San Fermin week is traditionally one of the busiest BP weeks of the year. Iruna (Pamplona) and particularly Labrit Fronton (see below) are filled with the sound of pelota on wall. The dizzying pace, along with all the other activities going on during this week, was almost impossible to keep up with. And tremendous fun. This post will chronicle all of the San Fermin tournament action I could find, Professional and Amateur, men's and women's. It covers 4 modalities: Mano, Pala Larga, Paleta Cuero, and Remonte. So tape up your hands, put on the Pala glue, and strap on your goggles and crash helmets. Here we go.
We begin with Mano:
As always, if you wish to follow these tournaments in chronological order, read from the bottom up.
XLV San Fermin Tournament
The 45th San Fermin Tournament began July 7 and ended with a final on July 14. It involved 6 pairs, 3 in Group A and 3 in Group B. Each group played a single round robin and the two group winners played in the Final. All matches were played at Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2)
Tournament results (with results back to 2001) (baikopilota.eus)
The teams:
Group A: Irribarria-Martija (ASPE); Bengoetxea VI-Imaz (Baikopilota); Oliazola II-Albisu (Baikopilota)
Group B: Urrutikoetxea-Mariezkurrena II (Baikopilota); Ezkurdia-Zabaleta (ASPE); Altuna III-L. Galarza (ASPE)
Preview (manista.com)
Complete Calendar (.pdf format, 5p). (LEP.M)
July 14
One of the most interesting aspects of this tournament was the contrasting play of fronts and backs. In the 7 matches the fronts were +115 -53, while the backs were +26 -53. Selected individual records are discussed below, but the contrasting quality of play and the quantity of errors in the back left a lot of fans with a lot to talk about during the week.
FINAL
Highlights (EITB)
2-1; 5-2; 12-2; 14-4; 15-6; 20-6; 22-8
Scoring (EITB)
Ezkurdia +7 -3; Zabaleta +4 -2
Bengoetxea VI +3 -5; Imaz +0 -6
Balls in Play: 399
Ezkudia 116; Zabaleta 90
Bengoetxea VI 93; Imaz 100
Time of the Match: 44:45
Match article (Baikopilota)
Match article (21Iguales.com)
Match photos (21Iguales.com)
An early 7 point run led to an easy victory for E-Z. 11 B-I errors gave the winners half of their points. Ezkurdia finished his Tournament with +26 -6. This was his third consecutive San Fermin Txapelketa.
July 12
Group B
Altuna III-L. Galarza (1-1) 17 EITB--match begins at 1:15:00)
Condensed linescore (21Iguales.com) (winners always listed first)
0-1; 1-1; 1-3; 8-3; 8-4; 9-4; 9-5; 11-5; 11-6; 12-6; 12-11; 15-11; 15-13; 16-13; 16-15; 18-15; 18-16; 21-16; 21-17; 22-17
Scoring (Baikupilota.eus)
Ezkurdia +9 -3; Zabaleta +5 -2
Altuna III +12 -2; L. Galarza +0 -6
Balls in Play: 769:
Ezkurdia 186; Zabaleta 200
Altuna III 183; L. Galarza 200
Time of the Match: 87:37
Ezkurdia-Zabaleta advance to the Final
Match article (Baikopilota.eus)
Match article (21Iguales.com)
This was a monster of a match, lasting almost 1 1/2 hours, with the two backs each hitting the pelota 200 times. Three times E-Z built substantial leads. 3 times A-G fought back. Altuna III had a marvelous match, but his partner did not do quite as well. The back court deficit of -6 was, in the end, too much for A-G to overcome. L. Galarza was +1 -12 for the Tournament. His partner Altuna III finished a terrific Tournament with +21 -3.
Final Group B
Ezkurdia-Zabaleta 2-0
Altuna III-L. Galarza 1-1
Urrutikoetxea (Artola)-Mariezkurrena II 0-2
July 11
Group A
Oliazola II-Albisu (0-2) 8 (EITB--match begins at 43:53)
Condensed linescore (winners always listed first) (21Iguales.com)
3-0; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 6-3; 6-5; 10-5; 10-6; 13-6; 13-7; 15-7; 15-8; 22-8
Scoring: (EITB)
Bengoetxea VI +6 - 3; Imaz +2 -1
Oliazola II +3 -7; Albisu +1 -7
Balls in Play: 565;
Bengoetxea VI 145; Imaz 144
Oliazola II 101; Albisu 175
Time of the Match: 59:29
Bengoetxea VI-Imaz advance to the final
Match article: (21Iguales.com)
At 15-8, there might have been a sliver of hope for O-A. B-I put that to rest by finishing with a 7-0 run. Both Oliazola II and Albisu had poor days at the office, gifting their opponents 64% of their points. Albisu finished the Tournament with +1 -15.
Final Group A
Bengoetxea VI-Imaz 2-0
Irribarria-Martija 1-1
Oliazola II-Albisu 0-2
July 10
Group B
Altuna III-L. Galarza (1-0) 22
Artola (substituting for Urrutikoetxea)-Mariezkurrena II (0-2) 18 (no match video found)
Condensed linescore (21iguales.com) (winners always listed first)
0-2; 2-2; 2-3; 7-3; 7-7; 8-7; 8-9; 10-9; 10-11; 11-11; 11-13; 14-13; 14-15; 18-15; 18-16; 19-16; 19-17; 21-17; 21-18; 22-18
7 lead changes, 10 equal scores
Scoring (21Iguales.com)
Altuna III +9(including 1 service ace) -1; L. Galarza +1 -6
Artola (substituting for Urrutikoetxea) +7 (1a) -9;
Mariezkurrena II +4 -3
Balls in Play: 614
Time of the match: 72 minutes
Match article: (21Iguales.com)
This was one of the best matches of the Tournament, with Artola coming in on short notice for the injured Urrutikoetxea. He scored well, but was also erratic. And in a match with as many twists and turns as this one, his 9 errors were at least 4 too many.
July 9
Group A
Irribarria-Martija (1-1) 22
Oliazola II-Albisu (0-1) 12 (no match video found)
Condensed linescore (21Iguales.com) (winners always listed first)
0-5; 11-5; 11-6; 13-6; 13-7; 14-7; 14-8; 14-11; 17-11; 17-12; 22-12
Scoring: (21Iguales.com)
Irribarria +13 (including 4 service aces) -3; Martija +1 -1
Oliazola II +8(1a); -0; Albisu +0 -8
Balls in Play: 483
Time of the Match 53 minutes
Match article (21Iguales.com)
Irribarria had one of those days when he is unstoppable, helping his team back into possible contention after an earlier loss with +13 -3 as his team got off to a big start, survived one comeback attempt, and won easily. Both Oliazola II and Albisu had perfect games, unfortunately completely negating each other. Irribarria finished his Tournament with +23 -8.
July 8
Group B
Ezkurdia-Zabaleta (1-0) 22
Urrutikoetxea-Mariezkurrena (0-1) 7 (no match video found)
Condensed linescore (21Iguales.com) (winners always listed first)
11-0; 11-1; 14-1; 14-6; 16-6; 16-7; 22-7
Scoring (21Iguales.com)
Ezkurdia + 10(including 3 service aces) -0; Zabaleta +2 -1
Urrutikoetxea +6 -4 (including 1 service fault); Mariezkurrena II +0 -6
Balls in Play: 381
Time of the Match: 47 minutes
Match article (21Iguales)
An 11-0 run decided this match early as E-Z got off to the best possible start. Ezkurdia had a perfect match.
July 7
Group A
Bengoetxea VI-Imaz (1-0) 22
Irribarria-Martija (0-1) 18 (no match video found)
Selected linescore: (21Iguales.com) (winners always listed first)
2-2; 3-4; 6-5; 9-7; 10-8; 16-9; 16-11; 18-12; 18-15; 20-15; 20-18; 22-18
Scoring (21Iguales.com)
Bengoetxea VI +12 -3; Imaz +3 -2
Irribarria +10(including 1 service ace) -5; Martija +3 -2
Balls in Play: 485
Time of the Match: 65 minutes
Match article (21Iguales.com)
B-I used a 6-1 run at mid-match to put I-M on the back foot in this Tournament in the very first match.
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Desafia del Vino Marco Real (ASPE v Baikopilota Challenge)
3 challenge matches were played between the two companies. 4 1/2, pairs, and singles were contested. At the end, Baikopilota got a lot of wine from ASPE.
July 13, 2019
4 1/2: Agirre 22P. Exeberria 21
Pairs: Laso-Albisu 22 Jaka-Rezusta 17
Singles: Victor 22 Zabala 16
Baikopilota 3 ASPE 0
Full match video for all 3 matches (EITB--matches are in the order given above)
++++++++++++++
San Fermin 2nd Laboral Emakume (Women's) Master Cup.
July 13
FINALS
Both Finals (Under 18 first, Premier 2nd) (EITB full match videos)
Both Finals (Under 18 first, Premier 2nd) (EITB via Laboral Emakume Master Cup site) (Added July 27, 2019)
Both Finals (Under 18 first, Premier 2nd) (EITB via Laboral Emakume Master Cup site) (Added July 27, 2019)
Highlights of both matches (EITB)
Premier
Agirre-Obregozo 22 Jaka-M. Ruiz de Larramendi 21
Selected linescore (21Iguales.com) (winners always listed first)
10-7; 11-19; 20-21; 22-21
Time of the Match: 65 minutes.
The atmosphere at this Women's Tournament was absolutely electric, with a packed Labrit enjoying the action. And they got a final for the ages.
A-O finished with a 10-2 run to win. After an Agirre 2 wall (left-front) winner tied the match, the final point was a magnificent 47 ball struggle with great saves by all 4 players, finally won by another Agirre 2 wall (left-front) winner . All four players received a long standing ovation.
Under-18
Bergara-Agorreta 22
Salbide-O. Ruiz de Larremendi 15
Score Source (Diario Vasco Cartelera and EITB)
Selected linescore (21Igualies.com) (winners always listed 1st)
7-0; 22-15
Match articles for both matches (21Iguales.com)
Semi-finals
July 6-7 (unclear which matches were played when)
Premier
Jaka-M. Ruiz de Larrramendi 18
Larrate-Elizalde 10
Agirre-Obregozo 18 Aldaregia-Aldai 13
Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)
6-0; 13-11; 14-11; 16-13; 18-13
Under-18
Bergara-Agoretta 18 Oscoz-Mendiburu 17
Salbide-O. Ruiz de Larramendi 18
Vergara-Lasa 8
Match article for all 4 matches (21Iguales.com)
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Pala Larga:
Tournament Promotion video 1 (for both this and the women's tournament below) (InnPala Fronton Facebook video)
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Pala Larga:
San Fermin Tournament, a 4 team knock out Tournament, was played at Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona (1) (2) July 11,12, and 14.
Tournament Promotion video 1 (for both this and the women's tournament below) (InnPala Fronton Facebook video)
Tournament Promotion video 2 (for both this and the women's tournament below) (InnPala Fronton Facebook video)
After an arduous 6 week Bizkaia Open that involved all 9 InnPala professionals, along with 4 amateurs, a three week break that included opening play in 1 tournament ended as 8 of the 9 professionals went back to work in this tournament. It was a great, highly competitive endeavor in which each match went the maximum 5 jokos (sets), with 2 of them seeing the winners come back from 1-2 deficits. For the tournament, the final point score was 130-107, a 23 point difference spread over 15 jokos. That is about as close a tournament as one could possibly imagine. While the tournament was sparsely covered in the press, Dan Necol did llive stream his two matches on his Facebook page (they are now available on demand--see below). He has done this before, particularly for the Mundo Individuel Tournament last winter. These matches can now be enjoyed at leisure and show 6 of the best palistas in the world in action on the short court.
July 14
FINAL
Necol-Ibargarai 3 Fusto-Urrutia 2 (Dan Necol Facebook full match video, match begins at about 9:00 on the video)
(10-5, 5-10, 10-7, 5-10, 10-4) (40-36)
July 12
2nd Semi-Final
Necol-Ibargarai 3 Gaubeka-Ibai Perez 2 (Dan Necol Facebook full match video--match begins at about 10:00) on the video).
(10-8, 8-10, 8-10, 10-3, 10-4) (46-35)
(Diario Vasco Cartelera)
July 11
1st Semi-Final
Fusto-Urrutia 3 Garate-Gordon 2
(10-2, 6-10, 8-10, 10-7, 10-7) (44-36)
(Diario Vasco Cartelera)
Paleta Cuero Women's Tournament
San Fermin Tournament, a 4 team, knockout Tournament was held July 11-12, and 14, in conjunction with men's Pala Larga Tournament (see above).
The women played in their tournament on the same days the men did. None of the matches went the distance, but two were extremely close The final point score in the 8 point jokos was 92-72, a 20 point difference over 12 Jokos. 8 of the 12 jokos were decided by 2 points or less.
The women played in their tournament on the same days the men did. None of the matches went the distance, but two were extremely close The final point score in the 8 point jokos was 92-72, a 20 point difference over 12 Jokos. 8 of the 12 jokos were decided by 2 points or less.
July 14
FINAL
Iraztuztabarrena-Erasun 3 Larrate-Araitztegi 1
(8-5, 7-8, 8-7, 8-7) (31-27)
July 12
2nd Semi-Final
Irazustabarrena-Erasun 3 Galdos-Huizi 1
(7-8, 8-2, 8-4, 8-5) (31-19)
Source: Diario Vasco Cartelera
July 11
1st Semi-final
Larrarte-Araiztegi 3 Isasmendi-L. Saez 1
(8-6, 6-8, 8-6, 8-6) (30-26)
Source: Diario Vasco Cartelera
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Remonte
Last but not least, the Oriamendi2010 Remonistas participated in two different San Fermin tournaments, the first the long established San Fermin Tournament (sponsored by Oriamendi2010) in Huarte (1) (2), the second the opening tournament in its "circuit" of tournaments to be held all over the Basque Country (as well as in Madrid), over the next few months. These are part of the Euskal Jai Fudazioa/Fundacione Remonte Euskal Jai, the other major organizer of Remonte.
1. Oriamendi2010 San Fermin
Complete results (note that the Tournament was part of a set of 3 match programs and is the upper right result of each
Oriamendi2010 Announcement 2
Tournament preview (Oriamendi2010)
July 11
FINAL
Note: letters refer to the Oriamendi Groups the players are in
Full match videos for both matches (EITB--Final is the first match on the video)
Ezkurra II-Endika (B-A) 40 Ansa II-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 38
Selected linescore (winners always listed first)
5-5; 29-20; 29-27; 33-31; 38-31; 38-37; 39-38; 40-38
Scoring: (EITB)
Ezkurra II +13 -8; Endika +11 -7
Ansa II; +13 -13; Barrenetxea IV +10 -3
Balls in play: 419; Ezkurra II 97 Endika 113 Ansa II 101; Barrenetxea IV 108
Time of the match: 63:21
Match preview (Oriamendi2010)
Match article (Oriamendi2010)
Match article (Dairio de Navarra)
Match article (Navarra.com)
This match crackled with tension and excitement, with the winners establishing two leads, and the losers then fighting back. The final 14 ball point, which featured excellent saves by Ansa II and Endika, before Endika ended the proceedings with a perfect cross court left wall shot, was a great way to end a great match. The winners defended the championship they won last year. For Endika, it was his 3rd consecutive championship.
3rd Place Match
Uterga-Ion (A-A) 40 Urriza-Etxeberria III (A-A) 38
Scoring (EITB)
Uterga +17 (including 7 two wall winners) -10; Ion +6 -4
Urriza +23 (7 tww) -8; Etxeberria III +1 -9
Balls in play: 531: Urriza 131 Etxeberria III 134; Uterga 127 Ion 140
Time of the match: 68:58
Etxeberrria III's final San Fermin match (he played in SF finals in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2017--winning the last two and losing by the minimum in 2015) did not end as he might have wished, but it was a long close struggle. It featured 7 two wall winners by both front men. One highlight was the 37-35--37-36 point which Uterga won with one of his beautiful high and slow 2 walls...until Urriza leaped and answered it with one of his two wall rockets. It was a perfect snapshot of the two best fronts on the Oriamendi roster at the moment.
July 9
2nd Semi-Final
Ezkurra II-Endika (B-A) 40 Urriza-Etxeberria III (A-A) 25
Selected linescore (winners always listed first)
15-15; 23-20; 28-26; 40-26
Scoring (Oriamendi2010.com)
Ezkurra II +19 -2; Endika +14 (including 4 service aces) -3
Urriza +20 ; Etxeberria III +2 (1a) U-E together -7
Note: scoring adds to 40-27
E-E broke open a close match by scoring the last 12 points, led by 4 winners by each. It was a match between the defending and 2017 champions.
Match preview (Oriamendi2010.com)
Match article (Oriamendi2010.com)
July 8
1st Semi-final
Ansa II-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 40 Uterga-Ion 31
Note: the match article said the final score was 40-30 but the score was recorded as 40-31. What the actual score was is unknown.
Selected linescore (winners always listed first).
1-6; 10-10; 20-14; 30-23; 40-(30 or 31)
Partial scoring:
Ansa II +25 -4 Barrenetxea +9 (including 4 service aces) -?
Uterga +? -5 Ion +? -1*
*Inferred from the other scores
Match preview (Oriamendi2010)
Match article (Oriamendi2010)
========================
Remonte
Last but not least, the Oriamendi2010 Remonistas participated in two different San Fermin tournaments, the first the long established San Fermin Tournament (sponsored by Oriamendi2010) in Huarte (1) (2), the second the opening tournament in its "circuit" of tournaments to be held all over the Basque Country (as well as in Madrid), over the next few months. These are part of the Euskal Jai Fudazioa/Fundacione Remonte Euskal Jai, the other major organizer of Remonte.
1. Oriamendi2010 San Fermin
Complete results (note that the Tournament was part of a set of 3 match programs and is the upper right result of each
Oriamendi2010 Announcement 2
Tournament preview (Oriamendi2010)
July 11
FINAL
Note: letters refer to the Oriamendi Groups the players are in
Full match videos for both matches (EITB--Final is the first match on the video)
Ezkurra II-Endika (B-A) 40 Ansa II-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 38
Selected linescore (winners always listed first)
5-5; 29-20; 29-27; 33-31; 38-31; 38-37; 39-38; 40-38
Scoring: (EITB)
Ezkurra II +13 -8; Endika +11 -7
Ansa II; +13 -13; Barrenetxea IV +10 -3
Balls in play: 419; Ezkurra II 97 Endika 113 Ansa II 101; Barrenetxea IV 108
Time of the match: 63:21
Match preview (Oriamendi2010)
Match article (Oriamendi2010)
Match article (Dairio de Navarra)
Match article (Navarra.com)
This match crackled with tension and excitement, with the winners establishing two leads, and the losers then fighting back. The final 14 ball point, which featured excellent saves by Ansa II and Endika, before Endika ended the proceedings with a perfect cross court left wall shot, was a great way to end a great match. The winners defended the championship they won last year. For Endika, it was his 3rd consecutive championship.
3rd Place Match
Uterga-Ion (A-A) 40 Urriza-Etxeberria III (A-A) 38
Scoring (EITB)
Uterga +17 (including 7 two wall winners) -10; Ion +6 -4
Urriza +23 (7 tww) -8; Etxeberria III +1 -9
Balls in play: 531: Urriza 131 Etxeberria III 134; Uterga 127 Ion 140
Time of the match: 68:58
Etxeberrria III's final San Fermin match (he played in SF finals in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2017--winning the last two and losing by the minimum in 2015) did not end as he might have wished, but it was a long close struggle. It featured 7 two wall winners by both front men. One highlight was the 37-35--37-36 point which Uterga won with one of his beautiful high and slow 2 walls...until Urriza leaped and answered it with one of his two wall rockets. It was a perfect snapshot of the two best fronts on the Oriamendi roster at the moment.
July 9
2nd Semi-Final
Ezkurra II-Endika (B-A) 40 Urriza-Etxeberria III (A-A) 25
Selected linescore (winners always listed first)
15-15; 23-20; 28-26; 40-26
Scoring (Oriamendi2010.com)
Ezkurra II +19 -2; Endika +14 (including 4 service aces) -3
Urriza +20 ; Etxeberria III +2 (1a) U-E together -7
Note: scoring adds to 40-27
E-E broke open a close match by scoring the last 12 points, led by 4 winners by each. It was a match between the defending and 2017 champions.
Match preview (Oriamendi2010.com)
Match article (Oriamendi2010.com)
July 8
1st Semi-final
Ansa II-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 40 Uterga-Ion 31
Note: the match article said the final score was 40-30 but the score was recorded as 40-31. What the actual score was is unknown.
Selected linescore (winners always listed first).
1-6; 10-10; 20-14; 30-23; 40-(30 or 31)
Partial scoring:
Ansa II +25 -4 Barrenetxea +9 (including 4 service aces) -?
Uterga +? -5 Ion +? -1*
*Inferred from the other scores
Match preview (Oriamendi2010)
Match article (Oriamendi2010)
Young B front Ansa II made a big splash in his first SF tournament, putting up Urrizean numbers and helping his team overcome an early deficit to win going away. The match article noted that Ion gave Ansa II too many easy opportunities to captialize on.
+++++++++++
2. Euskal Jai Fudazioa/Fundacione Remonte Euskal Jai Circuito Internacional de Remonte 2019
July 12
San Fermin: Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona)
Urriza-Etxeberria III 2-0
Uterga-Ion 1-1
Ezkurra II-Agirrezabala 0-2
Uterga-Ion 20 Ezkurra II-Agirrezabala 12
Selected linescore (winners always listed first)
2-5; 13-6; 20-12
Urriza-Etxeberria III 20 Ezkurra II-Agirrezabala 18
Selected linescore (winners always listed first)
4-7; 12-7; 15-10; 18-11; 19-18; 20-18
Urriza-Etxeberria III 20 Uterga-Ion 18
Selected linescore (winners always listed first)
4-7; 9-12; 13-13; 15-18; 20-18
Match article for all 3 matches (Euskal Jai Fundazioa)
This first triangular on the short court helped Urriza and Etxeberria III quickly wash away the bad taste of their other San Fermin Tournament with a victory in this one. It wasn't easy. They had to hold on for dear life to win their first match and come back late to win their second. In fact the winning team in each match had to overcome an early deficit. 108 points were played in the three matches, the winners coming out on top 60-48. It is an intriguing and exciting short court format. We can only hope that the upcoming 8 Circuit Tournaments in the next two months will be as exciting as this one.
