Below you will find complete information for both Jai Alai World Tour 2020 Tournaments, the Banakako Txapelketa (Singles Tournament) and the Gernika Grand Slam.
NOTE: ALL VIDEOS BELOW ARE LINKS TO EITB (BASQUE TELEVISION NETWORK). ON SOME DEVICES, THE LINKS MAY NOT WORK: IN THAT CASE FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO LINK:
roll mouse over "Programas A-Z"
roll mouse over"WXYZ"
and scroll or down arrow to "Zesta Punta"
click "Zesta Punta and click on 2020 for Gernika and 2021 for the Singles Championship
The matches are on the far left of the list on a desktop, laptop, or or web based tablet or mobile link; at the top of the list on the EITB App.
For those unfamiliar with Jai Alai/Cesta Punta terminology, consult the exhaustive video glossary created by Jesus Olivera . It is the best glossary on the topic that I have seen.
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Banakako Txapelketa (Singles Tournament, Berriatua)
(December 19 , 26 , 2020, January 2, 2021)
This was the final 2020 tournament of the Pandemic shortened and delayed Jai Alai World Tour. It was a 6 player tournament, with Quarter-Final and Semi-final Round, followed by a Final. Due to Pandemic restrictions, travel restrictions, and the signing of several players by Miami Jai Alai for its two month Meet, several top players were not available. The ones that were put on a fine tournament on a 46.8 meter concha (court) that seemed perfectly suited for singles play--longer by 8 meters than Bizkaia (Bilbo--Bilbao) were some previous versions had been played, but shorter than the full length 54 meter conchas. And it featured a surprise winner who came all the way from the Quarter-final to a championship.
The Players: (D=Dalantero--Front; Z=Zaguero--Back)
Jokin Arbe (D) (Quarter-final)
Aimar Aldazabal (Z) (Seeded into Semi-final Round)
Diego Beaskoetxea (D)(Seeded into Semi-Final Round)
Antxon Alberdi (D) (interview--Castilian, Basque, or French) (Quarter-final)
Aaron Gonzalez (D) (2017 Fronton Mexico Interview--Castilian)
(Quarter-final)
Julen Del Rio (Z) (Substituting for Alex Hormaetxea (D)) (Quarter-final)
Matches were contested at 2 sets to 12 points, with a tie breaker to 5 points if necessary.
Tournament Preview (Mundo Deportivo--Castilian)
Tournament Preview (Hitza--Basque)
2019 Final:
Lopez 2
A. Aldazabal 1
(11-12, 12-10, 5-3)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
List of winners, 1992-2018 (Jai Alai News Facebook--Castilian)
1992. Vitoria-Gasteiz. REMEN (vs Alberdi I)
1993. Markina-Xemein. REMEN (vs Bolibar)
1996. Gernika-Lumo. URIARTE (vs Remen)
1998. Gernika-Lumo. FÉLIX (vs Konpa)
1999. Bilbao (Deportivo). FÉLIX (vs Konpa)
2000. Berriatua. FÉLIX (vs Elizegi)
2001. Berriatua. GOIKOETXEA (vs Alberdi)
2002. Berriatua. GOIKOETXEA (vs Bereikua)
2003. Berriatua. GOIKOETXEA (vs Bereikua)
2004. Donostia-San Sebastián. BEREIKUA (vs Goikoetxea)
2005. Berriatua. LANDER (vs Alberdi I)
2006. Durango. GOIKOETXEA (vs Elizegi)
2007. Durango. GOIKOETXEA (vs Bereikua)
2008. Berriatua. BEREIKUA (vs López)
[** Final Master Jai: Goikoetxea 30-21 Irastorza]
2009. Hondarribia. GOIKOETXEA (vs López)
2010. Vitoria-Gasteiz. GOIKOETXEA (vs Egiguren)
2011. Durango. GOIKOETXEA (vs Egiguren)
2012. Hondarribia. GOIKOETXEA (vs López)
2013. Bilbao (Deportivo). ARITZ ERKIAGA (vs Egiguren)
2014. Bilbao (Deportivo). EGIGUREN (vs Enbil)
2015. Bilbao (Deportivo). GOIKOETXEA (vs Egiguren)
2016. Bilbao (Miribilla). GOIKOETXEA (vs Olharan)
2017. Bilbao (Miribilla). LOPEZ (vs Erkiaga)
2018. Zumaia. GOIKOETXEA (vs López)
2019. Berriatua. LOPEZ (v A. Aldazabal)
2020: Berriatua. ARBE (v A. Aldazabal)
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January 2, 2021
FINAL
Preview Article (Jai Alai News--Castilian) (See below all Tournament scores for Google English Translation)
Preview Audio Interview with Aimar Aldazabal (Bizkaia Irratia--Basque) (4:40)
Arbe 2
A. Aldazabal 0
(12-6, 12-11) (24-17)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB) (match begins at 55:00 on the video)
FINAL: Match Winning Point (Jai Alai News Facebook Video)
Final Match Article (El Correo--Castilian)
Match Article: (Jai Alai News--Castilian) (See below all Tournament scores for Google English Translation)
Post Match audio interview with Jokin Arbe (Euskadi Irratia--Basque) (7:54)
Full condensed linescore (match winner always listed first)
Set 1:
3-0; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 9-3; 9-4; 10-4; 10-6; 12-6
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
0-1; 1-1; 1-5; 4-5; 4-6; 5-6; 5-11; 12-11
2 equal scores, 1 lead change
Scoring (mine, yours may be different--EITB provided no scoring)
Scoring:
For the Match:
Arbe +16 -10
A. Aldazabal +7 -8
Arbe + 6 Dejada (3 from at or behind the 9 line), 5 Two Walls (3 from at or behind the 9, 1 of which was a falling rebote TW), 2 Chic Chac, 2 Chula, 1 Inside Pass
- 6 catching, 4 throwing
A. Aldazabal 4 Chic Chac, 2 Dejada, 1 Two Walls
- 5 catching, 3 throwing
Total Score +23 -18 (.561)
Balls in Play: 204
Non-error Percent (BIP - errors / BIP--186/204) .912
BIP/Points
0-4/22
5-9/16
10+/3
Longest Point 12 (Set 1: 4-3--5-3)
Average BIP per Point: 5.0
Notable: Arbe had 6 winners thrown from at or behind the 9 line. It was a master class in shot making that A. Aldazabal, in the end, couldn't answer.
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1st Set:
Arbe +8 -4
A. Aldazabal +2 -4
Arbe + 4 Dejada, 3 Two Walls, 1 Chic Chac; - 2 catching, 2 throwing
A. Aldazabal + 1 Two Walls, 1 Chic Chac; - 3 catching, 1 throwing
Notable: Of Arbe's 8 winners, 7 were at or behind the eight line, of which 3 were behind the nine and one behind the 10.
Total score: +10 -8 (,556)
Balls in Play: 97
Non-error % (BIP - errors / BIP--89/97): .918
BIP/Points
0-4/10
5-9/6
10+/2
Longest Point: 12 BIP (4-3--5-3)
Average BIP per point: 5.4
Pasa (Overserve, leads to second serve): Arbe 1
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Set 2:
Arbe +8 -6
A. Aldazabal +5 -4
Arbe: + 2 Chula, 2 Dejada, 2 Two Walls, 1 Chic Chac, 1 Inside Pass; - 4 catching, 2 throwing
A. Aldazabal: + 3 Chic Chac, 2 Dejada; - 2 catching, 2 throwing
Notable: Arbe won the last 7 points with 4 winners (a rebote forehand Chula from the 7 line, a rebote forehand outside Chic Chac from the 7, a reverse inside pass from the 6, and a reverse Chula from the 10). The final 3 points came on A. Aldazabal errors (a dropped catch on return of serve, a rebote from the 5 that was too high, and another dropped catch on return of serve--this was a close call as Arbe beautifully clipped the side wall on the serve, but Aimar, it appeared, got his cesta on it).
Total Score: +13 -10 (.565)
Balls in Play: 107
Non-error % (BIP - errors / BIP--97/107): .907
BIP/Points
0-4/12
5-9/10
10+/1
Longest Point: 10 (1-1--1-2)
Average BIP per Point: 4.7
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"Curtain Raiser" Friendly
Antxon-Del Rio 2
(15-13, 15-12) (30-25)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB) (match begins at 0:00 on the video)
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December 26
Semi-finals
Semi-final preview article (Jai Alai News--Castilian) (See below all Tournament scores for Google English Translation)
Arbe 2
Diego 1
(10-12, 12-7, 5-1) (27-20)
Partial scoring (winner always listed first)
Set 1:
10-8; 10-12
Set 2:
6-1; 8-7; 12-7
A. Aldazabal 2
Antxon 0
(12-9, 12-6) (24-15)
Match article for both matches (Mundo Deportivo--Castilian)
December 19
Quarter-finals
Arbe 2
Aaron 0
(12-11, 12-7) (24-18)
Partial scoring (match winner always listed first)
Set 1:
11-11; 12-11 (Arbe wins on an Aaron error)
Antxon 2
Del Rio 0
(12-8, 12-8) (24-16)
Match article for both matches (Hitza--Basque)
Match article for both matches (Jai Alive Facebook--Castilian) (See below for Google English Translation)
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Jai Alai News Facebook FINAL match preview (translated to English by Google)
AIMAR vs ARBE. ATYPICAL FINAL IN BERRIATUA
January 2, Mendibar, 6 p.m.
1st match: Antxon-Del Rio vs Laduche-Basque
Final Individual: AIMAR vs ARBE
Atypical year, atypical end. This 2020 has altered everything, and also the calendar, the format and the participation of the basket-tip balls in various competitions. It has been enough to keep the pre-established tournaments at the beginning of the year, and following those guidelines, the season will end with the final of the Jai Alai World Tour Singles. The stands of the Berriatua fronton will not vibrate like a big boiler next Saturday. Not for lack of fans, but for the covid-19 and the necessary measures established for its containment. Thus, Aimar Aldazabal or Jokin Arbe, will wear their first great txapela, as they have done in other sports and specialties. In front of the cameras, yes, but without having hundreds of fans in front of them, standing and clapping, recognizing the value of what they obtained.
Be that as it may, that's the way it has to be, and that's the way it will be. An individual marked by the absences, on the one hand, of the pelotaris that are in Florida, some of them saving the year. And on the other, due to the mobility restrictions that recommended the non-participation of pelotaris from Iparralde. Even so, the txapela does not lose its value, and the champion will be a deserved champion and thus will become part of the history of this specialty.
Aimar Aldazabal is the favorite of the final. The Berriatua has played a great role in recent years. Being third two ago (Goiko won the final against López), and last year stroking the title. He had it in his hand, but it escaped him, precisely before López, in the last breath. Therefore, it is before the great opportunity to get, this year, to be individual champion. In the semifinals, he won with authority against Antxon Alberdi, 12-9 and 12-6.
The other contender for the Singles title is Jokin Arbe. At the beginning of the year, it was not in the markinarra's plans to reach the individual final, but in the quarterfinals he beat Aaron from Gasteiz (12-11, 12-7) and in the semifinals, neither more nor less than Diego Beaskoetxea. Well won also, although the Gernikarra came back from the first set 12-10, Arbe played better than Beaskoetxea and was able to turn the game around, with a 7-12 in the second set and a resounding 1-5 in the tiebreaker.
Aimar and Arbe know each other well. They coincided in the fronton of Dania Jai Alai, in Florida, and later, in a multitude of Basque frontons. Two totally different balls. Aimar manages both hands well, hits hard, can play run over, and also in recent editions is bringing out "the left." A weapon as risky as it is effective, if used with precision, in hand to hand. Jokin is a more technical player, he does not have the physical strength of Aimar but he has great defense and does not hesitate in the shot.
Everything is almost ready. The Berriatua pelotari has made one of his last rehearsals at Mendibarren, together with Roberto Lekue (son). Arbe will say goodbye to the year today, precisely, with a rehearsal, around 11 in the morning, also at the Mendibarren. We wish you both the best of luck.
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Jai Alai News Facebook FINAL match article (translated to English by Google)
ARBE, JUST CHAMPION!
AIMAR vs ARBE: 6-12, 11-12
With the beginning of the year, the basket-tip season in Euskadi ended, with the final of the Individual of the Jai Alai World Tour. The special circumstances of this year have conditioned the tournament, both in terms of participation and public attendance. Of course, normally the one who plays the best wins, and that is none other than the markinarra Jokin Arbe.
After eliminating Aarón in the quarterfinals and Diego Beaskoetxea in the semifinals, Arbe has reached the final without the pressure of the favorite, the opposite of Aimar. The one from Berriatua did not start the game well against a daring Arbe. Aware of Aimar's superiority in the rally, Arbe has done his job perfectly. He has brought out his side, to finish off two walls or left, preventing Aimar from playing his game. The start was blue (0-3) and in the middle of the set, Arbe kept the advantage of three goals (3-6) against Aimar who has not taken advantage of his chances. The advantage was even six goals (3-9) and shortly after Arbe made a great drop from the 10th box surprising the oldest of the Aldazabal (4-10). The first set has ended when Berriatua's tried to leave Arbe on the bridge, but this one,
In the second, things have changed. Aimar has made a clean slate and has regained confidence. He has scored a good drop (2-1), another right to txik-txak (3-1). But after the 4-1, Arbe has closed the gap with another drop (5-2), a two side walls (5-3) and a perfect drop after a difficult dribble-early (5-4). But Aimar has accelerated again, and with his game and power he has put the ground in between (11-5) to take the final to the tiebreaker. But he has lacked so much, and with seven set balls, he has not known how to finish the game. Little by little, he saw how Arbe approached. The 11-10 was a bit of service and after the 11 equal, Arbe has served first to pass, and in the second opportunity, he has approached the left wall, managing to overcome the set and winning the txapela.
Deserved triumph for the 29-year-old markinarra, the biggest victory he has achieved in his career, adding both his time in the Basque Country and in the USA. Aimar, who was third two years ago (1st Goiko, 2nd López, 3rd Aimar) and second last year (1st López, 2nd Aimar), has missed an opportunity. But the one from Berriatua, although he has not had his day, has already shown on more than one occasion what he can play in Singles, and surely he will have another chance.
Congratulations to Jokin Arbe for the great championship he has completed. In the match that opened the festival, Antxon Alberdi and Julen Del Río have beaten the Iparralde couple, made up of Ludovic Laduche and Thibault Basque. 15-13, 15-12.
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Jai Alai News Facebook Semi-final match article (translated to English by Google)
INDIVIDUAL-INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Gaur / Hoy / Today Berriatua, Mendibar. 6:00 p.m.
AIMAR vs ANTXON ALBERDI
BEASKOETXEA vs ARBE
Individual semifinals this afternoon at the Mendibarren de Berriatua. Behind closed doors. The current runner-up, Aimar Aldazabal, who last year came close to beating López in the final, opens. With the memory of that great game, especially for the fans, the oldest of the Aldazabal will take to the field today with the aim of reaching the final for the second consecutive year. To do this, he will have to beat Antxon first. The two know each other well from having played for many years in Berriatua, and the one from Etxebarria comes from beating Julen del Rio in the quarterfinals, 12-8 and 12-8.
In the second game, Arbe (he eliminated Aarón, 12-11, 12-7 in the quarters) will face Diego Beaskoetxea. The final will be played on January 2, also in Berriatua, and without an audience.
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Jai Alive Facebook Quarter-finals article (translated to English by Google)
JAWT 2020. Individual Championship-Individual Championship
First solo day.
2020-12-19. Updated. Mendibar fronton.
In Berriatua, today the start of the JAWT Solo. In the first match, against the young Antxon v Del Rio. Today, experience has proven to be a degree. 12-8 and 12-8. The young man's effort, against the experience of the marquis. The second predominates. On the next day, Aimar (last year's champion) will face off.
In the second match, Arbe and Aaron. In the first game, the 11th with plenty of ups and downs. Aaron kicked and missed; 12 and 11 Arbe won. In the second game, the veteran didn’t give up a chance, 12-7. In the semi-final, Beaskoetxea.
Quarter-final day in the Mendibarren de Berriatua.
In the first, Antxon's experience has surpassed Del Rio's honor, who has tried but failed to defeat the local. 12-8 and 12-8 in a disputed match. The next step, Aimar, runner-up 2019, is expected to be interesting.
In the second, an error by Aaron when they were tied at 11 has conditioned the future of the game. 12 to 11 and in the second joko, 12 to 7 in favor of Arbe who has shown to be fit and will face Diego Beaskoetxea in the semifinals, who has just won the Grand Slam in Gernika. Great game.
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The Jai Alai World Tour sponsored the Gernika Tournament, which was postponed this summer due the Pandemic. It was contested without an audience December 9, 11, 18.
The Teams
Alex Hormaetxea--Manex Urtasun
Joseba Zuloaga and Arkaitz Izaguirre substituted for Hormaetxea-Urtasun
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Urko Lekerika (Unai Lekerika-Dania's Leke's younger brother)--Julen Del Rio (interview--Castilian)
Antxon Alberdi (interview--Castilian, Basque, or French)--Jon Zabala
Jon Goenaga (Diario Vasco Profile--Castilian)--Jon Mandiola (video last the Final Day of the recently completed Jai Alive Donostia Grand Slam )
Arbe replaced Aaron Gonzalez in the Quarter-finals.
December 9
There were two play-in Quarterfinals:
Antxon-Zabala v Goenaga-Mandiola
Arbe-Aimar v Urko-Del Rio
Antxon-Zabala v Goenaga-Mandiola
Arbe-Aimar v Urko-Del Rio
December 11
Semi-finals
The winner of A-Z v G-M faced seeded in Hormaetxea-Urtasun
Beaskoetxea-Mancisidor faced the winner of A-A v U-D.
Beaskoetxea-Mancisidor faced the winner of A-A v U-D.
December 18:
FINAL
The Semi-finals and Final (along with 3rd place match) were televised by EITB and are available on demand. EITB does not keep a very long Cesta Punta archive (only one year's matches at present). Links to the full match videos of the 4 televised matches are given below.
Note that Google English translations are given for the Facebook sourced match articles (direct links to those articles are also available), for those who choose not to use Facebook. The newspaper articles can be easily and automatically translated to whatever language you prefer by simply changing the choices in the options of your preferred browser. Or you can cut and paste the article into Google Translate (or any other on-line translator) directly.
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Summary: With some of the "Big Names" unavailable (Inaki Goikoetxea, Imanol Lopez, and Aritz Erkiaga departed across the sea to play in Miami's short season Quiniela competition; Jean Olharan, Patxi and Jon Tambourindeguy, David Minvielle, Txabi Inza, Nicolas Etcheto, and Thibault Basque unavailable due to travel restrictions; and Alex Hormaetxea due to injury), as well as an empty "Cathedral", this Tournament was a showcase for new (or somewhat new) and Up and Coming talent (Urko Lekerika, Jon Goenaga, Julen Del Rio, Mikel Man(c/z)isidor, and, at the end, Aaron Gonzalez).
However, when the dust settled, it was the world class 39 year old Diego Beaskoetxea who stole the show and led his team to a Championship. Watching Diego and his 20 year old partner "Manci" play together provided body language insights into how a veteran and "rookie" player interact. Del Rio's right hand bombs made some fans think that the pelota might actually crack the granite, and Gonzalez, late to the party, showed what some seasoning at Fronton Mexico can do (Del Rio as well). Although the final was, perhaps, "winning ugly", there were still some great points to watch.
December 18
FINAL
Match Preview (Jai Alai News Facebook) (Castilian). For Google English Translation see below)
Beaskoetxea-Man(c/z)isidor 2
Antxon-Zabala 0
(15-11, 15-11) (30-22)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB) (Match begins at 40:16 on the video)
"Talking" Linescore
EITB provided no scoring for this match, so I scored it. Scoring is subjective in some cases. You may think my scoring is somewhat "harsh", but I have learned from body language that when a puntista gets cesta to pelota he almost always feels he should have made the catch.
I make sure that each point is either a winner or an error. Your scoring may be different. However, even if it is, these "talking" linescores will give you some idea of the sequence of the match (particularly after EITB removes it from their archive).
Key: Server, Balls in Play, Score (match winners always listed 1st); +/-; comment
D=Diego Beaskoetxea; M=Man(c/z)isidor; A=Antxon Alberdi; Z=Zabala
For those new to the sport:
Specialty shots: Cortada=hard and low sidearm throw; Chic-Chac=pelota that bounces so low on back wall that it cannot be returned; Chula=pelota that hits back wall on the fly so low that it cannot be returned; Two Wall=ball that caroms off two walls (usually the left and then front, but sometimes the front and then left) so low that it cannot be returned, or so high that it bounces over the defender--Two Walls are usually power throws, but can also be delicate "touch" throws). Some Two Walls are also Cortadas. They are listed as Cortadas below. Reverse: backhand: Rebote=rebound off the back wall (these last two are used sparingly in the description. I missed that aspect in some cases. Watch for it, as the reverse and rebote are common (but still magnificent) throws to watch. Concha=court.
In instances where I do not know the name of the shot, it is described, to the best of my ability.
p=Pasa (1st serve over serve, 2nd serve allowed)
Set 1
D; 12; 0-1; D-; Throws Two Wall off concha
A; 5; 0-2; M-; Throws too high
A; 8; 1-2; Z-; Dropped Catch
D; 3; 2-2; Z-; Dropped Catch
D; 6; 2-3; D-; Dropped Catch
A; 8; 3-3; Z-; Throws too high
D; 15; 4-3; Z-; Tipped or Missed Catch
D; 13; 5-3; Z-; Dropped Catch
D; 4; 5-4; M-; Dropped Catch
A; 28; 6-4; D+; Two Walls
D; 11; 7-4; D+; Two Walls (from behind 7 line)
D; 16; 7-5; A+; Chic-Chac (from the apron)
A; 2; 8-5; Z-; Dropped Catch
D; 2; 8-6; M-; Throws too high
A; 1; 8-7; D-; Intercepts serve: Throws Two Walls off concha
A; 8; 9-7; D+; Left Wall: Two Wall reverse (F-L)
D; 21; 10-7; A-; Dropped Catch
D; 6; 10-8; Z+; Chula
A; 14; 11-8; D+; Cortada Two Wall (F-L)
D; 3; 12-8; D+ Overhead Pass over Alberdi
D; 5; 13-8; A-; Great save on Cortada; Throws outside off Concha
D; 13; 14-8; M+; Outside Deep Pass
D; 6; 14-9; M-; Throws too high
A; 9; 14-10; A+; Two Walls (from the 9 line)
A(p); 11: 14-11; A+; Two Walls
A; 6; 15-11; A-; Throws Two Walls too low
Scoring (mine, yours may be different)
Diego +5 -3 Man(c/z)isidor +1 -4
Antxon +3 -3 Zabala +1 -6
Total Score: +10 -16 (.385)
Balls in Play: 236
Total Non-error Percent (BIP - errors / BIP) (220/236): .932
Balls per Point: 8,3
Balls in Play/Points
1-4: 6
5-9: 10
10-14: 6
15-19: 2
20-24: 1
25-29: 1
Longest point: 28
Pasa: Antxon 1
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Set 2
*=EITB counts a service fault as 1 ball in play.
A; 4: 1-0; Z-; Tipped Catch
D(p); 17; 2-0; D+; Cortada
D: 5: 3-0; D+; Big Bounce Left Wall over Zabala
D; 3: 4-0; Z-; Throws Outside off concha
D; 2; 4-1; M-; Tipped Catch
A; 6; 5-1; Z-; Tipped Catch
D; 5; 6-1; D+; Big Bounce Left Wall over Zabala
D(p): 1*;6-2; D-; (Service fault--overserve)
A(p); 20; 7-2; A-; Dropped Catch
D; 5; 8-2; D+; Chic Chac (from the apron)
D; 4: 8-3; M-; Dropped Catch
A; 5; 8-4; M-; Tipped Catch
A; 17; 8-5; A+; Chula
A; 10; 9-5: D+; Big Bounce Left over Zabala
D; 2; 9-6; D-; Rebote too low
A; 3; 9-7; M-; Long Two Walls--Throws too low
A; 4; 10-7; A-; Dropped Catch
D(p); 4; 10-8; A+; Outside Pass or long bounce Chic Chac)
A; 2; 11-8; D+; Intercepts serve--Left Wall
D; 3; 12-8; Z-; Tipped Catch
D(p); 4; 12-9; A+; Chic Chac (after Diego makes impossible behind the back rebote save--best save of the match)
(1:44:42 on the video)
A; 11; 12-10: D-; Missed Rebote
A; 14; 13-10; D+; Two Walls
D; 5; 13-11; A+; Big Bounce Left Wall over Man(c/z)icidor
A; 8; 14-11; A-; Dropped Catch
D(p); 7; 15-11; D+; Cortada Two Walls (F-L) (from the apron--splits the defenders to finish the match in style
Scoring (mine, yours may be different)
Diego +8 -3 Man(c/z)isidor +0 -4
Antxon +4 -3 Zabala +0 -4
Total Score: +12 -14 (.462)
Balls in Play: 170
Total Non-error Percent (BIP - errors / BIP) (156/170): .918
Balls per Point: 6.6
Balls in Play/Points
1-4: 13
5-9: 7
10-14: 3
15-19: 2
20-24: 1
Longest point: 20
Serve Intercepts/Immediate Kills: Diego 1
Pasas: Antxon 1; Diego 6
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Total Match Scoring (mine, yours may be different)
Diego +13 -6(including 1 service fault) Man(c/z)icidor +1 -8
Antxon +7 -6 Zabala +1 -10
Total Match Score: +22 -30 (.423)
Balls in Play: 406
Total Non-error Percent (BIP - errors / BIP) (376/406): .926
Balls per Point: 7.8
Balls in Play/Points
1-4: 19
5-9: 17
10-14: 9
15-19: 4
20-24: 2
25-29: 1
Longest point: 28
Serve Intercepts/Immediate Kills: Diego 1
Pasas: Diego 6; Antxon 2
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Match Article (El Correo) (Castilian)
Match article (Jai Alai News Facebook) (Castilian).For Google English Translation see below)
Third Place Match
Aaron (substituting for Hormaetxea)-Mandiola (substituting for Urtasun) defeated Urko Lekerika-Del Rio when Lekerika injured his bicep while serving with his team leading 9-3 in the 1st set. Aaron then defeated Del Rio 10-9 in a "friendly" singles match. (Match begins at 0:00 on the video above).
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Final Preview (Jai Alai News Facebook, translated into English by Google).
FINAL IN GERNIKA! December 18, Gernika Jai ??Alai, 6:00 p.m.
BEASKOETXEA-MANCI vs ANTXON-ZABALA
1st match: Urko Lekerika-Del Rio vs Aaron-Mandiola)
Tomorrow, Friday, the grand final of the Gernika championship will be played, scoring for the Jai Alai World Tour. After five uninterrupted years of great atmosphere and crowds at "La Catedral", this year we have had to follow this championship in a much cooler format. This is how it had to be. Neither in summer nor in October has it been possible to hold a professional tournament due to the covid situation, and in the end the only option has been chosen. Organize it before the end of the year, behind closed doors, with the highest quality pelotaris available on these dates. That has given the option to puntistas like Zabala, Manci, Antxon, Del Río, Aarón, Urko Lekerika etc. to enter a high-quality championship, along with pelotaris like Beaskoetxea.
The tournament has featured six couples, two of which have started directly in the semifinals: Beaskoetxea-Manci on the one hand, and Arbe (replacing Hormaetxea) and Urtasun on the other. In a day marked by high humidity and the "escape" that caught the ball, Beaskoetxea and Manci were able to access the semifinal, after losing 4-2 in the tiebreaker and managed to come back, with a final result of 15-10, 9-15 and 5-4 against Urko Lekerika and Julen del Rio. In the second semifinal, Antxon Alberdi and Jon Zabala were better than Arbe and Urtasun, 9-15 and 14-15, with another great comeback in the second set, after (trailing) 10-2.
There is no clear favorite for the final. Of the four pelotaris, there is a gap between Diego Beaskoetxea and the other three, but the Gernika fronton is very demanding (57 meters long) and the pelotaris are portrayed there. Its capabilities are better appreciated, but also its limitations. The markinarra Zabala is playing very well and hits him hard with both hands, which can be essential for Antxon to finish off in the happy tables.
In the first match, the local Urko Lekerika, who made his debut in this professional tournament with a great role, and Julen del Rio from Alava, repeat a pair to face Aaron Gonzalez de Matauko and Markinarra Jon Mandiola.
Final Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook, translated into English by Google).
BEASKOETXEA-MANCI, CHAMPIONS IN GERNIKA!
BEASKOETXEA-MANCI vs ANTXON-ZABALA: 15-11, 15-11
Gernika championship final, last test in pairs of the Jai Alai World Tour. Empty stands, with only organizers, the companions of a pelotari, and three illustrious figures from the 80s. Jose Antonio Illoro, "Txikito de Bolibar", Jose Ignacio Etxebarrieta "Etxeba" and Juan Ramón Rementeria "Remen". And of course, Félix Espilla as a commentator on ETB accompanying Xabier Euzkitze. But the protagonists were others.
Diego Beaskoetxea, the oldest of the four and the one with the highest quality and record, has not missed this final, with a good Mikel Mancisidor, who throughout the tournament has known well what his work was. Putting a lot of ball in, delaying with his backhand, paying attention to Diego and above all, not getting into trouble with any play. Very good work by Manci, in a game that the Colorados had to fight well to beat Antxon Alberdi and Jon Zabala.
At the beginning of the game, the colorados have taken a few points ahead, due to the blues' mistakes. Zabala has made unusual mistakes on him, but it was early in the set. The advantage was one or two goals. Both of Diego putting a right rebound close to the wall (4-3); good cut from Antxon (5-4), both from Diego after a couple of gifts between the forwards (6-4), good two walls from the striker from Gernika (7-4), and another good goal from Antxon, sending txik -txak a ball that Beaskoetxea has left him in the front frames (7-5).
The colorados maintained the advantage although the set was not decided. But as the light approached number 10, the Etxebarria striker made 2-3 errors, which added to those made by Zabala at the beginning, have been too many to win the first game. Luck has not played in his favor either. Manci has done a bit of "itch and go" (left wall, front, he goes wide but goes inside and so much), but Antxon, in the same situation, the ball went to the counter court. The prince's son took a risk at the end, putting a two walls on the right when Beaskoetxea was imprisoned, and throwing another two bouncing walls. In his last attempt, he tried to surprise with a third two walls, this time on the side, but he went to the mattress. 15-11.
In the second set, Beaskoetxea and Manci were already leading 8-2 by the time the Blues entered the match. Precious a couple of "picadas" of Diego leaving the adversary to bridge. One of them, bouncing from a soft soft backhand with that intention.
But it was not too late yet. "Bullet" Zabala, very sure of the backhand and releasing the right, and Antxon, with the work diver on, managed to get close to two goals (9-7). But as in the first set, at the decisive moment the colorados did not make any mistakes, and the blues did. Antxon's beautiful txik txak at 12-9, they even got close to two goals (12-10 and 13-11) but it was Beaskoetxea who sentenced the final with a good cut. 15-11 and the title, for Gernika and Mutriku.
One more for Beaskoetxea, and the most important triumph achieved so far by Mancisidor. He has been able to handle the pressure of playing with Beaskoetxea well, and has made good use of this end of the year with good performances in the autumn and winter championships.
COVID-19 also has its advantages, and this year, the absence of other pelotaris (because they are in Florida or those in Iparralde due to mobility) has allowed other puntistas to enter these professional basket-toe tournaments. This is the case of Zabala, Antxon, Del Río, Aarón, Urko Lekerika, etc. the absence of other pelotaris (for being in Florida or those of Iparralde for mobility) has allowed other puntistas to enter these professional basket-punta tournaments. his is the case of Zabala, Antxon, Del Río, Aarón, Urko Lekerika, etc.
In the first game, Urko Lekerika had to suspend when injured (bicep fiber breakage) when he was winning 9-3 with Del Rio, against Aaron and Mandiola. Cheer up Urko! The Gasteiztarras Aarón and Del Río have played a heads up, winning the first by just a goal, 10-9
.
* HORMAETXEA INJURY
Alex Hormaetxea suspends tomorrow in Berriatua. After his last massage this Friday, he has decided not to jump onto the field in the Individual as a precaution. Already dragging in discomfort the past weeks. Del Rio replaces him.
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December 11
Semi-Finals
FULL MATCH VIDEO FOR BOTH MATCHES (in the order listed below) (EITB)
2nd Semi-final
Joseba Zuloaga (Xistera interview--Castilian, Basque, or French)(substituting for Antxon)-Arkaitz Izaguirre-(substituting for Zabala) 2
Aaron Gonzalez (substituting for Hormaetxea)-Mandiola (substituting for Urtasun) 0
(15-9, 15-14) (30-23)
Partial Linescore (match winners always listed first)
2nd Set
2-10; 10-13, 11-14; 15-14
1st Semi-final
Beaskoetxea-Man(z/c)isidor 2
U. Lekerika-Del Rio 1
(15-10, 9-15, 5-4) (29-29)
Lekerika was a substitute for Aaron Gonzalez, who was originally scheduled.
Partial linescore (match winners always listed first)
Tie Breaker
2-4; 5-4
Match article for both matches (Jai Alai News Facebook (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below)
Match article for both matches (Hitza) (Basque)
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Google English translation of the match article:
Semi-Finals
THE HUMIDITY WON THEM ALL
The semifinals of the Gernika championship have been totally conditioned by the situation on the field. Only the floor has been saved from the tremendous humidity, a situation that is usually very exceptional, but when it hits, you just have to deal with it in the best possible way.
The ball took a great escape, making the adverse effect to which it corresponds. When he pulled the front wall backwards, it made him go down, biting right the ball flew up, after bouncing it stopped ... even so, the pelotaris have done enough to adapt to the situation, although there has been hardly any rally and yes a great number of errors, but caused by the escape of the ball.
In the first match, still surprised by the situation, Diego Beaskoetxea and Mikel Mancisidor beat Urko Lekerika and Julen Del Río 15-10 in the first set. The veteran Gernika striker has been the smartest and most experienced when it comes to adjusting to the situation. In the second set, both Urko and Del Río have entered the game well. The young Lekerika daring, and Julen going well to the ball in a dribble and releasing the right. 9-15 for the blues. In the tiebreaker, the surprise was almost given. Urko and Del Río have advanced 2-4, the young forward has dared with a well shot two walls but Diego has arrived. In the end, both of the colorados and comeback. 5-4. The last goal was of great quality, the best of the game.
In the second, Antxon Alberdi and Jon Zabala won 9-15 in the first set against Arbe (Hormaetxea has suspended) and Urtasun. But the Blues have started to make mistakes in the second. With the 10-2 it seemed that everything was going to be decided in the tiebreaker but Antxon and Zabala have returned to enter the game playing very serious again, and they have approached 13-10 and 14-11 to complete the comeback and win 14 -15.
This match was played by Joseba Zuloaga and Jon Mandiola against Aaron Gonzalez and Arkatiz Izaguirre
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December 9
Play-in Quarterfinals
Antxon-Zabala 2
Goenaga-Mandiola 1
(14-15, 15-13, 5-2) (34-30)
Goenaga-Mandiola 1
(14-15, 15-13, 5-2) (34-30)
Urko-Del Rio 2
Arbe-Aimar 1
(15-12, 5-15, 5-4) (25-31) Note: The match article said the score of the second set was 10-15. I think it was 5-15, but don't know for sure.
Arbe-Aimar 1
(15-12, 5-15, 5-4) (25-31) Note: The match article said the score of the second set was 10-15. I think it was 5-15, but don't know for sure.
Partial Tie Breaker Linescore (match winners always listed first)
1-4; 5-4
Match article for both matches (Jai Alai News Facebook) (Castilian) (for Google English translation see below).
Short video (0:40) from EITB that shows Urko's Professional debut. He is in blue. (Jai Alai News Facebook)
Short video (0:40) from EITB that shows Urko's Professional debut. He is in blue. (Jai Alai News Facebook)
The CS Photosport photos can be magnified. They are great photos, in my opinion.
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Google English translation of the match article:
Quarter Finals
PREMIERE WITH VICTORY FOR YOUNG URKO LEKERIKA!
ANTXON-ZABALA vs GOENAGA-MANDIOLA: 14-15, 15-13, 5-2
ARBE-AIMAR vs URKO-DEL RIO: 12-15, 15-5, 4-5
ARBE-AIMAR vs URKO-DEL RIO: 12-15, 15-5, 4-5
The young player Urko Lekerika has made his debut in professional competition with a victory in the Gernika tournament, scoring for the Jai Alai World Tour. The youngest of the Lekerika has taken good advantage of the opportunity presented to him after the suspension of Aarón Gonzalez de Matauko.
The 20-year-old Gernikarra, accompanied by Julen Del Río from Alava, has beaten favorites Jokin Arbe and Aimar Aldazabal by two sets to one, two players with extensive professional experience on both sides of the Atlantic.
The first set was for Urko and del Rio. The Gasteiztarra hit him very hard on the right and is playing with great confidence. It was difficult for Arbe and Aimar to enter the match and they lost the first set by 12 points to 15, but in the second they swept their opponents, 15 to 10. The match seemed red, even more so with the 4- 1 initial in the tiebreaker, but the comeback has come. Del Río has brought two balls close to the right, Urko has reached a two walls of Arbe and has answered him with a cut, and after the 4 equal, the final goal has fallen blue. Arbe and Aimar, eliminated. Urko Lekerika and Del Río will play the semifinal on Friday against Diego Beaskoetxea and Mikel Mancisidor "Manci".
In the first of the afternoon, Antxon, Zabala, Goenaga and Mandiola played a good match and with great emotion. First set for Mutrikuarra Jon Goenaga, who made a good impression, and Markinarra Jon Mandiola, 14-15. Antxon Alberdi and Jon Zabala tied the match by winning the second game 15-13 and secured their place in the semifinals with the final 5-3. Good performance of the four pelotaris.
SEMIFINALES Gernika Jai Alai:
Friday, December 11, 6:00 p.m. (ETB)
SEMIFINALES Gernika Jai Alai:
Friday, December 11, 6:00 p.m. (ETB)
BEASKOETXEA-MANCI vs URKO-DEL RIO
HORMAETXEA-URTASUN vs ANTXON-ZABALA
FINAL: December 18, 6:00 p.m.
