Cesta Punta/Jai Alai--Wonderful Interactive English Glossary

This is a "newly discovered" rather than a new video, but the best and most exhaustive glossary of Jai Alai terms that I have seen. It is an absolute must for any new fan (and a great review for more experienced fans). 19 terms, from Ace to Save, from An Ancho to Rebote, are explained in plain English. This 19 minute video will pair the explanations with examples of all of them, many in slow motion. It's also great fun to for more experienced viewers to see the talent of individual players that they know well (including some from "back in the day.") A tremendous amount of work was put into this compilation by "Flusyndrome" Youtube. I'm only sorry I didn't find this earlier.

Oh, and by the way, this will also serve quite well for the other modalities, even though some of them either have different terminologies for them, or only some of them are possible. :) :)

English Jai Alai/Cesta Punta Glossary (Flusyndrome Youtube).

Main Nue---Cumulative Monthly Rankings of Esku Pilota Players--May 30-November 12, 2019

Main Nue cumulative ranking of Esku Pilota Players. Esku Pilota publishes a "classement" (ranking) of its roster approximately every month. Ranking is determined by a combination of the importance of a Tournament/Competition and where the player finished in the T/C. The best complete explanation I found was in the Esku Pilota archives.

Ranking explanation (August 9, 2017, the most recent one I could find). Basic points available for Tournament/Competition winner are at the top of the page. Breakdown of other allocated based on remaining finishers can be found below the actual rankings. The higher ranked T/Ps ( (Masters and Pro) are usually played by EP's "A" players. The other Tournaments are usually played by Ep's "B" players. Often there are overlaps between the players' categories and the Tournaments they are in. Below the classification you will see an early attempt (2017) to keep track of players' actual won-loss records by "A's" and "B's". It was complex and awkward. In its place, I have decided to post a cumulative set of rankings.  I have organized them by release dated so that you can see how a player is progressing over time. Unfortunately, EP does not, to my knowledge, keep an archive of old rankings at this time. I am beginning in May of 2019, as that is the fist set of rankings I discovered when I re-started the blog in January. What is presented is a ranking (1-24 at this time) of EP players for the latest time period. That is lined up against old rankings. The raw number is combined with the ordinal ranking number and will be presented in ascending order for the latest month. The latest month will be the key sort, so that the ordinal rankings will not be in order for the earlier months, but you will easily be able to see if a player is improving, declining, or "yo-yo-ing" over time. EP's "A" players will usually be at the top of the list because the events they play in are worth more ranking points. Players are identified by position (AV=Avant (front); AR=Arriere (back)). The players with the largest ranking improvements and declines will be identified each month.

Hopefully this will give you some sense of who stands where in the  EP constellation over time, without going through the complexities of a cumulative win-loss record table.

For the individual Tournaments that make up this ranking, consult the Main Nue section of the Blog. Tournament results will be available in reverse chronological order. Note that Le Garat Lundi (mostly) 50 point matches are accounted for on a separate page.

Latest Esku Pilota Rankings.

===============

Cumulative Monthly Rankings: May 30-November 12, 2019

Greatest + 5/30-6/30: Etcheverry #23-#10; Greatest - Monce #8-#13

Greatest + 6/30-7/29: Inchauspe #9-#7 and Elgart #18-#16; Greatest - Olcomendy #8-#10 and Etcheverry #10-#12

Greatest + 7/29-9/4: Bielle #14-#8; Greatest - Palomes #14-#18 

Greatest + 9/4-9/30: Harismendy #10-#5; Greatest - Inchauspe #9-#12, Olcomendy #13-#16 

Greatest + 9/30-11/12: Aguirre #20-#17; Greatest - Etchegaray #17-#21

2019

11/12.......9/30.....9/4.......7/29.....6/30.....5/30

B. DUCASSOU (AR)
15370(1)..14500(1)..13000(1)..10900(1)..8900(1)..7400(1)

M. OSPITAL (AV)
12100(2)..11000(3)...8000(3)...7000(3)..6000(3)..5000(2)
P. LARRALDE (AV)
11300(3)..11200(2)..10200(2)...9200(2)..6700(2)..4700(3)
B. BILBAO (AR)
6200(4)....5100(4)...4600(4)...4600(4)..2600(5)..2600(4)
A. WALTARY (AR)
5675(5)....4225(7)...4225(6)...4225(5)..3225(4)..2225(6)

T. HARISMENDY (AR)
5400(6)....4800(5)...2800(10)..2300(7)..2200(7)..1200(9)
X. LAMBERT (AR)
4950(7)....3700(8)...2700(11)..1700(11).1600(10)..900(13)
P. GUICHANDUT (AR)
4850(8)....4500(6)...4500(5)...3000(6)..2500(6)..2500(5)
P. BIELLE (AV)
4150(9)....3150(10)..3150(8)...1150(14).1050(14)..800(14)
B. CUBIAT (AR)
3500(10)...3400(9)...3400(7)...2200(9)..1600(10).1100(11)

V. ELGART (AV
3400(11)...2450(13)..2450(12)..950(16)...600(18)..600(17)
A. INCHAUSPE (AV)
3250(12)...2900(12)..2900(9)...2300(9)...1700(9).1700(7)
A. MONCE (AV)
3150(13)...3050(11)..1550(15)..1550(13)..1550(13).1300(8)
A. AMULET (AV)
2700(14)...2450(13)..1450(16)...850(17)...600(18).600(17)
M. OLCOMENDY (AV)
2400(15)...1850(16)..1850(13)..1850(10)...1850(8).1150(10)

M. ETCHEVERRY(AV)
2100(16)...2100(15)..1600(14)..1600(12)...1600(10)...0(23)
G. AGUIRRE (AV)
2000(17)...1350(20)..1350(20)...750(19)....750(17).750(16)
I. ITURBE (AR)
1650(18)...1400(18)..1400(18)...400(20)....400(20).400(19)
L. LAMBERT (AV)
1650(19)...1050(21)..1050(21)...800(18)....800(16).800(14)
M. PALOMES (AR)
1500(20)...1400(18)..1400(18)..1150(14)...1050(14).1050(12)

J. ETCHEGARAY (AV)
1425(21)...1425(17)..1425(17)...325(21)....325(21).325(20)
C. LUCU (AR)
550(22).....250(22)...250(22)...250(22)....250(22).250(21)
B. LARRALDE (AR)
200(23).......0(24).....0(24).....0(24)......0(24)
M. DARMENDRAIL (AV)
100(24).....100(23)...100(23)...100(23)....100(23).100(22)

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta: Anatomy of a Partido--Dania Fall Partido Challenge (November 15, 2019)

Dania Jai Alai's Fall season is 13 weeks long. It began on September 15 and will end on December 15. Quiniela format is the norm. It is a pari-mutuel form. Each 12 game performance consists of 8 doubles matches (16 players) and 4 singles matches (8). There are 7 performances a week, meaning that each week is a miniature 84 game "pennant race". For the purposes of increasing the challenge and interest of wagerers (as well as to keep the players interested), the doubles pairings are changed from game to game. "Post Positions" (the position the player comes into the game) are changed from game to game also. Players wear a different colored shirt depending on their position, and a uniform with two numbers. Their post position is on the front, their personal number (and player name) on the back. There are two "units" at Dania: early game (1-6) players and late game (7-12) players. To call the units "B" and "A" does not really do the categorization justice as

A. The earlies sometimes play late, and vice versa.

B. The entire roster plays the sport at a level that normal human beings cannot begin to comprehend. Sort of a "catch and throw" sport, but played with an implement that no person in their right mind could actually think could catch a pelota (ball--slightly smaller than a baseball, harder than a golf ball, propelled at average speeds of 95-105 mph off a granite front wall--the only surface that can withstand the pounding during play--, with some balls going a lot faster than that...and with spin). There are no left handed throwers in Jai Alai. So if a player is naturally left handed, (s)he has to learn to throw right handed.

That said, late players are generally considered Dania's highest level players.

Each Dania player has an average workload of 5 games a performance, 35 a week, around 450 per season. Players get Monday and Tuesday off, and then play 2 performances (double header--24 games) on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with single performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. 

How many points you play is determined by how well you play. The game starts with #1 serving to #2. The winner keeps playing, against #3; the loser goes to the end of the bench, etc. 7 points (1 point first round, 2 points each subsequent round) win most games. 2 games a performance are played to 9 points. 

Thirteen weeks of this are an incredible grind.

To spice up the competition, Dania scored all its players (fronts and backs) during October. The 8 fronts and backs with the highest number of Campeonato points (1st place=5 points; 2nd place=3 points; 3rd place=1 point--1st, 2nd, and 3rd are "in the money") qualified for the Dania Partido Challenge (#1F-#1B, 2F-2B, etc). The Tournament began on November 1 and will end on December 13. It is Game 11 each Friday night.

These games are called Partidos, and are the traditional matches in the Basque Country, both Iparralde (North) and Hegoalde (South). Partidos demand a different skill set, both physical and mental, and a different kind of fitness. They also allow the fans to see the players for an extended period of time. 

I love all BP modalities, but I was introduced to the "Castle" through the doorway of Quinela Jai Alai. From there I discovered the traditional form played in the Basque Country, and then all the other modalities. 

It is a beautiful sport to watch, featuring amazing athleticism and grace. What I'm going to do below may be considered by some to be almost a "blasphemy", because I am interested in deconstructing it, and "quantifying" it, like any good American sports fan would do. So what you will find below is a detailed deconstruction of the Quarter-Final Dania Fall Challenge Match played on November 15. First I will give an overview, then a "condensed" point by point account, and then something I have been toying with and would like to present: a detailed ball  by ball account of the match. I will track each point, ball by ball, so that you might get a flavor of what the match was like at its most basic unit. The scoring is my own. Yours might be different. 

I hope you find it entertaining. Note that in this rendering I am not giving floor locations of where the ball was caught and thrown. 

=======================================

3rd Quarter-Final, Dania Jai Alai Fall Partido Challenge. Matches to 15 points. 1 over serve is allowed. Any under serve is an immediate fault. Carom (left wall-front wall) serves are allowed. For those unfamiliar, the first name is the front court player, the second is the back). Players may call time out after any point. 

Barandika-Elgezabal (l-l) 15 Goitia-Amigorena (l-l) 10 (Youtube Full Match Video). (l-l means late players).

Condensed linescore (winners always listed 1st)

1-0; 1-4; 4-4; 4-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 7-8; 10-8; 10-9; 13-9; 13-10; 15-10

6 tie scores. 4 lead changes.

Scoring: += balls thrown that cannot be caught and returned); - =errors (dropped catches or throws that go out of play). 

Saves are excellent catches and throws of many types, for example: falling rebotes--rebound throws off the back wall where the player has to fall on his elbow to get under the pelota; rebotes from one knee; jumping catches, running over the shoulder catches, wicked short hops, catching a plelota while plastered to the back corner, "wall climbing" catches, etc. I do not exhaustively categorize them below. You know one when you see one. I also used the excellent announcing of the game as a helpful guide. 

Barandika +5 -4 (5 saves); Elgezabal +1 -2 (6 saves)

Goitia +4 -6 (6 saves); Amigorena +0 -3 (11 saves)

+ of the match: Elgezabal, with the score 13-10, saves with a falling rebote high 2 wall to win the point.

Total scoring for the match: +10 (.400) -15 (.600) (28 saves/193 balls in play) (.093).

Balls in play: 193: Barandika 60; Elgezabal 39; Goitia 43; Amigorena 51

Number of balls in play/Number of points:

0-4........8

5-9........9

10-14......5

15-19......1

20+........2

Longest point: 9-8--10-8; 23 balls in play

Individual save %: Barandika (.083); Elgezabal (.153); Goitia (.140); Amigorena (.261)

For the match: Winners and Saves: 38/193=.197; Errors: 15/193=.078

Total non-error %; .922

Time of the match: 33 minutes by the Dania clock. 32:20 by the video.

=======================================

Point by Point:

Key: B=Barandika; E=Elgelzabal; G=Goitia; A=Amigorena

Server; Number of balls in play; Score (winners always listed 1st); + or -; comments; time on the video of the beginning of the point

B-E won the coin toss and served 1st. 

B; 1; 1-0; G-; G intercepts serve and misses with a dejada (drop shot) too low; 0:00

B; 10; 1-1; B-; G throws cortada (low sidearm) and B drops catch; 0:52

G; 7; 1-2; G+; inside cortada: 2:02

G; 3; 1-3; G+; backhand outside chula (long shot that hits back wall very low); 3:07

G; 7; 1-4; B-; dropped catch; 3:56

G; 10; 2-4; A-; dropped catch; 5:08

B; 21; 3-4; B+; inside cortada; 6:18

B; 5; 4-4; G-; throws 2 wall off court; 8:35

B; 4; 4-5; E-; dropped catch; 9:45

G; 2; 5-5; A-; throws too low; 10:30

B; 5; 6-5; B+; B makes great rebote save, follows with save on the "apron" and throws cortada. 11:18

B; 2; 6-6; B-; dropped catch 12:14. Time out.

G; 12; 7-6; B+; long "big bounce" that A cannot get to; 14:41

B; 8; 7-7; E-; dropped catch; 16:07

G; 11; 7-8; G+; inside cortada; 17:10

G; 8; 8-8; B+; rebote outside pass; 18:37

B; 3; 9-8; B+; 2 wall (left-front) after a short hop save; 19:56

B; 23; 10-8 A-; dropped catch after A had 3 magnificent saves during point; 20:47. Time out.

B; 2; 10-9; B-;  runs down a two wall on apron at 2 line, drops catch; 25:08

G; 10; 11-9; G-; chases a dejada from B, reaches it on the run, drops catch; 26:00

B; 7; 12-9; G-; dropped catch an an attempted great save that he might have been better off letting alone; 27:16

B; 15; 13-9; G-; dropped short hop that he might have left alone; 28:12

B; 2; 13-10; G+; intercepts serve and puts away a nice dejada; 29:56

G; 8; 14-10; E+ PLAY OF THE MATCH: GETS TO A DEEP FALLING REBOTE AND SENDS BEAUTIFUL HIGH 2 WALL (LEFT-FRONT) THAT HITS IN BOUNDS AND TAKES A HIGH BOUNCE. 30:40

B; 7; 15-10; G- dropped catch; 31:50

=======================================

Ball by ball:

Key: Same name key as above. number of point; score; ball in play number during the point; 1=serve; n=winner; n=error; n=save

          B.....................E.....................G.....................A 

Pt 1:  0-1      1                                              2-

Pt 2: 1-1       1,3,5,9,11-       7                      4,8,10               2,6

Pt 3: 1-2                               2,4,6                 1,3,7+              5

Pt 4: 1-3                               2                       1,3+

Pt 5: 1-4       8-                     2,4,6                 1,5,7                3

Pt 6: 2-4       10                    2,4,6,8              1,5,7,9             3,11-

Pt 7: 3-4       1,3,5,7,11,13   9,17                  8,16                 2,4,6,10,12,              

                    15,19,21+                                                         14,18,20

Pt 8: 4-4       1                       3,5                    6-                   2,4 

Pt 9: 4-5       1                       3,5-                   2                    4

Pt 10 5-5                               2                       1                     3-

Pt 11 6-5      1,3,5,5+                                     4                     2

Pt 12 6-6      1,3-                                                                   2

Pt 13 7-6      6,8,10,12+        2,4                    1,3                  5,7,9,11

Pt 14 7-7      1,3,5,7              9-                      6,8                  2,4

Pt 15 7-8      6,8                    2,4,10               1,9,11+           3,5,7

Pt 16 8-8      8+                    2,4,6                 1,3                   5,7

Pt 17 9-8      1,3,3+                                                               2

Pt 18 10-8    1,7,11,13,17,   3,5,9,15,19        6,12,14*,20     2,4,8,10,16,

                     21,23                                                                18,22,24-

Pt 19 10-9    1,3-                                            2

Pt 20 11-9    6,8,10               2,4                    1,3,5,11-          7,9

Pt 21 12-9    1,5,7                 3                       8-                     2,4,6

Pt 22 13-9    1,3,7,9,13         5,11,15             4,10,16-           2,6,8,12,14
Pt 23 13-10  1                                                2+
Pt 24 14-10  2,4,6                 8, 8+**            1,5,7                 3
Pt 25 15-10  1,5,7                 3                       8-                     2,4,6

* A crucial point in the match, in my opinion. Barandika made a great rebote save on the 13th ball, but was slightly out of position. Goitia had time to figure out what he wanted to do, but instead of going for the cortada to finish things, he threw one that Elgezabal easily took to keep the point going. 10-8 instead of a possible 9-9.

** Point of the match. Elgezabal made an excellent falling rebote save deep. He returned a 2 wall high on the left wall that came down in bounds and took a high bounce for a winner. Turned 13-11 into 14-10.

=============================

This, of course, wasn't the most artistic or technically well played game you will see. There were a few too many errors for that. But it was a hard fought and exciting 32 minutes of action. You will see some great defensive play by all 4 players. The 7th and 18th points were great to watch. And the 24th point, with 5 saves and one of the best winners I have seen, was as good a point as you will see, anywhere, any time. 

Main Nue--Tournoi de Macaye (November 9, 11, 2019)

Tournoi de Macaye (1) (2) (Esku Pilota Open) (November 9, 11, 2019)

Esku Pilota roster

Previous Tournaments:

2018 Final: Bielle-Cubiat 40 Elgart-Sanchez 32 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

2017: Elgart-Amulet 40 Bielle-Cubiat 26 (no match video found)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

2016: Monce-Bilbao 40 Inchauspe-Lazcano 25 (BLOG POST--entire tournament coverage with full match video of final

This was a 4 team knockout tournament.

*=not on Esku Pilota roster at present

#=Esku Pilota Player Ranking (as of September 30). Out of 24.

Macaye was the 3rd and final "drop-in" trinquet tournament of the season. The others were Trophee Atharri (Itxassou) and Tournoid de Bidart. All three of them are very interesting to watch in terms of the differing strategy and tactics required on a 3 wall mur a gauche, as opposed to a 4 wall trinquet.

November 11

FINAL

(#18)Elgart-Sanchez* 40 (#20)Olcomendy-(#5)Harismendy 39 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Pilota Ttiki) (winners always listed 1st)

0-7; 33-33; 39-37; 39-39; 

The final closed the closest overall tournament of the year, with 3 matches decided by 6 total points, two of them by the minimum.

Match article (Esku Pilota) (includes video of the last 5 points)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

November 9

Semi-Finals

(#18)Elgart-Sanchez* 40 (#12)Inchauspe-(#24) B. Larralde 36 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Pilota Ttiki) (winners always listed 1st)

23-23; 24-25; 40-36

(#20)Olcomendy-(#5)Harismendy 40  (#10)Bielle-(#9)Cubiat 39

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Pilota Ttiki) (winers always listed 1st)

20-20; 33-21; 38-28; 38-38; 39-38; 39-39; 40-39 ( final point took over 3 minutes).

Final point (84 balls in play!)

Match articles for both matches (Esku Pilota)

Match articles for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)

Main Nue: 2019 Le Garat Lundi (Donibane Garazi/Saint-John-Pied-de Port) FINAL TABLE

Trinquet Garat, Donibane Garazi  (Saint-John-Pied-de-Port) 50 point matches.

A Mains Nues: Youtube video (8:16) that gives a flavor for the cultural meaning of these matches within the context of a Monday in Donibane Garazi. (Rene Wiedmer). (En Francais).

Goizeko-Izarra is the organization that sponsors traditional 50 point Main Nue matches on Mondays (Le Garat Lundi). This year there were thirty-two 50 point matches and nine 40 point matches (explanation for why 40 point instead of 50 point matches is with the table below. The matches consisted of Esku Pilota Elite Professionals and highly ranked amateurs. These are grueling matches that are the longest by points of any modality I know of. They can take up to 2 hours to play, and are played at a beautiful 82 year old facility. They severely test the stamina as well as skill and athleticism of the players. These matches are added to the professionals regular schedules. They are very interesting to watch. Match information can be found at Lundi site. Information is not archived. Only the latest match information is available, and is replaced every week by information about a new match. It is for that reason that I have tried to keep a record of these matches, including a table of the 17 avants (fronts) and 20 arrieres (backs) that played this year. Two tournaments are held. The Challenge de Cize and the Coupe des Chasseurs (Hunters Cup)-Trophee Denis Harriet Those results have been incorporated into the table. To follow the season match by match, consult the Recurring 50 Point Match Results page on the left side of the blog.

Esku Pilota Roster

*=Not on the Esku Pilota Roster at present.

2019 FINAL

Key: Player; Player position (av-avant-Front, ar-arrière-Back); match wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak, Tournaments won. Table will be ordered by match winning percentage. 1st tie breaker will be number of wins. 2nd tie-breaker will be point differential. 3rd tie breaker will be point differential percentage. Through 32 fifty point matches and 9 forty point matches.

C-Challenge de Cize;  CdC-Coupe des Chasseurs-Trophee Denis Hariet

Aguirre (av)........9-2...488-398...+6(c)(d).1(CdC)
Niang* (av).........4-1...235-181...-1(c)
Olcomendy(av)...... 9-3...557-461...+1(a)....1(C)
Inchauspe (av)......5-2...318-224...-1(c)
Mainhaguiet* (av)...2-1...123-91....-1(c)
Elgart (av).........4-4...303-328...-1(c)
Anchordoquy* (av)...1-1....71-76....-1(c)
Etchegaray (av).....1-1....88-95....+1
Maiz* (av)..........1-1....65-74....-1(a)
Monce (av)..........2-6...329-362...-3(b)

Etcheverry (av).....1-3...126-174...+1(b)
Bielle (av).........1-4...153-239...-2(c)
L. Lambert (av).....1-5...208-271...-3(c)(d)
Lascor* (av)........0-1....24-40....-1(c)
Cigarroa* (av)......0-1....23-40....-1(c)
Heguy* (av).........0-2....69-90....-2(c)
Alcasena* (av)......0-3....92-140...-3(c)

Ducassou (ar).......1-0....40-24....+1(b)

Harismendy (ar).....4-1...234-175...+1

Sanchez* (ar).......4-2...256-216...+4(a)(c).1(CdC)
Guichandut (ar).....2-1...145-126...-1

Etchegaray (ar).....2-1...121-118...-1

Cubiat (ar).........7-6...553-566...+1(b)(c)
Lucu (ar)...........3-3...232-227...-2(c)(d)
Garat* (ar).........3-3...244-239...-1(c)
Amulet (ar).........2-2...163-151...+1(c)(d)
Harocarene* (ar)....1-1....76-81....-1(c)
P. de Ezcurra* (ar).1-1....71-76....-1(c)
Hualde* (ar)........1-1....57-75....-1(c)
X. Lambert(ar)......5-6...486-358...-2....1(C)
Iturbe (ar).........4-5...346-362...-1(c)
Palomes (ar)........1-2....94-124...+1(a)

Bereterbide* (ar)...0-1....26-40....-1(c)
Luro* (ar)..........0-1....25-40....-1(c)
Larre* (ar).........0-1....20-40....-1(c)
Iphar* (ar).........0-1....25-50....-1
B. Larralde (ar)....0-2....51-80....-2

(a)=The match on July 22, 2019 was played to only 40 points due to excessive heat (34 degrees--93.2 F) in the Trinquet.  Maiz-Palomes 40 Olcomendy-Sanchez 24

(b)=The match on August 19, 2019 was played to only 40 points. Etcheverry (substituting for Monce)-Ducassou 40 Monce (substituting for P. Larralde)-Cubiat 24.

(c) First round 26eme Coupe de Chasseurs Tournois--Trophee Denis Hariet--all are 40 point matches.
(d) The match on November 11 was played to only 40 points. It was part of a two match program, along with the Ligue du Pays Basque 2eme series final, also a 40 point. match. Aguirre-Amulet 40 L. Lambert-Lucu 23.

Main Nue--26eme Coupe des Chasseurs (Hunter's Cup)-Trophee Denis Harriet (September 2-October 28, 2019

26eme Coupe des Chasseurs (Hunter's Cup)--Trophee Denis Harriet (September 2-October 28, 2019). This was a single elimination knock out Tournament featuring 13 pairs. It was similar (but not, for the most part, professionalized) to the "Promesis" Mano Tournaments in the South in that it was made up of mostly young "up and coming" talent.  9 players are presently on the Esku Pilota roster. The first round (September 2, 9, 16--6 total matches, were 40 point matches. All other matches were 50 point matches. Note: Maiz*-Iphar* were seeded in at the semi-final stage.

Previous winners: 2012-2018

2012 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra)
Aguirre-Saldubehere 50 P. Larralde-Maita 46

2013 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra)
Aguirre-Saldubehere 50 Olcomendy-Jeannots 44

2014 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra):
Tellier-Lazcano 50 Olcomendy-Heguiabehere 42 

2015 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra via Archive.org):
Ospital-Palomes 50 Darmendrail-Amulet 16

2016 (complete BLOG POST for entire tournament, including full match video of Final:
Elgart-Lucu 50 Agirre-Lafitte 35

2017 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra)
Monce-Benesse 50 Inchauspe-Cubiat 39

2018 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra)
Etcheverry-B. Larralde 50 Monce-Lafitte 38

*=Not on the Esku Pelota roster at this time

As always, with a Tournament of this duration, read from the bottom up to follow chronologically

Complete Tournament recap, including scoring and photos from the Final (Goizeko-Izarra)

For the two teams in the Final, we have three matches with full scoring data (courtesy of the wonderful work of Henry Ocafrain)

Xare=a pelota that goes into the side dugout screen or (I think) back dugout on the fly

Pumpa Xare=the same, except on a bounce. It is unknown if the below scoring counts back dugout direct points in these categories.

Gregory Aguirre: 

+22 (including 16 service aces and 3 direct points--2 Xares and 1 Pumpa Xare) -3

+19 (11a, 3dp--3X) -4

+19 (11a, 4dp--2X, 2PX) -8 (including 1 service fault)

+60 (38a, 10dp--7X, 3PX) -15 (1f)

Louiz Sanchez
+11 (7dp--3X, 4PX) -8
+15 (5dp--5PX) -6
+14 (6dp--1X, 5PX) -11

+40 (18dp--4X, 14PX!) -25

Malik Niang
+23 (12a, 7dp--6X, 1PX) -4
+18 (11a, 1dp--1X) -3
+21 (10a, 3dp--2X, 1PX) -7

+62 (33a, 11dp--9X, 2PX) -14

Cedric Lucu
+16 (5dp--4X, 1PX) -8
+10 (1dp--1X) -9
+5 (2dp--2X) -10

+31 (8dp--7X, 1PX) -27

October 28

FINAL

Aguirre-Sanchez* (4-0; +64) 50 Niang*-Lucu (3-1; +48) 45 (Info Garaazi Officiel Youtube)

Pilota Ttiki condensed full match video

Selected linescore (Pilota Ttiki,  Esku Pilota, and Goizeko-Izarra--Henry Ocafrain) (winners always listed 1st)

2-2; 3-7; 8-12;14-25; 15-25; 22-28; 28-32; 33-33; 36-34; 42-38; 47-43; 50-45

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain)

Note: Direct points (points scored via the pelota hitting the screen protecting the side dugout before the opposition can hit it--Xare (pelota goes into the screen on the fly) and Pumpa Xare (same except on the bounce). It is unknown whether pelotas that go into the back dugout are included in these counts.

Aguirre +19 (inluding 11 service aces and 4 direct points--2 Xare, 2 Pumpa Xare) -8 (including 1 service fault); Sanchez +14 (6dp--1X 5PX) -11

Niang +21 (10a, 3dp--2X, 1PX) -7; Lucu +5 (2dp--2X) -10

Time of the Match: 1:35:06
Playing Time: 41:01

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

Match article (Esku Pilota)

Brief Goizeko-Izarra article:

Magnifique finale qui sans conteste opposait les quatre meilleurs Pilotari de l’édition 2019 de la Coupe des Chasseurs.

Niang et Lucu ont mis la pression d’entrée mais Aguirre et Sanchez ont dominé la deuxième moitié de la partie.

Beaucoup d’ambiance dans les tribunes bien garnies du Garat.

Un bien bel après-midi!

Loose Google translation.

Magnificent final that unquestionably opposed the four best Pilotari of the 2019 edition of the Hunters Cup.

Niang and Lucu put the pressure of entry but Aguirre and Sanchez dominated the second half of the game.

A lot of atmosphere in the well-filled stands of the Garat.

A nice afternoon!

This was Aguirre's 5th consecutive Garat win, overall.

A-S were far behind early but fought back patiently and tenaciously, eventually dominating the match 35-10 in the last 3 1/2 decades, to win the Coup des Chasseurs championship. It was a match of power and relatively short points, many of which were breathtaking in spotlighting the strength, quickness, and grace of the contestants. Things that stood out to one fan: 

Gregory Aguirre's high, booming serves that netted a good number of points, and the way he "changed up" on his serve, mixing the high boomers with hard low left and right side serves. This feature of his game kept N-L off balance.

Louiz Sanchez' mobility. He seemed to be everywhere, and didn't eschew charging forward and playing offense when opportunities arose. His 6 direct points led all scorers.

The patience with which A-S achieved their task, not in the length of individual points, but in the body language that never showed panic (even though Sanchez was quite vocal and there was occasional miscommunication between the winners) and indicated quiet confidence.

Malik Niang's power. The power of his "line drive" serves and shots is reminiscent of a young Iker Irribarria (ASPE Mano player). At 20 years old, he has tremendous strength and unlimited potential. He is energetic and enthusiastic. As he adds experience to his game, he is going to get a lot better, in my opinion. Even with all the strength and power, he showed a quick and effective right side dejada that is not often seen in this modality (4 of his 21 points came from it--they were the only dejadas in the match). 

All in all, the match consumed 95 points in a little over an hour and a half. It was as entertaining a match as you will see. It was, of course, far from technically perfect, as the 30 errors committed attest to. But it was, quite simply, very much fun to watch. 

October 21

2nd Semi-final

Niang*-Lucu (3-0; +53) 50

Mainhaguiet*-Iturbe (2-1; +32) 33 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Goizeko-Izarra (Henry Ocafrain)

2-2; 7-3; 11-9; 12-12; 14-14; 15-15; 17-17; 21-19; 22-20; (Iturbe injures elbow) 23-20; 29-21; 30-22; 34-26; 38-30; 39-31; 47-33; 50-33

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain): 

Niang +18 (including 11 service aces and 1 direct point--1 Xare) -3; Lucu +10 (1dp--1X) -9
Mainhaguiet +13 (6a; 1dp--1X) -10; Iturbe +8(5dp--2X, 3PX) -12

Time of the Match: 1:21:37
Playing time: 34:08

Match article (Esku Pilota)

A very tight match until 23-20 changed its complexion after Iturbe injured his elbow crashing into the right wall. N-L immediately went on a 6-1 run to open a lead that was then gradually increased to its largest margin at the end of the match. Niang has a dominant match with a net +15.

Niang*-Lucu advance to the Final.

Brief Goizeko-Izarra article:

Belle demi-finale avec un Public nombreux.

Niang et Lucu se sont difficilement mais irrémédiablement détachés en fin de partie.

Mainhaguiet et Iturbe se sont inclinés après nous avoir offert de très beaux points!

Il nous tarde la finale lundi prochain 28 octobre,... attention, à 16h, heure d’hiver oblige!

Loose Google translation.

Beautiful semifinal with a large audience.

Niang and Lucu have difficulty but irremediably detached at the end of the game.

Mainhaguiet and Iturbe bowed after giving us very nice points!

We are waiting for the finale next Monday, October 28th, ... beware, at 4 pm, winter time requires!

October 14

1st Semi-final

Aguirre-Sanchez* (3-0; +59) 50

Maiz*-Iphar* (seeded in at the Semi-final level) 25 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Goizeko Izarra--Henry Ocafrain) (winners always listed 1st)

0-5; 3-7; 7-11; 9-11; 12-18; 12-19; 20-20; 27-23; 43-23; 46-24; 50-25

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain) 

Aguirre +19(including 11 service aces and 3 direct points--3 Xare) -4; Sanchez +15(5dp--5 Pumpa Xare) -6

Maiz +13(7a; 3dp--2X, 1PX) -5; Iphar +2(1dp--1X) -11

Time of the Match: 1:16:49

Playing Time: 32:52

Match article (Esku Pilota)

After M-I got off to a great start, A-S used 7 and 16 point runs to outscore their opponents 38-6 and win easily. The match article praised young Andoni Iphar and said he was "un jeune a surveiller" ("a youngster to watch"), although his statistics didn't show it.

Aguirre-Sanchez* advance to the Final.

Brief Goizeko-Izarra article:

Belle partie de pelote cet après-midi.

Aguirre et Sanchez, impressionnants dans la 2ème moitié de la confrontation.

Maiz et Iphar n’ont pas démérité mais ont cédé!.

De beaux points. Public nombreux au rendez-vous.

Loose Google Translation

Nice game of pelota this afternoon.

Aguirre and Sanchez, impressive in the second half of the confrontation.

Maiz and Iphar did not play badly but gave way!

Beautiful points. A large crowd attended the match.

October 7

Round 2

Aguirre-Sanchez* (2-0; +34) 50

L.Lambert-Harocarene* (1-1; -5) 36 (Info Garazi Officiel Youtube--Note: there are some technical issues early in the video, but they are resolved)

Selected linescore (Goizeko Izarra--Henry Ocafrain, and Esku Pilota) (winners always listed 1st)

3-3; 4-4; 5-5; 6-6; 8-8; 9-11; 15-15; 16-16; 17-17; 18-22; 24-24; 26-24; 34-26; 34-27; 45-27; 48-32; 48-36 50-36

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain): Note: Direct points (points scored via the pelota hitting the screen protecting the dugout before the opposition can hit it--Xare (pelota goes into the screen on the fly) and Pumpa Xare (same except on the bounce). It is unknown whether pelotas that go into the back dugout are included in these counts.

Aguirre +22 (including 16 service aces and 3 direct points--2X, 1PX) -3; Sanchez +11 (7dp--3X, 4PX) -8

L. Lambert +20 (13a, 2dp--1X, 1PX); -5; Harocarene +5 (2dp--2X) -12

Time of the Match: 1:19:18

Playing Time: 31:38

Match article (Esku Pilota)

Aguirre-Sanchez* advance to the Semi-finals.

Brief Goizeko-Izarra article:

Belle partie de pelote cet après-midi.

Aguirre et Sanchez, après une pluie d’égalités ont fini par dominer leurs excellents adversaires.

L. Lambert et Harocarene se sont bien défendus!.

De beaux points. Le Public ravi était au rendez-vous.

Loose Google translation:

Nice game of pelota this afternoon.

Aguirre and Sanchez, after a rain of equalities ended up dominating their excellent opponents.

L. Lambert and Harocarene defended themselves well!

Beautiful points. The delighted public was at the rendezvous.

The first half was a tremendous battle, featuring 9 equal scores. At the halfway point A-S had a 2 point lead. But they broke the game open with a 21-3 burst, including an 11 point run. Both fronts had excellent matches, accounting for 29 points on aces and 5 on direct points. The backs' differential was the difference as Sanchez sparkled with 7 direct points, while Harocarene was the only player with negative figures. For the match the total figures added to +58 -28.

September 30

2nd Round

Mainhaguiet*-Iturbe (2-0; +49) 50

Elgart-Hualde* (1-1; -18) 17 (Info Garazi Youtube full match video)

Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Goizeko Izarra--Henry Ocafrain) (winners always listed 1st)

4-6; 6-6; 9-9; 10-10; 11-11; 15-13; 24-13; 24-15; 45-15; 50-17

Scoring: Henry Ocafrain 

Mainhaguiet +26(including 13 service aces and 3 direct points--1 Xare and 2 Pumpa Xares) -3; Iturbe +3(1dp--1X) -4

Elgart +5(3a) -9; Hualde +5(2dp--2PX) -12

Mainhaguiet*-Iturbe move on to the Semi-finals

Match article (Esku Pilota)

Brief Goizeko Izarra summary

Mainhaguet et Iturbe puissants, adroits et dominateurs. 

Elgart et Hualde ont subi!

Loose Google Translation

Mainhaguet and Iturbe powerful, dexterous and domineering. Elgart and Hualde have suffered!

At 15-13, Elgart faulted. It all went "pear shaped" as M-I went on a 35-4 run to move on to the Semi-finals. Mainhaguet had a dominating performance with a net +23 and 13 aces. M-I have run up a 49 point differential in their first 2 matches.

September 23

2nd Round

Niang*-Lucu (2-0; +36) 50 Anchordoqui*-de Ezurra* (1-1; -4) 31

Selected linescore (Goizeko Izarra--Henry Ocafrain) (winners always listed first

2-2; 3-3; 7-3; 7-7; 8-8; 12-8; 17-13; 19-18; 22-18; 25-22; 28-22; 33-25; 38-25; 43-27; 49-31; 50-31

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain)

Niang +23(including 12 service aces and 7 dp-- (6X, 1PX) -4;

Lucu +16(5dp--4X, 1PX) -8

Anchordoqui +13(6a 2dp--2X) -3;

de Ezcurra +6(4dp--1X, 3PX) -8

Niang*-Lucu move on to the Semi-Finals

Match Article (Esku Pilota)

Goizeko Izzara brief summary

Belle partie, engagement total des quatre Pilotari.

Pans coupés et filets à la pelle!.

NiangI et Lucu méritent leur victoire. Anchordoqui et P. de Ezcurra ont opposé une belle résistance.

Beau Public ravi!

Loose Google translation

Nice match, total commitment of the four Pilotari.

Cut edges and fillets (xare and pumpa xare) with shovel!

NiangI and Lucu deserve their victory. Anchordoqui and P. de Ezcurra resisted well.

Nice crowd delighted! 

N-L both dominated their opponents, running up +10 point advantages each. Errors were pretty evenly distributed. At each decade mark through 3 decades, they held a 4 point lead. In the 4th decade they stretched the lead to 6, in the 5th to 10. In the 6th they blew the match open, increasing their lead to 16. They increased it to 18 in the 7th. What had been a reasonably competitive match throughout the 1st half turned into an easy win.  

September 16

1st Round

Aguirre-Sanchez* 40 Bielle-Larre* 20 (Info Garazi Youtube full match video)

Goizeko-Izzara brief summary

Aguirre et Sanchez en conquérants.

Malgré leur belle défense, Bielle et Larre ont cédé.

Score sévère dû aux buts ravageurs de Aguirre.

Loose Google Tranlation

Aguirre and Sanchez as conquerors.

Despite their good defense, Bielle and Larre gave in.

Severe score due to the aggressive goals of Aguirre.

L. Lambert-Harocarene* 40 Heguy*-Cubiat 31

Goizeko Izarra brief summary.

Une découverte : Arnaud Harocanere!. Belle équipe avec Laurent Lambert efficace et tonique.

Heguy pas dans sa meilleure forme et Çubiat décontenancé par la résistance de son adversaire ont laissé filer le score malgré un très belle fin de partie.

Des beaux points!

Loose Google Translation

A discovery: Arnaud Harocanere! Nice team with Laurent Lambert efficient and tonic.

Heguy not in his best form and Çubiat disconcerted by the resistance of his opponent let slip the score despite a very nice end game.

Beautiful points!

September 9

1st Round

Elgart-Hualde* 40 Inchauspe-Luro* 25 (Info Garazi Youtube condensed full match video) Note: there is no visible scoreboard in this video. You will have to keep score yourself. 

Goizeko-Izarra brief summary:

Elgart et Hualde (sic) ont dominé leurs adversaires de bien belle façon.

Trop de pression pour Inchauspe et A. Luro qui se sont bien défendus.

Inchauspe retrouve sa main droite, pour celle de gauche, tout va bien. Merci pour les buts sur le pan coupé!

Partie agréable pour une belle assistance.

Google Translate:

Elgart and Hualde (sic) dominated their opponents very well.

Too much pressure for Inchauspe and A. Luro who defended themselves well.

Inchauspe finds his right hand, for the left one, everything is fine. Thanks for the goals on the cutaway!

Nice match for a nice audience

Mainhaguiet*-Iturbe 40 Lascor*-Amulet 24 (Info Garazi Youtube condensed full match video)

Goizeko-Izarra brief summary:

Mainhaguiet et Iturbe magnifiques ont malmené la paire Lascor et Amulet.

De beaux points!

Google Translate:

Mainhaguiet and Iturbe magnificent (as they) manhandled Lascor and Amulet.

Beautiful points!

September 2

1st Round

Niang*-Lucu 40 Cigarroa*-Garat* 23 (Info Garazi Officiel Youtube condensed match video)

Anchordoquy*-P. de Ezcurra* 40 Alcasena*-Bereterbide* 26 (Info Garazi Officiel Youtube condensed match video)

For more information on Le Garat Lundi traditional 50 point matches, including match coverage and a players' win-loss table, wee the recurring 50 point match page on the right side of the blog