losses; winning-losing streak; championships won. Matches that are single partidos will be noted. Table will be according to match winning percentage. 1st tie breaker will be number of wins. 2nd tie breaker will be joko win-loss differential. We begin the season with  La Liga Kutxabank, starting October 29, 2016.

March 24, 2017

Championships:  L=La Liga; MI-Mundial Individual

Gaubeka(d)......11-6....39-29...-1*....1(L)
Fusto(d)...........11-8....40-35..+2
Zubiri(d)...........8-8.....31-29...-3*
Necol(d)..........10-11...41-44..+1
Landeta(d)........5-13...28-44...-6

Ibai-Perez(z).....15-5....51-30...-1*....2(L, MI)
Brefel(z).............9-7....33-29..+1
Ibargari(z)..........8-8....32-31...+1
Imanol(z)...........7-10...31-36..+2*
Gordon(z)..........6-14...29-48...-7

*Does not include the result of Nov.25, 2016 independent match Gaubeka--Ibai-Perez v Zubiri-Imanol. The result is unknown at this time. I will add it when I find it.

For cumulative accounting of this player table see the InnPala Player win-loss table under the Pala page on the right side of the blog.

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

Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 17-18 ; Jornada 1: February 24, 2017 ; Jornada 2: March 3, 2017 (J2 links to full match video of both matches); Jornada 3 and 4 ; Jornada 5: March 17, 2017 ; Jornada 6: March 24, 2017; Final and 3rd Place Match: April 1, 2017 (Final and 3rd place links to full match videos of both matches).

Note: All explanatory information about the tournament can be found in the Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 17-18 link above.

Multiple Modalities--Federacion Espanola de Pelota Campeonato de Espana de Clubes Fronton 36m Div. Honor Finals

Semi-Finals and finals in three modalities (mano--individual and pairs, paleta cuero, and pala corta),of the Federation Espanola de Pelota (FEPelota) Campeonatos de Espana de Cluba were played March 24-26, 2017.This was the culmination of a weekly competition that began January 5. The finals were streamed and are available on the FEPelota Youtube site. They are high quality videos. All matches were played in sets (2 out of 3, to 15, with the tie breaker to 10)

Competition context (results) Note: link to the finals is working at present.

Competition Context (team table)

March 26, 2017

Colmenar Viejo (1)(2)

Mano Individual

San Cosme (Zabala--red) defeated Huarte (Yoldi--white) 2-0 (10-9, 10-4)

Full match video

Mano Parejas

Irutzun (Ongay-Bergera--red) defeated San Cosme (Urbieta-Matute--blue) 2-0 (10-9, 10-7)

Full match video

Paleta Cuero

Oberena (Arizaleta-Labiano--red) defeated Lintxu-Tajonar (Ayarra-J. Goni) 2-1 (15-10, 14-15, 10-9)

Full match video

This was the most exciting match of the day. L-T came back from 14-12 in the second set. They almost came back from 9-6 in the tie-breaker.

Pala Corta

Nat. Barcelona (Sanz-Skufka--red) defeated Tenis Pamplona (Lascoiti-Etchevarren--blue) 2-1 (12-15, 15-7, 10-6)

Match video (Note: there were technical problems with the 1st 1 minute and 10 seconds of this video. The match is then joined in progress at 2-1 Nat. Barcelona, first set.

Awards Ceremony 

Multiple Modalities--Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPB) Championnat de France--4 National A Finals in two weekends

FFPB completed its CdF National A Finals in Pasaka, Women's Paleta Gomme Pleine (Trinquet), Paleta Cuir (Trinquet), and Xare on the March 11, 17, and 18. The wonderful thing about these finals is that three of them were covered live via Facebook (and later on demand via Facebook and Youtube), and the other was covered with a match article. All were accompanied by a large number of photos.

The Paleta and Xare finals were covered extensively by pelotelive.free.fr, which provided full linescores, match charts, selected match statistics, and links to videos and photos. The Pasaka match was covered by Pilota Ttiki. FFPB also covered all of the events and contributed the photos.

All in all, it was a wonderful example of what can be done to provide full coverage of BP on a small budget. Canal+ and EITB are incomparable in their commercial coverage, but it is limited, for the most part, to important professional matches (although EITB does cover many amateur events in the South Basque country). With the improvement in computer, photo, and Internet technology, many more of these matches that are slightly "below" the radar of the commercial or large public networks can be enjoyed by BP fans around the globe.

For the purposes of this post, we will link to all of these finals (and their competition contexts) through pelotelive.free.fr. All of the videos are also avalable via Facebook and/or Youtube outlets that you can link to directly from the PFF sites. However, if you wish to watch the matches directly via PFF, make sure to click on "desactiver" below the videos to disable PFF's auto-refresh function, which is used for live coverage, but which is always "on." Otherwise the videos will stop.
==============================================

March 11, 2017

Pasaka

Saint Andre, Bayonne (1)(2)

Azcaindarrak Bat (Ascain) (Albistur-Mascotena) defeated Zaharrer-Segi (Saint Etienne de Baigorry) (Izoco (substituting for Ospital)-Dutaret-) 13-8.

Competition context

Match page with link to match article and photos

Preview article

Direct link to match article (which includes non-FPP photos)

FFPB photos:

If you research the FFPP competition results and archives and the results archive of the Ligue de Pelote du Pays Basque, you will see that these two teams have been the best in the North Basque country for several years. They have met (with changing personnel) in many finals in both competitions. Ascain has won most of them, and most have been very competitive, This final was also very competitive until Ascain dominated at the end.
-------------------------------------------------------

The other three finals were all played at Chiquito, Paris (1)(2)

March 17,2017

A. Paleta Gomme Pleine (Trinquet) (Women)

Saint Pee Union Club (Saint Pee Sur Nivelle) (Halsouet-Comet--blue) defeated Zaharrer-Segi (Saint Etienne de Baigorry) (Leiza-Serre--red) 40-31

Competition context

Match page--includes full linescore, match chart, match commentary, multiple match videos (Youtube and Facebook) and photos (FFPB)

Match article--also links to photos (FFPB)

B. Paleta Cuir (Trinquet)

Biarritz Athletic Club (Biarritz) (Thibault-Cambos-red) defeated Urrunarak (Urrugne) (Larretche-Bourrus--blue) 2-1 (14-15, 15-9, 10-5)

Competition context

Match page--includes full linescore, match chart, match statistics, match commentary, multiple match videos (Youtube and Facebook), and photos (FFPB)

Match article--also links to photos (FFPB)

March 18, 2017

Xare

Hardoytarrak (Anglet) (Driolet-Sistiague--blue) defeated Nozbait (Hasparren) (Lopetegui-Funosas) 40-30

Competition context

Match page--includes final score, match chart, match statistics, match commentary, multiple match videos (Youtube and Facebook), and photos (FFPB)

Match article--also links to photos (FFPB)

For more 2017 FFPB CDF National A and B videos including videos from poule to final stage, arranged by modality, see the FFPB CDF 2016-2017 National A and B match videos page on the right side of the blog.

Remonte: A Taste of the Sagardoaren

The VII Sagardoaren Txapelketa/El Torneo de la Cidra/Cider Tournament began on March 2, 2017 and will end with a final on April 29. Complete coverage of the tournament is available at  the Galarreta Star Matches Recurring Results page on the right side of the blog. It was also discussed in a post in the main blog.

The interesting thing about the Sagardoaren is that it features far more "B" players from the Oriamendi2010 roster than any other tournament. In this year's tournament 8 of the 17 players featured either as regular participants or substitutes have been B players. 6 of the 8 teams originally scheduled were A-B pairs.  Zeberio II has been replaced, due to injury, by last year's  most valuable B tournament player Segurola, who won the tournament final (EITB) with Endika. So 7 of the 8 teams are A-B mixes  Thus, the Sagardoaren can be seen as a preparatory tournament. And fans get to see B players under the tournament spotlight, rather than Game 1 or 4 of the usual Thursday-Saturday sessions.

This year, the first tournament match EITB broadcast was a League matchup between Etxeberria IV-Etxeberria III (the only all "A" team in the tournament) and Urriza-Azpiroz, winners of the most valuable and most promising player respectively for 2016 in both the Oriamendi 2010 and Euskal Jai Berri awards ceremonies.

March 18, 2017

Hernani (1)(2)

Larre-Gain (Urriza-Azpiroz) defeated Gurutzeta (Etxeberria IV-Etxeberria III) 40-31 (the players of all the teams are sponsored by cider houses in this tournament).

Full match video (EITB)

Condensed linescore: (winners always listed 1st).

4-0; 4-2; 8-2; 8-4; 9-4; 9-5; 12-5; 12-6; 15-6; 15-8; 17-8; 17-9; 19-9; 19-10; 20-10; 20-12; 21-12; 21-14; 24-14; 24-16; 29-16; 29-21; 31-21; 31-23; 32-23; 32-24; 33-24; 33-26; 34-26; 34-27; 35-27; 35-28; 37-28; 37-31; 40-31

Scoring (source: Oriamendi2010 match article--note: individual scores do not add to total).

Urriza +18 -3; Azpiroz +15 (including 7 service aces) -3
Etxeberria IV +14* -9; Etxeberria III +11 (including 3 service aces) -0

*Estimated from the other scores

It was an "easy" win for U-A but not as easy as it seemed, as the linescore shows. What was interesting to me about this match was the contrast between the two back court men. Azpiroz is 22 years old and in his first year on the roster. Etxeberria III is old enough to be his father (43) but is still a formidable defensive back. I could talk a lot about their characteristics but two points from the match show everything you need to know. They both have all the shots and defensive abilities "in the book", with the exception of Azpiroz, who is still learning the rebote shot, one of, if not the most difficult in Remonte. He struggled with it mightily early but then started hitting it in this match. The two points to watch, which really featured the two defenders, are the consecutive points beginning at 10-5 and ending at 12-5 (14 minutes 35 seconds to 17:50 on the video). They were two of the longest points of the match, consuming 29 and 23 balls respectively.

In the first point, you will see almost all Azpiroz has to offer. He makes a defensive shot from his knees, hits a beautiful left wall shot, hits his first rebote (after badly missing 2 earlier), and plays a wonderful defensive shot pinned against the wall deep in the back. Urriza finally wins that point with a perfect high and slow two wall shot more reminiscent of Uterga or Ezkurra than the powerful shots he usually hits for winners.

In the second point you will see the guile, intelligence, and almost "casual" perfection of Etxeberria III's defense. That point features 2 consecutive rebotes easily executed, a defensive shot from the apron, and 3 great defensive shots while pinned against the left wall. This point was also eventually won by U-A on a more conventional Urriza rocket. Etxeberria III did everything during that point except pull out his magic behind the back rebote. For no reason relevant to this match, but because the shot is so amazing, here is a link to two of them that he executed during a match played with Etxeberria IV on January 7, 2017.

Behind the back rebote #1 (1:52:23--1:53:04 on the video).
Behind the back rebote #2 (1:57:17--1:57:45 on the video)

So there is what the Sagardoaren is in a nutshell. The old against the new, the A against the B, and experience against promise. It's a fascinating mix with a wonderful taste, just like the products its sponsors provide.

Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--Semi-Final League--Jornada 2

Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas, the premier doubles competition of the 2016-2017 Mano season, began December 2, 2016. 8 teams compete for the title. The first (league) phase is a double round robin (14 matches). The top 4 finishers will then face off in a single round robin (3 matches). The two winners will play in a final on April 9, 2017.

Asegarce Competition Page

Asegarce League phase table

ASPE League phase table

Wikipedia Competition Page (Castilian)

Full ongoing league phase table (with total points and differential):

Source for all match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, is 21iguales.com  21iguales.com will also keep an ongoing phase table at its main Parejas site and with every match article.

Match linescores will be provided from match articles when available. Full match linescores can be found at 21iguales.com Twitter feed.  Track back to the date and match and follow from beginning to en The feed is also available at the Main site of 21iguales.com while the matches are in progress.

Source for all highlights and full match videos, unless otherwise specifically stated, is EITB.

Week 1;  Week 2;  Week 3;  Week 4;  Week 5;  Week 6;  Week 7; Week 8 ; Week 9 ; Week 10;  Week 11; Week 12; Week 13; Week 14--End of the Quarter-final League phase; Semi-Final League--Jornada 1

Table of the 4 teams that advance to the Semi-final League.

Key: Team, match record, point differential, winning-losing streak going into the Semi-final League.

Irribarria-Rezusta: 12-2, +79,  +5
Elezkano-Zabeleta 7-7, +41  +1
Oliazola II-Untoria 7-7, +10 +2
Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe 7-7 -12, -1

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

Semi-Final League--Jornada 2


March 18, 2017

Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1)(2): Olaizola II-Untoria defeated  Elezkano II-Zabaleta 22-15  O-U 1-1 +3 E-Z 0-2 -14

Match articles (analysis and/or linescores and statistics)

21iguales.com

Deia

Asegarce (includes audio interviews with the winners)

Elezkano II injury article (Deia)

O-U broke open a 13-13 match with a 9-2 run to easily defeat E-Z. A look at the scoring statistics shows that this match was about the dominance of Olaizola II. He had about +15. He took over the match as Elezkano's effectiveness waned due to an injured left hand that forced him to leave twice for treatment. Elezkano's injury will prevent him from playing in next week's crucial match v Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe. He will be replaced, as he has two other times during the competition, by Erik Jaka. During the 14th Jornada (see link above) J-Z defeated B-L 22-18 at Tolosa. J-Z must defeat B-L by at least 11 points and hope for a very one-sided victory by Irribarria-Rezusta over Olaizola II-Untoria. Under that scenario I-R would finish the Semi-final League at 3-0, with the other 3 teams all 1-2. Then it would come down to point differential.

Match highlights

Full match video (EITB-Basque)

Full match video (fronton.tv--Castilian) Scroll to "Labrit-Pamplona - 18/03/2017." (Added March 26, 2017).

March 19, 2017

Atano III, Donostia (San Sebastian) (1)(2): Irribarria-Rezusta defeated Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe 22-14
I-R 2-0 +15  B-L 1-1 -4

Match articles (analysis and/or linescores and statistics):

21iguales.com

Deia

Coming into the match, B-L were the only team to have defeated I-R in this competition and they did it twice. Coming out of the match, I-R had defeated every team in the competition. The 22-14 victory was more difficult than it might seem. B-L came roaring back from a 9-3 deficit to equal the score. However, after that, it was all I-R. They had a simple strategy: keep Larunbe as far back as possible. The strategy worked as Larunbe cracked under the pressure. His 7 errors were almost the entire difference in the match. But it is difficult not to sympathize with him. Irribarria's great "stream shovel" underhand blast, high off the front wall and flying all over the South Basque country, has had devastating effect for almost a year now. Few back court players survive it. And as is sometimes the case, the most impressive blast of all was one that he hit way off the court (the point beginning at 9-3 and ending at 9-4--1:25:03--1:25:30 on the video). It wasn't quite as impressive as the error he made May 29, 2016 (1:04:08-1:05:07) in his match against Bengoetxea VI in the Buruz Buruko Txapelketa, where he hit one so high and hard it almost took the roof of the fronton off, an epic Paul Bunyanesque shot, but it was pretty impressive. With the rest of Irribarria's game improving, we will probably see less of these incredible errors. They will be sadly missed, especially by his opponents. I-R's next match means nothing to them and everything to their opponents, Olaizola II-Untoria. I-R will be going after their 8th consecutive victory, which should be more than enough incentive.

Match highlights

Match highlights (21iguales.com) (parts of 8 points, including the final point)

Full match video (match begins at 1 hour, 3 minutes, 25 seconds on the video)

Main Nue: FFPB CDC Elite Pro par Equipe--Week 3--March 18-19 2017

The Main Nue Elite Pro par Equipe (pairs) Championnat de France A and B competition is sponsored by the  Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPB). The competition began on March 3, 2017 and ends on May 7, 2017. You can follow its progress here (link to "resultats" from the FFPB home  page).  Pelotelive.free.fr also provides A and B coverage. The tournaments have a "poule" phase, a single round robin, followed by a playoff system which is so byzantine that I will make no attempt to explain it because I can't. It is the most complex playoff system I have seen in my short time following these fascinating BP tournaments. Go to the FFPB site listed above and read P. 3 of the "resultats" booklet. See how clear it is to you. For now, we will just follow along and deal with the playoff system when we get to it.

*  not listed on the Esku Pilota player pages at this time.

Groupe A

Peio Larralde-Bixintxo Bilbao; Agusti Waltary-Peio Guichandut; Mathieu Ospital-Baptiste Ducassou; Julien Etchegaray-Vincent Lazcano; Alexis Inchauspe-Anton Amulet; Philippe Bielle-Ximun Lambert

Groupe B:

Laurent.Lambert-Mickael Palomes; Vincent Elgart-Pascal de Ezcurra; Mattin Olcomendy*-Jean-Philippe Bennesse, Antton Monce-Cedric Lucu

Source for all match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, is pilota-ttiki.com. Thus far, most Pilota Ttiki match articles are incorporated into the Pelotelive.free.fr match pages. I will link to them, for ease of access when they are.

Week 1: March 3-4, 2017  ;  Week 2: March 12-13

Week 3: March 18-19

March 18, 2017

Garindein (1)(2)

Preview article for both matches

A7: Bielle-X. Lambert defeated Waltary-Guichandut 40-20

Match Statistics (scoring, equalities, decade linescores--spreadsheet format) (Source: Esku Pilota)

B1: L. Lambert-Palomes defeated Monce-Lucu 40-31

Match statistics (scoring, equalities, decade linescores--spreadsheet format) (Source: Esku Pilota)

Match article for both matches

Pilota-Ttiki articles had mentioned on more than one occasion that Bielle-Lambert could become a force in this tournament. They played well in a loss to Ospital-Ducassou last week and dominated  W-G in this match. They led 20-9 at mid-match, and slowly increased their lead. At 34-20 they shut out W-G for the rest of the match to seal the win with a flourish. The match scoring statistics reveal that Bielle (+12 -3) and X. Lambert (+9 -2) played an excellent match. Guichandut (+5 -12) had a poor day which, according to Philippe Bielle was the culmination of a well planned and executed strategy to keep Guichandut in an area that would be difficult. It will be interesting to see if other teams attempt to execute the same strategy.

In the first Groupe B match of the competition, L-P dominated early, scoring the 1st 12 points of the match, but then M-L fought back to get within 3 points in  the 6th decade. It is possible that the energy they expended getting back into the match spent them. They were outscored 10-4 to end the match. L. Lambert (+17 -6) had a very good match,  Lucu (+4 -13) a forgettable one.

March 19, 2017

Amendaritz (1)(2)

Preview article for both matches

A8: Larralde-Bilbao defeated Etchegaray-Lazcano 40-24

Condensed linescore (winners always listed 1st--source Bixinto Bilbao Youtube site).

3-0; 3-1; 10-1; 10-3; 16-3; 16-4; 19-4; 19-9; 20-9; 20-15; 25-15; 25-16; 27-16; 27-17; 28-17; 28-18; 30-18; 30-19; 31-19; 31-20; 32-20; 32-21; 36-21; 36-24; 40-24

B2: Elgart-de Ezcurra defeated Olcomendy-Benesse 40-18

Selected linescore:

20-10; 40-18

Match article for both matches along with a link to full match video for the L-B v E-L match..

L-B v E-L full match video can also be accessed directly via Bixintxo Bilbao's Youtube site. The match video is a condensed full match video, with only the points. It runs about 1/2 hour.
L-B broke out to a huge lead and the game seemed over and done with at the half way point. Larralde's excellent serve and precise shot making, as well as Bilbao's mobility (he seemed to be all over the court) built that lead. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, E-E had a 10-1 run  to put them back in contention. L-B responded with a 10-3 run of their own, and finished with a 9-4 run to win with ease. The win guarantees L-B a semi-final seed.

In the B Groupe Match, E-E were twice as good as their opponents in each half of the match.

Full A table at the end of play March 19

Full B table at the end of play March 19

For cumulative records of Main Nue elite professionals see the "Cumulative records of EP players" on the recurring results page on the right side of the blog.

For other match videos in other FFPB 2017 Championnat de France competitions see the FFPB CDF 2016-2017 National A and B match videos page on the right side of the blog.

Pala--2017 Mundo Parejas--Jornada 5

Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 17-18 ; Jornada 1: February 24, 2017 ; Jornada 2: March 3, 2017 (J2 links to full match video of both matches); Jornada 3 and 4 ; Jornada 5: March 17, 2017 ; Jornada 6: March 24, 2017; Final and 3rd Place Match: April 1, 2017 (Final and 3rd place links to full match videos of both matches).

Note: All explanatory information about the tournament can be found in the Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 17-18 link above.

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

Note: Source for all article links, unless otherwise specifically stated, is Munduko Pilota Batzarra (World Pilota Council). Usually MPB match articles are presented in both Basque and Castilian, using the same link. The articles appear first in Basque, and then below that in Castilian.

Individual joko scores source: InnPala Twitter feed

Jornada 5: March 17, 2017

1. Gaubeka-Imanol defeated Necol-Gordon 3-0 (10-7, 10-6, 10-7) (30-20) Gaubeka-Imanol 100 pts. Necol-Gordon 0pts.

2. Fusto-Ibai Perez defeated Landeta-Brefel 3-1(10-4, 10-7, 7-10, 10-3) (37-24) F-IP 80 pts. L-B 20pts.

Match article, with discussion of the possible scenarios based on who wins this weekend  (added March 22, 2017).

Innpala brief summary: InnPala posted 2 brief summaries, but neither of them provided any information about the 2 matches. Instead, they spoke to the importance of the 6th and final Jornada, scheduled for March 24.

4 puestos para 6 palistas...

De los 8 palistas que estan disputando el parejas de pala, hay 6 que se juegan el pase a la final del proximo dia 1 en la ultima jornada del torneo. En la delantera son Fusto,Gauebeka y Necol, 2 de ellos jugaran la final, en la zaga serán Brefel,Ibai e Imanol los que se estan jugando los dos ansiados puestos... quienes serán los ganadores...

and

todo por decidir...

La próxima jornada será la ultima de la liga y los puestos para la final estan aun sin decidir, los principales favoritos para acabar esta liga como lideres son Pablo Fusto e Imanol Ibáñez pero con 100 puntos aun en juego..quienes alcanzaran la final?

Google attempted English Translation

4 positions for 6 players...

Of the 8 players who are playing in the pairs championship, there are 6 that play the pass to the final of the next day 1 in the last day of the tournament. In the front they are Fusto, Gauebeka and Necol, 2 of them will play the final, in the rear will be Brefel, Ibai and Imanol who are playing the two coveted posts ... who will be the winners ...

And

Everything to decide

The next day will be the last of the league and the posts for the final are still undecided, the main favorites to finish this league as leaders are Pablo Fusto and Imanol Ibáñez but with 100 points still at stake ... who will reach the final?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Little is known about these three matches by those who did not attend them. I was unable to find print match articles anywhere. What we do know is that Gaubeka and Fusto are in the driver's seat for final front positions, as are Imanol and Ibai Perez in the back. What those final combinations are remain to be seen. The path of Necol and Brefel to the final seems difficult at best.

Next week it will be: Necol  (260 pts.)-Imanol (340 pts. ) v Landeta (60 pts.-Ibai Perez (340 pts), and Fusto (320 pts.)-Brefel (280 pts.) v Gaubeka (360 pts.)-Gordon (40 pts.). If you look at the table below and then look at these matchups, you will see a dizzying array of possibilities.

Table at end of Jornada 5:

Key: Player, W-win, L-loss, Joko Scores, Tournament points, Match record

Delanteros (Front Court)

Gaubeka (3-0, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-0), 360 pts, 4-1
Fusto (3-0, 3-0, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1), 320 pts, 3-2
Necol (0-3, 3-0, 3-0, 3-2, 0-3), 260 pts, 3-2
Landeta (0-3, 0-3, 0-3, 2-3, 1-3), 60 pts, 0-5

Zagueros (Back Court)

Ibai Perez (3-0, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-1), 340pts, 4-1
Imanol (3-0, 3-0, 0-3, 2-3, 3-0), 340pts, 3-2
Brefel (0-3, 3-0, 3-0, 3-2, 1-3), 280pts, 3-2
Gordon (0-3, 0-3 0-3, 2-3, 0-3), 40pts. 0-5

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

Table of wins and losses for the 2016-2017 season.

Key: Player; Position (d=delantero (front court), z=zaguero (back court)); match wins-losses; joko (set) wins-losses; winning-losing streak; championships won. Matches that are single partidos will be noted. Table will be according to match winning percentage. 1st tie breaker will be number of wins. 2nd tie breaker will be joko win-loss differential. We begin the season with  La Liga Kutxabank, starting October 29, 2016.

March 17, 2017

Championships:  L=La Liga; MI-Mundial Individual

Gaubeka(d)......11-5....37-26..+3*....1(L)
Fusto(d)...........10-8....37-33..+1
Zubiri(d)...........8-8.....31-29...-3*
Necol(d)...........9-11...38-42....-1
Landeta(d)........5-12...26-41...-5

Ibai-Perez(z).....15-4....49-27..+3*....2(L, MI)
Brefel(z).............8-7....30-27...-1
Ibargari(z)..........8-8....32-31...+1
Imanol(z)...........6-10...28-34..+1*
Gordon(z)..........6-13...27-45...-6

*Does not include the result of Nov.25, 2016 independent match Gaubeka--Ibai-Perez v Zubiri-Imanol. The result is unknown at this time. I will add it when I find it.

For cumulative accounting of this player table see the InnPala Player win-loss table under the Pala page on the right side of the blog.

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

Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 17-18 ; Jornada 1: February 24, 2017 ; Jornada 2: March 3, 2017 (J2 links to full match video of both matches); Jornada 3 and 4 ; Jornada 5: March 17, 2017 ; Jornada 6: March 24, 2017; Final and 3rd Place Match: April 1, 2017 (Final and 3rd place links to full match videos of both matches).

Note: All explanatory information about the tournament can be found in the Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 17-18 link above.

Mano--LVIII. Lezamako Eskualde Txapelketa Finals

The 58th version of this revered regional amateur tournament began on November 18, 2016 and concluded with finals on March 17, 2017. The entire tournament was played at the Municipal Fronton of Lezama (1)(2).

Results of the entire tournament (Microsoft Word format) (Euskadiko Euskal Pilota Federakuntza--EEPF) Note that this was a not an official EEPF tournament. Note: This document has been removed from the EEPF site. I have copied out the results and have added them at the bottom of the post (added February 29, 2020).

Finals preview feature article: an interview with Jaime Uriarte llegó, President of the Lezamako Pelota Kluba  (Deia)

March 17, 2017

Finals:

Full match video for both matches (EITB)

Promesas:

Zabala-Ruíz (red) defeated Exposito-Uriondo (blue) 22-18 (0:00--59 minutes 40 seconds on the video)

Senior:

Salaberria-Etxebarria(red) defeated Elezkano-Galarza (blue) 22-14 (59:41-1:54:03).

The video ends with a very nice closing ceremony.

++++++++

Full results of the Tournament added February 29, 2020. Read from the bottom up to follow chronologically.


PARTIDOS DEL 10 DE MARZO, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Zabala-Ruíz, 22;Canabal-Aldabe, 17

SENIOR
Prado-Sarasa, 19; Elezkano-Galarza, 22

******************************************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 3 DE MARZO, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Exposito-Uriondo, 22; Adonis-Mendia, 8

SENIOR
Salaberria-Etxeberría, 22; Santxo-Otaduy, 12

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 24 DE FEBRERO, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Muniozguren-Uriondo, 22; Arrizabalaga-Ibarloza, 10

SENIOR
Sancho-Otaduy , 22; Alberdi-Larrinaga, 5

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 10 DE FEBRERO, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Elola-Zezeaga, 19; Canaval-Aldabe, 22

SENIOR
Salaberria-Etxeberria, 22; Zubiría-Murguiondo, 11

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 3 DE FEBRERO, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Lerena-Ruíz, 22; P. Etxeberria-Aizpuru, 15

SENIOR
Sancho-Otaduy , 22; P.Labaca-Garmendia, 21

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 27 DE ENERO, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Egiguren-Mendia, 22; Recalde-Zabaleta, 8

SENIOR
Prado-Sarasa, 22; Beitia-Bilbao, 17

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 20 DE ENERO, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Lerena-Ruíz, 22;  P. Etxeberria-Aizpuru, 15

SENIOR
Sancho-Otaduy, 22; P.Labaca-Garmendia, 21

*****************************************************************
PARTIDOS DEL 13 DE ENERO, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Estrada-Zezeaga, 22;  Carregal-Artola, 12

SENIOR
Beitia-Bilbao, 22; Zubizarreta-Arratibel, 20

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 23 DE DICIEMBRE, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Aurrekoetxea-Arandía, 21; Canavall-Andueza, 22

SENIOR
Arrieta-Gorrotxategi, 17; Salaberria-Etxeberria, 22

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 23 DE DICIEMBRE, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Elola-Oliden, 17; Arrizabalaga-Ibarloza, 22

SENIOR
Arabiourrutia-Aspuru, 19; Bakaikoa-Sarasa, 22

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 16 DE DICIEMBRE, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Egiguren-Iriarte, 22;  Jabar-Eulate, 13

SENIOR
Albarado-Pérez, 15; Zubiría-Murgiondo, 22

*****************************************************************

Note: no results before December 16 are available at this time.

PARTIDOS DEL 9 DE DICIEMBRE, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Mate-Gordon / Zapiko-Zezeaga

SENIOR
Elezkano I-Galarza / Aurtenetxe-Telletxea

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 25 DE NOVIEMBRE, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Elorriaga-Uriondo / García-Kuridan

SENIOR
Aurtenetxe-Larrinaga / Ortíz-Madariaga

*****************************************************************

PARTIDOS DEL 18 DE NOVIEMBRE, VIERNES, 19:30 HORAS, EN EL FRONTON DE LEZAMA

PROMESAS
Riol-Barturen / Egiguren-Mendia

SENIOR
Azpiri-Zabala /  Ojuel-Urizar

Remonte--Euskal Jai Berri Announces its 2017 Schedule of Tournaments

Euskal Jai Berri has announced its 2017 schedule of (mostly short court) Remonte tournaments. In addition, this year they have announced a new "state circuit" that will operate between June and October, with festivals in 10 cities ("Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Gijón, Soria, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Donostia-San Sebastián and Iruña-Pamplona").

The schedule of tournaments:

III Torneo de Remonte Casco Viejo de Pamplona 2017 - 2017ko Iruñako Alde Zaharrako Erremonte Hirugarren Txapelketa (Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona)), April.

VIII Torneo Diputación de Gipuzkoa de Remonte 2017 - 2017ko Gipuzkoako Foru Aldundiaren Saria, VIII Erremonte Kopa (May)

XII Torneo Comunidad Foral de Navarra de Remonte 2017 - 2017ko Nafarroako Foru Komunitatearen XII. Erremonte Txapelketa (July 15 - September 30)

XIII Torneo Individual de Remonte de Navidad 2017- 2017ko Eguberriko Buruz Buruko Erremonte XIII Txapelketa (last two weeks in December)

In addition, EJB will collaborate with Oriamendi2010 to sponsor the Torneo de San Fermín 2017 this summer.

EJB announcement of schedule for 2017, along with a recap of the festivities of the recent Gala del Remonte 2017 in Iruna (Pamplona).

Oriamendi2010 copy of the announcement,with a photo of the Gala del Remonte 2017 award winners.

Mano--V Ogiberri Miguel Soroa Finals

The V Ogiberri Miguel Soroa Finals were held at Tolosa on March 4, 2017. They culminated an amateur tournament that began in January. All matches were played at Beotibar.

Tournament preview article (Noticias de Gipuzkoa)

Final match scores throughout the tournament (EEPF, Microsoft Word documnent, 2p.).

March 4, 2017 

Beotibar, Tolosa (1)(2)

Match article for all three matches (Diario Vasco)

Full match video for all three matches (EITB)

Juvenile Final: Mata-Gordon (blue) defeated Sein-Etxeberria (red) 22-13 (0:00-27 minutes 40 seconds on the video)

Promesas Final: P. Etxeberria-Aranguren (red) defeated Egiguren-P. Ruiz (blue) 22-10  (27:45-1:01:44 on the video)

Etxeberria-Aranguren played in the Promesas Final of the Tourneo Bankoa Credit Agricole-DV (Diario Vasco) Tournament in December 2016.

Senior Final: Prado-Arratibel (red) defeated E. Labaka-Telletxea (blue) 22-14 (1:01:45-1:49:54)

The matches were followed by a very nice awards ceremony.

Main Nue: FFPB CDC Elite Pro par Equipe--Week 2--March 12-13

The Main Nue Elite Pro par Equipe (pairs) Championnat de France A and B competition is sponsored by the  Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPB). The competition began on March 3, 2017 and ends on May 7, 2017. You can follow its progress here (link to "resultats" from the FFPB home  page).  Pelotelive.free.fr also provides A and B coverage. The tournaments have a "poule" phase, a single round robin, followed by a playoff system which is so byzantine that I will make no attempt to explain it because I can't. It is the most complex playoff system I have seen in my short time following these fascinating BP tournaments. Go to the FFPB site listed above and read P. 3 of the "resultats" booklet. See how clear it is to you. For now, we will just follow along and deal with the playoff system when we get to it.

*  not listed on the Esku Pilota player pages at this time.

Groupe A

Peio Larralde-Bixintxo Bilbao; Agusti Waltary-Peio Guichandut; Mathieu Ospital-Baptiste Ducassou; Julien Etchegaray-Vincent Lazcano; Alexis Inchauspe-Anton Amulet; Philippe Bielle-Ximun Lambert

Groupe B:

Laurent.Lambert-Mickael Palomes; Vincent Elgart-Pascal de Ezcurra; Mattin Olcomendy*-Jean-Philippe Bennesse, Antton Monce-Cedric Lucu

Source for all match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, is pilota-ttiki.com. Thus far, most Pilota Ttiki match articles are incorporated into the Pelotelive.free.fr match pages. I will link to them, for ease of access when they are.

Week 1: March 3-4, 2017

Week 2: March 12-13

March 12

Lohitzun (1) (2)

Preview article for both matches

A4: Ospital-Ducassou defeated Bielle-Lambert 40-34

Match Statistics (scoring, equalities, decade linescores--spreadsheet format) (Source: Esku Pilota) (Added March 17, 2017)

Selected linescore: (winners always listed 1st)

7-10: 10-13; 14-15; 15-20; 22-25; 28-28; 40-34

A5: Larralde-Bilbao defeated Inchauspe-Amulet 40-18

Selected linescore: (winners always listed 1st)

10-2; 20-5; 30-10; 40-18

Match statistics (scoring, equalities, decade linescores--spreadsheet format) (Source: Esku Pilota) (Added March 17, 2017)

Match article for both matches along with a link to full match video for the L-B v I-A match .

L-B v I-A full match video can also be accessed directly via Bixintxo Bilbao's Youtube site. The match video is a condensed full match video, with only the points. It runs less than 1/2 hour.

The matches were of contrasting difficulty but both the favorites ended up on top. O-D trailed during the first half of their match and didn't reach equality until 28. But from there they took over with a 12-6 run to seal the victory. L-B's victory was much easier on the scoreboard, but many of the points were hotly contested, as the match video shows. At each 10 points L-B increased their lead. Larralde's shot making was excellent, as usual. His hard deep right side serve earned many points for his team. Bilbao showed great mobility, roaming all over the court. I-A had a few bright moments, but were really never in contention.

March 13, 2017

Le Garat, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port  (1!)(2)

Preview article

A6: Waltary-Guichandut defeated Etchegaray-Lazcano 40-26

Match Statistics  (scoring, equlities, decade linescores--spreadsheet format) (Source: Esku Pilota) (Added March 17, 2017)

Match article

Brief match article (Garat Lundi Page). The match article will only be available until next week's "Lundi" match. Here is what it said.

Etchegaray et Lazcano ont été dominés par les puissants Waltary et Guichandut.
Belle partie avec des points remarquables : double fête du filet et du pan-coupé.
Assistance nombreuse.
Mention spéciale à Guichandut!

Loose English Google Translation:

Etchegaray and Lazcano were dominated by the powerful Waltary and Guichandut.
Nice match with remarkable points: double festival of the net and the pan-cut.
Numerous assistance.
Special mention to Guichandut!

Full table at the end of play March 13

For cumulative records of Main Nue elite professionals see the "Cumulative records of EP players" on the recurring results page on the right side of the blog.

For other match videos in other FFPB 2017 Championnat de France competitions see the FFPB CDF 2016-2017 National A and B match videos page on the right side of the blog.

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Fronton Mexico Opening Night "Estelar" Match, and an Interesting article on the Fronton

1. Fronton Mexico held its first session Tuesday, March 14, 2017. The first Star match, which was scheduled to be Salla-Etxeto v Tambourindeguy-Inza, was instead a match between Tambourindeguy-Inza and Christophe-Irastorza.

Star Match: Christophe-Irastorza defeated Tambourindeguy-Inza 30-22

In other matches

1. Gonzalo-Dosal defeated Ortega-Etchenique 30-23
3. Laduche-Businello v Aaron-Hirigoyen (unknown at this time).

Match article for both matches (esto.com.mx)

Match videos for the Star Match

Full match video (Source: Txabi Inza Facebook Page)

Can also be accessed from Jai Alai News Facebook Page

Match video (final 18 minutes 20 seconds) (Source: MX Frontour Facebook page).

Roster (Fronton Mexico)

Roster (Jai Alai Facebook Page via this blog)

===================================
2. An interesting article appeared in the Mar. 12, 2017 issue of Excelsior.
Diez datos que debes conocer sobre Frontón México (10 Facts You Should Know About Fronton Mexico). The article is accompanied (at the bottom of the page) by a 3 minute 51 second Excelsior video on the topic. The video is in Spanish.

Remonte--Euskal Jai Berri 2017 Gala del Remonte

On March 10, 2017 Euskal Jai Berri held its 2017 Gala del Remonte, an awards presentation and 2 partidos. The following awards were given:

2016 Best Player: Javier Urriza

Urriza won 3 Euskal Jai Berri tournaments in 2016: the San Fermin and San Isidro pairs tournaments, as well as the Navidad singles tournament (added March 17, 2017).

2016 Best Front Court Player: Xanti Uterga
2016 Best Back Court Player: Ion Etxeberria
2016 Most Versatile Player: Endika Urrutia

This was due to the fact that Endika, now a back court player, played the entire Navarra Tournament in the front court. He played 4 matches and won them all, winning the tournament with Ion. (added March 17, 2017).

2016 Most Promising Young Player: Xabier Azpiroz

Preview: (Euskal Jai Berri)

Preview: (navarra.com)

Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1)(2)

Score Source: Euskal Jai Berri

Erburu-Garces defeated Etxarri-Otano 30-21

Urterga-Endika defeated Urriza-Ion 35-27.  Euskal Jai Berri changed the score on their website from 35-26 to 35-27. (changed on March 17, 2017).

Uterga won his 10th consecutive match (see the Galarreta STAR Match recurring page on the right side of the blog for the other 9).

This marks the beginning of the 2017 Euskal Jai Berri Remonte season, a series of mostly short court tournaments throughout the year. These tournaments will be covered in the blog as they happen.

Tournament scores from 2016 can be found at the top right corner of the Euskal Jai Berri home page.

2016 Match and tournament articles. Scroll down through 8 pages to see all the match and tournament articles from last year.

It is unknown if these two matches are considered "official" EJB matches. I will count them and keep a table of EJB matches that will be updated when EJB posts appear in the main blog. 

Euskal Jai Berri Remonte Table

Key: Player; Position (d-delantero (front), z-zaguero (back); match record; points for and against, winning streak, tournaments won. Players will be ordered by match winning percentage. 1st tie breaker is most wins. 2nd tie breaker is point differential. 3rd tie breaker is point percentage.

Erburu(d)...1-0...30-21..+1

Uterga(d)...1-0...35-26..+1

Urriza(d)....0-1...26-35...-1

Etxarri(d)...0-1...21-30...-1

Garces(z)...1-0...30-21..+1

Endika(z)...1-0...35-26..+1

Ion(z).........0-1...26-35...-1

Otano(z).....0-1...21-30...-1

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Fronton Jai Alai TV

Fronton Jai Alai TV is a Spanish language show broadcast by Canal 10 (Quintana Roo, Mexico). Shows usually, but not always, are broadcast every two weeks. The show began on October 15, 2016 and is available via the Canal 10 website and Vimeo. The latest show, which aired on March 10, 2017. ended with an interview with Pedro Andrinua, the Intendente of Fronton Mexico (phone interview begins at about 1:06:50. The show consists of topical discussions and highlights of matches past and present.

Canal 10:  Scroll down for previous shows.

Vimeo: Arrow across or scroll down for previous shows.

Multiple Modalities: South Basque: One Major Amateur Competition Ends as Another Begins

The EEPF Euskal Herriko Kluben/CPTO. de EH. de Clubes competition, featuring 25 tournaments in 8 modalities (Eskuz indivdual and pairs, Pala Motza,  Pala Goma, Paleta Goma, Larruzko Paleta, Zesta Punta, and Frontenis) began on January 28, 2017 and ended the weekend of March 10-12, 2017. The premiere South Basque amateur competition, the Gravni Competition, began on March 11, and will end with finals on April 30.

EITB televised the finals of two EHK competitions, the Ezkuz Individual Juvenile and Pairs Senior Division.

Source for all scores and match articles: EEPF

Preview finals article

Final results article 2017 EHK/CPTO.de EH. with links to finals results (Spreadsheet format)

Photo Gallery for finals. (Added March 15, 2017).

March 10, 2017

Lakua, Vitoria-Gasteiz (1)(2)

Individual Juvenile Final:

Ultzama (Gascue--red) defeated Zabala (Zazpi Iturri--blue) 22-9

Senior Division Pairs Final:

Pagazpe (Santxo-Altuna--blue) defeated Ilunpe (Alberdi-Uzkudun--red) 22-21

Match article for both matches

Full match video (EITB). Individual match is the first match, Senior final begins at 39:44 on the video

The senior final was a 71 minute struggle that had 4 lead changes from 18-18, a terrific way to finish the night.

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

The Gravni competition, which runs from March 11 - April 30, 2017, is a provincial tournament involving players from Gipuzkoa, La Rioja, Araba, Bizkaia, Nafarroa and Iparralde (North Basque Country).The competition includes 15 modalities on mur a gauche and trinquet for men and women.

Preview article. See the reglamento document (.pdf format, 14p.) for details on the modalities and competition.

Preview article (pilota-ttiki.com). This article discusses aspects of North Basque Country participation in the Gravni competition.

To follow the competitions as they happen (or to recap the EHK results) go to the EEPF competition page. Click on competitions of interest and a drop down menu will appear. Click on any of the competitions and any phase from "Liga" to "Final". "Calendarios and "Calendarios de Resultados" are available in HTML and spreadsheet format. Gravni competitions will appear in the blog when there is match video.

Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--Semi-Final League--Jornada 1

Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas, the premier doubles competition of the 2016-2017 Mano season, began December 2, 2016. 8 teams compete for the title. The first (league) phase is a double round robin (14 matches). The top 4 finishers will then face off in a single round robin (3 matches). The two winners will play in a final on April 9, 2017.

Asegarce Competition Page

Asegarce League phase table

ASPE League phase table

Wikipedia Competition Page (Castilian)

Full ongoing league phase table (with total points and differential):

Source for all match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, is 21iguales.com  21iguales.com will also keep an ongoing phase table at its main Parejas site and with every match article.

Match linescores will be provided from match articles when available. Full match linescores can be found at 21iguales.com Twitter feed.  Track back to the date and match and follow from beginning to en The feed is also available at the Main site of 21iguales.com while the matches are in progress.

Source for all highlights and full match videos, unless otherwise specifically stated, is EITB.

Week 1;  Week 2;  Week 3;  Week 4;  Week 5;  Week 6;  Week 7; Week 8 ; Week 9 ; Week 10;  Week 11; Week 12; Week 13; Week 14--End of the Quarter-final League phase

Table of the 4 teams that advance to the Semi-final League.

Key: Team, match record, point differential, winning-losing streak going into the Semi-final League.

Irribarria-Rezusta: 12-2, +79,  +5
Elezkano-Zabeleta 7-7, +41  +1
Oliazola II-Untoria 7-7, +10 +2
Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe 7-7 -12, -1

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

Semi-Final League--Jornada 1

March 11, 2017

Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2): Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe defeated Olaizola II-Untoria 22-18 B-L 1-0, +4; O-U 0-1 -4

Match articles (analysis and/or linescores and statistics)

21iguales.com

Diario Vasco

Deia

This was a match of two halves. The first half was named Olaizola II and ran from about 0-0 -- 5-13. The second half was named Bengoetxea VI and ran from 6-13 -- 22-18. For the longer version of this story see the match articles above. One thing to look for in the match video is the successful strategy employed by B-L. This involved keeping the pelota away from Olizazola II, which Larunbe was particularly successful at by moving in in order to drive Untoria farther away. B-L will face Irribarria-Rezusta this weekend at Donastia. They are the only team to have defeated I-R in this competition, handing them their only two losses.

Match highlights (EITB)

Match highlghts (21iguales.com) (parts of 23 points, including the final point).

Full match video (EITB) (Basque) (match begins at 56:14 on the video)

Full match video (fronton.tv) (Castilian) (scroll to "Labrit-Pamplona - 11/03/2017"

March 12, 2017

Astelena, Eibar (1)(2): Irribarria-Rezusta defeated  Elezkano II-Zabaleta 22-15 I-R 1-0 +7. E-Z 0-1 -7

Match articles (analysis and/or linescores and statistics):

21iguales.com

Dairo Vasco

Deia

As the Deia headline stated, it was just another day at the office for I-R. After E-Z took an early 3-0 lead, a 9 point run set the tone for I-R, and though E-Z did fight back, they were never able to equalize. I-R's strategy was to pin Zabaleta as far back as possible (with Irribarria steam shoveling his high and deep bombs at this historic (1904) but rather small venue) and then pick up the pieces. An iconic picture from this match is that of Zabaleta, backing up and feeling for the back wall like a baseball outfielder feeling for the wall on a deep fly ball. Only Zabaleta couldn't catch the ball, he had to hit it. He simply was not up to the task. This match illustrates the disparity in scoring that is often evident in BP matches. The three print articles charged Zabaleta with either 5 or 6 errors. EITB was less generous, charging him with 11. Any way you look at it, it was a bad day at the office for him. E-Z now face Olaizola II-Untoria this weekend at Iruna in an elimination match.

One other thing to watch for is the interview with Elezkano II at the end of the EITB full match video. Look at his hand, bloodied on one side and quite swollen. That picture speaks a thousand words to the toll this modality can take.

Match highlights

Full match video (match begins at 49:12 on the video)