The annual Bizkaia Open, the last of the three major professional Tournaments, was contested at Bizkaia, Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1) (2) and several other venues from May 3 to June 15, 2019. Typically it features the presence of amateurs to partner with last year's champions. This year there were 3 amateurs, two zagueros (backs) and one delantero (front). It consisted of 6 teams with a single round robin. The top 4 finishers then played in the Semi-Finals (1 v 4, 2 v 3). The semi-finals and final were played at Bizkaia.
The teams:
*=Amateur
Justin Dardenne*-Xabier Ibargarai
Dan Necol-Iker Gordon
Ibon Garate-Ibai Perez
Esteban Gaubeka-Ekain Mendizabal*
Pablo Hernan "Fusto"-Igor Arroita*
Ander Landeta-Inaki Urrutia
Preview (Innpala)
Preview (Mundo Deportivo)
Preview (El Correo)
Video preview (short interviews with Fusto, Urrutia, Garate, and Gaubeka (Gaubeka's is truncated) (Bizkaia Fronton Twitter)
The tournament was heavily effected by injuries in the latter stages. Below is a (hopefully) understandable chronicle of those.
INJURY NEWS:
1. Pablo Hernan "Fusto" (delantero-front) missed the final two matches of the League phase with "back discomfort". He was replaced by Jabier Ibarguren in his Jornada 5 match (see below). He was expected to play in his team's Jornada 6 match, put pulled out at the last moment. With no replacement available the 3 joko points went to Necol-Gordon and a match was set between Necol-Arroita* (Fusto"s partner) and Garate-Gordon. Fusto recovered played in the Semi-final at Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) on June 8.
2. Esteban Gaubeka (d-front) missed his Jornada 6 match with a wrist injury. He was replaced by Ibarguren (making for a completely amateur team--Gaubeka's partner being Ekain Mendizabal) for their match with Dardenne*-Ibargarai. Gaubeka played in his Semi-final on June 8.
Sources: Mundo Deportivo article by Joseba Fonseca and correspondence with Dan Necol. Merci beaucoup, Dan.
Note: For those who wish to follow the tournament chronologically, go to the bottom of the post and read up. A cumulative table is available at the end of every round.
Justin Dardenne (see link to newspaper article below) and Xabier-Ibargarai (1) (2) lost just one match (3-2) on their march to an Open title. They were 6-1, winning 20 jokos (sets) and losing only 8. For the tournament they outscored their opponents 244-188. Their joko match scores looked like this:
3-0; 2-3; 3-0; 3-1; 3-2; 3-1; 3-1 (Semi-final and Final).
In the two final matches, Dardenne was +10 -8 in the Jokos we have data for (EITB did not give a final accounting of the Final, and so we are missing a joko.). But he more than held his own against Fusto and stayed close enough to Necol so that Ibargarai could pulverize his back court opponents by a net +5 to -9 (most likely more than that because Gordon's totals are partial), leading to decisive (if not always easy--each 4th joko was a difficult battle) wins in both post League matches. This was supposed to be the tournament that showcased back court amateurs, as InnPala has been looking for a replacement for the recently retired Sylvain Brefel, forcing the company to play one short at that position since February. Dardenne quietly did his job in a supporting role. The results speak for themselves. And to top it off he beat Necol with low cortadas (hard sidearm hits) down the left wall on the 4-4--5-4 and winning points of the last joko. Not bad for an amateur.
Finally, until the post League matches, this tournament got little press or TV coverage that I could find. I was able to find individual joko scores, so we have a record for those (thanks to the magnificent work done by Diario Vasco in its Cartelera (Calendar--what used to be known in American newspapers as "agate type") section. But beyond that, any attempt at analysis would be purely speculative. However, there were "sub-plots" in this tournament. You can see them in the scores of the matches. One was Fusto's performance. He has had a difficult season, still reaching Tournament finals, but not yet cashing in. He started out magnificently in this competition, winning his first 3 matches with his amateur partner by 9 jokos to 3, including a shutout of the professional pair Garate-Ibai Perez. After he was injured, his now all-amateur team suffered and they ended up 3-2 (9-9), barely making it to the post League phase. For Garate-Ibai Perez, it was a different story. They began with 2 shutout losses (devastating in a competition solely based on joko wins). But they then roared back with 3 wins in a row. It wasn't enough after the start, but it was inspirational. Necol-Gordon were up and down, but in their last League match they were helped by a forfeit due to Fusto's injury. That got them into the playoffs. There they played their best match, easily defeating Gaubeka-Mendizabal to reach the final. Necol had the dominant match that he is always capable of (+15 -8). Gaubeka-Mendizabal were cruising to a Semi-final berth before Gaubeka's injury almost derailed their chances. Not much can be said for Landeta-Urrutia. Landeta has been idle since February, missing the entire Mundo Parejas (World Pairs Championship) by a single joko in the two match play-in. That he would be "rusty" is not surprising. He and Urrutia had a disastrous 0-5 (6-15) League phase, but even they had something positive in the ledger. In their final League match, on June 1, having long been eliminated and with absolutely nothing to play for, they played their best match of the phase against the eventual champions, losing a tough 3-2 decision.
3-0; 2-3; 3-0; 3-1; 3-2; 3-1; 3-1 (Semi-final and Final).
In the two final matches, Dardenne was +10 -8 in the Jokos we have data for (EITB did not give a final accounting of the Final, and so we are missing a joko.). But he more than held his own against Fusto and stayed close enough to Necol so that Ibargarai could pulverize his back court opponents by a net +5 to -9 (most likely more than that because Gordon's totals are partial), leading to decisive (if not always easy--each 4th joko was a difficult battle) wins in both post League matches. This was supposed to be the tournament that showcased back court amateurs, as InnPala has been looking for a replacement for the recently retired Sylvain Brefel, forcing the company to play one short at that position since February. Dardenne quietly did his job in a supporting role. The results speak for themselves. And to top it off he beat Necol with low cortadas (hard sidearm hits) down the left wall on the 4-4--5-4 and winning points of the last joko. Not bad for an amateur.
Finally, until the post League matches, this tournament got little press or TV coverage that I could find. I was able to find individual joko scores, so we have a record for those (thanks to the magnificent work done by Diario Vasco in its Cartelera (Calendar--what used to be known in American newspapers as "agate type") section. But beyond that, any attempt at analysis would be purely speculative. However, there were "sub-plots" in this tournament. You can see them in the scores of the matches. One was Fusto's performance. He has had a difficult season, still reaching Tournament finals, but not yet cashing in. He started out magnificently in this competition, winning his first 3 matches with his amateur partner by 9 jokos to 3, including a shutout of the professional pair Garate-Ibai Perez. After he was injured, his now all-amateur team suffered and they ended up 3-2 (9-9), barely making it to the post League phase. For Garate-Ibai Perez, it was a different story. They began with 2 shutout losses (devastating in a competition solely based on joko wins). But they then roared back with 3 wins in a row. It wasn't enough after the start, but it was inspirational. Necol-Gordon were up and down, but in their last League match they were helped by a forfeit due to Fusto's injury. That got them into the playoffs. There they played their best match, easily defeating Gaubeka-Mendizabal to reach the final. Necol had the dominant match that he is always capable of (+15 -8). Gaubeka-Mendizabal were cruising to a Semi-final berth before Gaubeka's injury almost derailed their chances. Not much can be said for Landeta-Urrutia. Landeta has been idle since February, missing the entire Mundo Parejas (World Pairs Championship) by a single joko in the two match play-in. That he would be "rusty" is not surprising. He and Urrutia had a disastrous 0-5 (6-15) League phase, but even they had something positive in the ledger. In their final League match, on June 1, having long been eliminated and with absolutely nothing to play for, they played their best match of the phase against the eventual champions, losing a tough 3-2 decision.
FINAL
June 15, 2019
Final preview article (Mundo Deportivo)
Final preview article (Deia) Emphasizes the play of Justin Dardenne.
Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1) (2)
Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1) (2)
(5-10, 10-6, 10-8, 10-8) (35-32) (Joko scores: Diario Vasco Cartelera) (EITB--match begins at 42:15)
Partial scoring:
Ibargarai +12 -8
Through the first 3 jokos:
Dardenne +4 -4 Ibargarai +9 -7
Necol + 9 -6 Gordon +4 -6
Balls in play: 341
Dardenne 60 Ibargarai 111
Necol 97 Gordon 73
Match article (Mundo Deportivo)
Semi-finals
June 8, 2019
Necol-Gordon (#3) 3 Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (#2) 1
(10-2, 10-6, 9-10, 10-5) (39-23)
Scoring (EITB)
Necol +15 -8 Gordon +6 -4
Gaubeka +5 -11 Mendizabal +6 -7
Note: scoring adds to 39-22
Balls in play: 410
Necol 117 Gordon 97
Gaubeka 84 Mendizabal 113
Time of the match: 47:15
Dardenne*-Ibargarai (#1) 3
Fusto-Arroita(#4)* 1
(6-10, 10-3, 10-2, 10-7) (36-22)
Scoring (EITB)
Dardenne +6 -4 Ibargarai +10 -9
Fusto +4 -8 Arroita +5 -12
Balls in play: 362
Dardenne 81 Ibargarai 107
Fusto 107 Arroita 67
Time of the match: 47:45
Dardenne
FINAL TABLE
Dardenne*-Ibargarai (4-1; 14-6) 14
Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (2-3; 10-9) 10
Necol-Gordon (3-2; 9-7) 9
Fusto-Arroita* (3-2; 9-9) 9
Garate-Ibai Perez (3-2; 9-11) 9
Landeta-Urrutia (0-5; 6-15) 6
Jornada (Day) 6
June 1, 2019
Dardenne*-Ibargarai (4-1; 14-6; 14) 3
Landeta-Urrutia (0-5; 6-15; 6) 2
(8-10, 10-5, 6-10, 10-6, 10-5) (44-36)
Source: Diario Vasco Cartelera
May 31, 2019
In a friendly:
Necol-Arroita* (substituting for Gordon (3-2; 9-7; 9) 3
Ibarguren* (substituting for Fusto)-Gordon (substituting for Arroita* (3-2; 9-9; 9) 0
(10-6, 10-8, 10-6) (30-20)
Dardenne*-Ibargarai (3-1; 11-4; 11) 3
Ibarguren* (substituting for Gaubeka)-Mendizabal* (2-3; 10-9; 10) 1
(10-8, 10-8, 6-10, 10-6) (36-32)
Source:Diario Vasco Cartelera
Match articles for both matches (Mundo Deportivo)
Jornada (Day) 5
May 25, 2019
Garate-Ibai Perez (3-2; 9-11; 9) 3
Landeta-Urrutia (0-4; 4-12; 4) 1
(7-10, 10-7, 10-9, 10-8) (37-34)
Dardenne*-Ibargarai (2-1; 8-3; 8) 3
Ibarguren* (substituting for Fusto)-Arroita* (3-1; 9-6; 9) 0
(10-2, 10-3, 10-3) (30-8)
Source: Diario Vasco Cartelera
Jornada 5 Table
Note: Xabier Ibarguren* replaced Fusto in the Jornada 5 match
Fusto-Arroita* (3-1; 9-6); 9
Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (2-2; 9-6); 9
Garate-Ibai Perez (3-2; 9-11); 9
Dardenne*Ibargarai* (2-1; 8-3); 8
Necol-Gordon (2-2; 6-7); 6
Landeta-Urrutia (0-4; 4-12); 4
Jornada (Day) 4
May 24, 2019
Necol-Gordon (2-2; 6-7; 6) 3
Landeta-Urrutia (0-3; 3-9; 3) 1
(3-10, 10-5, 10-5, 10-5) (33-25)
Garate-Ibai Perez (2-2; 6-10); 3
Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (2-2; 9-6; 9) 2
(10-9; 2-10; 7-10; 10-6; 10-0) (39-35)
Source: Diario Vasco Cartelera
Jornada 4 Table
Fusto-Arroita* (3-0; 9-3); 9
Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (2-2; 9-6); 9
Necol-Gordon (2-2; 6-7); 6
Garate-Ibai Perez (2-2; 6-10); 6
Dardenne*Ibargarai* (1-1; 5-3); 5
Landeta-Urrutia (0-3; 3-9); 3
Jornada (Day) 3
May 19, 2019
Garate-Ibai Perez (1-2; 3-8; 3) 3
Dardenne*-Ibargarai (1-1; 5-3; 5) 2
(5-10, 10-3, 4-10, 10-5, 10-5) (39-33)
Source: Diario Vasco Cartelera
May 18, 2019
Fusto-Arroita* (3-0; 9-3; 9) 3
Landeta-Urrutia (0-2; 2-6; 2) 2
(9-10, 7-10, 10-4, 10-7, 10-3) (46-34)
Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (2-1; 7-3; 7) 3
Necol-Gordon (1-2; 3-6; 3) 0
(10-9, 10-9, 10-3) (30-24)
Jornada 3 Table
Fusto-Arroita* (3-0; 9-3); 9
Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (2-1; 7-3); 7
Dardenne*Ibargarai* (1-1; 5-3); 5
Necol-Gordon (1-2; 3-6); 3
Garate-Ibai Perez (1-2; 3-8); 3
Landeta-Urrutia (0-2; 2-6) ;2
Jornada (Day) 2
May 12, 2019
Fusto-Arroita* (2-0; 6-1: 6) 3
Garate-Ibai Perez (0-2; 0-6: 0) 0
(10-3, 10-7; 10-9) (30-19)
May 11, 2019
Dardenne*-Ibargarai (1-0; 3-0: 3) 3
Necol-Gordon (1-1; 3-3: 3) 0
(10-3, 10-7, 10-9) (30-19)
Gaubeka-Mendizabal*(1-1; 4-3: 4) 3
Landeta-Urrutia (0-1; 0-3: 0) 0
(10-4, 10-4, 10-8) (30-16)
Match article for both matches (El Correo)
Source for all match and joko scores: Diario VascoCartelera
Jornada 2 Table
Fusto-Arroita* (2-0, 6-1): 6
Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (1-1, 4-3): 4
Dardenne*-Ibargarai (1-0, 3-0): 3
Necol-Gordon (1-1; 3-3): 3
Landeta-Urrutia (0-1; 0-3): 0
Garate-Ibai Perez (0-2; 0-6): 0
Jornada (Day) 1
May 3, 2019
Zierbena (1)(2)
Fusto-Arroita* (1-0; 3-1) 3
Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (0-1; 1-3) 1
(4-10, 10-8; 10-7; 10-2) (34-27)
Necol-Gordon (1-0; 3-0) 3
Garate-Ibai Perez (0-1; 0-3) 0
(10-8; 10-2; 10-5) (30-15)
Source for all match and joko scores: Diario Vasco Cartelera
Match article: (Haixeder Blog)
Jornada 1 Table
Necol-Gordon (1-0; 3-0): 3
Fusto-Arroita* (1-0; 3-1): 3
Gaubeka-Mendizabal* (0-1; 1-3): 1
Landeta-Urrutia (0-0; 0-0):0
Dardenne*-Ibargarai (0-0; 0-0): 0
Garate-Ibai Perez (0-1; 0-3): 0
For 2019, a table of actual wins and losses along with jokos won and lost for players by position is also available, as another way to look at how the Palistas are doing throughout the year. It includes all of the matches that I find, whether tournament or independent matches. This, along with some data for about 1/2 of the 2016-17 season is available at the InnPala Player win-loss table page on the right side of the blog. Records are kept cumulatively, match by match.
For 2019, a table of actual wins and losses along with jokos won and lost for players by position is also available, as another way to look at how the Palistas are doing throughout the year. It includes all of the matches that I find, whether tournament or independent matches. This, along with some data for about 1/2 of the 2016-17 season is available at the InnPala Player win-loss table page on the right side of the blog. Records are kept cumulatively, match by match.
