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)!!!

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--FALL 2021 PARTIDOS--IPARRALDE (NORTH BASQUE COUNTRY)

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To Hegoalde (South Basque) Fall Partidos 

To 2021 Summer Partidos (All--links to 69 full match videos--68 Cesta Punta and 1 Pala Larga)

To 2019 Basque Country and Fronton Mexico Partidos (Summer and Fall--All--links to 99 Full Match videos)

Links to all Cesta Punta Blog Posts--2016--Present (US, Mexico, Basque Country--links to lots of full match videos)

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A full Fall Partido season is scheduled for Iparralde (North Basque) in 2021.

A slate of seven Master Tournaments in two groups (A-Elite, and B-Young "up and coming" players) is scheduled. The format for each Tournament is the same: 4 pairs, 2 Semi-finals and a Final.

Matches will be played in 2 sets to 15 and a tie breaker, if necessary, to 5. 5 over serves (Pasas) are allowed, leading to a second serve. After that any Pasa is a service fault. Any unde rserve is an immediate fault. Carom serves are allowed.

The Tournaments.

1. Hossegor (1--Frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia--City): September 4-18

2. Saint-Jean-de-Luz (1) (1--Frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia--City): September 10-23

3. Biarritz (1--Frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia--City): October 28-November 4

4. Saint-Jean-de-Luz (2): (October 27-November 2) 

Order of #3 and #4 was determined by Cesta Punta Pro Tour. Dates are obviously out of order. Original schedule was changed somewhere along the line.

5. Mauleon (1--Frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia--City) : November 6-10

6. Pau (Cesta de Nadau) (1--Frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia--City): December 3-17

7. FINAL : Top 2 Avants (Fronts) and (Arrieres) Pau (1--Frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia--City)

Player Standing: (Points; Point Differential). Note: these standings will only be available until the beginning of the next Pro Tour. Then they will be overwritten by the new results. I have copied out the final "Classement" for all players (by position within Group) for archival purposes at the bottom of this page.

Point Determination.
Wins: 2-0=4 points. 2-1=3 points
Losses: 1-2=1 point. 0-2=0 points.

Player page: All Players. Note that not all players listed are playing in these Tournaments.  Players in each Tournament will be directly linked to their player page.

*=Player Promoted to Group A
#=Videos of "Up and Coming" player available at my "Up and Comers" Blog post.

To follow these tournaments in chronological order, read from the bottom up. 

Note: at present there is very little in the way of match report availablity. If I find any, I will link to them. I will not be providing Canal + scoring as it is most often incomplete and in many cases doesn't add to the final score. 

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Pro Tour Series 6: Pau (Cesta de Nadau)  (December 3-17)


Pro Tour Series 5: Mauleon  (November 6-10)

The Players

Group A: 


Group B:

Hugo Pierrot--Substitute (unknown, substituting for unknown)

Note: there was only one full match video for this tournament.

NOVEMBER 10--FINALS

Group A:

KEVIN ITHURRIA-GUILLEN OYHENARD (Red) 2
CRISTOPHE OLHA-THIBAULT BASQUE (Green) 0
(15-13, 15-13) (30-26)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (Canal + via Cesta Punta Pro Tour Youtube)

THIS IS KEVIN ITHURRIA'S 2ND TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP.  
IT IS GUILLEN OYHENARD'S FIRST EVER GROUP A TOURMENT CHAMPIONSHIP. 

Group B:

Domingo Marque Pucheu--Antton de Bettelu# v
Alexi Zabaleta--Zugaitz Sallaberry#
Results forthcoming

----

NOVEMBER 7--2ND SEMI-FINALS

Group A:

KEVIN ITHURRIA-GUILLEN OYHENARD 2
IBAN ETCHEBERRY-MANEX URTASUN 0
(15-13, 8-6) (23-19). 
The match was defaulted to Ithurria-Oyhenard. There are no other known details at this time.

Group B:

Alexi Zabaleta-Zugaitz Sallaberry 2
Hugo Pierrot-Substitute 1
(14-15, 15-9, 5-1) (34-25)

----

NOVEMBER 6--1ST SEMI-FINALS

Group A:

CHRISTOPHE OLHA-THIBAULT BASQUE 2
JEAN OLHARAN-DAMIEN OURTHE 0
(15-10, 15-6) (30-16)

Group B: 

Domingo Marque Pucheu--Antton de Bettelu# 2
Emeric Libois--Yann Millat 1
(15-10, 11-15, 5-1) (31-26)

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

----

NOVEMBER 2--FINALS 

FINALS

Group A: 

IBAN ETCHEBERRY-THIBAULT BASQUE 2
CHRISTOPHE OLHA-GUILLEN OYHENARD 0
(15-9, 15-11) (30-21)
ETCHEBERRY-T. BASQUE WIN PRO TOUR SERIES 4 ST. JEAN DE LUZ (2)

ETCHEBERRY, IN HIS 1ST GROUP A COMPETITION, HAS NOW WON HIS 2ND TOURNAMENT. HIS MATCH  RECORD IN THIS COMPETITION IS 4-0. HIS SET RECORD IS 8-1.

3RD TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP FOR T. BASQUE. HIS MATCH RECORD IN THIS COMPETITION IS 6-0. HIS SET RECORD IS 12-1

FULL MATCH VIDEO (Canal + via Cesta Punta Pro Tour Youtube)

----

OCTOBER 29--2ND SEMI-FINALS

GROUP A:

CHRISTOPHE OLHA-DAMIEN OURTHE 2
JON TAMBOURINDEGY-GUILLEN OYHENARD 1
(12-15, 15-13, 5-3) (32-31)

GROUP B:

Bixente Gonzalez-Tom Berthon 2
Emeric Libois-Antton de Bettelu 1
(15-11, 8-15, 5-4) (28-30)

No videos available for either match.

----

OCTOBER 27--1ST SEMI-FINALS

Group A:

IBAN ETCHEBERRY-THIBAULT BASQUE (SUBSTITUTING FOR ?) 2
THOMAS URRUTIA-STEPHANE AMATI 0
(15-5, 15-10) (30-15)

GROUP B:

Alexi Zabaleta-Benoit Mandagaran 2
Theo Etchegaray-Hugo Ibar 0
(15-13, 15-9) (30-22)

No videos available for either match

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Pro Tour Series 3: Biarritz (October 28-November 4)

The Players:

Group A: 


Group B: 


Full Match Videos of all matches in this Tournament are available at Biarritz Athletic Club Facebook. Note: these are not commercial quality videos, but are quite good, in my opinion. That said, the French commentators do not necessarily call out the score on each point. Viewers will have to keep track of the score.

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NOVEMBER 4--FINALS

JEAN OLHARAN-THIBAULT BASQUE 2
LUDOVIC LADUCHE-THEO LABORDE 0
(15-10, 15-14) (30-24)
OLHARAN-T. BASQUE WIN PRO TOUR SERIES 3 (BIARRITZ)
2ND TOURNAMENT WIN FOR T. BASQUE

FULL MATCH VIDEO (Canal+ via Cesta Punta Pro Tour Youtube)

Group B:

Maxime Benetrix-Zugaitz Sallaberry (Green) 2
Hugo Pierrou-Jerome Portet (Red) 0
(15-3, 15-7) (30-10)
Benetrix-Sallaberry win Pro Tour 3 Biarritz
2nd Tournament win for Benetrix

FULL MATCH VIDEO (Biarritz Athletic Club Facebook)

----

OCTOBER 31--SECOND SEMI-FINALS

Group A:

LUDOVIC LADUCHE-THEO LABORDE (Red) 2
PATXI TAMBOURINDEGUY-MANEX URTASUN (Green) 0
(15-12, 15-13) (30-25)


Group B:

Maxime Benetrix-Zugaitz Sallaberry (Green) 2
Andoni Laloo--Aize Iturralde (Red) 1
(15-11, 14-15, 5-3) (34-29)


----

OCTOBER 28--FIRST SEMI-FINALS

Group A:

JEAN OLHARAN-THIBAULT BASQUE (Red) 2
KEVIN ITHURRIA-DAVID MINVIELLE (Green) 0
(15-2, 15-3) (30-5)


Group B: 

Hugo Pierrot-Jerome Portet 2
Domingo Marque Puchot-Yann Millat 0
(15-14, 15-5) (30-19)

There was no video for this match.


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Pro Tour Series 2: Saint-Jean-de-Luz (September 10-23)

The Players: 

Group A: 


Group B:


++++

Full match videos for all three Group A matches in this Tournament are available via TVBP64 or Cesta Punta ProTour Youtubes

SEPTEMBER 23--FINALS

Group A: 

FULL MATCH VIDEO (Canal + via Cesta Punta Pro Tour Youtube)

KEVIN ITHURRIA-MANEX URTASUN (Green) 2
CHRISTOPHE OLHA-GUILLEN OYHENARD (Red) 1
(15-10, 11-15, 5-2) (31-27)
ITHURRIA-URTASUN WIN PRO TOUR SERIES 2 SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ (1)

Group B: (Score only)

Andoni Laloo-Yann Millat 2
Theo Etchegaray-Benoit Mandagaran 0
(15-12, 15-12) (30-24)
Laloo-Millat win Pro Tour Series 2 Saint-Jean-de-Luz (1)

----

SEPTEMBER 17--2ND SEMI-FINALS

Group A: 

FULL MATCH VIDEO (TVBP64 Youtube)

KEVIN ITHURRIA-MANEX URTASUN (Blue) 2
THOMAS URRUTIA--THEO LABORDE (Red) 1
(12-15, 15-10, 5-3) (32-28)

Group B:  (Score only)

Theo Etchegaray-Benoit Mandagaran 2
Hugo Pierrou-Zugaitz Sallaberry 0
(15-10, 15-5) (30-15)

----

SEPTEMBER 10--1ST SEMI-FINALS

Group A: 

FULL MATCH VIDEO (TVBP Youtube)

CHRISTOPHE OLHA-GUILLEN OYHENARD (Blue) 2
LUDOVIC LADUCHE--THIBAULT BASQUE (Red) 1
(9-15, 15-10, 5-2) (29-27)

Group B: (Score only)

Andoni Laloo-Yann Millat 2
Emeric Libois-Tom Berthon 0
(15-8, 15-4) (30-12)

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

Pro Tour Series 1: Hossegor (September 4-18)

The Players: 

Group A:


Group B:


++++

SEPTEMBER 18--FINALS 

GROUP A: 

FULL MATCH VIDEO (Canal + via Cesta Punta Pro Tour Youtube)

IBAN ETCHEBERRY-THIBAULT BASQUE 2
PATXI TAMBOURINDEGUY-DAVID MINVIELLE 1
(11-15, 15-8, 5-0) (31-23)
ETCHEBERRY-T. BASQUE WIN PRO TOUR SERIES 1 HOSSEGOR 

Iban Etcheberry, in his first Group A Tournament, Wins, with help from Thibault Basque

Group B: (Score only)

Maxime Benetrix-Jerome Portet 2
Alexi Zabaleta-Hugo Ibar 1
(7-15, 15-2, 5-3) (27-20)
Benetrix-Portet win Pro Tour Series 1 Hossegor 

----

SEPTEMBER 11--2ND SEMI-FINALS (SCORES ONLY)

GROUP A: 

PATXI TAMBOURINDEGUY-DAVID MINVIELLE 2
THOMAS URRUTIA-DAMIEN OURTHE 0
(15-4, 15-7) (30-11)

GROUP B: 

Maxime Benetrix-Jerome Portet 2 
Bixente Gonzalez-Antton de Bettelu 1
(10-15, 15-11, 5-3) (30-29)

----

SEPTEMBER 4--1ST SEMI-FINALS (scores only)

GROUP A: 

IBAN ETCHEBERRY-THIBAULT BASQUE 2
JEAN OLHARAN-THEO LABORDE 0
(15-14, 15-14) (30-28)

GROUP B:

Alexis Zabaleta-Hugo Ibar 2 
Domingo Marque Pucheu-Aize Iturralde 0
(15-11, 15-13) (30-24) 

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

CLASSEMENT DES JOUEURS PROFESSIONNELS: FINAL (2021 FALL LEAGUE)

KEY--PLAYER; POINTS (2-0=4; 2-1=3; 1-2=1; 0-2=0--THERE WERE NO BONUS POINTS FOR WINNING OR SECOND PLACE IN INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENTS); POINT DIFFERENTIAL 

ELITE A 2022

AVANTS--FRONTS

1. ETCHEBERRY Iban 15 PTS 31 GOAL
2. ITHURRIA Kevin 14 PTS -9 GOAL
3. OLHA Christophe 11 PTS -1 GOAL
4. TAMBOURINDEGUY Patxi  9 PTS  0 GOAL
5. OLHARAN Jean          8 PTS 15 GOAL
6. TAMBOURINDEGUY Jon  8 PTS 12 GOAL
7. LADUCHE Ludovic  6 PTS -7 GOAL
8. URRUTIA Thomas  1 PTS -41 GOAL

ARRIÈRES--BACKS

1. BASQUE Thibault 13 PTS 39 GOAL
2. OYHENARD Guillen 13 PTS  5 GOAL
3. LABORDE Theo         11 PTS 10 GOAL
4. URTASUN Manex  6 PTS -10 GOAL
5. MINVIELLE David  5 PTS -17 GOAL
6. OURTHE Damien  3 PTS -42 GOAL
7. INZA Txabi          1 PTS -4 GOAL
8. AMATI Stephane  0 PTS -15 GOAL

ELITE B 2021

AVANTS

1. BENETRIX Maxime 18 PTS 30 GOAL
2. ZABALETA Alexi 17 PTS 21 GOAL
3. LALOO Andoni         15 PTS 18 GOAL
4. GONZALEZ Bixente  8 PTS  3 GOAL
5. PIERROU Hugo          5 PTS -33 GOAL
6. ETCHEGARAY Theo  4 PTS -6 GOAL
7. MARQUE PUCHEU Domingo 3 PTS -22 GOAL
8. LIBOIS Emeric  2 PTS -21 GOAL

ARRIÈRES

1. MANDAGARAN Benoit 15 PTS 11 GOAL
2. SALLABERRY Zugaitz 14 PTS 29 GOAL
3. IBAR Hugo         10 PTS -2 GOAL
4. PORTET Jérôme 10 PTS -8 GOAL
5. MILLAT Yann          9 PTS  8 GOAL
6. BERTHON TOM          6 PTS -15 GOAL
7. DE BETTELU Antton  5 PTS -4 GOAL
8. ITURRALDE Aize  2 PTS -10 GOAL
 
========================================= 

To Hegoalde (South Basque) Fall Partidos 

To 2021 Summer Partidos (All--links to 69 full match videos--68 Cesta Punta and 1 Pala Larga)

To 2019 Basque Country and Fronton Mexico Partidos (Summer and Fall--All--links to 99 Full Match videos)

Links to all Cesta Punta Blog Posts--2016--Present (US, Mexico, Basque Country--links to lots of full match videos)

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JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--FALL 2021 PARTIDOS--HEGOALDE (SOUTH BASQUE COUNTRY)

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To 2021 Summer Partidos (All--links to 69 full match videos--68 Cesta Punta and 1 Pala Larga)

To 2019 Basque Country and Fronton Mexico Partidos (Summer and Fall--All--links to 99 Full Match videos)

Links to all Cesta Punta Blog Posts--2016--Present (US, Mexico, Basque Country--links to lots of full match videos)

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

An abbreviated Fall Partido season is scheduled for Hegoalde, South Basque Country in 2021

So far there is one Grand Slam Tournament and one Singles World Championship. If I find others, I will add them.

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

HONDARRIBIA GRAND SLAM (Jai Alive and Munduko Pilota Batzarra)

Jostaldi, Hondarribia (1-Frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia--City)

The Hondarribia Grand Slam began on September 17 and will end with a final on October 15th. The Tournament contains  two groups of three teams each. There is a Round Robin in each group with the top two teams in each group playing each other in Semi-finals (Group A#1 v Group B#2 and Group B#1 v Group A#2)

The players:

*=More information about these "up and comers", including links to full match videos can be found at my "Up and Comers" blog post.

Group A:


GROUP B

Tournament Preview (Munduko Pilota Batzarra) (Castilian and Basque)

Note: Mikel Mancisidor is mid-identified in the Preview as Xabi Mancisidor

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

OCTOBER 15, 2021

FINAL (Players, Group, League Phase Finish, League Phase + Post League Matches and Sets Record, Point Differential)

ARBE-LOPEZ     (GROUP B, 2ND--2-1--3-1---4-2--6-3---+17--+18) 2 
ERKIAGA-ETXETO (GROUP A, 2ND--2-1--2-2---5-2--6-4---+16--+15) 1
(15-7, 6-15, 5-3) (26-25)


Partial Scoring (EITB)

Arbe +9 -6;  Lopez +3 -1
Erkiaga +14 -7; Etxeto +4 -7

Total Score: +30 -21 (.588)

Other scoring statistics (Balls in Play and Time of match) were unavailable as the scoring information was interrupted by the Post Match ceremonies.

Match Article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra) (Castilian or Basque)
Match Article (Jai Alive Facebook) (Castilian)

Google English translation for those who chose not to use Facebook.

Arbe-Lopez win a final for the memory
Arbe-López have imposed themselves on the 'Grand Slam of Hondarribia', in a final for the memory, because glory is taken by the victors, but in the victors shone spectacularly Erkiaga. 2-1 for the winners, with midterms of 15-7, 6-15 and 5-3.
Fronton Jostaldi recorded a big driveway, nearly full with more than 500 spectators in the stands, and the crowd vibrated with a roller coaster match and where there were so many epics.
Erkiaga-Etcheto didn't get into the game well and Arbe-Lopez took advantage of it to take the first set with the clarity of 15-7.
However, the second set saw a completely different game, especially as Erkiaga went into artist mode, reaching out to lift the audience from their seats. The starting 0-5 was the foreshadowing of a completely dominated set and won 6-15 by the Blues.
After over an hour of play, what more did the audience want than a playoff set!. Arbe had some fortune in two so many and the fact that Arbe-Lopez came forward 3-0 weighed in set development .. Now that's Erkiaga-Etcheto approached 4-3 and gave excitement but couldn't come back.
Ultimately great afternoon tip basket at Jostaldi fronton.
1st set: 2-0, 2-2, and 15-7
2nd set: 0-5, 1-5, 1-7, 2-7 and 6-15
Playoff: 3-0, 3-1, 4-1 and 5-3

Match Preview (Jai Alive Facebook)

Google English translation for those who choose not to use Facebook

All ready for the final of Hondarribia
The 'Hondarribia Grand Slam', which started on September 17 and has since held four functions, comes to an end, with the final match this Friday at 20.00 on the Jostaldi fronton. The festival, which will be seen in false direct by ETB1 starting at 22.00, will start with the match between Goitia-Del Rio and Basterra-Zabala, with two consecrated zaguers who have participated in the 'Grand Slam' and two strikers young people who will soon be playing these tournaments. Then the grand final will come between Arbe-Lopez and Erkiaga-Etcheto.
Arbe-Lopez entered this tournament with defeat, but won in the second match day and qualified for the semi-final. In it they met Goikoetxea-Aimar, which could be regarded as favorites, also because they had won both of their matches.

But Arbe-Lopez played a huge level and won by 9-15 and 5-15, pulling the ticket for Friday's final. It's a well-competing couple, where Arbe is being the tournament sensation and Lopez is showing a lot of safety.
The other finalist couple is Erkiaga-Etcheto, who also lost in the first leg of the league. In the third they measured Olharan-Del Rio with the semi-finals in play. There you already saw a great Erkiaga and a very solvent Etcheto, who won 15-12 and 15-9. With Erkiaga's great summer, winning the Grand Slam of Donibane Lohitzune, Biarritz, Pau and Gernika, plus previous performances , they became favorites for the semi-final, against Beaskoetxea-Zabala. They won, but not without sweating and with almost as many as possible, 15-13 and 15-13. Both sets were behind in 12-13 but came back and won.
Singer Rumblinglips will cheer up the evening.
note Iñigo Aristizabal

Preview interview with Jokin Arbe (Jai Alive Facebook) (Castilian)

Google English translation for those who choose not to use Facebook

Jokin Arbe, 'best pelotari in the world kilo per kilo'.
This Friday, starting at 20.00, fronton Jostaldi hosts the final matchday of the 'Grand Slam of Hondarribia', scored for the Jai Alai World Tour. Arbe-Lopez and Erkiaga-Etcheto will play the final and we chatted with Jokin Arbe, Markina-Xemein's striker.
- Jokin, it's been a round summer for you. You have won the tournaments of Hossegor, Mutriku, Markina and Lekeitio Winning in Hondarribia would be the icing on the cake?

- I really do. Even though summers are physically demanding for party loading, the results helped me this time and I appreciate all the opportunities companies have given me. And on the one hand, yes, it would be tossing the cake, but on the other hand it would be a premiere too, as it would be to win the txapela in the first Grand Slam I'm in... It would be nice and we'll go with everything we have.
- What's it like to play with Imanol Lopez? Do you understand each other well?

- Playing with Imanol is such an honor, I myself enjoy watching him play as a couple. It covers many high-level qualities: strength, wingspan, very good technique and the know-how to be. If all this adds up to what a ballotari he is, I think all he has left is to have as a partner a striker finish the much he dominates, and I think that's where I come in. We are very well in reading every game and I think this is why we create a competitive couple. A lot of people have told me that there is chemistry between us, as a couple of balls.
- Punctist fans tell us you're ' the best ballotari in the world kilo per kilo '.

- Hahaha. It will be because I only weigh 68 kilos. Since I was a kid I've known that very rarely I would dominate a lot of strength and for this very reason I think I've focused throughout my career especially on technique and at the end of so many. Despite everything, one tries to improve on what lacks and, for four years, I have been doing extra physical work with my physical trainer Gontzal Uriona, who does an excellent job with me and has given me a point of power and strength that is necessary to play at this level. My goal is to improve until the end of my sporting career. I feel like continuing to learn and grow as a pelotari, this is what moves me and every day you learn from something.
- What's the strategy for the final?

- Erkiaga and Etcheto create a very strong and balanced couple. I think every well-channeled workout (in the face of how to play this final) is very important and why both Imanol and I will work hard on the week to make this reflect Friday in the final. Regarding the party, I think the party responsibility will be taken by Erkiaga, as he is one of the current best strikers, and we will have to keep him from getting into the game. Remains-wreckage of the two striker, Aritz rebounds and my defense will be key to getting the txapela.

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

Semi-Finals (October 9, 2021)

Preview (Munduko Batzarra Pilota) (Castilian or Basque)

FULL MATCH VIDEO FOR BOTH MATCHES (EITB--in the order below)

ARBE-LOPEZ (GROUP B, 2ND, 1-1--2-2--+1) 2
GOIKOETXEA-A. ALDAZABAL (GROUP A, 1ST, 2-0, 4-1, +3) 0
(15-9, 15-5) (30-14)

No scoring was available

ERKIAGA-ETXETO (GROUP A, 2ND, 1-1--3-2--+12) 2
BEASKOETXEA-ZABALA (GROUP B, 1ST, 2-0--4-0--+20) 0  
(15-13, 15-13) (30-26)

No scoring was available.

Match Article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra) (Castilian or Basque)
Match Article (Kiroletik.eus) (Basque)

Preview Article (Jai Alive) (Castilian)

Google English translation for those who prefer not to use Facebook

Semifinals in Hondarribia this Saturday
Final day is the most anticipated in any tournament, but almost as much expectation lifts the semi-finals day and is facing the 'Grand Slam of Hondarribia' this Saturday, starting at 20.00 at the Jostaldi fronton. The cameras of Euskal Telebista will be present and the games will be broadcast on ETB1 on the same night in false live.
After the garters have been contested throughout three days, the semi-finals arrive and each will have their favorites or forecasts, but both duels appear fairly equal.
Goikoetxea-Aimar will first be measured with Arbe-Lopez. Goikoetxea-Aimar won the two games of their garter and form a solid couple, who are known very well because they train together. In front of you will have Arbe-Lopez, winners this summer at the Markina and Lekeitio Masters, who may not have shown their full potential in the league, but also make up a compact couple.
In the second semifinal also uncertain forecast, Beaskoetxea-Zabala or Erkiaga-Etcheto. Beaskoetxea-Zabala passed as group first but in theory they wouldn't be the favorite in this match. Now that's Beaskoetxea is playing like in its best times, with many two walls, demonstrating a great shape. In front will be Erkiaga-Etcheto, who have gone from less to more. Erkiaga is the man to beat this year, not in vain has won the Grand Slams of Biarritz, Donibane Lohitzune and Gernika.
Luxury poster for this Saturday and looking forward to Friday, October 15, when fronton Jostaldi will regain its almost complete capacity and the winning pair of Hondarribia's ' Grand Slam ' will be met.

Match Article (Jai Alive) (Castilian)

Google English Translation for those who prefer not to use Facebook)

** Arbe-Lopez and Erkiaga-Etcheto will play Hondarribia final.**
Arbe-López and Erkiaga-Etcheto have won the semi-finals of Hondarribia ' today and will contest the final next Friday.

Fronton Jostaldi hosted an interesting evening's highest-level basket-pointe evening, with scoring matches for the Jai Alai World Tour and excited to learn the identities of the finalists. Rumblinglips has extended the session with musical performances on the hiatus.

In the first game, Goikoetxea-Aimar came with slight favoritism by winning the two league matches, but did not have their day and lost 0-2 to inspired Arbe-Lopez (9-15 and 5-15). The first set didn't take long to break and as of 3-10 it was almost decided. In that final stretch Goikoetxea has risked and got some so many merit, but no comeback glimpse. The second set has been clearer yet, with a 1-8 start that has marked the future of the match. Lopez has been very confident in the lag and Arbe ahead has signed so many brilliant ones.

1st set: 1-0, 1-4, and 9-15
2nd set: 0-1, 1-1 1-8, 4-8, and 5-15.

Game seemed more equal between Erkiaga-Etcheto and Beaskoetxea-Zabala and so it has been. Although decided in two sets, it's almost gone as far as possible for as many. In the first set, Erkiaga-Etcheto have had some perks of up to four so many, the last in 6-10. However, Beaskoetxea-Zabala have come back, placed 13-12 and looked like they could take the set, but Erkiaga has decided.

The second set has still come, with maximum rents of two so many for the blues. The outcome has been similar, from a final 13-12 to 13-15 Again the many more applauded have been Erkiaga's, who is playing at a high level.

1st set: 0-3, 1-3m and 13-12, and 13-15.
2nd set: 1-0, 1-1, 5-3, 11-12, 13-12, and 13-15.
Matches this afternoon-night will be feasible live today at 23.10 on ETB1.
The 'Hondarribian Grand Slam' has only one day left, next Friday, October 15, at 20.00 p.m. Arbe-López and Erkiaga-Etcheto will play the title.

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League Phase Day 3 (October 1, 2021)

Final League Table (Match record, Set Record, Total Point Differential)

*=Advance to Semi-Finals

Group A: 

*Goikoetxea-A. Aldazabal...2-0...4-1....+3
*Erkiaga-Etxeto............1-1...3-2...+12
Olharan-Del Rio............0-2...0-4...-15

Group B:

*Beaskoetxea-Zabala........2-0...4-0...+20
*Arbe-Lopez................1-1...2-2....+1
Hormaetxea-Mancisidor......0-2...0-4...-21

Preview (Munduko Pilota Batzarra) (Castilian or Basque) 

FULL MATCH VIDEO FOR BOTH MATCHES (EITB--in the order below) 

GROUP A: 

ERKIAGA-ETXETO 2 (1-1, 3-2, +12)
OLHARAN-DEL RIO 0 (0-2, 0-4, -15) 
(15-13, 15-9) (30-22)
E-E qualify for the semi-finals

Scoring (Source: EITB):

Erkiaga +13 -3; Etxeto +5 -2 
Olharan +12 -4; Del Rio +5 -8

Total Score: +35 -17 (.673)

Balls in Play: 491
Erkiaga 124; Etxeto 125
Olharan 128; Del Rio 114

Non Error % (BIP - errors / BIP) = 474/491 =.965

Time: 74:36

BIP/Point: 9.4
Total Time/Point: 86.1 seconds (Note: EITB does not provide playing time, only total time)

GROUP B

BEASKOETXEA-ZABALA 2 (2-0, 4-0, +20)
HORMAETXEA-MANCISIDOR 0 (0-2, 0-4, -21)
(15-12, 15-9) (30-21)
B-Z qualify for the Semi-finals
Arbe-Lopez qualify for the Semi-finals

Scoring:

Beaskoetxea +15 -5; Zabala +2 -4
Hormaetxea +8 -8; Mancisidor +4 -5

Total Score: +29 -22 (.569)

Balls in Play: 297

Beaskoetxea 83; Zabala 69
Hormaetxea 67; Mancisidor 78

Non error % (BIP - errors / BIP) = 275/297 = .926

Time: 64:53

BIP/Point: 5.8
Total Time/Point: 76.3 seconds (Note: EITB does not provide playing time, only total time. 

Match article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra) (Castilian or Basque)
Match article (Naiz) (Castilian)

Preview Article (Jai Alive Facebook (Castilian)

Google English translation for those who prefer not to use Facebook

Excited for the third day of the 'Hondarribia Grand Slam'
The 'Grand Slam of Hondarribia' advances and reaches the third matchday, last of the league. This time it will be played on Saturday, starting at 20.00 at the Jostaldi Fronton. Euskal Telebista will broadcast the festival in fake live on the same Saturday night (23.15 hours)
The matchday will start with Erkiaga-Etcheto and Olharan-Del Rio match, with a semi-finals ticket at stake. The two couples lost in previous days to Goikoetxea-Aimar, which are already classified and first in the group. Whoever wins this match will be in the semi-finals of October 9th.
Group B is more even and everything can happen. Beaskoetxea-Zabala face, who have a win, with Hormaetxe-Manci, who are at zero. Should they win Beaskoetxea-Zabala, they would move to the semi-final and first group, being second Arbe-Lopez, who have a win. If the winners are Hormaetxea-Manci, a triple tie would occur and sets or even points would come into play.
We remember the previous results of this group:
Arbe-Lopez 0-2 Beaskoetxea-Zabala (13-15 & 6-15)
Arbe-Lopez 2-0 Hormaetxea-Manci (15-10 and 15-8
Iñigo Aristizabal

Match article (Jai Alive Facebook)

Google English translation for those who prefer not to use Facebook

The 'Grand Slam of Hondarribia' already has semi-finalists
The semi-finalists of the 'Hondarribia Grand Slam' are known, test score for the Jai Alai World Tour. This afternoon in the Jostaldi fronton, the third and final matchday of the league, in which group A sought second classified and where everything was to be decided in group B.

In group A, Olharan-Del Rio and Erkiaga-Etcheto reached the third leg with losses to Goikoetxea-Aimar, already classified and as first group. The second was going to be the winner of today's first game and it was Erkiaga-Etcheto.

Erkiaga-Etcheto set off as favorites but encountered a lot of opposition and had to fight a lot to get the win, 2-0 (15-13 and 15-9) after 75 minutes of play. Equality presided over the game and on the first set were in a dangerous zone when Olharan-Del Rio advanced for the second time in 12-13. However the Reds did there three in a row, something they had only achieved again on that set.
In the second sleeve, equality was maintained until 8-7, when Erkiaga-Etcheto began to distance themselves on the scoreboard to end up winning by 15-9. Erkiaga finished the work with a two walls.

First set, 39 mins: 1-0, 1-1, 3-1 3-1, 6-2, 9-8 9-9, 11-9, 11-12, 12-12 12-13 and 15-13.
Second set, 33 mins: 2-0, 2-1, 4-1 4-1, 5-2, 9-7 , 9-8, 14-8, and 15-9.
In group B they faced Beaskoetxea-Zabala with Hormatxea-Manzi, the first with a win and zero the second. Earrings from the result, Arbe-Lopez, with a win. With Beaskoetxea-Zabala's 2-0 win (15-12 and 15-9 in 55 minutes), this couple pass as a group first and Arbe-Lopez as a second.

Hormaetxea-Manci were against the strings, as they had to win, do it for 2-0 and also for a dozen between the two sets. They played their part but couldn't with Beaskoetxea-Zabala. These suffered a pothole in the first set (from 6-2 to 6-8), but then hit the first sleeve for 15-12. The second set started with a 4-0 but marched even, always with a red trend. It was the shortest of the afternoon, 22 minutes, and after 10-8 Beaskoetxea-Zabala definitely escaped.

First set, 31 mins: 1-0, 1-2, 6-2,, 14-12 and 15-12.
Second set, 22 mins: 4-0, 4-2, 5-2 5-2, 7-3, 12-8 12-9 and 15-9.
Matches this afternoon-night will be feasible live today at 23.15 on ETB1.
On Saturday, October 9th, the Jostaldi fronton will host the semi-finals of the 'Hondarribia Grand Slam': Goikoetxea-Aimar against Arbe Lopez and Beaskoetxe-Zabala against Erkiaga-Etxeto
Note Iñigo Aristizabal

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

League Phase Day 2 (September 24, 2021

League Table at the end of  Phase Day 2 (Match Record, Set Record, Total Point Differential)

*=Won a place in the Semi-finals.

Group A

*Goikoetxea-A. Aldazabal.....2-0...4-1...+3
Erikiaga-Etxeto..............0-1...1-2...+4
Olharan-Del Rio..............0-1...0-2...-7

Group B

Beaskoetxea-Zabala...........1-0.....2-0...+11
Arbe-Lopez...................1-1.....2-2....+1
Hormaetxea-Mancisidor........0-1.....0-2...-12

Preview (Munduko Pilota Batzarra (Castilian and Basque)

FULL MATCH VIDEO FOR BOTH MATCHES (EITB--in the order below) 

GROUP A:

GOIKOETXEA-A. ALDAZABAL 2 (2-0, 4-1, +3)
OLHARAN-DEL RIO 0 (0-1, 0-2, -7)
(15-9, 15-14) (30-23)
G-A qualify for the semi-finals

Scoring: (Source: EITB)

Goikoetxea +12 -3; A. Aldazabal +11 -4
Olharan +13 -4; Del Rio +3 -3

Total Score: +39 -14 (.736)

Balls in Play: 420
Goikoetxea 93; A. Aldazabal 120
Olharan 114; Del Rio 93

Non Error % (BIP-Errors / BIP = 406/420= .967

Time: 64:50

BIP/Point: 7.9
Total Time/Point: 73.6 seconds (Note: EITB does not provide playing time, only total time)

GROUP B:

ARBE-LOPEZ 2 (1-1, 2-2, +1)
HORMAETXEA-MANCISIDOR 0 (0-1, 0-2), -12)
(15-10, 15-8) (30-18)

Scoring: 

Arbe +7 -4; Lopez +13 -0
Hormaetxea +9 -4; Mancisidor +5 -6

Total Score: +34 -14 (.708)

Balls in Play: 405
Arbe 90; Lopez 118
Hormaetxea 95; Mancisidor 102

Non Error % (BIP - Errors / BIP=391/405= .965

Time: 64:46

BIP/Point: 8.4
Total Time/Point: 81.0 seconds (Note: EITB does not provide playing time, only total time)

Match Article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra) (Castilian or Basque)
Match Article (Hitza) (Basque)

Preview (Jai AliveFacebook) (Castilian)

Google English Translation (for those who prefer not to use Facebook)

Interesting second matchday of 'Grand Slam of Hondarribia'
On Friday at 20.00 p.m. Jostaldi will take place on the second matchday of the 'Hondarribia Grand Slam', with important things at stake in the Goikoetxea-Aimar matches against Olharan Del Rio and Arbe-Lopez against Hormaetxa-Manci.
In group A, Goikoetxea-Aimar can seal their semi-finals after their first-match win over Erkiaga-Etcheto (2-1). They leave as favorites, but they won't have it easy against an Olharan who has played at a high level all the summer and a Del Rio that has an iron right and wants to completely forget the injury he suffered a few weeks ago.
In group B no one can qualify for the semi-finals but they can stay out of the same. It's about Arbe-Lopez who didn't have a good day and will try to take it out. Their task is to win and wait for what happens on the third day. They enter Hormaetxea-Manci games, a spectacular topping and an already-enshrined young man who will put emotion to this group.
The 'Grand Slam of Hondarribia', test score for the Jai Alai Wolrd Tour, will conclude its league on Saturday, October 2 The semi-finals will be held on Saturday 9th and the final on Friday 15th. All festivals are broadcast by Euskal Telebista, in false direct.
Note Iñigo Aristizabal

Match Article (Jai Alive Facebook) (Castilian)

Google English Translation (for those who prefer not to use Facebook)

Goikoetxea-Aimar, to the semi-finals of 'Hondarribia'
This afternoon at the Jostaldi fronton took place on the second match of the 'Grand Slam of Hondarribia', test score for the Jai Alai World Tour. It's worth remembering that six couples play this tournament, divided into two groups that play liguillas. The first two of each move to the semi-finals, scheduled for Saturday, October 9th.

In the A Goikoetxea-Aimar group they had already won on the first match (2-1 to Erkiaga-Etcheto), so a win today would serve to seal their pass to the semi-finals. The Reds dominated the first set with some ease but the second one had a different development and had a hard time to sentence and avoid playoff. Not only did Olharan-Del Rio advance 1-4, but they also turned an adverse 11-5 When it looked like the set was going to fall off Goiko-Aimar's side, a 2-8 partial put the 13-14 on the scoreboard and the excitement also for a bleachers who wanted to see a third set. However, Goiko made two great many to close set and match.

First set, 30 mins: 3-0, 3-2, 6-2, 6-4 12-4 and 15-9.
Second set, 38 mins: 1-0, 1-4, 4-4 4-4, 4-5, 15-14. and 15-14.

In group B, Arbe-Lopez were bound to beat Hormaetxea-Manci if they didn't want to say goodbye to the tournament as on Friday they lost to Beaskoetxe-Zabala (2-0).

They were favors and saved the delicate situation by winning a match in the one they went from less to more. In the first set they came to rent seven so many (12-5), but Hormatexea-Manzi fought and approached 12-10, albeit fruitlessly. The second set became more apparent in the superiority of Arbe-Lopez, winning by a clear 15-8 and in just 28 minutes.

First set, 35 mins: 3-0, 3-1, 7-1 7-1, 8-2 15-10, 10-4, 15-10 and 15-10
Second set, 28 mins: 1-0, 1-1, 6-1 6-1, 6-2, 15-8. and 15-8.

This afternoon-night matches will be feasible live this Sunday at 15.00 on ETB1.

For next Saturday, October 2, the Olharan-Del Rio matches against Erkiaga-Etcheto and Beaskoetxea-Zabala vs. Hormaetxe-Manci matches remain. Whoever wins the first showdown will move to the semi-final, while in the second game he will decide the two semi-finalists of group B, in which Arbe-Lopez and Beaskoetxea-Zabala are with a win and with zero Hormaetxe-Manci.
Note Iñigo Aristizabal

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

League Phase Day 1 (September 17, 2021)

Preview (Munduko Pilota Batzarra) (Castilian and Basque)

FULL MATCH VIDEO FOR BOTH MATCHES (EITB--in the order below)

GROUP A:

GOIKOETXEA-A. ALDAZABAL 2 (1-0; 2-1; -4)
ERKIAGA-ETXETO 1 (0-1; 1-2; +4)
(8-15, 15-13, 5-4) (28-32)

GROUP B:

BEASKOETXEA-ZABALA 2 (1-0, 2-0; +11)
ARBE-LOPEZ 0 (0-1; 0-2; -11)
(15-13, 15-6) (30-19)

No Scoring statistics are available for these matches

Match article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra--Castilian and Basque)
Match article #1 (Hitza--Basque)
Match article #2 (Hitza--Basque)

Jai Alive Facebook  (via Jai Alai News Facebook) (Castilian)

Google English Translation (for those who prefer not to use Facebook)

Good start of the 'Grand Slam of Hondarribia'
This afternoon on the Jostaldi fronton kicked off the 'Hondarribia Grand Slam', test score for the Jai Alai World Tour. Game 200 striker s' duel and the desire to see again tip basket live has prompted a very good entry and better atmosphere at Jostaldi, with more than 200 viewers.
In the first game Goikoetxea-Aimar they have imposed on Erkiaga-Etcheto for 2-0 (8-15 and 15-13 and1). The first set has marched very equal until 5-6 and after 7-9 Erkiaga-Etcheto have taken one more march and gone straight until 15, which has climbed when Goikoetxea has crashed an attempted left on the txapa.
The development of the second set has been different as Goikoetxea-Aimar have started dominating, seeking the draw. A left to Erkiaga's txoko has meant 4-4 and shortly after the first lead of the Blues has reached, who have changed a 7-5 for a 7-8. It was the set tonic, in which there have been up to seven changes of owner on the scoreboard. From 12-13 has moved to 15-13, finiquitated with a two walls of Aimar.
The playoff has recorded all possible matches and new owner changes to the scoreboard. With 4-4, Goikoetxea has sentenced a cut between his two rivals.
First set, 27 mins: 0-1, 1-1, 1-2 1-2, 2-3, 7-12 8-12 and 8-15.
Second set, 37 mins: 0-1, 2-1, 2-2 2-2, 4-5, 10-10 , 12-10, 12-11, and 15-13.
Playoff, 7 mins: 0-1, 1-1, 1-2, and 5-4.
In group B, Arbe-Lopez set off as light favorites against Beaskoetxea-Zabala, but have clauded after 55 minutes of the game. The first set has been matched until 8-8 and then seen two tacades, 13-8 and the comeback of the blues to 13-15. It hasn't stopped the good time of Beaskoetxea-Zabala, who have continued to dominate in the second set to the point of taking it for a clear 6-15 in just 21 minutes.
First set, 34 mins: 0-3, 3-3, 3-4 3-4, 3-5 13-15., 5-6, 13-15. and 13-15.
Second set, 21 mins: 0-2, 1-2, 1-4, and 6-15.
Next Friday they'll get into action Olharan-Del Rio and Hormaetxea-Manci, who rested today. Liguilla will be completed on Saturday October 2th, Saturday 9th the semi-finals will be played and Friday the 15th the final.

Note Iñigo Aristizabal

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To 2021 Summer Partidos (All--links to 69 full match videos--68 Cesta Punta and 1 Pala Larga)

To 2019 Basque Country and Fronton Mexico Partidos (Summer and Fall--All--links to 99 Full Match videos)

Links to all Cesta Punta Blog Posts--2016--Present (US, Mexico, Basque Country--links to lots of full match videos)

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