Note: for those of you unfamiliar with what 4 1/2 means, it is a special Mano format, where the legal service areas are between the 3 and 5 line (instead of the 4 and 7 lines that are normally used). But the biggest difference is a line that is put in at 4 1/2 (slightly less than half the length of a regulation mano concha (court). No ball in play can be hit beyond this line on the fly. Among professionals, it is exclusively a singles format. By limiting the distance a pelota can be hit, a quicker game that depends on shot making skills and precision results. Power is not nearly the factor in this that it is in other traditional singles matches. 4 1/2 is, in my opinion, very entertaining to watch. See what you think.
The San Fermin Lau eta Erdio/Quatro y Medio/4 1/2 Tournament was a seeded ladder knock out tournament that began on June 1, 2019 and ended with a July 7 Final). The tournament was organized to match the winners of the two main companies the players are contracted to: Baiko Pilota v ASPE.
ASPE Players Page
Baiko Pilota Players Page
For ASPE players, click on the player's page to find out the player's career win-loss record. There is a statistical link that allows you to examine that record in almost any way imaginable. For Baiko Pilota Players, click on the player's page to find that player's current season win-loss record, as well as his seasonal win-loss records going back to various years, depending on how long he has been playing (records provided do not necessarily reflect complete careers).
The San Fermin Lau eta Erdio/Quatro y Medio/4 1/2 Tournament was a seeded ladder knock out tournament that began on June 1, 2019 and ended with a July 7 Final). The tournament was organized to match the winners of the two main companies the players are contracted to: Baiko Pilota v ASPE.
ASPE Players Page
Baiko Pilota Players Page
For ASPE players, click on the player's page to find out the player's career win-loss record. There is a statistical link that allows you to examine that record in almost any way imaginable. For Baiko Pilota Players, click on the player's page to find that player's current season win-loss record, as well as his seasonal win-loss records going back to various years, depending on how long he has been playing (records provided do not necessarily reflect complete careers).
2019 Schedule (Baiko Pilota) Complete results back to 1999 are available at the site
Tournament Preview (Baiko Pilota) (also links to preview articles from Diario Vasco and Diario Navarra
To follow this tournament chronologically, go to the bottom of the page and scroll up.
To follow this tournament chronologically, go to the bottom of the page and scroll up.
1/8 Seeds:
Baiko Pilota: Laso; Urrutikoetxea
1/4 Seeds
BP: Oliazola II, Bengoetxea VI,
ASPE: Altuna III, Ezkurdia
Note: all EITB linked videos below that are not specifically labeled as "Highlights" are to full match videos, with the beginning time listed, as each video contains multiple matches. The Fronton.tv links are also to full match videos, but they are the only matches on the video. This has been done for the convenience of viewers who prefer Castilian, and because FT archives (at present) its matches. EITB has about a 2 year window for most Mano matches.
FINAL
Artola (Baiko Pilota) (4-1) 13 (EITB--match begins at 1:07:43)
Highlights (EITB)
Condensed full linescore (winner always listed first) (EITB)
1-0; 1-3 (Ar 2 service aces and an error); 10-3; 10-5; 12-5; 12-6; 13-6; 13-7; 16-7; 16-10 (Al -, Ar 2 aces and a service fault); 20-10; 20-13; 22-13
Scoring (EITB)
Altuna III +10 (including 2 service aces) -5
Artola +8 (2a) -12 (including 1 service fault)
Balls in play: 263: Altuna III 135 Artola 128
Time of the match: 53:15
Match article (21Iguales.com)
Match article (Naiz)
Match article (Deia)
Match article (El Correo)
Match article (Mundo Deportivo)
Artola's dream of winning the tournament from an unseeded position was dashed in this final by a clinical performance by Altuna III. Artola also hurt himself with untimely mistakes (the linescore shows a couple of crucial ones). The 9-0 run after Artola's first mistake put Altuna III well on the path to victory. Just as Artola made a move to get back into the match, another error led to another Altuna III run, which clinched the championship. Artola had a magnificent tournament, easily defeating 1/4 seeded Bengoetxea VI (the defending champion) 22-11, and 1/8 seeded Urrutikoetxea (the 2016 champion) 22-14, before defeating the other unseeded Baikopilota player, Bakikoa, in a match where he scored the last 9 points to turn a close battle into a rout.
Artola's figures for the tournament show just how well he played, and how he improved throughout the tournament.
+7 -7 (in the play-in match); +14 -6; +16 -6, and +17 -5: +54 -22
Last year he was ousted in his first match.
For Altuna III it was a mountain finally climbed after losing the Final in 2018, and 2017 (to Oliazola II). He came in at the 1/4 seed level and so only had to win 2 matches to reach the final. Only one of those, the ASPE Semi-final, was close (22-19 over Ezkurdia). In those matches he was:
+17 -8; +16 -2: +33 -10
Artola's dream of winning the tournament from an unseeded position was dashed in this final by a clinical performance by Altuna III. Artola also hurt himself with untimely mistakes (the linescore shows a couple of crucial ones). The 9-0 run after Artola's first mistake put Altuna III well on the path to victory. Just as Artola made a move to get back into the match, another error led to another Altuna III run, which clinched the championship. Artola had a magnificent tournament, easily defeating 1/4 seeded Bengoetxea VI (the defending champion) 22-11, and 1/8 seeded Urrutikoetxea (the 2016 champion) 22-14, before defeating the other unseeded Baikopilota player, Bakikoa, in a match where he scored the last 9 points to turn a close battle into a rout.
Artola's figures for the tournament show just how well he played, and how he improved throughout the tournament.
+7 -7 (in the play-in match); +14 -6; +16 -6, and +17 -5: +54 -22
Last year he was ousted in his first match.
For Altuna III it was a mountain finally climbed after losing the Final in 2018, and 2017 (to Oliazola II). He came in at the 1/4 seed level and so only had to win 2 matches to reach the final. Only one of those, the ASPE Semi-final, was close (22-19 over Ezkurdia). In those matches he was:
+17 -8; +16 -2: +33 -10
Interestingly, the ASPE side was perfectly seeded, with the 1/4 seeds both reaching the final. However, the seeds on the Baiko Pilota side each lost the first match they played. Finally, the Tournament was played at 10 different venues, only two of which (Labrit and Astelena (Eibar)) are consistently used on the Mano circuit.
Semi Finals:
June 29
Baiko Pilota
Artola (4-0) 22 Bakikoa (3-1) 9 (EITB--match begins at: 1:05:23)
Selected linescore (winner always listed first) (21iguales.com)
5-2; 6-6; 6-8; 13-8; 13-9; 22-9
Scoring (21Iguales.com and EITB)
Artola +17 (including 2 service aces) -5
Bakaikoa +4 (2a) -5 (including 1 service fault)
Balls in play: (EITB) 240: Artola 126 Bakaikoa 114
Time of the match: (EITB) 43:56
Artoloa blew open a close match with a 9-0 run at the end. His powerful offense took Bakaikoa completely out of the match.
Artoloa blew open a close match with a 9-0 run at the end. His powerful offense took Bakaikoa completely out of the match.
Match article (21Iguales.com)
June 28
ASPE
Ezkurdia (1-1) (seeded in at 1/4) 19 (EITB--match begins at 56:05)
Condensed linescore (winner always listed 1st): (21Iguales.com)
0-1; 2-1; 3-2; 3-4; 12-4; 12-7; 14-7; 14-8; 17-8; 17-14; 18-14; 18-15; 20-15; 20-19; 22-19
Scoring (21Iguales.com)
Altuna II +16 -2
Ezkurdia +17 (including 5 sevice aces) -6
Match article: (21iguales)
In one of, if not the best matches of the Tournament, Ezkurdia almost overcame a 12-4 deficit after a 9-0 Altuna III run. He then almost overcame a 20-15 Altuna III lead. But then a left wall pass after a good apron save by Ezkurdia, and a 17 ball point that ended when Ezkurdia was short off the back foot, ended his tournament.
Condensed linescore (winner always listed 1st): (21Iguales.com)
0-1; 2-1; 3-2; 3-4; 12-4; 12-7; 14-7; 14-8; 17-8; 17-14; 18-14; 18-15; 20-15; 20-19; 22-19
Scoring (21Iguales.com)
Altuna II +16 -2
Ezkurdia +17 (including 5 sevice aces) -6
Match article: (21iguales)
In one of, if not the best matches of the Tournament, Ezkurdia almost overcame a 12-4 deficit after a 9-0 Altuna III run. He then almost overcame a 20-15 Altuna III lead. But then a left wall pass after a good apron save by Ezkurdia, and a 17 ball point that ended when Ezkurdia was short off the back foot, ended his tournament.
1/4
June 24, 2019
ASPE:
Altuna III (seeded in) 22 P. Etxeberria 10 (EITB--match begins at: 57:02)
Fronton TV (Castilian)
Condensed linescore (winner always listed first) (21Iguales.com)
1-0; 1-2; 5-2; 5-3; 13-3; 13-5; 14-5; 14-6; 18-6; 18-7; 19-7; 19-10; 22-10
Scoring (EITB)
Altuna III +17 (including 1 service ace) -8
P. Etxeberria +2 -5
Balls in play: 195
Altuna III 103 P. Etxeberria 92
Time of the match: 41:54
Match article (21Iguales.com)
Altuna III overwhelmed P. Etxeberria in spite of 8 errors. A net +15 more than overcame the errors. An 8-0 run early pretty much decided things.
Altuna III overwhelmed P. Etxeberria in spite of 8 errors. A net +15 more than overcame the errors. An 8-0 run early pretty much decided things.
June 23, 2019
Baiko Pilota
Bakaikoa 22 Oliazola II (seeded in) 18 (no match video)
Condensed linescore (winner always listed first) (Diario Vasco match article)
2-0; 2-6; 3-6; 3-7; 8-7; 8-8; 10-8; 10-9; 11-9; 11-10; 17-10; 17-11; 18-11; 18-12; 20-12; 20-17; 21-17; 21-18; 22-18
Scoring: (Diario Vasco)
Bakaikoa +14 (including 5 service aces) -8 (including 1 past the 4 1/2 line)
Oliazola II +10 (5a) -8 (1 past 4/12)
Balls in play: 269
Time of the match: 50:22
Match article (21Iguales.com)
Match article (Diario Vasco)
This upset was sealed by a Bakaikoa 6-0 run, which Oliazola II, even with a 5-0 run of his own, could not overcome. 40 percent of the match points came via errors.
This upset was sealed by a Bakaikoa 6-0 run, which Oliazola II, even with a 5-0 run of his own, could not overcome. 40 percent of the match points came via errors.
ASPE
Ezkurdia (seeded in) 22 Jaka 17 (EITB--match begins at: 56:40)
Condensed linescore (winner always listed first) (Diario Vasco)
0-3; 2-3; 2-6; 5-6; 5-7; 6-7; 6-8; 15-8; 15-10; 17-10; 17-14; 19-14; 19-15; 21-15; 21-17; 22-17
Scoring (EITB)
Ezkurdia +10(including 3 service aces) -5
Jaka +12(3a) -12
Balls in play: 137
Time of the match: 44:40
Match article (21Iguales.com)
Match article (Diario Vasco)
Jaka's 12 errors did him in, as he actually outscored Ezkurdia. A 9-0 run in mid-match settled things.
June 22, 2019
Baiko Pilota:
Artola 22 Bengoetxea VI (seeded in) 11 (EITB--match begins at 59:13)
Fronton TV Youtube (Castilian)
Scoring (EITB)
Artola +16(including 5 service aces) -6
Bengoetxea VI +5 -6
Balls in play: 164; Artola 87; Bengoetxea VI 77
Time of the match: 41:44
Match article (21Iguales.com)
Artola had a big offensive game, as he scored an upset over the 1/4 seeded Bengoetxea VI, knocking the defending champion out of the Tournament.
Artola had a big offensive game, as he scored an upset over the 1/4 seeded Bengoetxea VI, knocking the defending champion out of the Tournament.
1/8
June 16, 2019
EITB (Etxeberria-Elezkano is the first match on the video, Irribarria-Jaka is the second match
Highlights for both matches (EITB)
Highlights for both matches (EITB)
ASPE:
Jaka 22 Irribarria 8
Condensed linescore (21Iguales.com) (winner always listed first)
1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 5-2; 5-3; 7-3; 7-4; 14-4; 14-5; 19-5; 19-7; 21-7; 21-8; 22-8
Scoring (21Iguales.com)
Jaka +15 (including 3 service aces) -4 Irribarria +4 -7
Balls in play: 144
Time of the match: 28:45
Match article (22Iguales.com)
P. Exteberria 22 Elezkano II 20
Condensed linescore (21iguales.com) (winner always listed first
0-6; 10-6; 10-8; 11-8; 11-10; 16-10; 16-12; 17-12; 17-16; 20-16; 20-20; 22-20
Scoring (21Iguales)
P. Exeberria +20 (including 3 service aces) -5 Elezkano II + 15 (1a) -2
Balls in play: 317
Time of the match: 61:27
Match article (21Iguales.com)
Both of these matches were upsets, and the Jaka-Irribarria match was a huge upset, the winner beating the newly crowned Banakako (Mundo Individual) champion decisively. Being outscored 15-4 is almost inconceivable when thinking of Irribarria. Etxeberria used a 10-0 run early to establish a lead, and then held off 2 spirited comeback attempts to defeat the newly crowned Binakako (Mundo Parejas) champion.
June 15, 2019
Baiko Pilota:
Bakaikoa 22 Laso (seeded in) 18 (EITB--match begins at: 1:00:00
Final 2 points (EITB)
Selected linescore (21Iguales) (winner always listed first)
1-0; 1-1; 6-1; 6-2; 7-2; 7-8; 12-8; 12-9; 13-9; 13-12; 14-12; 14-13; 18-13; 18-14; 19-14; 19-15; 20-15; 20-18; 22-18
Scoring: (EITB)
Bakaikua +8(including 1 service ace) -4
Bakaikua +8(including 1 service ace) -4
Laso +16(3a) -14
Balls in play: 322; B: 163, L: 159: Time: 53:15
Match article (21Iguales.com)
Laso, another seeded Baiko Pilota player couln't over 14 errors, though he tried valiantly to do so.
June 14, 2019
Baiko Pilota:
Artola 22 Urrutikoetxea (seeded in) 14
Highlights (EITB)
Match article (Baikopilota.eus)
Artola began his quest by upending 1/8 seed Urrutikoetxea. Artola outscored him 14-6.
Artola began his quest by upending 1/8 seed Urrutikoetxea. Artola outscored him 14-6.
1/16 (Baiko Pilota Play in Matches)
June 1, 2019
Bakaikoa 22 Victor 16
Artola 22 Agirre 19
Selected linescore: (winner always listed first)
14-6; 20-19; 22-19
Match article for both matches (including match statistics) (Baiko Pilota)
Artola's Tournament almost ended before it began. He survived a 14-5 run by Agirre to win, barely.
Artola's Tournament almost ended before it began. He survived a 14-5 run by Agirre to win, barely.
