Main Nue--Tournois des Fetes Espellete--An Opportunity, Perhaps, to See the Future

Tournois des fetes Espellete (Doxpi Trinquet) (1) (2)

This tournament, a simple 4 team knockout, was contested on August 3 and 6, 2019. An interesting feature was that of its 8 contestants, only 2 were on the Esku Pilota roster. So we got a chance to see some new developing talent. 2 (Sanchez and Maiz) are from South of the Pyrenees.

Note: links below are to full match videos of other matches 

Eniko Maiz (avant-front) (Maiz v de Ezkurra--Le Garat, June 24, 2019) 

Louiz Sanchez (arriere-back)

Vincent Bideondo (av-fr) (Bideondo v Alcasena, Souraide, February 25, 2019)

Xabi Alcasena (av-fr)
Malik Niang (av-fr)  (Niang-Garat v Agirre-de Ezkurra--Hasparren, Aug. 8, 2019)

Bixente Garat (ar-bk)

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August 6

FINAL

Maiz*-Sanchez* 40 Alcasena*-Palomes 16 (There is no match video available for this match)

Match article (Esku Pilota)

Maiz-Sanchez outscored their 2 opponents 80-32, to win the tournament easily. 

August 3

Semi-finals

Alcasena*-Palomes 40 (blue) Niang-Garat 39  (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

30-25; 33-33; 37-34; 37-39; 40-39

At 37-39, Niang, who had brought his team back from 37-34, made an error and Alcasena followed with two service aces for the win. The best and only competitive match in the Tournament. 

37-39--40-39 (video)

Maiz-Sanchez 40 (blue) Bideondo-Iturbe 16

Match article for both matches (Esku Pilota)

Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)

Links to all Esku Pilota articles related to this tournament