This is a current awareness blog that links to the latest sources of information on Basque Pelota matches and Tournaments. It covers all of both North and South Basque modalities: Pro and amateur. It links to match stories, statistics and video highlights and/or full match videos. NEW!!! JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) SEASON INTRO AND JAI ALAI WOMEN'S WINTER TOUR 2024 (2/22/24)!!!

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--2018-2019--Semi Final League--Round 1

Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas, the premier doubles competition of the 2018-2019 Mano season, began November 23, 2018. 8 teams will compete for the title. The first (league) phase is a double round robin (14 matches). The top 4 finishers will face off in a single round robin (3 matches). The two winners will play in a final on April 7, 2019.

Source for all match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, is 21iguales.com.  21iguales.com will also keep an ongoing phase table at its main Parejas site.

This table is the most up to date of any I've found.

Match linescores will be provided from match articles when available. Full match linescores can be found at 21iguales.com Twitter feed.  Track back to the date and match and follow from beginning to end. The feed is also available at the Main site of 21iguales.com while the matches are in progress.
Source for all highlights and full match videos, unless otherwise specifically stated, is EITB.

At present, EITB is providing all highlights, in chronological order:

We begin at Week 7 as that was when the 2019 calendar year began. Coverage of the first six weeks is available at 21Iguales.com, and the Baiko Pilota  (formerly Asegarce) and ASPE websites. Full match video coverage of all available matches can be found at EITB.

For all available full match videos

"buscar" (search--top right side of page): "binakako" (without the quotes). Look for "2019 Binakako Txapelketa." Matches are usually the second or first match on the video.

Full match videos of earlier finals going back to 2000:

 "buscar" "Binakako Txapelketako finalak" (without the quotes)

Selected full match videos before 2000:

"buscar" "Gure bideoteka" (without the quotes) and scroll until you find them.

For complete print and video coverage of the 2016-17 competition 

Links to all matches available (by week).

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Week 7Week 8Week 9Week 10Week 11Week 12Week 13; Week 14; Semi-final Round 1; Semi-final Round 2; Semi-final Round 3;

Final

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Semi-Final League Round 1


Injury report:


March 10, 2019

Astelena, Eibar (1) (2) (3)

Altuna III-Martija (#4) (0-1 -6) 16 (EITB--match begins at 54:53)

Highlights (EITB)

Linescore (EITB and 21iguales Twitter) (winners always listed first)

2-0; 2-2; 5-25-4; 8-48-7; 10-710-9; 14-914-11; 20-11; 20-12; 21-12; 21-16; 22-16

Scoring (EITB)

Irribarria +8 -1 Zabaleta +2 -3
Altuna III +11 -7 Martija +1 -5

Balls in play: 515; Irribarria 124; Zabaleta 136; Altuna III 125; Martija 130

Time of match: 67:17


Match articles (aspepelota.eus) links to articles from El Correo, Deia, Gara, Diario Vasco, and Mundo Deportivo (Note: some of these may be subscription based)

Match articles (baikopilota.eus) also links to several newspaper articles. It's organization is a bit easier to follow than aspepelota's. Included are Diario de Navarra, Navarra.com, and Radio Haro (SER).

Altuna III-Martija rode a wave of momentum (created by a 5 match winning streak) into the Semi-Final league. The first of those wins was against Irribaria-Zabaleta on January 27, 2019 (22-20). One of the other wins was a crushing victory over League phase winners Elezkano II-Rezusta on February 9 (22-8). On February 17 they won a crucial match over Artola-Mariezkurrena II to save their season (22-15). So when they came into historic Astelena to face I-Z in the first Semi-final round, they were brimming with confidence. 

The 5 match winning streak came crashing down as they were dominated by I-Z in this match. Domination takes many forms. The 22-16 final score seems to indicate a fairly close match. But look closely at the linescore above. 5 times A-M fought back from deficits (2-0; 5-2; 8-4; 10-7; and 14-9) to close the gap, but they could never (except from 2-0) even equalize the score, much less take the lead. Each time, I-Z cut them off and re-established a small lead. After A-M fought back from 14-9 to 14-11,  I-Z met the challenge with a crushing 6-0 run. At 21-12 A-M tried to mount one last challenge, scoring 4 consecutive points and raising the excitement level among the fans. However, at this point, Zabaleta made the defensive play of the match, and perhaps the season, charging in and saving a sure Altuna III winner. Altuna III retrieved and tried for another winner--but was too low with the shot. He was furious with himself and frustrated with the outcome. Even though it was in short increments, I-Z clearly showed their superiority on this day. Irribarria played a very steady match, and his +8 -1 anchored his team's offense. Zabaleta is an excellent defender who has tremendous range on the court. No left wall winner is "safe" with him charging in. As far as A-M are concerned, Altuna III had his share of great winners and excellent saves, but he also made 7 errors and that, combined with Martija's 5, gave I-Z more than half their points. I-Z need no help to win matches. When they get that kind of help, the other team has no chance. 

Next week at Pamplona I-Z will face the other winner from this weekend, League phase winners Elezkano II-Rezusta. The winner will book a place in the final. The loser will have to win the following week. On the opening day of this competition back on November 25, 2018, I-Z got off to a great start by defeating E-R 22-15. At the beginning of the second half, on January 13, E-R returned the favor 22-19. Arguably these teams have fronts and backs who are among the best in Mano. The matchups should be superb and this should be one of the best matches of the competition. It also might be a prelude to a rematch in the Final. 

March 9, 2019

Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2) (3)


Fronton TV Youtube (Castilian) (full match video)

Highlights (EITB)

Linescore (EITB and 21iguales Twitter) (winners always listed first)

2-0; 2-56-56-610-6; 10-7; 12-7; 12-8; 14-8; 14-10; 21-10; 21-12; 22-12

Scoring (EITB):

Elezkano II +12 -1; Rezusta +1 -1
Victor +6 -5; Albisu +4 -4

Balls in play: 528; Elezkano II 131; Rezusta 138; Victor 123; Albisu 136

Time of match: 62:57


Match articles (aspepelota.eus links to articles from El CorreoBerriaDiario de Navarra, and Noticias de Gipuzkoa)

Match article (baikopilota.eus)

Victor substituted in 4 matches this season, two for Urrutikoetxea on the foot of the table Urrutikoetxea-Arretxabaleta team (1-1) and then 3 with Albisu after Oliazola II's leg injury sidelined him for the season. When he joined Albisu, the once Semi-final bound O-A were in free fall, having lost 3 consecutive matches, 2 with Oliazola II and one with a different substitute (while Victor was substituting). In Victor's first match with Albisu, they stunned Elezkano-Rezusta (22-17 on February 16) to pretty much clinch a Semi-final place. Victor was +13 -4 (he had been +13 -3 the week before in contributing to one of the three victories the U-A team had during the season). In the final match of the season, he was +8 -5 in a loss to Irribarria-Zabaleta. Victor was the "wild card" of the Semi-finals. Fans wondered how he would do under the bright lights on this stage. The answer was decidedly mixed. The first point of this match was a 19 ball point that E-R won on a Victor error. However, with the help of three Victor winners, V(O)-A took a 6-3 early lead. At 6-6 they were still in the match, but from that point it was a case of too much Elezkano II as E-R outscored V(O)-A 16-6 the rest of the way for an easy win. An easy win but not a particularly easy match. There were 528 balls in play in a 34 point match that lasted over an hour. V(O)-A were able to tax E-R, but were never a real threat. Elezkano II's offense (+12 -1) and Rezusta's staunch defense (1 error) were more than enough. This weekend V(O)-A face Altuna III-Martija at Bilbo (Bilbao) in what is essentially an elimination match. It should be an interesting match, but it appears that the top two finishers in the League phase are destined to play in the final. Of course... but that's why they play the matches.

Semi-Final Table

Elezkano II-Rezusta (#1) (1-0 +10)
Irribarria-Zabaleta (#2) (1-0 +6)
Altuna II-Martija (#4) (0-1 -6)
Victor-Albisu (#3) (0-1 -10)

-----------------------------

Final League phase table

(1) Elezkano II-Rezusta (10-4 +55)
(2) Irribarria-Zabaleta (9-5 +64)
(3) Oliazola II-Albisu (8-6 +10)
(4) Altuna III-Martija (8-6 +4)
5 Artola-Mariezkurrena (7-7 +5)
6 Ezkurdia-L. Galarza (7-7 -4)
7 Bengoetxea VI-Imaz (4-10 -55)
8 Urrutikoetxea-Aretxabaleta (3-11 -79)

Pala/Pala Larga--Mundo Parejas--Jornada 2--March 8, 2019

Mundial Parejas, the premier long court Pala Tournament, began  February 22-23, 2019. The tournament, sponsored by Munduko Pilota Batzarra (Basque Pelota and Associated Sports World Council), is set up in a unique way. In each round the partnerships change. It features 8 InnPala professionals, 4 front court (delanteros) and 4 back (zagueros). The tournament will be played as a partial double round robin, with each player pairing with 3 others in each round, for a total of 6 matches. The partners who will not be playing together in the League phase are listed at the bottom of this post. On April 13 the top two delanteros pair up with the top two zagueros and play in a final. There is also a 3rd place match. The scoring for the tournament is based completely on joko (set) scores: 3-0=100pts, 3-1=80pts, 3-2=60pts, 2-3=40pts, 1-3=20pts, 0-3=0pts. The scoring system emphasizes the importance of every joko, no matter what the situation in any match.

All matches will be played at Mungia, (1)(2) the "Cathedral" of long court Pala (Pala Larga (1)(2)).

Complete tournament information (.pdf format, 12p), including match schedule and partnerships, rules of the tournament, and a listing of past winners going back to 2007. (Source: Munduko Pilota Batzarra).

The players:

Delanteros (Front): Pablo Fusto; Ibon Garate; Esteban Gaubeka; Dan Necol
Zagueros (Back): Iker Gordon; Xabier Ibargarai; Ibai Perez; Inaki Urrutia

Note: Garate won a 2 match play-in v Ander Landeta for the 4th front court position.

InnPala Player pages

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

Previous Tournament Winners (since 2007)

2007: Urkia-Imanol 45 Gaubeka-Velilla 33 Match article (Naiz)

2008: Fusto-Larrinaga 45 Ziskar II-Galan 35 Match article (Naiz)

2009: Gaubeka-Beldarrain 45 Urkia-Lujan 33 Match article (Naiz)

2010: Ziskar II-Imanol 40 Fusto-Ayerbe 24 Match article (EITB)

2011: No Competition

2012: Gaubeka-Ayerbe 3 Altadill-Lujan 1 (12-8, 6-12, 12-11, 12-8) (42-39)
Match article (InnPala)

2013: Fusto-Larrinaga 3 Gaubeka-Ayerbe 0 (10-8, 10-7, 10-6) Match article (Diario VascoComplete Results (InnPala)

2014: Zubiri-Imanol 3 Fusto-Urkijo 2 (3-10, 6-10, 10-6, 10-8, 10-7) (39-41) Match article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra) video of final point (EITB) Complete Results (InnPala)

2015: Fusto-Ibargarai 3 Gaubeka-Ibai Perez (10-8, 10-9, 2-10, 10-8) (32-35) Match article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra)

2016: Fusto-Brefel 3 Gaubeka-Imanol 2 (10-8, 8-10, 10-6, 7-10, 10-7) (45-41) Match article (DeiaBLOG POST (scroll to Pala) (unfortunately, EITB has removed the full match video)

2017: Fusto-Ibai Perez 3 Gaubeka-Imanol 2 (4-10, 9-10, 10-8, 10-8, 10-8) (43-44) BLOG POSTS THAT COVER ENTIRE TOURNAMENTMunduko Pilota Batzarra Tournament coveragevideo of final point and closing ceremony (EITB); (unfortunately, EITB has removed the full match video).

2018: Fusto-Ibargarai 3 Landeta-Gordon 1 (10-9, 9-10, 10-5, 10-8) Munduko Pilota Batzarra Tournament coverageFull match video (EITB)

Since 2007 in Finals

Fusto (d front) 6-2 (4 in a row from 2015-2018, and 5 of the last 6)

Gaubeka (d front) 2-5

Imanol (z back) 3-2

Ayerbe (z back) 1-2

Larrinaga (z back) 2-0
Ibargarai (z back) 2-0
Urkia (d front) 1-1
Ziskar II (d front) 1-1
Ibai Perez (z back) 1-1
Lujan (z back) 0-2

Belderain (d front) 1-0
Zubiri (d front) 1-0
Brefel (z back) 1-0
Velilla (z back) 0-1
Galan (z back) 0-1
Urkijo (z back) 0-1
Altadill (d front) 0-1
Landeta (d front) 0-1
Gordon (z back) 0-1

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

Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 22-23 and Jornada (Day) 1, March 1, 2019 ; Jornada 2, March 8 ; Jornada 3, March 15 Jornada 4, March 22Jornada 5,  March 29Jornada 6, April 5 

Final and 3rd Place Match: April 13

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

Tournament preview article (Deia). Also has a feature on Ibon Garate.

Preview article (El Correo)


March 8, 2019

Jornada (Day) 2

Fusto(d) (1-1, 5-5, 100)-Urrutia (z)(2-0, 6-4, 1203
Garate(d) (1-1, 5-5, 100)-Ibargarai(z) (0-2, 4-6, 802
(10-5, 9-10, 10-8, 4-10, 10-6) (43-39) (Innpala Twitter)


Gaubeka(d) (1-1, 5-4, 120)-Ibai Perez(z) (2-0, 6-3, 140) 3
Necol(d) (1-1, 4-5, 80)-Gordon (0-2, 3-6, 60) 1
(9-10, 10-5, 10-5, 10-3) (39-23) (Innpala Twitter)


Match preview article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra)
Match article (Mundo Pilota Batzarra)

InnPala Clasificacion (Microsoft Excel format) basic joko table
Mundo Batzarra Puntuaciones (.pdf format, 1p). Includes match records, joko records points for and against.

We don't have very much information about these matches, as there are no videos or newspaper match articles that I could find. We do know that the first match was a hard fought 75 minute match.  It was the third consecutive match to go 5 jokos, but this time the final joko wasn't won by the minimum. In fact there were no joko lead changes, F-U always being 1 joko ahead. What is impressive is how they responded after losing the most one sided joko of the match. Once again, Urrutia was on the winning side, his 4th consecutive win in this competition, including the two play-in matches he won. He is 12-5 in jokos in those matches. More importantly, this win kept him in touch with Ibai Perez, who, after playing ordinary Pala in the play-ins (1-6 joko record), has begun the competition 6-3. Next week he will pair with Fusto against Gaubeka-Urrutia in what shapes up to be a battle for top of the table for all four palistas. Whoever wins will move toward the Final. And an emphatic win will put whoever achieves it firmly in the drivers seat. 

The 2nd match was the first to go less than the maximum number of jokos. After a very competitive 10-9 win, G-I outscored N-G 30-13. Necol summed the loss up very succinctly on his Facebook page. Translated loosely by Google: "We made too many mistakes to disturb Ibai and Esteban." He also mentioned that the one joko N-G won was important. The short comment provides an insight into the mind of the professional athlete. In any sport, the professional must have a very short memory. That was yesterday. All that now counts is the next match. Also, a quality professional will always find something to be positive about. While it may not seem like much to be positive about, that one Joko that Necol spoke of IS important. In certain scenarios, it could be the difference between a chance for a championship and a third place match. Every joko counts. Every point counts. Play until the match is over and see what happens.

In a competition this close, the two joko loss might indeed be fatal for Necol and Gordon. But it is still early days at Mungia. While one match next week will be for the top of the table, the other (Necol-Ibargarai v Garate-Gordon) will be a battle for survival for the back court men. Necol also needs a win, although his position is not as precarious as that of Ibargarai and Gordon. Of course, an emphatic win would be just the tonic for each team. A big win for Garate would put him in an excellent position (as well as helping Gordon immensely). All these permutations, which change every week, are one of the factors that make this competition so fascinating to watch. It must also be fascinating to play, having to adjust to a new partner every week and having to worry about an always changing competition context. Of course the players don't have time to be cerebral about it. For them the formula is easy. Win or go home.

--------

Table:

Player-(match wins-losses: joko w-l, points)

Delantero (front)

Gaubeka (1-1; 5-4; 120)
Fusto   (1-1; 5-5; 100)
Garate  (1-1; 5-5; 100)
Necol   (1-1; 4-5; 80)

Zaguero (back)

Ibai Perez (2-0; 6-3; 140)
Urrutia    (2-0; 6-4; 120)
Ibargarai  (0-2; 4-6; 80)
Gordon     (0-2; 3-6; 60)

--------

Cumulative Table

Player-(match wins-losses: joko w-l, points)

Delantero (front)


Gaubeka(1-1; (2-3,3-1); 120)
Fusto  (1-1; (2-3,3-2); 100)
Garate (1-1; (3-2,2-3); 100)
Necol  (1-1; (3-2,1-3); 80)

Zaguero (back)

Ibai Perez (2-0; (3-2,3-1);140)
Urrutia    (2-0; (3-2,3-2);120)
Ibargarai  (0-2; (2-3,2-3);80)
Gordon     (0-2; (2-3,1-3);60)

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

SCHEDULE FOR THE 6 WEEK ROUND ROBIN LEAGUE PHASE 

March 1, 2019:
Gaubeka-Gordon v Garate-Urrutia
Fusto-Ibargarai v Necol-Ibai Perez

March 8:
Garate-Ibargarai v Fusto Urrutia
Gaubeka-Ibai Perez v Necol-Gordon

March 15:
Necol-Ibargarai v Garate-Gordon
Gaubeka-Urrutia v Fusto-Ibai Perez

March 22:
Garate-Gordon v Gaubeka-Urrutia
Fusto-Ibai Perez v Necol-Ibargari

March 29:
Garate-Urrutia v Fusto-Ibargarai
Gaubeka-Gordon v Necol-Ibai Perez

April 5:
Garate-Ibargarai v Necol-Gordon
Gaubeka-Ibai Perez v Fusto-Urrutia

League pairs that will not play together:
Fusto-Gordon
Garate-Ibai Perez
Gaubeka-Ibargarai
Necol-Urrutia

April 13: Final
#1 delantero (front)-#1 zaguero (back) v #2 (d)-#2 (z)

Source: Munduko Pilota Batzarra "dossier"

For an up to date accounting of the win-loss records of the InnPala players, and a cumulative accounting of their rankings, see the "InnPala Players win-loss records and independent matches" Page on the right side of the blog.