=========
2022 International Tournaments
Hegoalde (South Basque Country-AKA Spain)
Jai Alai Winter Series--Gernika--January 19-March 20, 2022 (9 Full Match Videos)
JAI ALAI WORLD TOUR
Donostia (San Sebastian) Grand Slam (May 14-June 11, 2022) (4 Full Match Videos)
+++++++
Iparralde (North Basque Country--AKA France)
CESTA PUNTA PRO TOUR
Cesta All Star Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) (April 19-28, 2022) (9 Full Match Videos)
Cesta Punta Summer League (Biarritz, Pau) (May 6-June 17, 2022) (6 Full Match Videos)
Grand Slam, Espoir (Group B) (July 5-August 25)
Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) Grand Slam (Group A) (July 5-August 25) (4 Masters and 1 SLAM) (15 Full Match Videos)
Gant d'Or (Biarritz) (July 6-August 24) (4 Masters and 1 SLAM)
Pau Cup (July 15-September 2) (2 Masters and 1 SLAM)
Grand Chistera (Biarritz) (July 8-August 25, every Tuesday--Outdoor Cesta Punta--3 player teams, 75 meter court, no helmets)
+++++++
Fronton Mexico (Mexico City)
Tourneo Betway (May 19-26) (14 Full Match Videos)
+++++++
Dania Jai Alai (Dania Beach Florida)
Battle at the Palace (April 1-10) 14 Full Match Videos)
=========
NOTE: ALL HEGOALDE GRAND SLAM FULL MATCH VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE ON DEMAND AT THE EITB JAI ALAI WORLD TOUR WEBSITE. (CLICK ON "JAI ALAI WORLD TOUR). FOR LIVE STREAMING, IF AVAILABLE, CLICK ON "EN DIRECTO" AND CHOOSE "EITB 1"
DONOSTIA NON SPOILER LINKS TO FULL MATCH VIDEOS OF BOTH SEMI-FINALS, THE FINAL, AND THE WOMEN'S MATCH. FULL SPOILER INFORMATION FOR THE ENTIRE TOURNAMENT IS BELOW THE HORIZONTAL LINE BARRIER
JUNE 4:
SEMI-FINALS
DIEGO BEASKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ v
ARITZ ERKIAGA--UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA
XABIER BARANDIKA--NICOLAS ETCHETO
JEAN OLHARAN--JULEN DEL RIO
FULL MATCH VIDEO FOR BOTH MATCHES (IN THE ORDER ABOVE--EITB)
JUNE 11
FINAL:
?? v ??
WOMEN'S DEMONSTRATION MATCH
IHART ARAKISTAIN--MAIALEN ALDAZABAL (Blue) v
NARDA MERINO--ENERITZ LIZARDI (Red)
(a 25 point partido)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB) THE WOMEN'S MATCH, WHICH WAS PLAYED FIRST, IS THE 2ND MATCH ON THE VIDEO. IT BEGINS AT 1:33:21. THE MEN'S FINAL BEGINS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
=========
DONOSTIA (ST. SEBASTIAN) GRAND SLAM
The first of the 2022 Hegoalde (South Basque Country--Spain) Summer Partido Grand Slams, sponsored by the Jai Alai World Tour (JAWT) was played at Carmelo Balda (Frontons.net) Donostia (City--Wikipedia) from May 14-June 11, 2022. There were 6 pairs divided into two groups (A and B). The League phase was a single round robin in each group. The top two pairs moved on to the Semi Finals where Group A#1 played Group B#2 and Group B#1 played Group A#2. The two winners then played in a Final for the championship.
The Teams
Group A:
ARITZ ERKIAGA--UNAI LERKERIKABEASKOA (LEKE)
Group B:
Matches were played in two sets to 15. A tie breaker, if necessary, was played to 5. 5 over serves (pasa) were allowed and a 2nd serve allotted. Under serves were automatic faults.
There was no video coverage until the Semi-finals. EITB streamed the Semi-finals and Final.
To follow the Tournament in chronological order, read from the bottom up.
Pre-Tournament Feature (Juan Ignazio Zulaika Blog Post) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below)
Final League Standings
GROUP A:
ERKIAGA--LERKIKABEASKOA 1-1 (+8)
BARANDIKA--ETCHETO 1-1 (+5)
Goikoetxea--Irastorza 1-1 (-13)
GROUP B:
BEASKOETXEA--LOPEZ 2-0 (+14)
OLHARAN--DEL RIO 1-1 (-4)
Hormaetxea-Zabala 0-2 (-10)
Notable:
Last week, after losing the first set of their Semi-Final to Olharan-Del Rio by 15-5, and losing a 7-5 lead in the 2nd Set to trail 7-8, Barandika-Etcheto looked like anything but prospective Donostia Grand Slam Champions. However from that point, they outscored O-D 13-4 and then outscored Erkiaga-Lekerikabeaskoa 30-19 to finish their tournament 43-23 and winners of the first Grand Slam Tournament of the Hegoalde JAWT Season. It is true that Leke played the second set with a painful quadriceps injury that caused his first match at the next Tournament, at Markina-Xemien, to be postponed for a week, but B-E played a great match, coming back in the first set from 7-11 to win 15-13, before dominating the 2nd set.
This was Barandika's 2nd Tournament win of 2022. He also won the Dania Battle at the Palace in April (see the link above). It was Etcheto's first win this year. He and Olharan lost to Barandika-Leke in the Palace Final when Olharan suffered an ankle injury after being hit with a pelota. He courageously returned to the match after treatment, but was ineffective as B-L dominated from that point on.
The women's match, played first but shown 2nd on the video, was an exciting, well played match by both teams. The players were 16 and 17 years old, which bodes well for the women's game.
Women's Cesta Punta can be followed by those interested at Zestalaris Facebook
June 11
FINAL
XABIER BARANDIKA--NICOLAS ETCHETO 2
ARITZ ERKIAGA--UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA 0
15-13, 15-6 (30-19)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB) THIS IS THE FIRST MATCH ON THE VIDEO. THE WOMEN'S MATCH (SEE BELOW), WHICH WAS PLAYED FIRST, IS THE 2ND MATCH ON THE VIDEO. IT BEGINS AT 1:33:21.
Line Score (Match winners always listed first)
Set 1:
2-0; 2-1; 3-1; 3-2; 4-2; 4-4; 6-4; 6-9; 7-9; 7-11; 12-11; 12-12; 14-12; 14-13; 15-13
+2; +1; +2; +1; +2; =; +2; -3; -2; -4; +1; =; +2; +1; +2
4 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Set 2:
1-0; 1-1; 7-1; 7-2; 9-2; 9-5; 12-5; 12-6; 15-6
+1; =; +6; +5; +7; +4; +7; +6; +9
1 equal score, 0 lead changes
EITB did not score this match. I could barely make out the Diario Vasco facsimile scoring but it did not add to the total match score.
Women's "Demonstration" Match (EITB)
IHART ARAKISTAIN--MAIALEN ALDAZABAL (Blue) 25
NARDA MERINO--ENERITZ LIZARDI (Red) 24
All players were either 16 or 17 years old
Line Score (Match winners always listed first)
0-1; 1-1; 1-3; 2-3; 2-4; 4-4; 4-6; 6-6; 6-9; 7-9; 7-10; 8-10; 8-11; 9-11; 9-13; 13-13; 13-14; 14-14; 14-16; 16-16; 16-17; 20-17; 20-20; 21-20; 21-21; 22-21; 22-22; 24-22; 24-24 (24-23--24-24 was a great point); 25-24
-1; =; -2; -1; -2; =; -2; =; -3; -2; -3; -2; -3; -2; -4; =; -1; =; -2; =; -1; +3; =; +1; =; +1; =; +2; =; +1
11 equal scores; 1 lead change
Match article (JAWT) (Castilian) (ADDED JUNE 17, 2022)
Match article: (Diario Vasco) (page facsimile) (Castilian), via Jai Alive 2.0 Facebook)
Match article: (MemorialElola Facebook) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
Match article: (Jai Alai News Facebook) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
+++++++
June 4
SEMI-FINALS
FULL MATCH VIDEO FOR BOTH MATCHES (EITB) (in the order listed below--1st match begins with the score E-L 1; B-L 2 and Erkiaga serving)
ARITZ ERKIAGA--UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA 2
DIEGO BEASKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ 0
15-13, 15-12 (30-25)
Line Score (Match winners always listed first)
Set 1:
0-2; 1-2; 1-3; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-5; 10-5; 10-6; 12-6; 12-7; 13-7; 13-13; 15-13
-2; -1; -2; =; -1; =; -1; +5; +4; +6; +5; +6; =; +2
4 equal scores; 1 lead change
Set 2:
0-1; 1-1; 1-3; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-6; 5-6; 5-7; 6-7; 6-9; 7-9; 7-10; 10-10; 10-11; 12-11; 12-12; 15-12
-1; =; -2; =; -1; =; -2; -1; -2; -1; -3; -2; -3; =; -1; +1; =; +3
6 equal scores; 1 lead change
Scoring (EITB)
Erkiaga +15 -4; Lekerikabeaskoa +6 -3
Beaskoetxea +9 -4; Lopez +9 -5
Total Match Score: +39 -16 (.709)
Balls in Play 451; Non-error % (BIP - errors) / BIP (451 - 16) / 451 (.965)
Erkiaga 108; NE%: .963; Lekerikabeaskoa 100; NE%: .975
Team NE% (208 - 7) / 208 (.966)
Beaskoetxea 100; NE%: .960; Lopez 123; NE%: .959
Team NE% (223 - 9) / 223 (.960)
Average BIP per Point: 8.2
Time of the Match (total time--no playing time available) 80:43
Average Total Time per Point: 88.1 seconds
Note: there was a time out in each set when the team leading reached 8 points.
---
XABIER BARANDIKA--NICOLAS ETCHETO 2
JEAN OLHARAN--JULEN DEL RIO 1
5-15, 15-10, 5-2 (25-27)
Line Score (Match winners always listed first)
Set 1:
1-0 (31 balls in play); 1-3; 2-3; 2-9; 3-9; 3-14; 5-14; 5-15
+1; -2; -1; -7-; -6; -11; -9; -10
1 equal score, 1 lead change
Set 2:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 5-2; 5-3; 6-3; 6-5; 7-5; 7-8; 11-8; 11-10; 15-10
-1; =; -1; +3; +2; +3; +1; +2; -1; +3; +1; +5
4 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Tie Breaker
3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-2; 5-2
+3; +2; +3; +2; +3
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Barandika +13 -6; Etcheto +6 -6
Olharan +10 -2; Del Rio +5 -4
Total Match Score: +34 -18 (.654)
Balls in Play: 461; Non-error % (BIP - errors) / BIP (461 - 18) / 461 (.961)
Barandika 97; NE%: .938; Etcheto 132; NE%: .955
Team NEP (229 - 12) / 229 (.948)
Olharan 124; NE%: .984; Del Rio 108; NE%: .963
Team NE% (232 - 6) / 232 (.974)
Average BIP per Point: 8.9
Time of the Match (total time--no playing time available) 72:36
Average Average Total Time per Point: 83.8
Note: there was a time out in each set when the team leading reached 8 points.
There was also a time out in the Tie Breaker at 3-0.
Match article for both matches (Diario Vasco) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
Match article for both matches (Hitza) (Basque) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
Feature Article on the role of these Tournaments as "Events" in the context of re-igniting the passion for Cesta Punta in the Basque Country (Hegoalde in particular) (Juan Ignazio Zulaika Blog Post) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
+++++++
May 28
Day 3
GROUP A:
INAKI GOIKOETXEA--ERIC IRASTORZA 2 (1-1, -13)
XABIER BARANDIKA--NICOLAS ETCHETO 1 (1-1, +5)
10-15, 15-12, 5-3 (30-30)
All 3 Group A Teams finish 1-1
Erkiaga-Lekerikabeaskoa win the League Phase with a Point Differential of +8.
Barandika-Etcheto finish 2nd with a Point Differential of +5.
They advance to the Semi-finals.
Goikoetxea-Irastorza are eliminated due to a Point Differntial of -13
GROUP B:
DIEGO BEASKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ 2 (2-0, +14)
JEAN OLHARAN--JULEN DEL RIO 0 (1-1 -4)
15-10, 15-11 (30-21)
Beaskoetxea-Lopez win the League phase: 2-0
Olharan-Del Rio finish 2nd: 1-1
Hormaetxea-Zabala finish 3rd: 0-2. They are eliminated.
Match Articles for Both Matches: JAWT (Castilian)
Match Articles for Both Matches: (MemorialElola Facebook) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
Match Articles for Both Matches: (Juan Ignazio Zulaika Blog Post) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
+++++++
May 21
Day 2
GROUP A:
XABIER BARANDIKA--NICOLAS ETCHETO 2 (1-0, +5)
ARITZ ERKIAGA--UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA 0 (1-1, +8)
15-11, 15-14 (30-25)
GROUP B:
JEAN OLHARAN--JULEN DEL RIO 2 (1-0, +5)
ALEX HORMAETXEA--JON ZABALA 1 (0-2, -10)
15-12, 14-15, 5-2 (34-29)
Hormaetxea-Zabala are eliminated
Match Articles for Both Matches: JAWT (Castilian)
Match Articles for Both Matches: (MemorialElola Facebook) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
Match Articles for Both Matches: (Juan Ignazio Zulaika Blog Post) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
+++++++
May 14
Day 1
GROUP A:
ARITZ ERKIAGA--UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA 2 (1-0, +13)
INAKI GOIKOETXEA-ERIC IRASTORZA 0 (0-1, -13)
15-8, 15-9 (30-17)
GROUP B:
DIEGO BEASKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ 2 (1-0, +5)
ALEX HORMAETXEA--JON ZABALA 1 (0-1, -5)
15-9, 12-15, 5-3 (32-27)
Match Articles for Both Matches: JAWT (Castilian)
Match Articles for Both Matches: (MemorialElola Facebook) (Castilian) (for a Google English Translation see below match scores)
===========================
===========================
===========================
Match articles MemorialElola Facebook, Jai Alai News Facebook
MemorialElola Facebook
GRAND SLAM FINALE OF DONOSTIA.
This is for you, Mikel G.
Once again I wasn't going to write, but once again you've put me in song. "I wait for your report" have been your words, and here I am in front of the blank folio.
I didn't intend to write because, on the one hand, the final is broadcasted by EITB. Whoever wants to enjoy the details of the match can do it comfortably from the couch of their home at;
And on the other hand, writing involves doing a medium serious follow-up, writing down the details, being true to what happened on the court,... Total, when you get to the front line and the accumulation of anecdotes, curiosities, experiences distract you a bit. You're thinking about everything but writing a chronicle.
Well, there are no excuses! Here we are, Saturday, June 11th, Carmelo Balda, big day, Grand SLAM finale of DONOSTIA.
As soon as we get closer we meet at the entrance with José Ignacio Lertxundi, master of ceremonies. Without him there's no match, he's in charge of putting the material. If anyone has anything to say about the balls speak with the subsidiary.
A few meters away a couple waiting for acquaintances. We get talking and it turns out to be Barandika's parents. The father confesses to us "Today we have to suffer" but he does it with a smile and with such sympathy that it makes clear the good money the son is made of.
We enter the compound and the atmosphere is extraordinary. Lots of audience. What a joy to see the full front. You live differently. Congratulations to the organization. Mikel E(giguren). the effort has been worth it. Keep it that way.
We walked in 10 minutes after 5:00 and they are no longer visible. Finally we see some empty seats in the front row of frame 8 and there we are headed.
On the court playing women, 4 youngsters showing their banter skills. They surprise us in a very positive way. In the zaga they ball and are on the court with a lot of judgment. Go ahead, they get involved in the fight, finishing from all sides and raising applause from the respectable. For greater delight, the game at 25 ends with a perfect indoor finish after a 24-24 on the scoreboard.
Standing ovation, excited girls hug and greet the audience.
The protagonists of the grand final take to the court. ERKIAGA-LEKERIKA vs BARANDIKA-ETCHETO.
The Reds start off as favourites, despite the Barandika-Etcheto league match they rang the bell and won against all odds.
They say there's no match the same and effectively so it happens. Same scenario, same couples, yet the circumstances change. And I'm going to tell you something most of you don't know about. Leaving the suspense aside and skipping the script, point out that the blues take the tournament and win the game by 2 sets to 0 with 13-15 and 6-15 innings
What a lot of you don't know is that Lekerika plays pretty much from the start with a leg contract (injury) that significantly conditions his performance.
Leaving the feature we ran into defender Gernikes in the parking lot and he could barely walk. Such a shame. You can say it was a "lame" game, never better. Of course knowing this fact the analysis of the party is completely different.
Front porch has played like the Angels. Apart from legs and being very confident, as is usual on him, he has finished off both hands forcefully.
Back Etcheto has been an unbreakable barrier and has given himself the luxury of finishing off cuts and two right walls as if he were a striker liked in those minutes.
Erkiaga amazed us again with his rebound and sidekicks. He's taken a risk, the game responsibility has been thrown on his shoulders and the Reds have been able to get ahead, 11-7, in the first set. The second has been a triumphant walk for the blues.
De Lekerika, I said it, it has not been their day. Quite a lot of credit he has to finish the match in those conditions. He hasn't hit the balls, he hasn't done any damage with his right hand and the reverse would open his balls wide, sometimes bouncing directly into the counter.
Cheer up Unai ! Anyone else wouldn't have completed the match.
Despite the difference in the scoreboard, especially, in the second set we have enjoyed so many beautiful bills, and as it could not be otherwise, at the end of the match, after the awards ceremony, the fourth set has taken place.
The fourth set more than a match turns out to be a reunion. Here we present them we testify to our great game, all doctors and wise connoisseurs of the ball, we have been great figures, of course with a level higher than the rest of the mortals, ha, ha.
"Ispa", I wait for your report 😉
"Tximi", next time see you at Zarautz beach.
In the hall we talk again with Barandika's father. Now yes, happy and radiant after his sprout's victory.
We also run into Mr. Mirapeix, for many years president of the Catalan Basque Ball Federation. A reference basket tip in condal city. He tells us how even at seventy-something years old he's still practicing. He does it in a short frontal with lads over eighty years old each. Dear expelotarians, you have no excuse. If you want, you can. See you Thursday at the Beotibar front of Tolosa with the basket and chandall at 8:30 pm.
And lastly, I take this opportunity to tell you a story. Jose Bernardo Aguirre, known with the alias of "Señor Seguridad" on the frontline of Mexico in the 90s.
At the age of 14, he went to live with his family from Markina to Tolosa. In the wake of that change, Markina's called him "Tolo" and Tolosa's "Marki"
And that's a wrap folks, see you at the next game.
---
Jai Alai News Facebook
BARANDIKA-ETCHETO, CHAMPIONS IN DONOSTIA!
Naroa Eneritz 24-25 at Ihart Maialen
ERKIAGA vs BARANDIKA-ETCHETO: 13-15, 6-15
* Lekerika's injury delays his and Arbe's appearance in Markina by a week. They will play ERKIAGA-ZABALA vs Olharan-Etcheto.
Barandika-Etcheto have been declared champions of the 'Grand Slam Donostia', whose fifth and final match was played today at Carmelo Balda. Just by seeing the crowded stands of the Donostiarra front, with 1,200 spectators, the resurgence of the basket point in Euskadi and specifically in Donostia is appreciated. The audience (including people of sport such as Julen Aginagalde, Julen Lopetegi and Leire Olaberria) has enjoyed a tournament that has been growing in intensity as the days progressed and culminated in the final, in which Baran dika-Etcheto defeated 0-2 (13-15 and 6-15) to Erkiaga-Lekerika, showing his great form moment.
The festival has kicked off with an exhibition in the women's category, in which Ihart-Maialen have imposed Naroa-Eneritz 24-25.
Afterwards the grand final, which had a precedent in the league of the tournament, with Barandika-Etcheto triumph in three sets (10-15, 15-12 and 5-3). But the game started 0-0 and Erkiaga-Lekerika took the lead in the opening set. However, the Blues turned the score and took that set 13-15. The future winners were already demonstrating their strength, with virtually no failures and with a feeling of being almost unbeatable.
In the second setthe discomforts in the quadriceps suffered by Lekerika and that injury has conditioned the development of the game, facilitating Barandika-Etcheto to go into the second and final set, by 6-15.
Javier Larrañaga (Deputy for Economic Promotion, Tourism and Rural Environment), Iker Goiria (Director of Tourism of the Deputation), Martin Ibabe (Councilor of Sports, Citizen Security and Civil Protection of Donostia) and Fernando Azkarate (President of the World Basque Ball Council) have delivered the trophies and slippers.
===========================
Diario Vasco, Hitza, Jai Alive 2.0, and Juan Ignazio Zulaika Blog match article Google English Translations (There was no MemorialElola article
June 4, Semi-Finals
Diario Vasco
Erkiaga and Barandika shine at Balda
The two strikers will face each other in the final of the Donostia Grand Slam after winning yesterday alongside Lekerika and Etxeto respectively
Benat Barreto
The Carmelo Balda of Donostia enjoyed a great afternoon of top basket yesterday. The San Sebastian fronton, with a good atmosphere and almost full thanks to about a thousand spectators, hosted the two semifinals of the Donostia Grand Slam. The two matches, disputed and entertaining, made the respectable vibrate, who celebrated the victories of Erkiaga-Lekerika in the first game and Barandika-Etxeto in the second. The two couples will face each other in the grand final of the championship next Saturday.
In the first semifinal the predictions were not fulfilled. Beaskoetxea and López, an experienced couple, were unable to face the high level of Erkiaga and a solvent Lekerika, who accompanied his striker with a great defense. Of course, they had to sweat a lot and needed almost an hour and a half to get their ticket to the final after winning 2-0 with tight 13-15 and 12-15. The Colorados arrived with the opportunity to reach fifteen points, but bad decisions and a high level of Erkiaga sentenced them.
The Biscayan couple started like a shot. The success of the Ispaster striker in the first goals drew a resounding 5-10 that threatened curves. The score stretched to 6-13, but Beaskoetxea and López reacted to tie the first set at thirteen. It was then that Lekerika shone with its own light. The one from Gernika, supported by his crew who stuck their necks out to encourage him, scored two goals to seal the first (13-15).
He did not lower the level in the second, although this time the Colorados gained an advantage. Beaskoetxea covered more court and López stopped failing to bring out his right hand. "He is the Zabaleta of the basket," one fan told another. This time the equalizer was twelve, but again the Colorados had no temper and rather rushed. The undefeated condition did not help them and they ended up bending the knee. Erkiaga, who appeared at the right time, scored three magnificent goals to reach fifteen and thus seal his place in the final. «You have to suffer a lot to beat a couple like Beaskoetxea and López, although I think that in that first set we had the option of closing it before. Unai and I get along very well off the pitch and it shows later in the game", declared the player from Ispaster.
Olharan-Del RÃo, without bellows
In the second semifinal, meanwhile, there was a comeback. Olharan and Julen Del RÃo started the first set like a shot, very focused and successfully finishing off the first goals. The difference was increasing considerably until 3-14. The 3-13 and this last one were brilliant, in which the young defender from Vitoria made a great defense during several balls to skillfully finish wide. Several fans ended up with sore hands clapping. However, 'the cannon' Del RÃo -as he is nicknamed- and the Frenchman from Pau, Jean Dominique Olharan, lost steam in the second set after winning the first comfortably (5-15).
Barandika and Etxeto went on the attack in the second and managed to force the third. They tightened their defense and punished Del RÃo, who was overconfident and gave up a few singles, although he also made two incredible jump saves, like at 11-10. It was then that the Gernikarra Barandika pulled magic to put one more gear. Two goals from him and another two from Etxeto, one of them a long rebound difficult to answer, made it 15-10 to tie the game.
In the last one, on the other hand, there was no color. The Colorados were much more successful, especially Barandika, who made it 2-0 and 3-0 with hard goals from 17 and 15 balls. They reached cardboard five while Olharan and Del RÃo stayed in two. The grand final will be played next Saturday (5:00 pm, ETB1) while in the first phase Barandika-Etxeto beat Erkiaga and Lekerika 2-0.
---
Hitza
Lekerika and Barandika, facing the final of the Donostia Grand Slam
The Carmelo Balda pelota court in Donostia-San Sebastián hosted the semi-finals of the Donostia- San Sebastián Grand Slam on Saturday . The ticket to the grand final was at stake; therefore, the two competitions were very close and competitive. In the end, after the high game, it was clear who the finalists will be: Erkiaga and Lekerika will play against Barandika and Etcheto .
As usual, the matches started at 17:00 . In the first final , the Spartan striker Aritz Erkiaga and the Gernika defender Unai Lekerika won against the Gernika striker Diego Beaskoetxea and the Zumaia defender Imanol Lopez . Erkiaga and Lekerika, the leaders of Group A , reached the semi-finals, winning all the matches. As for Beaskoetxea and Lopez, they came second in Group B and lost only one game.
Although the first semi-final, unlike the second, did not go to the third set to break the tie, equality was the main feature, and it gave the feeling that either pair could get a ticket to the final. In the end, Erkiaga and Lekerika prevailed 0-2 . The result was close in two sets: 13-15 and 12-15 .
Loser, but fighter. Erkiaga and Lekerika once again showed that they are the main candidates and that they know how to suffer against strong opponents. In fact, Beaskoetxea and Lopez appeared to be fighting , leading 5-4 ; the candidates, however, turned the score around, marking a 7-13 lead . When the first set seemed to be decided, the veterans tied it at 13 , a sign they never gave up. In the second set, Beaskoetxea and López took the lead, but in general there were very small differences. Last 11-10they had. At the end, Erkiaga made a beautiful double wall, which put them in the final: 12-15 .
The second semi-final pitted Gernika striker Xabi Barandika against Biarritz defender Nicolas Etcheto against striker Jean Olharan and Vitoria-Gasteiz defender Jokin Del Rio ; the match had an unexpected development . The former seemed nervous in the first set, while Olharan and Del Rio, on the other hand, were comfortable ; They prevailed 5-15 . In the second, Barandika and Etcheto went into the game and won the set 15-10 . Breaking the tie n, they kept a good pace and, 5-2 agaz, finalthey passed. This final will take place on Saturday and will bring together four top punters competing for the Donostia Grand Slam.
---
Juan Ignazio Zulaika Blog
Functions and Events
In my time, not so many years ago, it was usual to play functions with company games as a base, and in which the bet with brokers was the main source of income, the support of the business. With a stellar party and the rest of complement. The protagonists of the star were those who attracted the public and that is why they were quoted above the others.
Occasionally, some festivals were played. Tributes to a retired pelotari. Mixed programming: shovel and basket-tip games and even ski lifts; or, charity festivals: pro-hospital of the locality in question, pro-ikastolas, etc.
In general, this business model has expired and is part of history, due to the disappearance of betting with brokers.
Now what is customary, in the basket-tip too, are the events. A jai-alai festival has become a sporting event (handball hasn't had its turn yet).
What is a sporting event? How is it different from a traditional function?
Google explains it very well: Entertainment activity, in which competition and celebration come together, with a high level of social repercussion, a strong presence in the media and which generates economic income by itself.
The first thing that comes to mind is the Gernika Winter Series as the most recent sporting event related to our modality. Or, to a lesser extent, the Donostia Grand Slam that is being held in the capital of San Sebastian.
Yes, in Iparralde many of the festivals had an air of event (Golden Glove, International). It is in this part of the Bidasoa where the function for the sporting event has been buried.
By force they hang, goes the saying.
It was the “kids from Gernika” who took the first step by copying what had been done for decades in Biarritz (Lapurdi).
Unite spectacle, competition, social repercussion, media (ETB-1, Jai Alai News, Euskadi Irratia, etc.) and economic income.
One of the differences between events and functions to use, is that the leading pelota player as an individual loses his position as the protagonist of the business.
It is the format as a whole, the event itself, where all the prestige rests. An example: what difference does it make if instead of Djocovic in the Roland Garros final his position was occupied by Ruud, as happened last Sunday.
What difference does it make if in the final of the Grand Slam that is going to be played next Saturday at the Carmelo Balda in Donostia, instead of Goiko and López Erkiaga and Lekerika play or instead of Barandika-Etcheto, the couple would have been Olharan-Del River.
What the public that will fill the stands is looking for is to be part of the show. Enjoy and be able to say: “I was there”. Live an experience. Belong to a group and feel part of the success. We verified it in the final of the Gernika Winter Series where getting a ticket for the last day became an almost impossible task.
We saw it at the Navarra Arena on the occasion of the manomanista handball final. It became a full-fledged sporting event in which even its presentation was a copy and paste of what is being done in the basket-end.
The bad news in the medium term is that the cache of figures loses its reason for being in this business model.
There is no place for Nadal to charge a fixed fee to participate in Roland Garros. The Grand Slam will be a success regardless of who participates or not. They are, it has to be, along with the prestige of the event, the monetary prizes based on the result, the main claim for the best to attend the call. And by the way, open access roads so that other pelotaris can access the tournament, as seems to be happening in Iparralde, under penalty of turning the Grand Slam into a Senior circuit and strangling the generational changeover.
Next year 's Winter Series will be another successful experience just like what we have seen this year. Regardless of who plays. That is the best symptom of strength, of the prestige of a tournament-event, regardless of individualities.
An event was held in Dania, Battle at the Palace ; another in Mexico City. The first swords did not participate. The one in Mexico, above all, was a success in terms of audience, 1,500 people attended the day of the final. The marketing department and the media have already taken care of presenting the participants as the best of the best.
That is the trend.
There is no doubt that the modality is going through a transition that will take time to be homologated to other sports in which events are its reason for being and in turn are interconnected with each other. We are light years away.
It is a matter of breaking down resistance.
===========================
Facebook and Zulaika Blog match article Google English Translations
May 28, Day 3, Group A and B
MemorialElola Facebook
GRAND SLAM III
Saturday afternoon at 5:00 pm Carmelo Balda frontal. We made it on time. Today is a special day. A tribute to former Guipuzcoan pointers is the perfect excuse to pop around and say hello to old acquaintances. At the entrance the greetings begin.
Mannnnnnn You Out Here? how long? What is it about your life? You're same same same lol
Phrases like this are the norm in these times.
There's a slight traffic jam getting in. That's a good sign, it means the stands are going to be crowded. Effectively, once inside there are more occupied than empty seats.
Come on, let's sit back and enjoy the event.
On the court warming up engines the protagonists of the first game. Goikoetxea-Irastorza and Barandika-Etcheto.
Veterans have it tough. It's all or nothing. Win both sets and also need a loose scorer to get into the semifinals. Barandika-Etcheto they have it easier. Still losing win a set or close to 15 are in.
Game on. At the first innings Barandika throws a cut that dies in the front squares. Goikoetxea doesn't seem to arrive, but in a couple of steps it's there. The leading judge lifts the racket, hinting it's been two boats. Goikoetxea gets really angry and protests vigorously. There's no turning back, so much for the Blues.
Balling starts and we're looking at two different game concepts.
Irastorza, winged pelotari (195 cm), with few movements covers the court, but lacks spark. His right doesn't have that whip that made him invincible. 46 years to turn in August is 46 years. And also the hip operated on. Almost nothing.
Etcheto stands for generational relief. It runs around and reaches everywhere. Not a catcher but his upside down on the extend base hits the bounce. With the right he knows how to mess, in fact if given a "chance" he is able to throw a two wall or a cut on top of the veneer. Pelotari complete, plus you can see the preparation. We comment in the stands. From Iparralde they come very well physically prepared. That gives them a huge advantage. Reaching all generates confidence and demoralizes the opposite. Behind are the old days where they said that to play ball you had to drink "Cubalibre"
Goiko represents just like his defender the old guard. He looks looking forward to it. If you're protesting at both 1 the judge's decision is that there's still ambition. Barandika on its part doesn't give truce. The previous match where they won favourites Erkiaga-Lekerika was not a mirage and Barandika is still in his thirteen. With short steps but very quick legs comes easy. Plus it's ticking on all sides. The right is fresh and with the side is doing so many merits.
The Scoreline is going in favour of the Blues. Etcheto's mastery in the zag facilitates Barandika's work and Goiko can't fight back. Try and risk it because the blues go 4 5 6 so many. Gets into the air out but rushes and something unthinkable in him, throws the ball into the awning below finishing right.
No eating or drinking first set ends 10-15. The Reds are eliminated.
With the semi-finals decided, we just have to see how the second set goes.
Irastorza gives us a lesson in class and chivalry. A first set where he looked like a drifting castaway makes way for a second set with glimpses of what he's been. The right one is starting to kick in. Without having the speed of other times place the ball halfway between the opposite two and on the left wall. Etcheto who so far hadn't conceded a single ball is working just like Barandika and we find a tighter scorer. Goiko, go ahead takes advantage of your chances and without being the side kick, your natural weapon puts the ball in the net or inside dislocating Barandika. With the right a pair of txik-txak brand of the house raise applause from the audience. Amaia, my wife, sits down with her head. “It’s become clear what Txik-txak is and what a chula is.”
Speaking of "chula", the anecdote of the party is given in a perfect chula that sends Barandika and Irastorza falling to the ground to try to lift it. There's a moment of silence and everyone is expecting to see that Irastorza doesn't move. Etcheto comes over and extends a hand to him and helps him get up. At least nothing happened. Hip surgery is no joke...
The second set against all odds deservedly taken by the Reds and we're through to the play-offs.
The set at 5 so many. Xumai Goya before the game was commenting on me. "Goiko in the playoffs is unique" Indeed his phrase is the premonition of what we see below. Zumaia's cold-blooded striker and lightning cuts leaves us in awe and sentences the game 5-3.
Barandika-Etcheto advance to semi-finals as group leaders. Erkiaga-Lekerika are the 2nd in the group. It remains to be seen how the crosses look with the couples in the second group. Beaskoetxea-Lopez vs Olharan-Del Rio who are already qualified have to settle their positions in the second game.
Before the second game a short act is held where the expelotaris present go out to the court for a group photo. Mikel Egiguren directs the "flock" and we raised our hand towards the respectable that with a warm applause makes us remember old moments lived where the communication between the pelotari and the audience pushed you and motivated you to give your best... (Ok, ok, come down from the cloud that already happened).
We returned to the stands and in a photocall we enjoyed ourselves in front of the camera. "Come on, take a picture with me" "Now you can show off the game you had" "Shut up, shut up, I had to pull the chestnuts out of the fire" "You? But if you didn't play back "...
Between laughter and bragging we sit ready to witness game 2
Beaskoetxea-Lopez vs Olharan-Del Rio
Match without major relevance in the result. The two pairs are already in the semifinals. It remains to be seen who is the first in the group.
Very briefly point out that Lopez made a match of 10, as he likes to self-classify on his Facebook account, Imanol Lopez "Lopez10".
He did everything right. Get everything in, both air, and into the left wall, and boating soon... Put the ball in reverse and right hide it on the left wall.
Beaskoetxea also played a very thorough match, finishing off perfectly.
Out of the blue, Del Rio continues to fascinate us with the dynamite in his right. If one day you learn to mess a little, it can do a lot of damage. Today it hits very hard but mostly the ball goes to the middle of the court without malice. From top to bottom he's able to hit it with so much speed that the ball doesn't sting but lags like he's throwing it sideways...
Olharan had lights and shadows with some spectacular cuts but missed more than usual. He looked like he didn't want to force the beat and didn't put all the meat on the grill.
Total, 2 sets to 0 for the Colorado's with 15-10, 15-11.
Semi-finals are set;
Next Saturday, June 4th, at 17:00 in the Carmelo Balda de Donostia front, the appointment is unmissable.
Game vs Aritz Erkiaga-Etcheto vs Barandika-Etcheta festivities.
See you soon!
---
Juan Ignazio Zulaika Blog
Sunny afternoon in Donostia
Sunny afternoon on Saturday. Wonderful for strolling through La Concha or touring the Cantabrian coast in a convertible. Not an ideal afternoon to get into a pediment and witness two games of basket-point.
However, there is a loyal audience. They form the hard core of the modality. They are the die- hards, fanatics in Florida and chalkies in Connecticut. Fireproof in Mexico. The parishioners in Gernika, Markina-Xemein or Donostia. About 100, 150, 200 or 250 followers depending on the geographical area. It is made up of family, friends, fans, nostalgic ex-ballplayers...
They are loyal and incombustible. They accept what is thrown at them. And they will come back again and again. It is the Community of jai-alai.
Thanks in part to that sector plus the attendance of another 200 spectators: tourists and occasional visitors, the number of spectators at the Carmelo Balda in Donostia was enough so that we parishioners did not feel like we were at mass at noon on any given Sunday.
In the first match of the afternoon Goiko and Irastorza beat Barandika and Etcheto in three games. The veterans had to win two games to nil to qualify for the semifinals. They fell in the first and there hope was dashed. They only had to save their honor. Finish with your head held high. And they did.
Barandika and Etcheto won the first set without problems. Without watermarks. Irastorza had not just warmed up and missed several unforced balls. Goiko did not risk and in the blink of an eye the set was gone.
The panorama changed radically in the second. I think for two reasons. The "kids" with the classification in their pocket, relaxed. Of that strategy á bloc! … to the fullest. What good results it gave them last week, there was no vestige left. They fluttered across the field
The second explanation is that often when a couple wins the first set, they lower their arms. They lose intensity and their game becomes conservative. There is, it seems to me, something psychological in this reaction. The opposite happens to rivals. There is something diabolical about this best-of-three game.
At the time I had to play, I did not experience firsthand the psychological aspect of the sets. It is a simple impression as a member of the Community.
After the victory of the veterans I was approached by a devotee of the Fellowship. "I haven't seen Irastorza so bad."
Effectively. Until a few years ago, colossus behind, he fulfilled his role. The Irastorza on Saturday and the one 15 days ago had little to do with each other. Now, the "kids" Barandika and Etcheto weren't the ones from last week either. This time they limited themselves to taking their foot off the pedal and rolling as if it were a ride on a bike lane through the streets of Donostia.
Irastorza complied because he still treasures class and knows how to play and let play. Especially when `El Fenomeno´ woke up and went on the attack.
Goiko leaves empty-handed but it won't be surprising if we see him in another tournament, with something more of a defender, taking the txapela. In the second and third set he showed despite the facilities given by the opponents that he has the weapons to be up to anyone. And when I say anyone, I mean no exceptions. His slices are still devastating and his right rebound is still unique.
In the interval between the two games, about fifty former puntista pelota players belonging to Gipuzkoa's Jurassic Park , paraded around the field for a later photo.
Immediately afterwards we received a diploma of recognition: "For your dedicated career" from the hands of the San Sebastian Grand Slam organization. Quite a detail.
The second game of the afternoon was a triumphant ride along the Cantabrian coast by Diego and López aboard a convertible Cadillac. Pursued by Olharan and Del RÃo aboard a Sanglas motorcycle with a side-car.
´El Mariscal´ smelled the blood and ordered the march to speed up and that was the end of the tour.
We saw a López with desire. Winning attitude. And when the boss comes like this, the pursuers of him go off in all the curves.
There was so much superiority in the defense with dead ball, that their rivals, especially the leathery pelotari from Vitoria-Gasteiz, Del RÃo, was in evidence. He couldn't with the Zumaia Flysch.
Olharan… Ouch… Olharan. Pau's swordsman. Fine ballplayer with a lot of starting but limited motor. Also, he plays at a disadvantage. Anachronistic. That cleaning. That dunk and shoot… delicatesem. An alien on the planet Hegoalde. An anomaly. a pity
`El Mariscal´ had a luxury chauffeur with a peaked cap. experimenting. He retains the first class license and does not commit an infraction even by chance. Diego with a good horse is still a good jockey.
From the second corner Olharan and Del RÃo fell off a cliff.
The little one and the big one form a difficult tandem to beat. From what I have seen so far in this Donostia Grand Slam, they are my favorites to win the tournament.
Next Saturday, with ETB-1 cameras, they will face Erkiaga and Lekerika in the semifinals.
High voltage match. The `Mariscal´ looks forward to it. I don't see the `Wizard of Ispaster' as confident as in the Gernika Winter Series. And what can you say about Diego apart from the fact that he is smarter than the red mice. Leke must and has to show that he is up to the `Flysch de Zumaia´. The defender from Gernika has it complicated.
I don't know what the rest of the Community will think.
===========================
Facebook and Zulaika Blog match article Google English Translations
May 21, Day 2, Group A and B
MemorialElola Facebook
Donostia Grand Slam II
It happens to me all the time. Going to watch a Jai Alai festival and come out the debate is the same. To write or not to write. Finally get in front of the screen and start reliving the day.
It's not a sports chronicle. Finally the results are in And for sure, the 500-600 people who witnessed the games live them and feel them differently. It's like life itself, circumstances and facts are the same for everyone but the interpretation varies. Each one lives it in their own way, fixes, or brings shine to what most connects to their vision, their way of thinking.
In this case, these lines serve to report the festival of this Saturday, May 21, in the Carmelo Balda frontline, both to those present (criticism and comments allowed) and to those not present. For the latter ones, mention they missed a formidable show. Jai Alai of the good. Added to the sporting show, for those of us who have lived this sport, the opportunity to meet again with old friends, to remember unique and indelible moments...
On the boat soon. The Lertxundi family, Jose Ignacio bringing in the material (balls) at festivals. Ramon Itoiz, die hard fan of the basket. Of course Juan Ignacio Zulaika an open book. Next to me, Xumai Goya, running back, noncombustible, gentleman, on and off the court. Xaxun Abeberry from Iparralde another Jai Alai unconditional. Alejandro Zelaia, lovely. Reminded me that he played his first games against me. I was his worst opposite according to him. It's to be clarified, if the worst was because it was getting difficult or because I was bad, (lol). At the end of the game I bumped into Iñaki Irureta. We hadn't seen each other in 35 years. Come on, quite a social event and my apologies for leaving a few out of the ink...
Before going into the subject, music all the way. Bringing in his sandstone Mikel Gaztañaga DJing.
Ouch Mikel, clap your hands!
Now the introductions begin First game.
ERKIAGA-LEKERIKA vs BARANDIKA-ETXETO. I'm clear about it. Going for the Reds. Without undeserving the Blues pair, on paper, the level exhibited on matchday by Erkiaga-Lekerika is stratospheric. Lets see what happens.
Game on. Balling, taking positions on court. At one point, Erkiaga plunges into half court in box 6 and from the side only has to mark the left wall to finish because Barandika is trapped inside. Wow, wow, wow, the artist finishes loose and Barandika from inside pulls out the turbo, reaches the two walls to counter with a perfect cut. Oops, this wasn't written. Neither this nor 5-6 so many next.
Behind the backs doing their job going one ball after another. Meanwhile, Barandika is seen finishing with the right several millimetric cuts.
What's going on with Erkiaga? Well, it doesn't seem to be going fine. He looks cold, his killer instinct ain't working. At the first half the blues lead 4-5 by so many.
The explanation is very simple. As in all sports, it's useless that in the previous game you ran backwards or left as a favorite. You have to get out on the court and prove it again.
We are watching an outstanding game from Etxeto. Reaches, shoots, and slows the ball. How easy it looks from the outside. Barandika looks like a speed racer. A gang of friends in the audience cheers him on and yells his name every time he looks right. Behind, Lekerika defends itself as he can and Erkiaga with lights and shadows leaves us in the mood. He doesn't finish showing his best. So many remarkable ones make way for blatant fails.
First set , 11-15 for the blues.
The second set begins. The strategy is well defined. Blues bet a dead ball to dampen Lekerika's right and Erkiaga's rebound. On the contrary, the Reds are looking in the basket for more bouncy balls.
This second set looks more balanced. The game level is too high. So many have to win them. Nothing is given away here. Looks like Erkiaga has been remade. Your nephew's yelling from the stands sure helps. "Aupa osaba", we hear it over and over.
We re-enjoy the rebounds on the artist's latest slab that force Etxeto to push to the fullest. Also Lekerika messes with the right. In a thrilling game we came to a 10-11 on the scoreboard. Here's where the blues take off. Barandika with a couple of tackles and Etxeto with a perfect right two walls taking advantage of Erkiaga being stuck indoors. The score goes to 11-14
It seems all has been said, but the artist claims. Enter the knockout on the left wall from below and finish perfectly sideways to two walls shortening distances. Lekerika makes gala with his right hand and itches leaving the blues nailed.
Erkiaga with another side kick puts the score at 14-14.
Getting fat to die. That first half of the match lost by Erkiaga that gave us bad luck comes to corroborate the saying, "what starts badly, ends badly".
Erkiaga gets out and it turns out that what he had done best all game, shoot long at the 6th and a half, fails him. The shot falls short, at Box 5, and Barandika takes advantage of the time to put a golden pin on his performance finishing side-by-side in. 14-15.
Game on for the Blues.
With this result everything is open in Group A.
Next Saturday, the 28th, the match between GOIKOETXEA-IRASTORZA vs BARANDIKA-ETXETO will decide the couples that advance to the semi-finals.
Goikoetxea-Irastorza they must win yes or yes. And they also need a loose marker Barandika-Etxeto still losing have options to pass and Erkiaga-Lekerika depend on results.
Second game I'll tell you very shortly. It’s getting late and as they usually say “the night confuses me”.
OLHARAN-DEL RIO vs. HORMAETXEA-ZABALA
Exciting game, need to go to the play-off set where the Reds take it.
15-12, 14-15, 5-2
Pure dynamite in the midfielders. Right of DEL RIO is a canyon. What a joy, what zurriagas. The ball comes out at an incredible speed. As far as Zabala is concerned, his game is a true reflection of his nickname, “bullet”. From the first half to the final, he goes live and gives it with all his soul.
In the cheerful paintings, Hormaetxea continues to amaze us with so many incredible ones that slip away with narrowly fails ends.
From Olharan to review is very pelotari as it is said in our slang. Comes in easy, scores and doesn't waste his chances.
With this result Hormaetxea-Zabala are eliminated.
Next matchday Saturday 28th at 5pm we will be watching two big games. In the court
Visit at the end of the game!
BEASKOETXEA-LOPEZ vs OLHARAN-DEL RIO
In addition, it will be a special day for the Pelotazale family with an act that will pay tribute to exelotaris puntistas.
See you around!
---
Juan Ignazio Zulaika Blog
Nicolas Etcheto: a bloc!
The first game of the afternoon had ended a while ago when an exultant Nicolás Etcheto appeared on the field walk. Fans came up to him and congratulated him. He responded with a huge smile and with as many explanations as necessary, to locals and strangers. Nicolás Etcheto had won his match with the help of Barandika and did not hide his happiness.
While a fan told him that it had been one of his best games in a long time. Before he answered, another of the incombustible, with his fist raised, launched a slogan at him: "Ã bloc ..!"
Hearing the latter: ¡ Ã bloc !… (at full throttle, in French) the Basque-French defender's face lit up even more.
He and Xabi Barandika rehearsed at the Balda last Tuesday. It was not a mere physical training and contact with the court. It also helped them to prepare the next game tactically. Etcheto was clear, if they wanted to beat Erkiaga and Lekerika, it would take more than just rallying and seeing what was coming. Xabi had to go on the attack.
The one from Gernika is a pelotari who does everything well but who lacks the chest do: finish the goal. The pending subject and in four days he returned to be examined in the Balda before a court of the most demanding. Against a couple that had overwhelmed Goiko and Irastorza the previous week, although `El Fenomeno de Zumaia´ and Erik Irastorza gave them more facilities than in El Corte Inglés during the sales season, especially that of Bidarte (Lapurdi).
Nicolás Etcheto was aware that apart from attacking more, paying the `Wizard of Ispaster´ with the same coin, they had to go ¡Ã bloc! Play hard, as a team. "No one wins by playing alone," Etcheto insisted.
Approximately 600 people witnessed two exciting matches. The Donostia Grand Slam is going further. The call effect works and it will not be surprising that in the successive festivals people want to be in situ and live the experience.
Hundreds of viewers who passed the filter of a blockbuster unable to understand a word in Euskara (Basque language). “ Sarrera bat, mesedez ” (one entry please) stared as if the petition had been in Mandarin Chinese. Unlike her companion in charge of the door, the young woman with the cat's eyes who greets you with Etcheto's smile and welcomes you in a perfect Basque language while she tears up the ticket.
Although in my opinion the favorites were Erkiaga and Leke, what I did not know was that their opponents had a plan of attack. Attack. En bloc and à bloc, to the fullest!
Barandika from the first moment showed more self-confidence than usual. Cutting the ball, finishing off two, with the right and sideways. He anticipated the few shots of Ispaster's by playing the counterattack.
Backed by a great Etcheto they took the lead. Determined to everything. Nicolás covered the pitch and with that long free-place backhand he looked for the back, keeping Leke at bay. A Leke who did not have his afternoon. The opponents took the ball more dead and changed it every few goals. The great Leke of other afternoons, without a live ball, goes down completely. He has to learn to play more backhand. He is not an explosive ballplayer, nor is his right hand. And you have to find compensation. Make fewer unforced errors.
Erkiaga did not shine and did not shine throughout the game except for the occasional set. But his talent is such that even without proving his worth. Far from the version offered in the Gernika Winter Series, he is able to put his opponents in trouble.
The first set, despite the great performance of Xabi and Nicolás, was quite tight. They won 15 to 11 but I had the impression that without doing anything special, as soon as they pushed, they could unbalance the balance.
The second set had the same trend. Faithful to the strategy, they continued to maintain the lead while the losers were tailgating at all times while waiting for the final sprint that was completed when they equalized at 14 points.
This time the one from Gernika did not miss the match like in the Winter Series. You learn from everything and the Gernika stylist did not forgive. He finished the set with a shot.
Fair winners. However, without approaching the level of play that they treasure, the losers put them in trouble. In my opinion, Erkiaga and Leke are still the favorites to win the tournament.
On Saturday, May 28, Barandika and Etcheto will face Goiko and Irastorza. In his post-match explanations, Nicolás does not have them all with him. The veterans are not going through his best moment but he is aware of the danger they represent. They will have to play like on Saturday, as a team and as a bloc.
While Etcheto greeted and chatted with friends and strangers, another game was played in the Balda arena.
A clash between two fighters. A duel of defenders. A fight that could end by KO or on points.
Last night in Miribilla Kerman Lejarraga and an Irishman named James Metcalf smashed their faces in a fight for the European title. They distributed hosts at close range and ended up with their faces made into a poem, with a single winner and unanimously on points: the Irishman.
I only saw a summary of the fight and I had a feeling that Balda's was going to be a jai-alai version of Miribilla's. He was not misguided.
Zabala, the `Markina-Xemein Bullet¨ and Del RÃo, the `Gasteiz Bomber´, faced each other. Assisted by Hormaetxea and Olharan.
What fiery! What a way to let loose! How he envies that way of letting go of the right!
Del RÃo's races to auction-side-inside Hormaetxea. He came with such ease that he gave the impression of entering a boat-run.
Zabala is a gale that hits from the first goal and does not rest until the end. If I were 20 years old, I told myself, I would sign up for an intensive CrossFit program.
Now, everything must be said. In that fight without quarter, in a kind of street fight, the technique, the strategy, were conspicuous by their absence.
They gave the impression that the priority objective was to crack the Baztán marble blocks aligned on the front. Pound the front wall, shake tow until the opponent kneels. With two luxury witnesses in the front row of the ring: Horrmaetxea and Olharan.
All four of them earned their salaries handsomely. But the defenders should be given extra pay. They gave no respite and did not loosen an iota. They were given even in the identity card in three sets that seemed short to me. They ended as it could not end otherwise. On points, tying at two games and 5-2 in the third and final set. A bloc game .
Two indecisions, a final yours-mine between Alex (Hormaetxea) and Zabala in a rebound ball decided the contest. Victory for Olharan and Del RÃo, on points as in Miribilla.
`El Revolver de Morga´ (Kerman Lejarraga) and Zabala `La Bala de Markina-Xemein´ will have to heal their wounds and wait for a rematch.
On the field walk, Nicolás Etcheto, one of the happiest men on the face of the earth, enjoyed the moment, a bloc. He posed for the photographers and greeted locals and strangers.
===========================
May 14, Day 1, Group A and B
MemorialElola Facebook
Donostia Grand Slam Jai alai.
We approach this Saturday the 14th to the Carmelo Balda fronton with the idea of seeing the best of Jai alai.
In advance the poster is presented unbeatable.
In the first match, Goikoetxea-Irastorza vs Erkiaga-Lekerika.
Before I go, the great masters of tennis come to mind. Making an analogy in terms of category and game as well as ages. In this first match are the mythical and incombustible, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic accompanied by the new generation, the young Alcaraz.
Of course, all comparisons are odious, but here on the court 3 veterans with a thousand battles on top (Irastorza, Goiko, Erkiaga) continue to exhibit an extraordinary level. For its part, Lekerika represents the new blood.
In the second game, two other active greats, (And I'm not going to put tennis names anymore...) Beaskoetxea-Lopez face another veteran Hormaetxea accompanied by "Bullet" Zabala.
Inside the pediment, sitting approximately in the middle, we are ready to enjoy the show. Public entrance acceptable. Interesting profile of the audience. Added to old known faces of the punta basket, families with children, new people, different audiences are seen and this is interesting. It is necessary to fill the fronton and if those of us who have lived from this sport do not attend, the fact that other people outside the practice of the punta basket come to the fronton is good.
Introductions are made and the match is about to begin.
Goikoetxea-Irastorza, what a couple! A few years ago, a fearsome combination, an unbeatable couple. Against the "artist" Erkiaga accompanied in the rear by the young Lekerika.
The first set starts and the Colorados look cold, they don't come into play. It seems that we are witnessing two match rhythms. The blue ones reach all the balls, they move with agility. The Colorados seem to have one gear less. I get the impression that the identity card (that is, the date of birth) is a slab, a handicap for Colorados that they cannot overcome. The class and elegance are there, but the game speed surpasses them. Lekerika behind is a real wildcat. In addition to reaching everything, with his right hand he is doing a lot of damage. Sometimes he hits the ball at Goiko's feet, other times he crosses it between the two opponents and they look helpless.
It comes to mind, this same scenario, a few years ago, Lekerika had just debuted, Goiko exercising his throne in a summer that was overwhelming. The fact is that Lekerika could not take any ball from Goiko. This one entered him well of air, well to boat run and then to dominate him with power. Today the film has changed. There is only one color on the court, blue. And it is that in addition to the domain of Lekerika, the other protagonist of the afternoon is Erkiaga.
Watching Erkiaga play is a privilege. It means attending a live Jai alai Master. The equation is very simple. Maximum performance, Minimum effort. The game deployed by Erkiaga is sublime. I think he missed only one shot all afternoon. And he did everything right.
The serve, pool type, touching the front at the top and letting the ball fall without force, bounced in the 6 and a half close to the left wall again and again, with no option for the opponent to enter. The anthology bounces. Always to the last tile in the angle of the left wall. Sometimes biting, others lengthening, depending on the location of Irastorza it drove him crazy and he supposed one point after another. The reverse always on the left wall and looking for the cool one. What more could you want.
Without eating or drinking it by the time we get to the first set break, the score is 2-8 in favor of the Blues. The party line goes in one direction. Erkiaga forward without needing to delight us with his ability to finish off, just hit a backhand basket and keep Irastorza back. Lekerika takes advantage of the domain to show off with the right.
Erkiaga when he rebounds has them dancing. Goiko, following the doctrine of good work, opens wide to cover the two walls and Irastorza, doubting whether to go ahead or cover the hole, finds himself on the "bridge" more than once despite his meter ninety past height.
Everything must also be said, the one from Iparralde has had surgery on both hips. It's not a question of starting to jump like a gazelle at this point... The one who delights us with a spectacular jump off the wall is Lekerika in response to a good rebound from Goiko.
The first set ends with an 8-15 and we go to the second set.
The Colorados take out a "pellet" with the idea of breaking the opponents' game, but not even with those. Irastorza's forehand is no longer as overwhelming as it was in his good days and with the backhand the only thing he achieves is for the ball to come off a long bounce so that Erkiaga shines.
Goiko at the end of the match told us that he couldn't see the balls. We told him that from the public the field seemed very subdued. The black walls and poor lighting gave the impression of very little visibility. The one from Zumaia, as always, frank and sincere, answers us. –No, it's not about lighting, there are no excuses. It's just that he didn't even smell them even if it was a snowball.
The second set ends with a 9-15 and we are sorry for not witnessing a more even match. For the rest, Erkiaga and Lekerika have presented their credentials. In my opinion they are strong candidates to win the tournament, but this is Jai alai and as the famous soccer coach Diego Simeone says, "You have to go game by game".
The second game features, as we have said, two illustrious veterans, Beaskoetxea-Lopez who initially start as favorites against Hormaetxea-Zabala.
The pelota players take to the field and from the first point the rhythm is frenetic. Nothing to do with the strategy game witnessed in the first game. Here no one keeps any letter under his arm. Zabala behind plays plugged in from the first pitch. His game is; he runs, dunks and hits it with all your soul. Lopez, infected with the spirit of his opponent, releases the masterful backhand that he possesses with joy, extending the ball until the rebound. Beaskoetxea also hits it with joy and Hormaetxea is a dancer who spreads optimism. At all times encouraging his partner.
In the first set, the Colorados are a bit ahead at all times. The two veterans do not fail. They are where you have to be and shoot where you have to shoot. On the other hand, the blues show a more erratic game. Especially Hormaetxea , capable of unbelievably finishing off a two-wall perfect for the next goal to throw the ball directly to the boards. Zabala attests to his famous phrase, "Make the difficult things easy, and the easy things difficult" scoring early bounces and compromised balls and then missing a ball in the middle of the court.
The Colorados take the first set and everything seems to indicate that they are the favorites for the second set, but the tables turn. Hormaetxea in his line of risk hits more than in the previous period. Zabala settles down and focuses more on “making the difficult easy”.
Its reverse is curious. In a short stance and with the foot changed he is able to pass Lopez over the top with speed. He hits it with everything halfway up the front and you never know if the ball is going to fall or continue its journey until it reaches the rebound. He surprises López on several occasions by sticking the ball into the chula. Something similar happens on the right. With a dry hit, the ball can go anywhere and although it normally goes to the middle of the court, on other occasions it comes out like a shot and guess, guess…
A style of play that has nothing to do with Lopez's. A measured game. Both backhand and forehand, all his balls carry intention and direction. I'm remembering right now an exchange of balls between Lopez and Zabala. The colorado defender is dominating the situation and sends the ball backhand millimeterly to the hole behind on the left wall. Not once but three times the ball seems remote-controlled to the same place. The bullet Zabala plays his skin and with his body glued to the rebound he defends himself and scores to respond from behind. In the end he manages to get out of the hole and backhands over Lopez. Take it now!
In this set, Hormaetxea, as we have said, is more accurate. The point is that they are ahead. Beaskoetxea, who has played a good game so far, cannot counteract the success of the Blues. We are left with a wide cut from the right that leaves Hormaetxea nailed and raises applause from the public. On the other hand, we did not like at all the continuous complaints from him to the judges and interruption of the game again and again. In a football game he would have gotten a yellow card for protesting. There remains a ball that passes over the rebound and goes to the judge to claim that Hormaetxea had hindered him, when it is clear that the ball overflows him. Well, that, in sports, a 10, in non-sports suspense.
The second set is for the blues and we go to the tiebreaker.
Swords up. The famous heads or tails to 5 points.
First goal, error in Hormaetxea's basket in a free ball. Oh, oh, oh, that's five points and you can't give it away. 1-0
But magic happens and the blue forward performs a hat-off display. At 1-0 we went to 1-3 with several spectacular shots and with a backhand bounce over the plate that left the Colorados seeing the stars.
At 1-3 the game stops. It turns out that according to the regulations in the middle of the sets there is a break. I can understand it in a 15-point set but I don't understand it in a 5-point game. The fact is that Lopez and Beaskoetxea disappear from the field and go to the locker room, leaving the blues waiting.
The tiebreaker set resumes and now Hormaetxea surprises us but in a negative way. One lime and one sand. It seems that the break has lost his inspiration and he makes several mistakes that make us raise our hands to our heads. It's not possible. What was an overwhelming game a few minutes ago now turns into big mistakes. Of course, brave as he alone. He enters the serve and tries again and again. For you or for me.
We are 3-3 and Beaskoetxea takes the lead. Hormaetxea enters the side kick in frame 5. You already have it. You just need to mark the left wall and finish off two walls. And to everyone's astonishment, he fell asleep with the ball in the basket, recreating himself from one side to the other giving time to Beaskoetxea and Lopez who came like motorcycles from behind. Total that by the time he finishes he already has them on top and fails resoundingly throwing the ball to the boards.
3-4, Match Point for the Colorados. Beaskoetxea takes out and Hormaetxea enters the air from the side again. Now yes, seen and unseen, he launches a perfect shot to two unattainable walls.
Score 4-4, but something happens. The front judge approaches the center judge with his racket raised. There are some protests but the judge in the center looking at the marker booth makes it clear by pointing to the Colorados. The controversy is served but the game is over. The judge's decision is unappealable.
3-5 in favor of the Colorados. Match for Beaskoetxea-Lopez.
And that is all friends! See you at the next game!
++++++++++++++
Pre Tournament Feature--Juan Ignazio Zulaika Blog
An intruder on the catamaran
Like every morning, the man, already retired, walked through La Concha, left Alderdi-Eder and entered the port. His intention was to go up the stairs of the Aquarium and continue his walk along the Paseo Nuevo. However, before reaching the Aquarium area, a group of onlookers caught his attention.
He stood next to them. Several photographers were shooting their cameras towards the catamaran where a dozen athletic young men dressed in white pants and red and blue t-shirts posed.
He realized that the catamaran was one of the boats that transports tourists around the city's bay, either to visit the island of Santa Clara or simply to enjoy a promenade.
Half an hour before the clouds dominated the sky. Now it was the sun painting the sky blue. A gorgeous spring day.
The retiree mingled with the group watching the scene aboard the catamaran.
The young men in uniform continued to discipline themselves posing for the photographers. At the bow of the boat, at the other end, a stocky man in his 50s, presumably the ship's skipper, was giving explanations to a couple of tourists who were following the scene from the pier.
In correct English, he told them that it was a group of jai-alai players who were going to play a tournament in the city. The two tourists nodded and when they heard the magic word: jai-alai; they smiled.
The walker, taking advantage of the confusion of the ceremony, went down the steps of the dock and jumped onto the catamaran. He ran into Ibon Gaztanazpi, a famous presenter of Etb-1. Nobody demanded a pass. His presence went unnoticed. He continued up the stairs and, cell phone in hand, sat down on one of the deck benches.
The group of uniformed men dissolved and took seats on the benches without following an order. The intruder recognized in the bench several familiar faces of politicians from both the Basque Government and the local and regional ones.
One of the sailors released the moorings and the catamaran began to move slowly and stealthily. Within minutes she was out of the mouth and out into the bay. The sea breeze caressed the face and the sun was full as the boat's roll increased. The uniformed men stretched out their legs and extended their arms, leaning on the backs of the benches. They looked like characters out of the movie: Mondays in the Sun; Nothing could be further from the truth.
It was then that one of the uniformed men, dressed in a gray sweatshirt—the intruder learned later that it was the famous pelota player Erkiaga—said that on occasions like this, he got dizzy. Something similar happened to him on a Caribbean cruise. That would be why he occupied a strategic place on the bench, next to the gunwale.
After a week with the sea like a plate, the waves returned to the bay, not those of winter, but enough so that they crashed strongly against the rocks of the island at the height of the tips and left thick brushstrokes of color white.
The catamaran continued its course slowly on the surface of crystal clear water, rocking smoothly. The city, Donostia, wherever she looked, looked wonderful from the deck of the ship. The intruder commented to a man in his 60s sitting next to him – he learned later that he was a member of the World Council – “there will be beautiful places in this world, but this is one of them”. The federation agreed.
The boat lost speed and stopped in the middle of the bay, in the shelter of the island. Despite the stability of the catamaran, the roll increased. A man of about 40 years old, with a white T-shirt and blue stripes, took the floor. He was not a member of the crew, but the promoter of the tournament. Microphone in hand, he began to explain what the tournament that will start this Saturday, May 14, meant for Donostia. He spoke of waves that started in Gernika, of the first fronton with a left wall in the history that was built in this city, in 1876. “The basket-point returns to its origins” and continued speaking until the turn was given to the municipal councilor and then to the regional deputy. All of them extolled the modality, the most international. They mentioned values and identity. It's not a flash in the pan, they said. This tournament is here to stay.
The photographers kept shooting and the cameras working overtime when the uniformed group regrouped. Photos and more photos, some with their arms outstretched and shouting slogans.
After the penultimate photo session, the intruder mixed with the uniformed men. One of them, stocky, strong as a rock, talked about crossfit and said that he had lowered the workload. Now it was about getting massages and stretching. The federation informed me that it was Zabala, "the revelation of the Gernika Winter Series". "That other one is Goikoetxea, a phenomenon," he told me, pointing to one wearing a Red Bull cap. This imposing athlete of close to two meters was telling a reporter that he “was enjoying playing. It wasn't about winning at all costs like it was a few years ago, but about giving the best of oneself”. Another uniformed man who was also close to two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a beard, commented with a French accent that he had recovered from the operations he had undergone, without any pain.
The catamaran was slowly returning to the dock. A couple of swimmers had to stop swimming for the white whale to continue on its course. Floating, they looked surprised to see that stain of colors on deck. The boat docked at the same dock from which she had sailed. An hour had passed.
The intruder said goodbye to the federation. Before heading towards the Paseo Nuevo, he promised her that he would go to the fronton to see those athletes in action. What better plan for a retiree than to go to Balda in the afternoon for five consecutive Saturdays
=========
2022 International Tournaments
Hegoalde (South Basque Country-AKA Spain)
Jai Alai Winter Series--Gernika--January 19-March 20, 2022 (9 Full Match Videos)
JAI ALAI WORLD TOUR
Donostia (San Sebastian) Grand Slam (May 14-June 11, 2022) (4 Full Match Videos)
+++++++
Iparralde (North Basque Country--AKA France)
CESTA PUNTA PRO TOUR
Cesta All Star Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) (April 19-28, 2022) (9 Full Match Videos)
Cesta Punta Summer League (Biarritz, Pau) (May 6-June 17, 2022) (6 Full Match Videos)
Grand Slam, Espoir (Group B) (July 5-August 25)
Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) Grand Slam (Group A) (July 5-August 25) (4 Masters and 1 SLAM) (15 Full Match Videos)
Gant d'Or (Biarritz) (July 6-August 24) (4 Masters and 1 SLAM)
Pau Cup (July 15-September 2) (2 Masters and 1 SLAM)
Grand Chistera (Biarritz) (July 8-August 25, every Tuesday--Outdoor Cesta Punta--3 player teams, 75 meter court, no helmets)
+++++++
Fronton Mexico (Mexico City)
Tourneo Betway (May 19-26) (14 Full Match Videos)
+++++++
Dania Jai Alai (Dania Beach Florida)
Battle at the Palace (April 1-10) 14 Full Match Videos)
=========
