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)!!!

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Main Nue--FFPB Championnat de France Pro Individuel--Group B Final--February 25, 2019

The 2019 FFPB (Federation Francais de Pelote Basque) Championnat de France Pro Individuel Tournament began on January 4, and will end on March 3, 2019. For the third consecutive year, there are two competitions,  Group A and Group B. 21 players are involved. FFPB has provided a "dossier" (.pdf format, 7p.) explaining how the tournament works and who the players in each group are. This is a seeded ladder knock out tournament with qualification and league rounds, leading to the final.

The Players:

Player profiles at Esku Pilota

Group A: Peio Larralde (front); Matthieu Ospital (front); Baptiste Ducassou (back); Bixinto Bilbao (back); Augusti Waltery (front); Ximun Lambert (back); Peio Guichandut (back); Vincent Elgart (front); Julien Etchegary (front); Ion Iturbe (back); and Anton Monce (front)

Last year's finalists: Larralde and Ospital have been directly seeded into the League phase (1st and 2nd seeds)

Group B: Pascal de Ezcurra (back); Laurent Lambert (front); Alexis Inchauspe (front); Mickael Palomes (back); Gregory Aguirre (front); Cedric Lucu (back); Bixente (Vincent) Cubiat (back); Mattin Olcomendy (front); Mickael Darmendrail (front)

de Ezcurra and Lambert have been directly seeded into the League phase (1st and 2nd seeds)
-------------------------------------

Previous Championships:

Complete coverage of the 2018 Championship was provided by FFPB:

Results
Brief Match Articles and Photos

More detailed articles and selected match videos were provided by Pilota Ttiki. When videos are available they are linked at the bottom of the article.

Beginning January 9 and "suivant" at the bottom of the article until you reach other tournament articles. The tournament ended on February 25 (A) and February 27 (B) (Note that not all articles you will link to are articles about this tournament).

Twenty 2018 FFPB Championnat de France Elite Pro condensed full match videos are available via Pilota Ttiki Youtube. Scroll to or find "Championnat Individuel" or "Liguilla" (without the quotes).

Finals:
Group A: Larralde 40 Ospital 18
Match article and link to full match video

Group B: Iturbe 40 L. Lambert 27
Match article and link to full match video

2017 Tournament complete coverage (match articles and available videos)

Finals:
Group A: Ducassou 40 Ospital 27
Group B: Etchegaray 40 Elgart 21

2016 Full Tournament Results: Final: Larralde 40 Ducassou 22
2015 Full Tournament Results: Final Ducassou 40 Larralde 21 (pelotelive.free.fr)

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

Play in Round (January 4-7, 2019) Qualification Round Seeded Matches (January 12-14)January 19January 26

Liguilla: February 2; February 3February 9; February 11February 15, February 17

Finals: February 25--Group B; March 3--Group A

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

February 25, 2019

Group B Final 


Le Garat, Donibane Garazi (St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port) (1) (2)

Full match videos

 1. Inchauspe (#3 seed) (front) 40 L. Lambert (#2 seed) (front) 39 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube--condensed full match)

2. Info-Garazi Youtube (most but not all points, different camera angle, more of Inchauspe's celebration (and Lambert's despair) at the end of the video)

Selected linescore (winner always listed first) (Pilota Ttiki and FFPB)

0-3; 4-4; 6-6; 22-17; 27-21; 27-2739-36; 39-39; 40-39

For full, enhanced linescore (server, balls in play, score, winner or error, comments) see below. 

Decades: 6-4; 9-11; 14-16; 22-18; 27-23; 30-30; 35-35

Equal scores: 3; 4; 6; 8; 9; 11; 12; 13; 14; 17; 27; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 39 (18)

Lead changes: 11

Full scoring: (My judgments, yours may be different--my scoring is subjective and I am no expert at Main Nue scoring, but I will leave it for you to judge below--any feedback will be gladly accepted, since I know there are observers with far more experience than I have, and I can learn much from that experience. I will say this. I tend to favor winners, partly because  a + makes 2 players happy, a - makes 2 players angry :) ). 

Inchauspe +35 (including 11 service aces) -7; L. Lambert +32 (5 aces) -5

Direct points (xare, pumpa xare, balls hit into the back dugout)

Inchauspe 12; L. Lambert 9

Balls in play: 558. Time of match: about 1 hour 30 minutes (Le Garat Clock) Actual playing time: about 36 minutes (length of the video)

Balls in play--Number of points

1-9--59
10-19--12
20-29--7
30--1 (12-11--12-12)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

Match article: (FFPB)

This match was an epic, played in a "cathedral," Le Garat.  

The basics. 18 equal scores, 11 lead changes. 558 balls in play. 1 hour and 30 minutes. Pilota Ttiki's condensed match videos are wonderful, but they cannot convey the palpable tension that such a match must have created in real time. It ended with a fantastic winner by left hander Alexis Inchauspe (with his right hand, no less!!), a "Pumpa Xare" (direct point--player hits a ball which bounces into the meshwork (xare or filet) of the side dugout of the trinquet). Inchauspe hit this one from behind the service fault line (about 17.25 meters--56 feet--watch where the Juge Arbitre stands--from the front wall). A very difficult shot, to say the least, executed perfectly. But, incredibly, a shot he had scored with, by my count, 4 times right handed earlier in the match--once from deeper than the match winner (see enhanced linescore below). 

Three weeks ago, in the first Semi-final Liguilla match, Laurent Lambert, propelled by an 18-4 run at the finish, easily defeated Inchauspe 40-25. This match was completely different. Inchauspe's 27-21 lead was the largest of the match, and Lambert immediately answered with an 8-0 run including a "xare" (into the meshwork on the fly) and a beautiful high and deep shot that Inchauspe tried to return off the back foot moving away, but couldn't. At that point it looked like Lambert might run away with this match also. But Inchauspe was having none of it, answering with two "xares" and a crisp two wall winner of his own to equalize at 30. The fourth decade was an intense battle, with neither player enjoying more than a 1 point lead, a decade of 5 equal scores and 2 lead changes. It was in this decade that fatigue began to set in for both players and, by my scoring, 3 errors (1/4 of the total errors in the match) occurred. 35-35. 

The last decade was quick (45 balls in play) but consumed with tension. It was also spiced with a controversy (perhaps 2) during the 87th point that could have been disastrous to the winner. At 39-36, Inchauspe had victory in his grasp, but Lambert said "not yet" as he answered with a left wall winner, a right wall passing shot (after a no call on the shot, which looked like it might have been too high, bounced eccentrically from left to right, and went past the protesting Inchauspe), and a service ace, to set up the final point. It looked like it might be a long point, but on the 8th ball, Inchauspe executed the shot of the match, to end one of the most exciting, entertaining Main Nue matches I have seen. A great way to end the Tournament. 

My accounting of the match is presented below, point by point, for your entertainment. Hopefully I have gotten it right. Again, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Key: Server, number of balls in play, score (winner always listed first), player name + (winner) or - (error) (+a=service ace), commentary.

For American readers who may not be familiar with terminology

Dejada=soft and usually short shot
Cortada=hard sidearm shot
Pass=passing shot
Xare=shot which goes into the side mesh on the fly
Pumpa Xare=shot which goes into the side mesh on the bounce

Partial Source (Pilota Ttiki)

Inchauspe (black); Lambert (red)

Inchauspe wins the coin toss and serves

Decade 1:

I, 20-- 0-1 L+ (Xare, 2nd quadrant)
L, 5--0-2 L+ (dugout roof pass) 
L, 11--0-3 L+ (right pass, after Inchauspe makes a great save while falling on his back)

L, 8--1-3 I+ (I runs the length of the court to reach a L dejada and passes him)
I, 1--2-3 I+a (I serves into the back dugout)
I, 1--3-3 I+a (I serves off the bottom of the back wall)
I, 2--3-4 L+ (Pumpa Xare--1st quadrant)
L, 2--4-4 I+ (Xare--1st quadrant)
I, 3--5-4  I+ (2 wall--front to right)
I, 3--6-4 I+ (left pass into the back dugout)

36 balls in play; I +6 (including 2 service aces) -0; L +4 -0
---------------

Decade 2

I, 6--6-5 I- (too high into the crowd on the right side)
L, 7--6-6 I- (too high into the crowd on the left side)
L, 7--6-7 L+ (Xare--2nd quadrant)
L, 1--6-8 L+a (two wall serve--front to right)
L, 20--7-8 I+ (I makes a great save to continue the point, then puts one on side dugout roof that L swings at and hits only air)

I, 7--8-8 I+ (two wall low--front to right)
I, 8--8-9 I- (too low on two wall--front to right)
L, 2--9-9 L- (missed dejada)
I, 8--9-10 L+ (3 wall--left to front to right)
L, 27--9-11 L+ (dugout roof pass)

93 bip; I +2 -3; L +4 (incl. 1 ace) -1 
---------------

Decade 3

L, 2--10-11 L- (shot hits below front wall line)
I, 1--11-11 I+a 
I, 21--12-11 I + (Pumpa Xare--hits inside of second quadrant post--shot from behind the fault line--right handed!--see 39-39 point below)
I, 30--12-12 L+ (pelota hits top corner of side dugout roof in 3rd quadrant, bounces away)

L, 1--12-13 L+a
L, 6--13-13 I+ (Xare--hits the inside of the 2nd quadrant filet post) 
I, 1--14-13 I+a
I, 6--14-14 L+ (left pass)
L, Falta Erdi (serve hits back wall so hard that it rebounds past the service fault line, second serve results)
L, 13--14-15 L+ (left pass)
L, 13--14-16 L+ (Xare--2nd quadrant)

95 bip; I +4 (incl. 2a) -0; L +5 (1a) -1
---------------

Decade 4

L, 7--14-17 L+ (Xare from behind fault line--1st quadrant)
L, 14--15-17 I+ (2 wall (right-front) left roof passing shot)
I, 1--16-17 I+a
I, 1--17-17 I+a
I, 1--18-17 I+a
I, 15--19-17 I+ (2 wall (right-front) Pumpa Xare--1st quadrant--right handed!)
I, 3--20-17 I+ (Pumpa Xare--hits inside of 3rd quadrant post--right handed!)
I, 13--21-17 I+ (Pumpa Xare--3rd quadrant--right handed!)
I, 22-17--I+a
I, 2 22-18--L+ (hits front bevel--straight down right wall)

58 bip: I +8 (incl. 4a); -0; L +2 -0)

Decade 5

L, 11--22-19 L+ (bottom corner first quadrant post--Xare--or just rebound?)
L, 10--23-19 L- (missed 2 wall--right-front) 
I, 4--23-20 I- (missed 2 wall--right-front)
I, 21---23-21 L+ (Pumpa Xare--3rd quadrant post)
L, 26--24-21 I+ (cortada to the outside)
I, 9--25-21 I+ (dejada)
I, 1--26-21 I+a
I, 5--27-21--I+ (low left wall--possible obstruction on I, not called)
I, 8--27-22--L+ (left roof pass)
L, 3--27-23--L+ (deep left roof, I--cannot return it on the back foot)

98 bip: I +4 (incl. 1a) -1; L +4 -1) 

Decade 6

L, 5--27-24 L+ (Xare--2nd quadrant)
L, 7--27-25 I- (mis-hit into crowd on right)
L, 1--27-26 L+a (serves into the back dugout)
L, 1--27-27 L+a
L, 3--27-28 L+ (Xare)

L, 5--27-29 L+ (high deep shot that I, on the back foot, cannot return)
L, 4--28-29 I+ (Xare--1st quadrant)
I, 6--28-30 L+ (deep roof pass into the back dugout)
L, 8--29-30 I+ (I saves a certain Xare by L, then Pumpa Xare--2nd quadrant)
I, 3--30-30 I+ (low two wall--front-right)

43 bip: I +3 -1; L +6 (incl. 2 aces) -0

Decade 7

I, 4--30-31 L+ (left roof pass)
L, 13--31-31 I + (left roof pass--on 8th ball, I hits a 4 wall shot that bounces before hitting the final (right) wall, L makes a great save, but loses the point)

I, 3--32-31 I+ (dejada)
I, 2--32-32 L + (left roof pass)
L, 12--33-32 L- (mis-hits right wall pass)
I, 8--33-33 L+ (right pass)
L, 8--34-33 L- (hits high into crowd on left side)
I, 10--34-34 I- (hits left wall shot too low)
L, 25--34-35 L+ (left wall deep)
L, 4--35-35 I+ (left roof pass)

90 bip: I +3 -1; L +4 -2

Decade 8

I, 13--36-35 I+ (Xare--from the 5th quadrant to the 2nd quadrant--right handed!)
I, 1--37-35 I+a
I, 4--37-36 I- (mis-hit two wall--right-front)
L, 8--38-36 I+ (left wall)
I, 1--39-36 I+a
I, 4--39-37 L+ (left wall)
L, 5--39-38 L+ (high left cross court to right pass)

There were two controversies on this point

1. Lambert's serve hit very close to out high on the right side. Inchauspe did not appeal and play went on.

2. On ball #5 Lambert hit a high shot that hit off the front wall and appeared to hit the railing above the red line at the top front left. While Inchauspe was appealing to the Juge Arbitre, the ball sailed past him on the way to the right wall to score.

L, 1 39-39 L+a
L, 8 40-39 I+ (Pumpa Xare from the fault line into the 3rd quadrant, right handed!) (see 12-11; 19-17; 20-17, 21-17; and 36-35 above).

45 bip: I +5 (incl. 2 aces) -1; L 3 (1a) -0

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

Final Summary of Group B Tournament: For full scores and match stories see the dates linked to above, or for just match scores see the "dossier" linked to above.

Player--position (avant-front or arriere-back)--Tournament wins-losses

Inchauspe (av) 4-1--TXAPELDUN (185-137--+48)
L. Lambert (av) 2-2--2nd place

Palomes (ar)...................2-2
Aguirre (av) ..................1-1
Cubiat (ar).....................1-1
Darmendrail (av)...........1-1
de Ezcurra (ar) ..............1-2
Lucu (ar) .......................0-1
Olcomendy (av).............0-1

In matches where front court players played back court players:

F: 3-2; B; 2-3

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--2018-2019--Week 14

Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas, the premier doubles competition of the 2018-2019 Mano season, began November 23, 2018. 8 teams will compete for the title. The first (league) phase is a double round robin (14 matches). The top 4 finishers will face off in a single round robin (3 matches). The two winners will play in a final on April 7, 2019.

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.

This table is the most up to date of any I've found.

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 end. 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.

At present, EITB is providing all highlights, in chronological order:

We begin at Week 7 as that was when the 2019 calendar year began. Coverage of the first six weeks is available at 21Iguales.com, and the Baiko Pilota  (formerly Asegarce) and ASPE websites. Full match video coverage of all available matches can be found at EITB.

For all available full match videos

"buscar" (search--top right side of page): "binakako" (without the quotes). Look for "2019 Binakako Txapelketa." Matches are usually the second or first match on the video.

Full match videos of earlier finals going back to 2000:

 "buscar" "Binakako Txapelketako finalak" (without the quotes)

Selected full match videos before 2000:

"buscar" "Gure bideoteka" (without the quotes) and scroll until you find them.

For complete print and video coverage of the 2016-17 competition 

Links to all matches available (by week).

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

Week 7Week 8Week 9Week 10Week 11Week 12Week 13; Week 14; Semi-final Round 1; Semi-final Round 2; Semi-final Round 3;

Final

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

Week 14

Injury report:


February 24, 2019

Atano III, Donostia (San Sebastian) (1) (2)

Bengoetxea VI-Imaz (#7) (4-10 -55) 18 (EITB--match begins at 48:45)

Highlights (EITB)


3-0; 3-1; 6-1; 6-2 (B VI makes fantastic save) 6-4; 7-4; 7-5; 11-5; 11-6; 12-6; 14-7; 16-7; 16-15; 17-15; 17-16 (B VI makes another great save) 20-16; 20-18; 22-18

EITB scoring:

Altuna III +10 -7; Martija +3 -3
Bengoetxea VI +6 -6; Imaz +2 -3

Balls in play: 470. Time of match 56:09

By the time this last match of the League phase was played, A-M's equation was simple. Win and move on. Lose and go home. And with that in mind they did just what they needed to do. But it wasn't easy. B-I, playing for nothing but pride, gave A-M all they could handle late into the match. Trailing 7-16, B-I suddenly caught fire, scoring 8 consecutive points, but at that point, A-M held firm, never surrendering the lead, and finishing with a 5-1 flourish. Bengoetxea VI showed why he will be missed in the post season, making two almost impossible saves (see above), showing great hustle and desire even as this train wreck of a competition ends for his team. He made some errors on easy kill shots that might have changed the outcome, but then so did Altuna III (who made more errors than in his previous 3 matches combined). In fact almost half the points in the match were the result of errors. But in the cauldron of the last few points, A-M got the job done. An early 5 match losing streak left them at 2-5. On January 19, 2019 (Week 9), A-M were crushed by Oliazola II-Albisu at Bilbo (Bilbao) 22-9, in a match were Oliazola II was +15 -1. Their record was 3-6, their season seemingly over. They then won their last 5 consecutive matches, beginning with a 22-20 win over Irribarria-Zabaleta. Two weeks later they had their best performance of the competition, steamrolling League winners Elezkano-Rezusta 22-8. During the 5 matches Altuna III averaged (various sources) +9 -3. In the win over I-Z he was +11 -3. Against E-R he was +10 -2 (source for both: 21Iguales.com). A-M are a good team that is playing well at the right time. They know they can win against their semi-final opponents. It will be interesting to see how well they do. 

February 23, 2019

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

Artola-Mareizkurrena II (#5) (7-7 +5) 21 (EITB--match begins at 55:09)

No highlights available


Linescore (21Iguales Twitter) (winners always listed first)

1-01-12-12-23-23-33-44-44-66-66-77-79-79-810-810-913-913-1015-1015-1116-1116-12 (E-R eliminated due to point diffential even if they win)16-1517-1517-1718-1718-18 18-1919-1921-19; 21-2122-21

Scoring (EITB)

Ezkurdia +7 -6; L. Galardis +1 -2
Artolola +10 -10; Mariezkurrena +3 -4

Balls in Play: 525. Time of match: 65:33

In one of the most exciting and entertaining (if not artistic) matches of the competition, E-G outlasted A-M by the minimum. In the space of about 30 minutes, each team, as it tuned out, eliminated the other from contention for the last Semi-final League place. E-G were eliminated due to point differential when A-M scored their 12th point. At that point A-M had a 3 point run (16-12--16-15) and there was every reason to believe they would close out the match. But it didn't happen that way. E-G, with nothing left to play for, held on to their lead, and even increased it to 21-19. But then an Ezkurdia error and Artola service ace set up the final point, one of the best points of the entire competition. As the crowd roared the point consumed 66 balls in play. Finally Ezkurdia finished the match with a perfect cross court kill shot, a shot that ultimately ended the Semi-final League aspirations of A-M. In the over 2 minutes of that final point, everyone forgot about the 22 errors made in the match, over half the total points. What they will remember for a long time to come is the quality of that point. This was easily the best BP match of the week (see the Match of the Week on the right side of the blog). 

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

Auzoeta, Ataun (1) (2)

Irribarria-Zabaleta (#2) (9-5 +64) 22 Victor (substituting for Oliazola II-Albisu (#3)(8-6 +10) 18. 

No full match video is available at this time.

No highlights available.

Selected linescore (baikupilota Twitter) (winners always listed first)

1-2; 4-4; 6-6; 9-12; 9-14; 11-17; 14-17; 16-17; 19-17; 21-18; 22-18


For a while Victor-Albisu's Semi-final League chances were in jeopardy after this loss. Wins by Artola-Mariezkurrena II and Altuna III-Martija would have V-A outside looking in just a week after a famous victory over Elezkano-Rezusta seemingly saved their season. As it worked out, V-A ended up with that playoff place when the dust settled. For I-Z, it was a tremendous confidence building win, built on the foundation of an 11-1 run at the very end. Statistically the match was exactly even, except for 4 more errors by Albisu than Zabaleta.  A win like this over a Semi-final League opponent is the best possible way for I-Z to end the League phase. 

February 22, 2019

Zubikoa, Onati (1) (2)


Fronton TV (Castilian)

No highlights available

Linescore (winners always listed first)

4-0; 4-6; 11-6; 11-8; 12-8; 12-10; 13-10; 13-12; 14-12; 14-14; 22-14 (21iguales Twitter)

EITB scoring:

Elezkano II +16 -0 Rezusta +0 -5
Urrutikoetxea +7 -2 Aretxabaleta +2 -4

Balls in play: 428; Time of match: 53:37


E-R regained some confidence going into the post season. They had lost their previous 2 matches and were actually behind Irribarria-Zabaleta's point differential. Their seemingly inevitable 1st place League finish was suddenly in doubt. But Danel Elezkano (one of this Players of the Week--see the right side of the blog) was having none of it. He had a phenomenal mach (+16 -0) and took over the match when it was tied at 14. E-R scored the last 8 points of the match to win easily and clinch the League phase. 

Interestingly, three of the four Semi-final League qualifiers are coming in with great confidence because of the way they won their final match. The Semi-final League, a 3 week, single round robin, will determine the finalists in the competition. It begins on March 10. 

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

Final League phase table

(1) Elezkano II-Rezusta (10-4 +55)
(2) Irribarria-Zabaleta (9-5 +64)
(3) Oliazola II-Albisu (8-6 +10)
(4) Altuna III-Martija (8-6 +4)
5 Artola-Mariezkurrena (7-7 +5)
6 Ezkurdia-L. Galarza (7-7 -4)
7 Bengoetxea VI-Imaz (4-10 -55)
8 Urrutikoetxea-Aretxabaleta (3-11 -79)

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Remonte--Oriamendi2010 celebrates "Remonte Day" at Galarreta with 2018 "Best Player" awards

Oriamendi2010 celebrated "Remonte Day" (Oriamendi2010) on February 23, 2019. Free admission brought out a large crowd for the festivities, including 3 matches, a raffle, and, the most important part of the programme, the naming of the best players for 2018. Three players were named "Best player," Best player overall, Best Group A player, and Best Group B player.

Diario Vasco article
Oriamendi2010 article

"Best Players"

Javier Urriza (Group A d front) "Best Player" (30-23 in 2018). This was Urriza's 7th "Best Player" award since 2012 (corrected link to Urriza--February 26, 2019)--disculpas a Javier

1 monthly rankings winner (40 points--perfect) 
Masters Oriamendi Singles Champion
Tourneo Sidra Doubles Champion 
Tourneo Kutxabank Singles Champion

A sampling of Urriza's best work for 2018

January 13, 2018

1. Master's Oriamendi Torneo Final:

Urriza (Group A d front) 30 Barrentxea IV (Group A z back) 19

Full match video (EITB)

Match article (Oriamendi2010)

April 28, 2018

2. Tourneo Sidra (Sagardoaren Txapelketa) Final:

Urriza-Garces (A-B) 40 Uterga-Zubiri (A-B) 31

Full match video (EITB)

Match article (Oriamendi2010)

September 8, 2018

3. Torneo Kutxabank (Buruz Buruko Txapelketa Final):

Urriza 30 Uterga 15

Full match video (EITB)

Match article (Oriamendi2010)

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

Xanti Uterga (Group A d front) "Best Group A player" (43-26 in 2018) 

1 monthly rankings winner (38.57) 
Torneo Kutxabank Singles Runner-up 
Torneo Sidra (Sagardoaren Txapelketa) Doubles Runner-up 
Torneo Orona Doubles Champion

Ended 2018 with 6 consecutive doubles wins (5 in 12 days) (blog post on this blog) including 3 over Urriza and the Semis and Final of Orona championship.

A sampling of Uterga's best work in 2019

 April 21, 2018

1. Tourneo Sidra (Sagardoaren Txapelketa) Semi-Final

Uterga-Zubiri (A-B) 40 Segurola-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 33

Full match video (EITB) (first match on the video)

Match article (Oriamendi2010) (second article)

December 22, 2018

2. Orona Championship Semi-Final

Uterga-Azpiroz (A-B) 40 Ansa II-Barrenetxea IV 29 (EITB) (First match on the video)

Match article (Oriamendi2010)

 December 29, 2018

3. Orona Championship Final

Uterga-Azpiroz 40 Juanenea-Endika 27 (EITB--match begins at 3:40)

Match article (Oriamendi2010)

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

Jagoba Labaka (Group B z back) "Best Group B player" (45-26 in 2018) 

2 monthly rankings winners (40 points--perfect in both) 
Torneo Promocion Doubles Champion.

From September 27, 2018-November 24, 2018: Won 8 consecutive matches

Torneo Promocion: Won 4 Lost 0 with Etxarri. (Lost one match substituting in front court with another partner).

June 30, 2018

Torneo Promocion Final

Etxarri-Labaka (A-B) 40 Eloy-Zubiri (B-B) 20

Labaka +11 (including 5 service aces) -2

Match article (Oriamendi2010)

The Oriamendi2010 season, match by match, along with monthly cumulative win-loss records of the players, by position, is chronicled on the Oriamdi2010 "Star Match" recurring results page, on the right side of the blog.

Sunday, February 24, 2019

BASQUE PELOTA BREAKING NEWS--FEBRUARY 24, 2019

BIXINTO BILBAO HAS BEEN SANCTIONED BY THE FIPV (FEDERACION INTERNATONAL DE PELOTA VASCA) FOR WAVING A BASQUE FLAG AT THE FRANCE MAIN NUE GOLD MEDAL CEREMONY IN THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED (OCTOBER 2018) BASQUE PELOTA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN BARCELONA. THE FIPV HAS BANNED HIM FROM INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR 1 YEAR (WHICH WILL EXCLUDE HIM FROM PLAYING IN THE 2019 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING FOR 2022 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS). THE FIPV SAYS IT IS A "SERIOUS OFFENSE." BILBAO SAYS (GOOGLE TRANSLATE:)

I FEEL IT SAD THAT THEY GIVE ME A PENALTY LIKE THAT. I DID NOT KNOW THIS REGULATION. FOR ME THE IKURRINA (BASQUE FLAG) IS NOT A FORBIDDEN FLAG, IT REPRESENTS OUR LANGUAGE AND OUR CULTURE AND THERE IS NO HARM IN SHOWING THE BASQUE FLAG.

BILBAO, ALONG WITH THE FFPB (FEDERATION FRANCAIS DE PELOTE BASQUE) WILL APPEAL THE SUSPENSION.

"THE INCIDENT" (EITB VIDEO)

RELATED ARTICLE (PILOTA TTIKI)

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--2018-2019--Week 13

Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas, the premier doubles competition of the 2018-2019 Mano season, began November 23, 2018. 8 teams will compete for the title. The first (league) phase is a double round robin (14 matches). The top 4 finishers will face off in a single round robin (3 matches). The two winners will play in a final on April 7, 2019.

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.

This table is the most up to date of any I've found.

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 end. 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.

At present, EITB is providing all highlights, in chronological order:

We begin at Week 7 as that was when the 2019 calendar year began. Coverage of the first six weeks is available at 21Iguales.com, and the Baiko Pilota  (formerly Asegarce and ASPE websites. Full match video coverage of all available matches can be found at EITB.

For all available full match videos

"buscar" (search--top right side of page): "binakako" (without the quotes). Look for "2019 Binakako Txapelketa." Matches are usually the second or first match on the video.

Full match videos of earlier finals going back to 2000:

 "buscar" "Binakako Txapelketako finalak" (without the quotes)

Selected full match videos before 2000:

"buscar" "Gure bideoteka" (without the quotes) and scroll until you find them.

For complete print and video coverage of the 2016-17 competition 

Links to all matches available (by week).

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

Week 7Week 8Week 9Week 10Week 11; Week 12; Week 13; Week 14; Semi-final Round 1; Semi-final Round 2; Semi-final Round 3;

Final

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

Week 13

Injury report:


February 17, 2019

Beotibar, Tolosa (1) (2)


Highlights (EITB)

Match article (including balls in play, linescore, scoring)

Scoring (EITB):

Altuna III +9 -2 Martija +2 -3
Artola +7-3 Mariezkurrrena II +3 -8

Balls in play: 428. Time of match: 58:53

This was the marquee match of the week, two strong Semi-final League contenders looking to clinch their places. All was going well for Artola-Mariezkurrena II, as they had a 14-8 lead. But then Artola served a little to hard, conceding a 7 line fault. And, as sometimes happens, a small mistake can change the course of a match. This one changed completely, as Altuna III-Martija turned the mistake into a 14-1 run and easy victory. Marriezkurrena II hurt his team with errors during the run, not terribly surprising for a young player under pressure in a big match. And the fault caused Altuna III's eyes to light up as he showed why he will be very dangerous if his team moves on. Artola's team has a +6 point differential cushion going into the final week, but they have a tough match with Ezkurdia-L. Galarza, who are still alive, but must win big and get help to advance. Expect Ezkurdia to "show up" for this match, as he still has a chance to defend his championship. Altuna III-Martija has a match against 4-9 Bengoetxea VI-Imaz that they must win decisively. Their chances are good, but Bengoetxea VI is always dangerous. 

February 16, 2019

Polideportivo La Juventud, Soria (1) (2)

Victor (substituting for Oliazola II)-Albisu (8-5 +14) 22 Elezkano-Rezusta (9-4 +47) 17. There is no match video at this time.

Highlights (EITB)

Match article (incl. balls in play, linescore, scoring) (Baiko Pilota)
Match article (incl. balls in play, linescore, scoring) (21Iguales)

This match was the shocker of the week, the O-A team coming off a loss to Artola-Mariezkurrena II last week and on a 3 game slide to oblivion. It was the perfect recipe for E-R to clinch the League championship, but they have been having their own problems the last two weeks. Last week they were hammered by Altuna III-Martija. This week they were beaten by an inspired performance by Victor, substituting for the 2nd time in two weeks on two different teams, and winning both matches. Last week Victor was +13 -3. This week he was +13 -4. V-A led the match from start to finish and were rewarded with a place in the Semi-Final League with the win. For, E-R, they must wait another week to clinch first place in the League. They will have a chance to increase their shaken confidence, playing their final match against tail enders Urrutikoetxea-Arretxabaleta. 

------

Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2)


Final point (EITB)

Match article (incl. balls in play, linescore, scoring)

EITB scoring:

Ezkurdia +9 -3 L. Galarza +0 -1
Bengoetxea VI +10 -7 Imaz +0 -6

Balls in play: 461, Time of match: 57:35

Ezkurdia refuses to accept the fact that a Semi-final League appearance is a bridge too far, as he once again, with the help of 13 B-I errors, led his team to victory. He was +9-3. Last week he was +15. E-G put the match away with an early 7 point run (2-3--9-3) and cruised home from there. Now they face their biggest match of the season, needing to beat Artola-Mariezkurrena II by at least 22-10 in order to move ahead of them on point differential. They also need a loss by Altuna III-Martija against a 4-9 B-I. Hopeless? Maybe, maybe not. One thing I wouldn't bet against...a very big match from Ezkurdia. 


February 15, 2019

Fronton Municipal, Ultzama, Larraintzar (1) (2) (3)


Highlights (EITB)

Match article (incl. balls in play, linescore, scoring)

Scoring (EITB)

Irribarria +12 -3 Zabaleta +4 -0
Urrutikoetxea +2 -2 Aretxabaleta +1 -4

Balls in play: 443; Time of match: 46:14

Scoring (21Iguales)

Irribarria +15 -3 Zabaleta +3 -0
Urrutikoetxea +2 -1 Aretxabaleta +1 -3

Irribarria-Zabaleta knew exactly what they had to do and did it ruthlessly. But the match didn't start out that way. Urrutikoetxea, coming back from an injured hand, and Aretxabaleta made things interesting during the first two points of the match, which consumed 87 balls in play (almost 20% of bip for the entire match). When those points were over U-A led 2-0. They scored 4 more points. Irribarria took control on offense (+15) and Zabaleta played air tight defense (-0) as they easily clinched their Semi-final League place. As they have a 13 point differential lead over Elezkano-Rezusta, a win over Victor (I assume)-Albisu and an unlikely E-R loss to tail enders U-A will give I-Z something (a possible League first place finish) to play for. 

WEEK 14:

Artola-Mareizkurrena II (7-6 +6) v Ezkurdia-L.Galarza (6-7 -5)

Altuna III-Martija (7-6 0) v Bengoetxea VI-Imaz (4-9 -51)

Main Nue--FFPB Championnat de France Pro Individuel--Liguilla Round 3--February 15, 17 2019

The 2019 FFPB (Federation Francais de Pelote Basque) Championnat de France Pro Individuel Tournament began on January 4, and will end on March 3, 2019. For the third consecutive year, there are two competitions,  Group A and Group B. 21 players are involved. FFPB has provided a "dossier" (.pdf format, 7p.) explaining how the tournament works and who the players in each group are. This is a seeded ladder knock out tournament with qualification and league rounds, leading to the final.

The Players:

Player profiles at Esku Pilota

Group A: Peio Larralde (front); Matthieu Ospital (front); Baptiste Ducassou (back); Bixinto Bilbao (back); Augusti Waltery (front); Ximun Lambert (back); Peio Guichandut (back); Vincent Elgart (front); Julien Etchegary (front); Ion Iturbe (back); and Anton Monce (front)

Last year's finalists: Larralde and Ospital have been directly seeded into the League phase (1st and 2nd seeds)

Group B: Pascal de Ezcurra (back); Laurent Lambert (front); Alexis Inchauspe (front); Mickael Palomes (back); Gregory Aguirre (front); Cedric Lucu (back); Bixente (Vincent) Cubiat (back); Mattin Olcomendy (front); Mickael Darmendrail (front)

de Ezcurra and Lambert have been directly seeded into the League phase (1st and 2nd seeds)
-------------------------------------

Previous Championships:

Complete coverage of the 2018 Championship was provided by FFPB:

Results
Brief Match Articles and Photos

More detailed articles and selected match videos were provided by Pilota Ttiki. When videos are available they are linked at the bottom of the article.

Beginning January 9 and "suivant" at the bottom of the article until you reach other tournament articles. The tournament ended on February 25 (A) and February 27 (B) (Note that not all articles you will link to are articles about this tournament).

Twenty 2018 FFPB Championnat de France Elite Pro condensed full match videos are available via Pilota Ttiki Youtube. Scroll to or find "Championnat Individuel" or "Liguilla" (without the quotes).

Finals:
Group A: Larralde 40 Ospital 18
Match article and link to full match video

Group B: Iturbe 40 L. Lambert 27
Match article and link to full match video

2017 Tournament complete coverage (match articles and available videos)

Finals:
Group A: Ducassou 40 Ospital 27
Group B: Etchegaray 40 Elgart 21

2016 Full Tournament Results: Final: Larralde 40 Ducassou 22
2015 Full Tournament Results: Final Ducassou 40 Larralde 21 (pelotelive.free.fr)

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

Play in Round (January 4-7, 2019) Qualification Round Seeded Matches (January 12-14)January 19January 26

Liguilla: February 2; February 3; February 9; February 11; February 15, February 17

Finals: February 25--Group B; March 3--Group A

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

Liguilla Round 3

Note: All match videos, unless otherwise specifically stated, are condensed full match videos (usually between 15 and 40 minutes).

Injury report:

Group A



Group A

Duccassou and Ospital will play in the Final because of injury related forfeits by Larralde and Bilbao. Ospital has played in the last two finals and was beaten by Larralde last year and Ducassou in 2017. He doesn't have very good memories from those matches, as he was beaten soundly in both matches (see above). Both players are short of match experience, as they each played in only one Liguilla match. But it will be interesting to see if Ospital can make a better showing. At his best, he can play with anyone, but Ducassou looks to be a very formidable opponent. He missed last year's Tournament due to injury and wants his title back very badly.  Each of them have a couple of weeks to prepare. 

February 15, 2019

Group B

Both Group B matches were elimination matches. Neither was close.

Trinquet Berria, Hasparren--Trinquet (old and new) (1) (2Hasparren


Selected linescore (winner always listed first)

16-2; 23-5; 40-15

Inchauspe led from start to finish and increased his huge 16-2 opening lead by 11 more points before the match ended. Palomes never knew what hit him. 


Selected linescore (winner always listed first)

13-5; 20-10; 30-17; 40-22

This top seed match was also a mismatch, as Lambert got off to a 13-5 start and then also increased his lead throughout the rest of the match.  

Lambert will now meet Inchauspe, whom he beat 40-25 in Liguilla Round 1 in a match dominated by big runs by both players. Both of them know that Lambert had the last run, 18-4 to close out that match. It should be an intriguing match, as any Inchauspe match is, simply because he is a left hander. 

Group B: front 2-2; back 2-2


FINAL

Group A

Hasparren

March 3, 2019

Ospital (#2) (front) (1-0 +5) v Ducassou (#3) back (1-0 +3)

Group B

Le Garat, Donibane Garazi (St. Jean Pied-de-Port)

February 25, 2019

L. Lambert (#2) (front) v Inchauspe (#3) (front)