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Monday, August 24, 2020

Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Iparralde (North Basque) Professional--Cesta Punta Pro Tour--Gant d'Or--Biarritz)--

The second major professional tournament in Iparralde (North Basque), the Gant d'Or (Golden Glove), sponsored by the Biarritz Athletic Club, is being held on a much smaller scale this year, due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. This year the Tournament runs from August 17-26. There was a play in to determine the final pair of one semi-final. There were two semi-finals. The Final will be held August 26. Much of the Tournament (full match videos) has been made available through the Biarritz Athletic Club's Facebook Page.  The Final has been regularly televised by Canal + in the past. It is assumed that it will be so this year as well.

Gant d'Or Finals 2016-2019 (Year Numbers Link to Full Match Videos)

2016: (click on "show more" for scores of all matches)
(Diego) Beaskoetxea-Irastorza 2
Goikoetxea-Minvielle 0
(15-10, 15-3) (30-13)

2017: (click on "show more" for scores of all matches)
Egiguren-Minvielle 2
Goikoetxea-Lekerika (Leke) 1
(7-15, 15-12, 5-1) (27-28)

2018: (no other scores available)
Goikoetxea-Irastorza 2
Olharan-Etcheto 1
(11-15, 15-10, 5-2) (31-27)

2019: (full blog coverage of theTournament)
Goikoetxea-Inza 2
Egiguren-Lekerika (Leke) 0
(15-11, 15-11) (30-22)

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UPCOMING:

AUTUMN CESTA PUNTA PRO TOUR CIRCUIT, BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 5 AND ENDING DECEMBER 29. SIX TOURNAMENTS ARE SCHEDULED. EACH WILL FEATURE AN A AND B COMPETITION WITH 2 SEMI-FINALS AND A FINAL. SO 6 MATCHES PER TOURNAMENT, 36 MATCHES ARE SCHEDULED. THE POINTS LEADERS (FRONT AND BACK) WILL MEET IN A AND B FINALS ON DECEMBER 29 AT PAU. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION SCHEDULING, AND PLAYERS, SEE THE CESTA PUNTA PRO TOUR LINK FALL TOURNAMENT LINK. CLICK ON "PRO SERIES TOUR" FOR EACH TOURNAMENT FOR DETAILED SCHEDULING. THE AMOUNT OF FULL MATCH VIDEO FOR THIS COMPETITION IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, BUT LAST YEAR THERE WAS A LOT. STAY TUNED.

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2020

All matches were held at the Biarritz Athletic Club (1--Frontons.net) (2--Biarritz--Wikipedia)

 The Players:

Fronts (Avants) 

Ludovic Laduche, Jean Olharan, Inaki Goikoetxea, Diego Beaskoetxea, Aritz Erkiaga

Backs (Arrieres)

Nicolas Etcheto, Thibault Basque, Eric Irastorza, Imanol LopezUnai Lekerika (Leke)

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Biarritz Athletic Club Facebook Tournament Preview (French)
This will be Google Translated into English below for those who are not on Youtube or don't wish to use it for this purpose. It can be found under the score information from the play-in match.

Note: According to Sud Ouest (August 26) Unai Lekerika (Leke) tested positive for Covid 19 and dropped out of both this and the Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Donibane Lohizune) Tournament.

August 26

FINAL 

(Aritz) Erkiaga-Minvielle (substituting for Lekerika [Leke]) 2
Goikoetxea-Irastorza 0
(15-12, 15-9) (30-21)

Eric Irastorza, looking for his 11th Gant d'Or Championship, and Inaki Goikoetxea, looking for his 3rd, came up short as brilliant work by Aritz Erkiaga and David Minvielle (who replaced Unai Lekerika [Leke] on very short notice) won the Final in straight sets. It was the 2nd Gant d'Or championship for each. Interestingly (see below), every match article except Jai Alai y Mas Facebook  stressed the importance the winners' using "dead" balls in order to:

A) force long points, in which Minvielle, after a couple of early errors, was impeccable on defense

B) allow Erkiaga to return many Goikoetxea rocket cortadas (they were, nonetheless, breathtaking catches followed by very challenging throws, for the most part).

C) keep Irastorza from using his forehand or overhand as an offensive weapon, as far as was possible.

They wore out the two veterans (40 and 44 years old respectively) in the first set. Then as fatigue began to play a factor, they were able to put together a 9 point run midway through the second set to put the match away.

It was Irastorza's final Biarritz match. He received a long, warm, standing ovation from the crowd after the match.

Full match video (Cesta Punta Pro Tour Youtube)

Final Match Preview (El Correo) (Castilian) (Use Google Translate)

Biarritz Athletic Club Facebook Final Match Preview (French)
The Commentary is Google translated into English below for those who don't have Facebook or don't wish to use it for this purpose. It can be found at the bottom of the page.

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Final Match Article (Baleike--Zumaia) (Basque) (Use Google Translate)

Jai Alai News Facebook Match Article (Castilian)
The Commentary is Google translated into English below for those who don't have Facebook or don't wish to use it for this purpose. It can be found at the bottom of the page.

Biarritz Athletic Club Facebook Final Match Article (French)
The Commentary is Google translated into English below for those who don't have Facebook or don't wish to use it for this purpose. It can be found under the Standings at the bottom of  the Master  information.

Jai Alai y Mas Facebook Final Match Article 1, by Fernando Sierra Felgueres (Castilian) (Accompanied by video of two of Aritz Erkiaga's best winners, one in each set).
The Commentary is Google translated into English below for those who don't have Facebook or don't wish to use it for this purpose. It can be found under the Standings at the bottom of  the Master  information.

Jai Alai y Mas Facebook Final Match Article 2, by Fernando Sierra Felgueres (Castilian)
The Commentary is Google translated into English below for those who don't have Facebook or don't wish to use it for this purpose. It can be found under the Standings at the bottom of  the Master  information.

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Selected linescore (match winners always listed first)

Set 1: 9-4; 9-9; 15-12

Set 2:  0-3; 1-4; 3-4; 4-5; 5-5; 5-7; 14-7; 14-9; 15-9

Selected scoring

1st set:

(Aritz) Erkiaga +7 -3 Minvielle +1 -2
Goikoetxea +7 -1 Irastorza +0 -4

Canal + scoring adds to 25 points. There were 27 points in the set.

No scoring for the 2nd set or balls in play for either set were provided.

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Final of Youth Tournament

Bixente Gonzalez-Guillen Oyenard  (green) 2
Clement Garcia-Gorka Sorozabal (Johan's brother) (red) 1
(7-15, 15-7, 5-2) (27-24)

Full Match Video (Biarritz Atheltic Club Facebook full match video

Selected linescores (match winners always listed first) (Source: running comments of Biarritz Athletic Club Facebook full match video)

Set 1: 0-2; 1-3; 2-3; 4-5; 4-6; 7-8; 7-15

Set 2: 4-0; 4-4; 6-5; 7-6; 12-6; 15-7

Tie breaker: 2-0; 2-2; 5-2

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August 24

Second Semi-Final

(Aritz) Erkiaga-Minvielle (substituting for Lekerika [Leke]) 2
(Diego) Beaskoetxea-Lopez 0
(15-14, 15-14) (30-28)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (Biarritz Athletic Club Facebook Video)

Note: Expand this video so that it takes up the entire screen. There are spoilers in the commentary section of the video that may be visible on some devices.

Match Article (Naiz) (Castilian--Use Google Translate)

Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook) (Castilian)
The Commentary is Google translated into English below for those who don't have Facebook or don't wish to use it for this purpose. It can be found under the Standings at the bottom of  the Master  information.

Match article (Biarritz Athletic Club Facebook)
The Commentary is Google translated into English below for those who don't have Facebook or don't wish to use it for this purpose. It can be found under the Standings at the bottom of  the Master  information.

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August 22

1st Semi-Final 

Goikoetxea-Irastorza 2
Olharan-Basque 0
(15-8, 15-13) (30-21)

NOTE: The first video is turned on its side. For that video, you can manipulate a mobile (and perhaps tablet) to get the correct view. The other video was filmed correctly. Canal + it is not, but it is video of this match. The videos are in the correct chronological order,

FULL MATCH VIDEO (Biarritz Athletic Club Facebook Video)

Part 1: (video is turned on its side)
Part 2:

I was unable to find any substantive match stories.
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August 17

Play-in Match:

Olharan-Basque 2
Laduche-Etcheto 0
(15-8, 15-9) (30-17)

There is no other information available about this match at this time.

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JAI ALAI NEWS FACEBOOK FINAL MATCH ARTICLE (TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY GOOGLE) 

ERKIAGA AND MINVIELLE, CHAMPIONS IN IRASTORZA'S FAREWELL!
GOIKOETXEA-IRASTORZA vs ERKIAGA-MINVIELLE: 12-15, 10-15 (ACTUAL SCORE WAS 15-9)

Gala atmosphere last night at the Euskal Jai in Biarritz, despite the situation in which we are living, to enjoy the grand final of the Golden Glove, which had a lot of farewell in the case of Eric Irastorza. The 44-year-old from Bidarte, after undergoing a hip operation, has decided to participate in this edition of the Golden Glove. But after winning ten txapelas, a record, last night's was his last match in Biarritz. Irastorza is, surely along with Michelena, the greatest pelotari that has ever been in Iparralde, and this is how he is recognized on both sides of the muga, and of the Atlantic. Among the personalities present in the stands, mention to Maider Arosteguy; Mayor of Biarritz and recognized fan of Irastorza; Emmanuel Alzuri, mayor of Bidarte, Irastorza's hometown; Lilou Echeverria, President of the French Federation of Basque Pelota and alma mater of the Biarritz club; Xavier Cazauvon, president of the International Federation of Basque Pelota; or Félix Espilla, ex-pelotari and legend of Jai Alai, who wanted to be by Irastorza's side on such a special day, although he will surely still be able to play the occasional farewell match, if the situation allows it.

But let's put aside the "socialite" section to focus on what happened on the court. Let's not forget that Minvielle entered the competition to replace Lekerika. Goikoetxea and Irastorza, two heavyweights from Jai Alai, two pelotaris who have made history, did not start as favorites in the pools, something that surely has not happened in the last twenty years. Time is not wasted, Erkiaga, he is in top form, and Minvielle surely has less of a name than he deserves. He has four Golden Glove finals, and with yesterday's, two titles won (like Aritz Erkiaga).
Erkiaga and Minvielle knew that Irastorza was still capable of doing damage, with a live ball. That is why they opted for the dead. To rally, and that of Bidarte does not wreak havoc with the right. Greens Erkiaga and Minvielle were always ahead and took a five goal lead at the start of the match (4-9). Aritz was playing to the top, but when the colorados did so much, they took a live ball and Goiko appeared to tie at nine, making so many "house marks", such as a rebound from the right to the width (8-9) and another bite from the right also wide (9-9) that were two beauties to see. But the greens were more, and they did not miss the set. A goal from Minvielle with a backhand rebound, a rebound from Aritz, and a couple of errors from the Colorados, put the final 12-15 in the first set.

In the second game, the greens started cooler and Goiko and Irastorza took advantage to mark distances with an initial 3-0 and 4-1. But there was Aritz, to make cuts (4-3), two walls of rest of serve (5-4), two walls of right (5-5), etc. Irastorza also showed off with a two-sided right from frame eight (7-5) but tried the same two goals later, without surprising Erkiaga this time, who masterfully not only arrived, but dared to throw a drop from that position close to the net, and he did it perfectly (7-7). From there, Irastorza made the game long, and Erkiaga was a whirlwind. Of the seven equal, the greens went to 7-14. Goiko made up the result with a left in the rest service and a rebound inside. Later he tried a beautiful move, pulling left up and down.

Deserved victory for Aritz Erkiaga, the striker of the moment, although this was his first title this summer, and a meritorious title for Biarritz defender David Minvielle. As we say, out of four finals played, he has won two Golden Gloves.

Final embrace and smile from Goikoetxea and Irastorza, accepting in Eric's case, the passing of time and generation in the Jai Alai. Euskal Jai stood up to say goodbye to the great player born in Bidarte but who sportingly, Biarritz has always been his home. Emotional farewell to Eric microphone in hand, and as we say, we hope to see him yet in another game.

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BIARRITZ ATHLETIC CLUB FACEBOOK FINAL MATCH ARTICLE (TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY GOOGLE)

David comes out winner of his duel against Goliath!!!

The Erkiaga-Minvielle pair, author of a majestic performance in a high-level final, wins the 2020 Golden Glove, the second for each.

Inaki Goikoetxea was committed to offering a worthy exit door to his forever partner Eric Irastorza, for his last professional part in Biarritz. The red team was able to raise its level of play after the semi-final won last Wednesday, but it was physically that they dropped, the fault of an endless start to the game with a slow ball that made the points last again and again still some reaching 20 strikes.

At this undermining game, David Minvielle has been able to respond and face the assaults of the two greatest prizes of the cesta punta. After two errors at the beginning of the game on balls coming out of the left wall as they walked along him, he made almost no more mistakes later. He perfectly played his role as a back, defending the back wall and bringing the attack balls to his front Aritz Erkiaga, who long waited in this part to highlight himself. A little back with the slow ball, he then showed us all his technical luggage with the ball and above all he enjoyed us with his ability to defend the cortadas of Iñaki Goikoetxea.

The final victory is not here for Eric Irastorza's last game at the Euskal Jai d ' Aguiléra and what could have been a magnificent end point to a career that is just as much won't happen. But we're sure disappointment will fade quickly so much the part was beautiful.

Jean-Pierre Abeberry would have loved to comment on this game on the microphone, there's no doubt that he enjoyed watching it from up there and that he must be proud of his two BAC players he's watched grow.


The game is broadcast on channel plus Saturday at 14 am and Sunday at 19 pm and is also available on YouTube on the channel Cesta Punta Pro Tour.

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JAI ALAI Y MAS FACEBOOK, BY FERNANDO SIERRA FELGUERES FINAL MATCH ARTICLE 1 (ACCOMPANIED BY VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF TWO OF ARITZ ERKIAGA'S BEST WINNERS, ONE FROM EACH SET) (TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY GOOGLE)

WHAT MOMENTS!

As we said yesterday, the final match of the Golden Glove in Biarritz, France, has not lost from start to finish, it was a true tribute to the "old Jai Alai" that was splendid, but ...
To the infinity of good plays that we had the opportunity to enjoy, there are three moments that were memorable and here we highlight them:

That ball that "El Artista" Erkiaga put into a "cut" carambola from the "King" Goikoetxea that was a true marvel and besides the incredible shooting, from there to "Chula".

A surprising and superb "drop" from Erkiaga himself that left everyone with their mouths open.

And that cartload of applause for "Catrín" Iraztorza who yesterday played the last game of a brilliant sports career.

Enjoy them and please do not stop SHARING IT

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JAI ALAI Y MAS FACEBOOK, BY FERNANDO SIERRA FELGUERES FINAL MATCH ARTICLE 2 (TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY GOOGLE)

Erkiaga-Minvielle champions of the Golden Glove in Biarritz
GREAT TRIBUTE TO THE "OLD JAI-ALAI"!
By Fernando Sierra Felgueres

What a great ball game we had the opportunity to see on a broadcast from Biarritz, France, home of the famous Golden Glove.

The victory went to "the green" (blue) "Artist" Erkiaga and Minvielle over the red "Rey" Goikoetxea and "Catrín" Irastorza with a score of 15-12 and 15-9, but the result is the least when all the There present and those of us who were able to enjoy it thanks to the magic of technology, we witnessed one of the greatest tributes to the "ancient Jai Alai".

A game perfectly played by the four pelotaris on the court, with so many very rallied, excellently worked and very well finished. We could almost say that all the goals of the game were successes, we do not remember a single mistake.
From the kick-off to the awards ceremony, we went from emotion to emotion, among them, the tribute to a great of the ball, winner of 11 Golden Gloves, Mr. Eric Irastorza, who at the end of the match, received the affectionate applause from a standing French audience.

What a great afternoon for Jai Alai!

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BIARRITZ ATHLETIC CLUB FACEBOOK FINAL MATCH PREVIEW ARTICLE (TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY GOOGLE)

Two BAC players in the final !!

The club will have the chance to count in its ranks a winner of the Golden Glove this year.

The first, Eric Irastorza, native of Bidart but who has had his license in Biarritz for many years now, will form the favorite pair of this final with Iñaki Osa Goikoetxea. In the semi-final they avoided the trap of the pair Jean Olharan-Thibault Basque in a one-sided game but not without difficulties, on the score of 15-8 / 15-13.

The second, David Minvielle at the club since his teens, replaced yesterday at short notice Unai Lekefor the second semi-final. David, who is returning from a wrist injury which had forced him to forfeit all the tournaments in which he was engaged, was the author of a magnificent performance, accompanied by an Aritz Erkiaga of the great evenings. They eliminated the Diego Beascoechea-Imanol Lopez in two extremely tight sets with a score of 15-14 / 15-14, in a game where everyone went blow for blow until the final outcome.

In the curtain raising ensured by the tournament hope, the outsiders Bixente Gonzalez-Guillen Oyhenard finally won over the pair out first of the qualifying phase Johan Sorozabal-Tom Berthon-Lavauden. They will meetClement Garcia-Gorka Sorozabal in the final.

There will be a lot of shows at Euskal-Jai Aguilera on Wednesday from 8:30 p.m. Be present !!

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JAI ALAI NEWS FACEBOOK MATCH ARTICLE FOR THE 2ND SEM-FINAL (TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY GOOGLE)

ERKIAGA-MINVIELLE, GOLDEN GLOVE FINALISTS!
Aritz Erkiaga and David Minville are already finalists for the Biarritz Golden Glove. The Ispaster striker and the Biarritz defender are each looking for their second Golden Glove, in the final to be played tomorrow, Wednesday. Goikoetxea (two titles in Biarritz, 2018 with Irastorza and 2019 with Inza) and Irastorza (winner of ten Golden Gloves) await you. Erkiaga won his only Golden Glove in 2009 (with López, against Goikoetxea-Alliez) and Minvielle in 2017 (with Egiguren, against Goikoetxea-Lekerika).
Erkiaga and Minville won their semifinal match against Diego Beaskoetxea and Imanol López last night, by 15 to 14 points in each of the two sets. Very good Aritz, who is in full swing, good Minvielle, who after an injury played his first high-competition match last night, and below the level that Beaskoetxea and López have used to.

BIARRITZ ATHLETIC CLUB MATCH ARTICLE FOR THE 2ND SEMI-FINAL (TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY GOOGLE)

Two BAC players in the final !!

The club will have the chance to count in its ranks a winner of the Golden Glove this year.

The first, Eric Irastorza, native of Bidart but who has had his license in Biarritz for many years now, will form the favorite pair of this final with Iñaki Osa Goikoetxea. In the semi-final they avoided the trap of the pairJean Olharan-Thibault Basque in a one-sided game but not without difficulties, on the score of 15-8 / 15-13.

The second, David Minvielle at the club since his teens, replaced yesterday at short notice Unai Lekefor the second semi-final. David, who is returning from a wrist injury which had forced him to forfeit all the tournaments in which he was engaged, was the author of a magnificent performance, accompanied by an Aritz Erkiaga of the great evenings. They eliminated the Diego Beascoechea-Imanol Lopez in two extremely tight sets with a score of 15-14 / 15-14, in a game where everyone went blow for blow until the final outcome.

In the curtain raising ensured by the tournament hope, the outsiders Bixente Gonzalez-Guillen Oyhenard finally won over the pair out first of the qualifying phase Johan Sorozabal-Tom Berthon-Lavauden. They will meetClement Garcia-Gorka Sorozabal in the final.

There will be a lot of shows at Euskal-Jai Aguilera on Wednesday from 8:30 p.m. Be present !!

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BIARRITZ ATHLETIC CLUB TOURNAMENT PREVIEW (TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY GOOGLE)

Beginning of the Gant d'Or Monday evening 8:30 p.m. in Biarritz!
Following the victory of the Laduche / Etcheto pair in the final of the French Elite Championship against the team of Luzean Tambourindeguy / Laborde (replacing Urtasun injured), the Golden Glove can finally begin.
This year, the tournament, which is one of the flagship events of the Cesta Punta summer season, had to change its format. The winning team of the French Championship is qualified to play a play-off this Monday, August 17, against the team composed of the Pau Jean Olharan and the native of Bidart Thibault Basque. The team that will emerge victorious from this duel will play for its place in the final on Wednesday August 19 against Iñaki Goikoetxea and Eric Irastorza, who together make up one of the finest achievements in this sport.

In the second part of the table, we will have a 100% Spanish duel on Monday, August 24, with the best players in the specialty, in the person of Diego Beascoechea, multiple winner of the tournament and Imanol Lopez, the current best back. They will be opposed to Aritz Erkiaga and Unai Lekerika who form a very difficult team to maneuver with a very attacking profile.

Finally, we will meet again on Wednesday August 26 for the final, hoping to see many of you at the Euskal Jaï in Biarritz throughout the tournament.
Monday August 17: Laduche-Etcheto against Olharan-Basque Wednesday August 19: Goikoetxea-Irastorza against the winner of August 17 Monday August 24: Beascoechea-Lopez against Erkiaga-Lekerika Monday August 26: Grand Final