This post will consist of the following:
A. "Non Spoiler" section (a simple link to the video of latest match with no other information)
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B. "Spoiler" section, including the video link, winners, the score, line scores, match statistics
C. Link to a match article(s)
D. Google English translation of that match article.
E. Standings (team and player)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
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Non-Spoiler
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THIRD PLACE MATCH
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
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SPOILERS
ERKIAGA-IBARLUZAEA WIN THE JAI ALAI WINTER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.
Linescore (match winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-2; 2-2; 2-3; 3-3; 3-4; 6-4; 6-7; 9-7; 9-8; 10-8; 10-9; 14-9; 14-11; 15-11
-2;=;-1;=;-1;+2;-1;+2;+1;+2;+1;+5;+3;+4
4 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Set 2:
2-0; 2-1; 4-1; 4-2; 9-2; 9-3; 11-3; 11-6; 15-6
+2;+1;+3;+2;+7;+6;+8;+5;+9
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Scoring (Deia, EITB did not provide full match scoring):
Erkiaga +20 (including 2 service aces) -2; Ibarluzea +3 -7
Goikoetxea +8 -4; Lekerikabeaskoa +0 -3
Total Score: +31 -16 (.660)
E-I +23 7 G-L errors (.767 winners)
G-L +8 9 E-I errors (.471 errors)
Balls in Play: I was unable to find any source that gave balls in play for the entire match. EITB provided complete BIP data for the first set only.
189
Erkiaga 47; Ibarluzea 49
Goikoetxea 42; Lekerikabeaskoa 51
Time of the Match (Deia, EITB did not provide any data ): 64 minutes
Avg. Time per Point: 81.7 seconds
Note: The torch was well and truly passed from arguably the greatest front court player in the history of the game, Inaki Goikoetxea, to the present "King of the Front", Aritz Erkiaga. Erikaga turned in a net +18 point performance in the Championship match, easily the highest match performance in the Tournament.
Goikoetxea's +4 was a very good reminder of the how effective he still was. What was a bit disappointing was the complete lack of any offense from Unai Lekerikabeaskoa. In his first four games, he led all back court players in scoring, his average winners touching 9 per game. In this match, he was shut out. A good part of that was due the excellent play of Ion Ibarluzea who, in spite of his ordinary looking statistics, played an excellent back court, helping Erkiaga to dominate the proceedings.
Ibarluzea played an up and down Tournament (+2 -9, +4 -1, +3 -13, +5 -3, +3 -7) (+17 -33), while Erkiaga's was phenomenal (+20 -5, +17 -2, +17 -5,+15 -6, +20 -2) (+89 -20). Erkiaga had 33 more winners in the same amount of matches (5) than the second leading scorer, Johan Sorozabal, who finished with +56 -33. Erkiaga averaged a little more than 18 winners per match.
Interestingly, E-I's road to the final was not an easy one. Of the 4 matches (out of 16) that were decided by a tie breaker, they were involved in 2. Their total match score was 139-108 (34-24 [tie breaker], 30-11, 29-32 [tie breaker], 30-24, and 30-17). In the "money" matches of the post season, Erkiaga was +35 -8 and his team was 60-41. In the end, it was a tournament that was dominated by the best front court player in the game today.
12 of the 16 matches in the Tournament were decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 16 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 480 (15-0, 15-0) finished at 134 (484-350). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points was 18, and more than 10 points was 14. A full set was decided by 1 point 8 times out of 32 (25%).
Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Basque, links to 37 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
Match article Google English Translation
ERKIAGA, THE NEW KING!
Take it!
Erkiaga and Ibarluzea dominate in the final of the Basque Label Winter Series championship.
Ibarlujea played a great game: safe, few mistakes and doing what needed to be done well.
Goikoetxea: "I've taken a big weight off"
Erkiaga from Ispa has received the "EITB award" for BEST PLAYER
A great atmosphere at the Jai Alai stadium in Gernika, witnessing a great display by Erkiaga.
GOIKOTEXEA-LEKERIKA vsERKIAGA-IBARLUZEA: 11-15, 6-15
The reign of Goikoetxea is over. Before retiring, Erkiaga was asking for his position. Ispaster has been the best in the top level for a few years now. However, time must be respected and Aritz, above all else, is a good person and friend. When Goikoetxea's retirement became official, then Iñaki took the title of "King". Modest, humble, elegant and with an incredible level of play. Erkiaga is the best, but also the most elegant and the smartest. He won the first edition of the Winter Sereise with Jon Zabala. The third one, with Ion Ibarluzea.
In both cases, Aritz advised, settled and showed the defenders. Thanks to these tips, Zabala rose like foam, and now Ibarluzea has risen.It's true, Aritz made Ibarluzea champion. But the final played by the Markina back court man was something to record and save. He played a beautiful match, he has a very elegant backhand. He appeared very safe. He also placed difficult balls. And as it happens, he hasn't done anything stupid. Ion has played a classy match and it is not easy to give such a level in his situation. He has learned what to do to achieve it. Disconnect from this cutting-edge atmosphere and pay attention to Erkiaga, who knows.
"A lot of weight has been taken off my shoulders," said Goiko immediately after the match. "I didn't win the final, but I won a friend." Iñaki's beautiful words for Lekerika. The brown couple dominated the first two points of the match. There has been a pilot and Erkiaga has not even been able to enter. 0-2. But from then on... oh Erkiaga!
The ball goes into the basket and the entire pediment shakes. The front roars when Aritz gets into the rib position. It doesn't matter what box it is in. At seven, at eight, at nine... Aritz bends his body, puts his sword in an attacking position and takes both opponents out of position. It looks like a chess board. It is in front of the top, but where to go? Inside or outside? Leke again behind. But, will I stay behind or will I run to the corner? Erkiaga dislocates the opponents before throwing the ball, and that is different from scoring.
In cesta punta, it is called "scrambling" to throw the ball now in one place, now in another. It's a "Latin" term because it still carries the Joyful Holidays within the history of Mexico, Cuba and Florida. If you always put the ball in the same place, the trick is easy to catch. But Aritz takes the ball backwards and "fumbles". Where will I throw it? Now to the inside, now to the back, now to the double wall... He has the ability to shoot anywhere, and it is impossible for his opponents to cover 627 m2. When it comes to defense, the Gernika court is hell.
They have tied 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4. 4-5 were first put in front of the roses and Erkiaga put the 4-6 with a wall double. The maroons managed to equalize the score, even seven, but the pinks arrived before the first break: Erkiaga perfectly rebounded the rebound, Lekerika jumped against the wall, managed to get the ball, but Erkiaga threw another excellent rebound and Lekerika couldn't. 7-8
The defender from Guernica has been helpless today. Erkiaga is also the clearest in terms of material. He looks at the leather of the ball, the cost, the color, the size... everything. Although the pink couple worked comfortably, Aritz changed the ball once during practice.
The goal: not to experience the material. Because Lekerika is dangerous when the ball is alive. Today he couldn't. He has had difficult tasks passing over Erkiaga, both on the reverse and on the right. Aritz, even taking eight, finishes the score. what to do It's better from the side than from the top, but it's still very difficult.
Aritz scored brilliantly from eight frames (7-9); first the corner and the wall, then the Ispasteras (8-10); also to the rebound hole in the serve lane (9-11). The Maroons can't play their game and nobody can stop Aritz. He made a score of 9-12 with two walls. The browns got a little ahead, thanks to a good rebound from Lekerika (10-14), but Aritz Goikoetxea's kick went in and the Bizkaia man finished the set himself. 11-15
Instead of the marker, the game was the problem for the browns and they could not turn the situation around in the second set. The opposite Helplessness and despair have prevailed. Aritz's "shotgun" could not be answered and Ibarluzea did not disappoint. The player from Markina has shown that he is the right defender to play in Gernika. He has a loose rebound, he has guarded his position well and provided security for the striker. That's a defender's job. In this second set, we saw another demonstration of Erkiaga. He had a lot of balls to choose from and he finished the drops the way he wanted.
It was in this game that we saw with our own eyes, the last finishes of Goikoetxea's sporting career. A beautiful 2-4, with two doubles on the rebound. It was 5-11 respectively, from top to bottom, with the right hand, wall-double. They have been the last sparks of the big top, the stratospheric top. Aritz Erkiaga has already seen the best.
The magician from Ispaster threw perfectly at the corner of the checkerboard (6-12) and in the same position of the ribs, easily to the two walls (6-13). Some have taken Lekerika's goals as mistakes, but Ibarluzea's goals were scored. Those made on the left wall and the back wall.
6-14, last kick. Goikoetxea watch out for the resto. Aritz, who had excellent 6 thirds throughout the game, could not take away the last kick from Goiko. Zumaia has entered. He lost the final, but he wanted to do a nice dance to greet and honor the fans. He threw From the ribs But the badge. He ended his 28-year career in that metal sound. At the age of 16 in Milan, he started the lesson of life while still being a child. How much has he given to the zesta punta since then. Move to Newport, blow up in Orlando, dominate in Miami and what they've done since.
Some will highlight his athletic level: strength, ability, the game he has had with both hands, the demonstrations given head-to-head... who can be compared with?
Others remember the shop window that gave Zesta its skin. Red Bull, Loewe... Goiko has given visibility to Jai Alai, which has been in dire need of it.
On the other hand, in Zumaia, they love Iñaki. A person apart from the athlete. from the village humble Unassuming. Miguel Angel Osa, son of the last fishing boat sailor in Zumaia and Arritxu Goikoetxea. Brother of Luis and Igor. Antonella's husband. Father of Iker and Aitana.
We value that too. person And the values that person has given to the zesta-punta.Goikoetxea has a successor and Erkiaga deserves that title. He is the new king on the court, and even off the court, he is the greatest transmitter of Goikoetxea's values. I am sure that at this moment Aritz is in Ispaster, quietly celebrating today's hat-trick with his close friends and family. "Ibarluzea has played a Christian match", he will say. It's true. But we will never forget the demonstrations Erkiaga is giving.
Greetings Aritz and best of luck and encouragement, from now on to Ion Ibarluzea.
Player Statistics Overall cumulative points
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season. Note that player points allocations change during the playoffs. Individual wins/losses are no longer allocated on a 360/180 basis. Points are now allocated on where the players finish in the playoffs. Losing in the semi-finals adds 750 points. Losing in the Finals adds 1200 points. Winning the Final adds 2000 points. There appears to be no point allocation for winning/losing the 3rd place match. Source: points allocation rules given on the "ponctuation" page of the Jai Alai League App.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Erkiaga: 1,080 (3) + WINS THE FINAL +2,000 = 3,080
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3) + loses the final +1,200 = 2,280
J. Sorozabal: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Olharan 720 (2) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,470
Goitia: 720 (3)
Laduche: 720 (3)
Arbe: 540 (3)
Mendizabal: 540 (3)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Back:
**Bailo is the designated back substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Minvielle on Day 11, January 15,22
Ibarluzea: 1,080 (3) + WINS THE FINAL +2,000 = 3,080
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (3) + loses the final +1,200 = 2,280
Del Rio: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Lopez: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Basque: 720 (3)
G. Sorozabal: 720 (3)
Mancisidor: 540 (3)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Bailo**: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB, unless otherwise specifically specified) Note: Source for scoring statistics for the Final, February 18, 2024, is Deia, as EITB did not provide full scoring statistics.
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +89 -20: +69 (5 matches)
Olharan (A) +42 -19: +23(4 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +56 -33: +23 (5 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +38 -17: +21 (5 matches)
Laduche (B) +33 -19: +14 (3 matches)
Goitia (A) +33 -21: +12 (3 matches)
Arbe (B) +24 -13: +11 (3 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +34 -23: +11 (3 matches)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Total: +352 -174 (.669)
Backs:
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Mancisidor (B) +7 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Basque (A) +11 -14 (-14) (3 matches)
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +35 -15 (-15) (5 matches)
Lopez(B) +31 -16 (-16) (5 matches)
G. Sorozabal (B) +14 -17 (-17) (3 matches)
Del Rio (A) +32 -30 (-30) (5 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +17 -33 (-33) (5 matches)
Bailo (S) +3 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Total: +154 -154 (.500)
Final Won Loss Records:
Fronts:
Erkiaga: 5-0
Goikoetxea: 4-1
J. Sorozabal: 3-2
Olharan: 2-2
Goitia: 1-2
Laduche: 1-2
Aguirre: 0-1
Arbe: 0-3
Mendizabal: 0-3
Backs:
Ibarluzea: 5-0
Lekerikabeaskoa: 4-1
Lopez: 3-2
Del Rio: 2-3
G. Sorozabal: 1-2
Basque: 1-2
Bailo: 0-1
Minvielle: 0-2
Mancisidor: 0-3
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THIRD PLACE MATCH
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
15-8, 15-13 (30-21)
Linescore (match winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
1-0; 1-1; 4-1; 4-2; 5-2; 5-4; 9-4; 9-6; 10-6; 10-7; 14-7; 14-8; 15-8
+1;=;+3;+2;+3;+1;+5;+3;+4;+3;+7;+6;+7
1 equal score, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
0-3; 4-3; 4-6; 6-6; 6-7; 9-7; 9-8; 12-8; 12-11; 13-11; 13-13; 15-13
-3;+1;-2;=;-1;+2;+1;+4;+1;+2;=+2
5 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
J. Sorozabal +16 -6; Lopez +6 -0
Olharan +12 -3; Del Rio +2 -5
Note: EITB scoring adds to 30-20. Final total score was 30-21.
J. Sorozabal: 6 Atzean (behind); 3 Moztuak (passing shots); 2 Sakez (service aces)
Olharan: 7 Bi Paretak (2 walls); 3 Moztuak; 1 Errestoan Tantoa (serve intercept/immediate kill)
Lopez: 2 Atzean; 2 Moztuak; 1 Bi Paretak
Del Rio: 1 Dejadaz (drop shot); 1 Txik-Txak-Txula (off the back wall on the bounce or fly that comes out too low to be returned)
Total Score: +36 -14 (one point is missing) (.720)
S-L +22 8 O-D errors (.733 winners)
O-D +14 6 S-L errors (.700 winners)
Deia did not have a match article and EITB, as usual, did not provide any Balls in Play data
No match time data was provided by any source.
Note: Sorozabal-Lopez won a bit of a lackluster 3rd place match, easily defeating Olharan-Del Rio. They dominated the first set, and overcame some stiff resistance in the 2nd. O-D led twice in the entire match. The most interesting aspect, in my opinion, was the continuing development of young Johan Sorozabal. He had a dominant offensive game, though he also gifted his opponents almost 30 percent of their points.
Whether setting a separate date for this match was appropriate or not (it could easily have been a first match on Finals day), it did bring in yet one more sell out crowd.
11 of the 15 matches in the Tournament have been decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 15 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 450 (15-0, 15-0) is 121 (454-333). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is now 17, and more than 10 points is 13. A full set has been decided by 1 point 8 times out of 30 (26.7%).
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Castilian, links to 8 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
Match article Google English Translation
‼️JOHAN AND LÓPEZ, MUCH MORE THAN "THIRD PARTIES"
Take it!
15th day of the Basque Label Winter Series
Match for 3rd place
JOHAN-LOPEZ vs OLHARAN-DEL RIO: 15-8, 15-13
On Wednesday at 12:00, selection of material for the final
Johan and López have won the match "of honor" but they leave with the regret of not being able to play in the final. Today they confirmed their superiority over Olharan and Del Rio. Sixteen goals scored by the Lapurtarra striker and another six by his teammate from Guipuzcoa, and also, no errors by the latter. The yellow couple could have been in the final and fought for the title, but they fell by just one goal in that agonizing semifinal.
The names of Johan Sorozabal and Imanol López already illustrate the third place in the Winter Series, but they could equally have been the champions.
The yellow pair has started more focused. Dominance in the game, fewer errors and more successes, that has been the general tone of the match. The initial 4-1 has led them in the right direction, they have increased the lead by the middle of the first set (8-4). The blues couldn't get the rhythm and although they got within three points (10-7) they couldn't withstand the final push from Johan and López. 15-8.
The second game began with an initial 0-3 for the blue team; Side from Jean, right from Julen and another side inside from Jurançon's cheerful pelota player. Soon Johan and López tied (3-3, 4-4, 6-6, 7-7) and alternations on the scoreboard took place. Two plays ended in two-walls, one by Olharan and the other by López, and their VAR reviews have added spice to the match. But the match, without the intensity of a eliminatory, and Jai Alai League points in the game (both pairs add 750 for reaching the semis), ended 15-13. Two games to zero in favor of the youngest of the Sorozabals and the great Imanol López.
ON WEDNESDAY, MATERIAL SELECTION
With everyone's eyes focused on the big day on Sunday, the four protagonists will set aside the material for the final this Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. In the sport of basket-point, the selection of the balls is done by bouncing them. They are not basketed or tested by throwing them to the front. One by one they are taken from the basket and bounced to see what touch they have, if they can escape, if despite having the same number (106 or 108 g for the foal) they are more or less lively, even to see the size from the same.
A larger ball, with a larger diameter, may indicate more difficulty when moving it or more time to warm up.
The final of the Eusko Label Winter Series is played on Sunday in the morning (12:00, ETB 1 live) but the match begins four days before on the same stage. Goikoetxea and Lekerika, Erkiaga and Ibarluzea. Each couple, with their strategy already designed, will try to choose the most appropriate balls to carry out their plan. Both pairs performed a rehearsal this afternoon and the pink couple will perform at least one more on the same day as the material selection. Goiko and Leke may also do it. It is a week that involves minimal contact with the court, but equally or more important than that will be rest, mental preparation and disconnection from the Jai Alai environment.
Something difficult in the case of Iñaki Osa Goikoetxea, already immersed in the media and social maelstrom of his final farewell.
Player Statistics Overall cumulative points
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season. Note that player points allocations change during the playoffs. Individual wins/losses are no longer allocated on a 360/180 basis. Points are now allocated on where the players finish in the playoffs. Losing in the semi-finals adds 750 points. Losing in the Finals adds 1200 points. Winning the Final adds 2000 points. There appears to be no point allocation for winning/losing the 3rd place match. Source: points allocation rules given on the "ponctuation" page of the Jai Alai League App.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3 played) + advances to the final
Erkiaga: 1,080 (3) + advances to the final
J. Sorozabal: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Goitia: 720 (3)
Laduche: 720 (3)
Olharan 720 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,470
Arbe: 540 (3)
Mendizabal: 540 (3)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Back:
**Bailo is the designated back substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Minvielle on Day 11, January 15,22
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (4) + advances to the final
Ibarluzea: 1,080 (4) + advances to the final
Lopez: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Del Rio: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Basque: 720 (3)
G. Sorozabal: 720 (3)
Mancisidor: 540 (3)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Bailo**: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +69 -18: +51 (4 matches)
Olharan (A) +42 -19: +23(4 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +56 -33: +23 (5 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +30 -13: +17 (4 matches)
Laduche (B) +33 -19: +14 (3 matches)
Goitia (A) +33 -21: +12 (3 matches)
Arbe (B) +24 -13: +11 (3 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +34 -23: +11 (3 matches)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +35 -12 (-12) (4 matches)
Mancisidor (B) +7 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Basque (A) +11 -14 (-14) (3 matches)
Lopez(B) +31 -16 (-16) (5 matches)
G. Sorozabal (B) +14 -17 (-17) (3 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +14 -26 (-26) (4 matches)
Del Rio (A) +32 -30 (-30) (5 matches)
Bailo (S) +3 -7 (-7) (1 match)
SECOND SEMI-FINAL
FEBRUARY 5, 2023
Linescore (match winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-3; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-5; 10-5; 10-7; 13-7; 13-8; 14-8; 14-11; 15-11
+1;=+1;-1;=;-1;=;-1;+5;+3;+6;+5;+6;+3;+4
5 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Set 2:
2-0; 2-1; 3-1; 3-2; 5-2; 5-3; 7-3; 7-5; 9-5; 9-10; 10-10; 10-11; 12-11; 12-12; 13-12; 13-13; 15-13
+2;+1;+2;+1;+3;+2;+4;+2;+4;-1;=;-1;+1;=;+1;=;+2
4 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Erkiaga +15 -6; Ibarluzea +5 -3
Olharan +11 -3; Del Rio +4 -7
Erkiaga: 6 Moztuak (passing shots); 4 Atzean (behind); 2 Bi Paretak (2 walls)
Olharan: 4 Bi Paretak; 4 Atzean; 2 Errestoan Tantoa (serve intercepts/immediate kills)
Ibarluzea: 3 Atzean; 1 Dejadas (drop shot)
Del Rio: 3 Atzean; 1 Bi Paretak
Total Score: +35 -19 (.648)
E-I +20 10 O-D errors (.667 winners)
O-D +15 9 E-I errors (.625 winners)
Balls in Play (Deia)
391
EITB did not provide any Balls in Play data. A little less glitz, a little less watching players go up an elevator, and a little more match data would have been better, IMHO.
Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (391 - 19) / 391 (.951)
Avg. Balls per Point: 7.2
Time of the Match (Deia, EITB did not provide any data ): 72 minutes
Avg. Time per Point: 80.0 seconds.
Note: Aritz Erkiaga and Ion Ibarluzea were in control for most of the match, ceding the lead on only 4 of the 54 points, and never trailing by more than 1 point, as they marched on to the Final of this tournament. They had only one bad patch where they lost 5 consecutive points (Set 2) to turn a 9-5 lead into a 9-10 deficit. But they then won 6 of the last 9 points to close out the match.
Statistically, Erkiaga and Olharan had very similar numbers, Aritz with 1 more net point than Jean. But the back court made the difference, as Ibarluzea played very tight defense, making 4 less errors than Del Rio. Julen, who finished with 25 errors in 4 matches, was unable to come up with the big offensive game that he showed in his last 2 League matches (+9 -5 and +11 -6). He was quiet in this match (+3 -7). Ion has had an on and off tournament, sandwiching -9 and -13 around a -1. But he brought his defensive A game to the biggest game so far, with a -3 in this win.
And so the Final is now set, with sentimental favorites Inaki Goikoetxea (+30 -13)--Unai Lekerikabeaskoa (+35 -12) (+65 -25) v
Aritz Erkiaga (+69 -18)--Ion Ibarluzea (+14 -26) (+83 -44). With three generational and/or all time greats, it figures to be a terrific match. But it may hinge on which Ibarluzea shows up.
But before the Final, on February 18, a Sunday afternoon when Cesta Punta in the Basque Country will take center stage (a noon start), outshining even Mano (handball) for a couple of hours or so anyway, there is also the matter of a third place match on Monday, February 12, featuring
Johan Sorozabal (+40 -27)--Imanol Lopez (+25 -16) (+65 -43) v
Jean Olharan (+30 -16 in only 3 matches--all other players have played 4)--Julen Del Rio (+29 -25) (+59 -41)
which should also be an excellent match.
10 of the 14 matches in the Tournament have ben decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 14 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 420 (15-0, 15-0) is 112 (424-312). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is now 16, and more than 10 points is 12. A full set has been decided by 1 point 8 times out of 26 (30.8%).
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Basque, links to 16 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
Match article Google English Translation
ERKIAGA AND GOIKO FACE-TO-HEAD IN THE FINAL!
Take it!
Basque Label Winter Series
2nd semi-final
ERKIAGA-IBARLUZEA vs OLHARAN-DEL RIO: 15-11
The Winter Series has a final. Goikoetxea-Lekerika vs Erkiaga-Ibarluzea. The great players from Zumaia (Inaki Goikoetxea) will play the last game of his career against the artist from Ispaster (Aritz Erkiaga). In fact, against the puntist who has taken his "crown" in recent years. Win or lose, a gift for Iñaki. Goiko and Aritz, Aritz and Goiko.
Two players and great friends, made a career in the United States, having completed the historical cycle there, enjoying the renaissance of the Basque Country. They will play their last competition in the final of the biggest tournament. One with Lekerika, and the other with Ibarluze, who played a really good game today.
What to say about the atmosphere. Two thousand people singing, waving and enjoying the cesta tip.
Erkiaga spoke clearly at the end of the game. He is not satisfied with the work he has done. He sets the bar high, of course, and if he doesn't reach excellence, he doesn't stop there. Ibarluzea, on the other hand, has played the best game so far. Full of confidence, safe, regular, asking for the ball and putting in difficult ones. In terms of morale, a very important step towards the grand final.
The game started with a draw. They have done one, two, three, four and five. It was Erkiaga's 6-5, the ball was sent to the back of the net. Txula scored the gold (7-5) and Ion Ibarluzea did the same in the next point (8-5).
The defender from Bizkaia has raised the public, at the threshold of the break of the first game. Even back from rest, there have been more "pink panthers". Olharan couldn't get into the game and Del Rio didn't hurt his hand like the others. The set ended 15-11, with the pinks favoring the wind. The strategy has been to play and change four to five points with each ball, without letting it warm up.
The second game has also started well for Biscay. Ibarluzea has done, on the plate, one and nothing. Aritz with ribs inside, 2-0. It was also 4-2 for Ispaster, finishing from the eighth frame. They also took a four-point advantage at the beginning of the set (7-3) but when they thought they had victory in hand, the semi-final was complicated for the pinks. Olharan made good points (8-6, inside; 9-7, wall-mounted) and in that important moment, Aritz Erkiaga from Ispa made three mistakes.
The top plate first (9-9), then the countercourt (9-10) and also a wall double, smooth, to the wood (12-12). He has also had his share of accomplishments, including when he responded brilliantly to Del Rio's right hand off the bounce. Aritz got up high, catching the Gasteiz player out of position.
It was tense until the last moment. The blues have seen an opportunity for disappointment. Erkiaga wasn't doing very well either, but... the Ispaster player doesn't have to play at his best to win games. The game ended 15-13. Two sets and nothing.
The Biscay team played four games and won all four. Like their opponents in the final. The two best pairs of the tournament. Those who have not made a mistake. Start making kinielas, you have 13 days to do it. Before that, honor will be at stake. Competition for third place. Johan-Lopez and Olharan-Del Rio.
Cheers to everyone!
Player Statistics Overall cumulative points
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season. Note that player points allocations change during the playoffs. Individual wins/losses are no longer allocated on a 360/180 basis. Points are now allocated on where the players finish in the playoffs. Losing in the semi-finals adds 750 points. Losing in the Finals adds 1200 points. Winning the Final adds 2000 points. There appears to be no point allocation for winning/losing the 3rd place match. Source: points allocation rules given on the "ponctuation" page of the Jai Alai League App.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3 played) + advances to the final
Erkiaga: 1,080 (3) + advances to the final
J. Sorozabal: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Goitia: 720 (3)
Laduche: 720 (3)
Olharan 720 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,470
Arbe: 540 (3)
Mendizabal: 540 (3)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Back:
**Bailo is the designated back substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Minvielle on Day 11, January 15,22
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (4) + advances to the final
Ibarluzea: 1,080 (4) + advances to the final
Lopez: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Del Rio: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Basque: 720 (3)
G. Sorozabal: 720 (3)
Mancisidor: 540 (3)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Bailo**: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +69 -18: +51 (4 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +30 -13: +17 (4 matches)
Laduche (B) +33 -19: +14 (3 matches)
Olharan (A) +30 -16: +14(3 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +40 -27: +13 (4 matches)
Goitia (A) +33 -21: +12 (3 matches)
Arbe (B) +24 -13: +11 (3 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +34 -23: +11 (3 matches)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +35 -12 (-12) (4 matches)
Mancisidor (B) +7 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Basque (A) +11 -14 (-14) (3 matches)
Lopez(B) +25 -16 (-16) (4 matches)
G. Sorozabal (B) +14 -17 (-17) (3 matches)
Del Rio (A) +30 -25 (-25) (4 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +14 -26 (-26) (4 matches)
Bailo (S) +3 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Linescore (match winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-2; 2-2; 2-4; 11-4; 11-5; 12-5; 12-7, 13-7; 13-8; 15-8
-2;=;-2;+7;+6;+7;+5;+6;+5;+7
2 equal scores, 1 lead change
Set 2:
0-5; 1-5; 1-8; 2-8; 2-9; 5-9; 5-10; 7-10; 7-14; 9-14; 9-15
-5;-4;-7;-6;-7;-4;-5;-3-7;-5;-6
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Tie Breaker:
1-0; 1-1; 3-1; 3-3; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4
+1;=+2;=+1;=;+1
3 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Goikoetxea +10 -4; Lekerikabeaskoa +10 -5
J. Sorozabal +8 -6; Lopez +10 -3
Goikoetxea: 2 Bi Paretak (2 walls); 2 Moztuak (passing shots); 2 Atzean (behind)
J. Sorozabal: 2 Dejadaz (drop shots); 2 Atzean; 1 Bi Paretak
Lekerikabeaskoa: 5 Atzean; 4 Bi Paretak; 1 Moztuak
Lopez: 8 Atzean; 1 Dejadaz; 1 Moztuak
Total Score: +38 -18 (.679)
G-LE +20 9 S-LO errors (.690 winners)
S-LO +18 9 G-LE errors (.667 winners)
Balls in Play (Deia)
354
As usual, EITB did not provide complete Balls in Play data, even though they kept track of it. They did, however, begin to provide more BIP data than they had all through the League phase.
At the end of the 1st set:
Balls in Play: 163
Goikoetxea 44; Lekerikabeaskoa 42
J. Sorozabal 38; Lopez 39
At the end of the 2nd set (cumulative):
Balls in Play: 291
Goikoetxea 71; Lekerikabeaskoa 75
J. Sorozabal 75; Lopez 70
Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (354 - 18) / 354 (.949)
Avg. Balls per Point: 6.3
Time of the Match (Deia, EITB did not provide any data ): 81 minutes
Avg. Time per Point (for the whole match, playing time was not calculated): 86.8 seconds.
Note: Inaki Goikoetxea will end his career with a Final. If he wins, it will be a perfect capstone to a terrific career, finishing as aruguably the best front court player of all time, and certainly the best of his era.
The match was a play in three acts, with each team dominating a set and then the tie breaker going down to the final point, a Lopez dropped catch that ended the proceedings.
In spite of the lack of competitive scores in the two full sets, the match was played extremely well. 68 percent of all points came on winners. Leke had 4 two wall winners, a large amount for a back court player, and the back court accounted for 20 of the 56 points, 2 more than the front court accounted for. This is a rarity in today's game, but these are two of the best back court players of their generations, and Leke still has not celebrated his 30th birthday.
For Lopez it was just another in a long string of fabulous days at the office, cementing his arguable claim on GOAT back court player.
The match was also great in the sense that it saw 2 great "old men", one great "prime timer", and best of all, the emergence of a new star in 21 year old Johan Sorozabal.
And the Tie Breaker was fabulous. It included a controversial video review that barely went the way of the winners. G-L will face the winner of the 2nd Semi-final, betweek B#1 Aritz Erkiaga--Ion Ibarluzea and A#2 Jean Olharan--Julen Del Rio. S-L will face the loser in the 3rd place match.
9 of the 13 matches in the Tournament have ben decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 13 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 390 (15-0, 15-0) is 106 (394-288). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is now 14, and more than 10 points is 12. A full set has been decided by 1 point 8 times out of 26 (30.8%).
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Castilian, links to 8 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
Match article Google English Translation
THE MADNESS OF JAI ALAI!
Take it!
GOIKOTEXEA-LEKERIKA vs JOHAN-LOPEZ:
15-8, 9-15, 5-4
Goikoetxea and Lekerika win in a heart-stopping semi-final
Each pair has mastered a set. The tiebreaker, with VAR (video review system) has been decided in the last goal
The Zumaiarra star will have the dream ending in the final of the Eusko Label Winter Series
The Jai Alai of Gernika has vibrated with an incredible match that has had all the possible ingredients.
It couldn't be less. Goiko and López embraced each other in an intense hug after the end of the great semifinal of the Winter Series. The fronton, standing, did not stop applauding. It was a high-level match, with alternatives in the game, many high-quality goals and a tiebreaker that had everything: new ball, pass limit, VAR, 4-4 and in the end, victory for Goikoetxea and Lekerika who They are in the final.
The start of the game was immense. They have begun to play with a terrible intensity. The audience, suddenly, began to vibrate. First, with the two cuts of the yellow couple (0-2) and then, with the entire following recital. 2-2, Goikoetxea rebote; 2-4, Johan dominates and ends on the side; 3-4, Goiko leaves the ball to Lekerika, he is caught by surprise but arrives and ends with a two side walls; 4-4, two walls by Goiko; 5-4, tremendous right hand to the width, signed by the best Iñaki Osa; 6-4, cut by Lekerika; 7-4, tremendous backhand rebote from Goiko, perfect txik-txak; and the last goal before the first break, another rebote from Goiko who begins to dominate and ends the two-wall goal: 8-4.
Despite the intensity of the match and the fight in the rally, the goals fell on the side of the brown couple. Johan and López could not change the inertia. In the happy squares, Goiko has prevailed over Johan, who has not been successful in his shots and has had problems with his serve. The set ended 15-8 for Iñaki and Unai, but after the break, the film has completely changed.
The break has not been good for the browns, and the yellows have gotten hooked. In the blink of an eye, Johan and Lopez have gone 0-5 ahead. Your strategy has worked. They have moved the ball to make Lekerika uncomfortable. Now shooting back, now to the middle, now to the feet... The Lapurtarra (Johan) gives the ball a lot of speed and under the orders of López, they have forced the errors of their opponents. To highlight, the 2-8: Johan's early bounce, Leke's early bounce and the Gernikarra finishes the two-wall goal again; 5-9: Johan hits a rebote, Lekerika hits a tremendous jump and another two walls that goes up the scoreboard. 7-14; perfect backhand from Johan, in the middle of the two; 9-14 Goiko shoots in, changing his position at the last moment. The set ended 9-15 and on to the tiebreaker.
After the brown team's 1-0, Johan and López tied (1-1) and Imanol brought out a new ball. Objective: corner Lekerika. But after Johan's serve, the Gernikarra player subtracts from the right and places the ball well (2-1). The next goal was incredible. Great rally, López throws himself to the ground to take a txik-txak, Goiko throws a cut shot, Johan also throws himself to the ground but the one who arrives is Imanol who on his knees carries the ball backhanded. In the end, Lekerika shoots another two walls, surprising Johan who fails to score the ball (3-1). With everything going well, the Gernikarra player made a mistake by playing the same play but poorly executed, giving the yellows a break (3-2). Tremendous tension on the field and in the stands. With a dead ball, the punters have to make an effort to move the ball but in that effort, Goiko hits the rebote awning and again, the game is tied (3-3).
At this moment, the VAR decision has arrived. The reason, one bite and get out of Unai. He shoots backhand, the ball hits the left wall, opens wide and bounces... in or out? For López, out. He has pointed to the ear to indicate that the wood has sounded. The judges, in principle, gave a positive opinion, and after reviewing the play, they did not see evidence that would motivate a change in their decision. 4-3 for the browns and the game continues. And what a match! Another tremendous goal in which López has incredible balls and has finished himself by cutting perfectly on the txapa.
4-4, Johan serves... and passes! the 5th and last. There's no more. Sorozabal serves again, Lekerika subtracts, López stands on the right, the Gernikarra scores, shoots to pass, goes close to the left wall... AND SO MUCH FINAL! The pelotaris hug each other, the audience applauds standing, they sing songs and say goodbye to the four punters who parade in the hallway and, after a great battle, to the locker rooms.
Today we saw a top-level match, with so many incredible teams, more emotion than possible and with a very great emotional charge as well.
Gernika is a demanding fronton, but its dimensions become perfect with protagonists like tonight's.
Next week, another semifinal and without any clear favorite: Erkiaga-Ibarluzea against Olharan-Del Rio. May the best win!
Player Statistics Overall cumulative points
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season. Note that player points allocations change during the playoffs. Individual wins/losses are no longer allocated on a 360/180 basis. Points are now allocated on where the players finish in the playoffs. Losing in the semi-finals adds 750 points. Losing in the Finals adds 1200 points. Winning the Final adds 2000 points. There appears to be no point allocation for winning/losing the 3rd place match. Source: points allocation rules given on the "ponctuation" page of the Jai Alai League App.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3 played) + advances to the final
Erkiaga: 1,080 (3)
J. Sorozabal: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Goitia: 720 (3)
Laduche: 720 (3)
Olharan 720 (2)
Arbe: 540 (3)
Mendizabal: 540 (3)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Back:
**Bailo is the designated back substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Minvielle on Day 11, January 15,22
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (3) + advances to the final
Ibarluzea: 1,080 (3)
Lopez: 900 (3) +750 (loss in the semi-finals) = 1,650
Del Rio: 900 (3)
Basque: 720 (3)
G. Sorozabal: 720 (3)
Mancisidor: 540 (3)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Bailo**: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +54 -12: +42 (3 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +30 -13: +17 (4 matches)
Laduche (B) +33 -19: +14 (3 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +40 -27: +13 (4 matches)
Goitia (A) +33 -21: +12 (3 matches)
Arbe (B) +24 -13: +11 (3 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +34 -23: +11 (3 matches)
Olharan (A) +19 -13: +6(2 matches)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +35 -12 (-12) (4 matches)
Mancisidor (B) +7 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Basque (A) +11 -14 (-14) (3 matches)
Lopez(B) +25 -16 (-16) (4 matches)
G. Sorozabal (B) +14 -17 (-17) (3 matches)
Del Rio (A) +26 -18 (-18) (3 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +9 -23 (-23) (3 matches)
Bailo (S) +3 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Match 12: January 22, 2024
Group B:
*=won their place in the Tournament by winning a play-in Tournament
15-14, 15-14 (30-28)
Linescores (winning team always listed 1st)
Set 1:
4-0; 4-1; 5-1; 5-3; 7-3; 7-4; 11-4; 11-8; 13-8; 13-10; 14-10; 14-14; 15-14
+4;+3;+4;+2;+4;+3;+7;+3;+5;+3;+4;=;+1
1 equal score, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
0-2; 1-2; 1-4; 3-4; 3-5; 4-5; 4-6; 6-6; 6-8; 7-8; 7-9; 8-9; 8-10; 10-10; 10-11; 11-11; 11-12; 12-12; 12-13; 13-13; 13-14; 15-14
-2;-1;-3;-1;-2;-1;-2;=;-2;-1;-2;-1;-2;=;-1;=;-1;=;-1;=;-1;+1
6 equal scores, 1 lead change
Scoring (EITB)
Laduche +13 -8; G. Sorozabal +9 -7
Arbe +10 -4; Mancisidor +3 -4
Laduche 8 Atzean (behind); 2 Moztuak (passing shots); 1 Bi Paretak (2 walls);
Arbe 5 Errestoan Tantoa (serve intercepts/immediate kills); 3 Atzean; 2 Bi Paretak
G. Sorozabal 7 Atzean; 1 Moztuak; 1 Txik Txak-Chula (ball hits back wall on bounce or in the air too low for it to be returned)
Mancisidor 2 Atzean; 1 Bi Paretak
Total Score: +35 -23 (.603)
L-S +22 8 A-M erros (.733 winners)
A-M +13 15 L-S errors (.464 winners)
As usual, EITB did not provide Balls in Play data, even though they kept track of it. There was no BIP data provided in any of the news sources I found. At the halfway point of the first set (8-4, L-S) EITB provided the only BIP data of the match.
Balls in Play: 106
Laduche 18; G. Sorozabal 36
Arbe 17; Mancisidor 35
No source I could find provided time of match data.
The semi-final matchups are now set:
January 29, 2024
Group A #1 (3-0) Goikoetxea (+20 -9)--Lekerikabeaskoa (+25 -7) (+45 -16)
v
Group B #2 (2-1) J. Sorozabal (+32 -21)--Lopez (+15 -13) (+47 -24)
---
February 5, 2024
Group B #1 (3-0) Erkiaga (+54 -12)--Ibarluzea (+9 -23) (+63 -35)
v
Group A #2 (2-1) Olharan (+19-13--2 matches)--Del Rio (+26 -18) (+45 -31)
February 12, 2024
3rd place match
February 18, 2024
FINAL
Note: although this final League match meant nothing in the standings, as both teams were eliminated from the post-season earlier, it was arguably the most hotly contested match of the entire League schedule. A quick look at the line scores demonstrates that point.
For the entire League phase 9 of the 12 matches in the Tournament were decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 12 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 360 (15-0, 15-0) was 104 (365-261). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is was 12, and more than 10 points was also 12. A full set was decided by 1 point 8 times (1/3 of all full sets).
C and D: I was unable to find any match articles for this match.
E. Standings: Team and Player--LEAGUE STAGE--FINAL
Team: Score: 2-0 win (4 points). 2-1 win (3 points). Lost 2-1 (1 point). 2-0 loss (0 points).
For a full explanation of the cross throughs due to confirmation of an EITB video scoring error on December 31, 2023, see the entry for that date below.
*=Winners of the play-in Tournament for the final slot in the competition.
Group A:
W L PF PA Net League Pts.
Goikoetxea-Lekerika 3 0 90 50 +40 12
Olharan-Del Rio 2 1 78 81 -3 7
Goitia-Basque 1 2 72 85 -13 4
Mendizabal-Minvielle 0 3 70 94 -24 1
Goikoetxea-Lekerikabeaskoa win Group A--Qualify for Semi-finals
Olharan-Del Rio finish 2nd in Group A--Qualify for Semi-finals
Group B:
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea 3 0 93 67 +26 10
J. Sorozabal-Lopez 2 1 84 77 +7 9
Laduche-G. Sorozabal 1 2 84 87 -3 4
Arbe-Mancisidor* 0 3 60 90 -30 0
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea win Group B--Qualify for Semi-finals
J. Sorozabal-Lopez also qualify for Semi-finals
Player
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Erkiaga: 1,080 (3 played)
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3)
J. Sorozabal: 900 (3)
Goitia: 720 (3)
Laduche: 720 (3)
Olharan 720 (2)
Arbe: 540 (3)
Mendizabal: 540 (3)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Back:
**Bailo is the designated back substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Minvielle on Day 11, January 15,22
Ibarluzea: 1,080 (3)
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (3)
Del Rio: 900 (3)
Lopez: 900 (3)
Basque: 720 (3)
G. Sorozabal: 720 (3)
Mancisidor: 540 (3)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Bailo**: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +54 -12: +42 (3 matches)
Laduche (B) +33 -19: +14 (3 matches)
Goitia (A) +33 -21: +12 (3 matches)
Arbe (B) +24 -13: +11 (3 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +20 -9: +11 (3 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +34 -23: +11 (3 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +32 -21: +11 (3 matches)
Olharan (A) +19 -13: +6(2 matches)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +25 -7 (-7) (3 matches)
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Lopez(B) +15 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Mancisidor (B) +7 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Basque (A) +11 -14 (-14) (3 matches)
G. Sorozabal (B) +14 -17 (-17) (3 matches)
Del Rio (A) +26 -18 (-18) (3 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +9 -23 (-23) (3 matches)
Bailo (S) +3 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Match 11: January 15,22, 2024
Group A:
*=Bailo is the designated back court substitute, as he finished runner up in the play in Tournament.
Note: The match was suspended with the score O-D 8 E-B 7, due to excessive humidity that made the court unplayable. The match was continued on January 22, before the regularly scheduled final League match between Ludovic Laduche--Gorka Sorozabal and Jokin Arbe--Mikel Mancisidor.
The match was finished from where it left off before the regularly scheduled match was played. The above video link is to the entire match, as EITB spliced the two parts together.
Linescores (match winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-3; 7-3; 7-7; 8-7 (suspension due to humidity);12-7; 12-9; 15-9
-1;=1;-1;+2; +1;+4;=;+5;+3+6
3 equal scores, 1 lead change
The first set win clinched the final playoff spot for Olharan-Del Rio.
Set 2:
1-0; 1-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-3; 8-3; 8-7; 9-7; 9-8; 10-8; 10-9; 12-9; 12-10; 13-10; 13-12; 14-12; 14-15
+1;-1;+2;+1;+5;+1;+2;+1;+2;+1;+3;+2;+3;+1;+2;-1
3 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Tie breaker:
1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 3-2; 3-3; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4
+1;=;+1;=;+1;=;+1;=;+1
4 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Scoring (EITB):
Olharan +10 -8; Del Rio +11 -6
Mendizabal +11 -6; Bailo +3 -7
Olahran: 5 Atzean (behind); 3 Bi Paretak (two walls); 2 Moztuak (passing shots)
Mendizabal: 3 Errestoan Tantoak (serve intercepts/immediate kills); 3 Atzean; 2 Bi Paretak
Del Rio: 10 Atzean; 1 Moztuak
Bailo: 3 Atzean
Total Score: +35 -27 (.565)
O-D +21 M-B errors 13 (.618 winners)
M-B +14 O-D errors 14 (.500 winners)
Balls in Play (Deia, EITB provided no BIP information)
382
Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (382 - 27) / 382 (.929)
Avg. BIP per Point: 6.2
Time of the match (Deia, EITB did not provide any data) (for the whole match, playing time was not calculated): 82 minutes
Avg. Time per Point: 79.4 seconds.
Note: In the crucial match, O-D dominated the first set, with an easy win that guaranteed them the final playoff spot. While the front court matchups were pretty even, Del Rio was the differnce maker, with +11, which more than compensated for his high error numbers. The headline of the Deia article read:
"Del Rio Cannon is worth the pass to the semi-finals".
Elsewhere in the article his right forehand was called a "a hurricane... a volcano spitting lava... a bomber... bad business... a powder keg... a mountain of TNT... a weapon of mass destruction... Apocalypse River". Suffice it to say that Deia Cesta Punta correspondent Igor G. Vico was quite impressed with Del Rio's game. He has the most powerful forehand in the game at the moment, Unai Lekerikabeaskoa notwithstanding. However, in the playoffs, he will have to cut down on his errors (18 in 3 matches) or all of his offensive prowess may be in vain.
For the record, the 4 back court players in the post season are:
Lekerikabeaskoa (+25 -7)
Lopez (+15 -13)
Del Rio (+26 -18)
Ibarluzea (+9 -23)
Bailo, as might be expected of a substitute who hadn't played a competitive match since November, had a difficult match.
E-B, after losing the first set, could have "thrown in the towel" but did not, fighting back hard to win the 2nd set, and taking the tie breaker to the limit.
8 of the 11 matches in the Tournament have been decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 11 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 330 (15-0, 15-0) is 102 (335-233). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is now 12, and more than 10 points is now 10. A full set has been decided by 1 point 6 times.
Match Article #2: (Castilian--links to 9 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
Match article Google English Translation
TWO VERY OPEN SEMIFINALS!
Take it!
Olharan and Del Rio win their last match (2-1) and will face Erkiaga and Ibarluzea in the semifinals (February 5).
Next Monday, Goikoetxea-Lekerika vs Johan-López, a Zumaiarra duel in the penultimate match of Goiko's career.
Laduche and Gorka Sorozabal say goodbye with a victory for Winter (15-14, 15-14), adding points in the Jai Alai League ranking.
OLHARAN-DEL RIO vs ERIK-BAILO: 15-9, 14-15, 5-4
LADUCHE-GORKA vs ARBE-MANCI: 15-14, 15-14
Olharan and Del Rio have sealed their place in the semi-finals with a victory where the Gasteiztarra's (Del Rio) right has wreaked havoc. The Alavés has scored a total of eleven goals by managing to make his opponents uncomfortable and get out of their position.
Once they have won the first set, Jean and Julen have opted for a more relaxed game, giving their opponents more options. In the end, it was Del Rio who sealed the match with a right hand, following the orders of his striker who shouted loudly and clearly "heat it up!". We highlight the work of Rubén Bailo from Navarre. He came on as a substitute, in a decisive match and also in a match that had to be played in two parts. The noaindarra has fulfilled the very difficult role that he has been given, today with Erik who has scored several quality goals.
Olharan and Del Rio's start to the match was intense and explosive. Erik and Bailo have lost two balls in the blink of an eye (9-7, 10-7) and in the next two goals Del Rio has released, and how, the forehand (12-7). The first goal for the white couple was a good goal from Erik (12-8) and they even managed to get closer to three goals (12-9). But they have stayed there. There have been so many good ones and rallies, difficult balls led to good ones, but the goals have fallen on Jean and Julen's side. The last one was finished by the forward from Pau, shooting from the right to txik-txak (15-9).
With this set, Olharan and Del Rio have sealed their qualification for the semifinals and with the main objective accomplished, we have seen another type of match. More errors but also more shots. Two walls from Jean Dominique's side, Erik on the rest of the serve, drops from the mutrikuarra, give and take from the two forwards... advantage at all times for Olharan and Del Rio but with the 14-12 in their favor they have not known close the game. Erik and Bailo have come back (14-15) and in a tiebreaker, the victory fell to the subsequent semi-finalists of the championship.
The second match of the festival closed the league phase. The four protagonists were at stake for the honor and the victory was in two sets but by the minimum (15-14, 15-14) for Ludovic Laduche and Gorka Sorozabal. The Lapurtarras say goodbye to the Winter Series with five points. Arbe and Manci, winners of the previous Pro-Am tournament, have not managed to score points and are left with the regret of having finished in box 14 three times.
SEMIFINALS
January 29
GOIKOTEXEA-LEKERIKA vs JOHAN-LOPEZ
February 5th
ERKIAGA-IBARLUZEA vs OLHARAN-DEL RIO
February 12: 3rd and 4th place
February 18: FINAL
CLASSIFICATION
Group A
1. Goikoetxea-Lekerika ............ 12 pts (+40)
2. Olharan-Del Rio ..................7 pt (-3)
3. Goitia-Basque ....................4 pts (-13)
4. Erik-Minvielle (Bailo) ...........1 pt (-24)
Group B
1. Erkiaga-Ibarluzea ...............10 pts (+26)
2. Johan-Lopez ......................9 pt (+7)
3. Laduche-Gorka ....................5 pt (-3)
4. Arbe-Manci .......................0 pt (-30)
Match article #1: (Castilian--links to 9 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
Match article Google English Translation
MATCH SUSPENDED DUE TO HUMIDITY!
11th day of the Basque Label Winter Series
Group A
Take it!
OLHARAN-DEL RIO vs ERIK-BAILO: 8-7
‼️Suspended match‼️
Impossible to play. The humidity has left Gernika's Jai Alai fronton unplayable and the match, which was crucial, had to be suspended after the first break. The walls were already wet at the beginning of the match, but as time went by, and after the entry of the 2,000 fans, the situation has only gotten worse. The pelotaris could not position themselves to the ball, and not only because of the escape (opposite effect to the natural one that the ball should catch).
The increasingly slippery floor jeopardized the safety of the pelota players, the defenders were skidding and the players themselves have asked that the game not continue. This has been decided for the good of all. A few minutes after the fronton emptied, the floor of the court was already in much better condition.
The match was stopped with Olharan and Del Rio leading by a single goal, 8-7 on the scoreboard. In the next few hours, details of the resumption of the match will be reported. Day and hour.
RETURN OF TICKETS
All fans who have purchased tickets for this day will receive their money back. Either online, those who have purchased it this way (they will receive the amount automatically) or at the box office, those who have purchased it at the fronton itself.
The match between Olharan-Del Rio and Erik-Bailo will be played in conditions that guarantee the safety of the players and the spectacle for the fans. It is a crucial match because they are playing for a place in the semifinals of the Eusko
Label Winter Series.
More information in the next few hours.
Excuse the nuisance.
E. Standings: Team and Player
Team: Score: 2-0 win (4 points). 2-1 win (3 points). Lost 2-1 (1 point). 2-0 loss (0 points).
For a full explanation of the cross throughs due to confirmation of an EITB video scoring error on December 31, 2023, see the entry for that date below.
Group A:
W L PF PA Net League Pts.
Goikoetxea-Lekerika 3 0 90 50 +40 12
Olharan-Del Rio 2 1 78 81 -3 7
Goitia-Basque 1 2 72 85 -13 4
Mendizabal-Minvielle 0 3 70 94 -24 1
Goikoetxea-Lekerikabeaskoa win Group A--Qualify for Semi-finals
Olharan-Del Rio finish 2nd in Group A--Qualify for Semi-finals
Group B:
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea 3 0 93 67 +26 10
J. Sorozabal-Lopez 2 1 84 77 +7 9
Laduche-G. Sorozabal 0 2 54 59 -5 0
Arbe-Mancisidor* 0 2 32 60 -28 0
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea win Group B--Qualify for Semi-finals
J. Sorozabal-Lopez also qualify for Semi-finals
Player
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Erkiaga: 1,080 (3 played)
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3)
J. Sorozabal: 900 (3)
Goitia: 720 (3)
Olharan 720 (2)
Mendizabal: 540 (3)
Arbe: 360 (2)
Laduche: 360 (2)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Back:
**Bailo is the designated back substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Minvielle on Day 11, January 15,22
Ibarluzea: 1,080 (3)
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (3)
Del Rio: 900 (3)
Lopez: 900 (3)
Basque: 720 (3)
Mancisidor: 360 (2)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
G. Sorozabal: 360 (2)
Bailo**: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +54 -12: +42 (3 matches)
Goitia (A) +33 -21: +12 (3 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +20 -9: +11 (3 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +34 -23: +11 (3 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +32 -21: +11 (3 matches)
Laduche (B) +20 -11: +9 (2 matches)
Olharan (A) +19 -13: +6(2 matches)
Arbe (B) +14 -9: +5 (2 matches)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +25 -7 (-7) (3 matches)
Mancisidor (B) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
G. Sorozabal (B) +5 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
Lopez(B) +15 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Basque (A) +11 -14 (-14) (3 matches)
Del Rio (A) +26 -18 (-18) (3 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +9 -23 (-23) (3 matches)
Bailo (S) +3 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Match 10: January 8, 2024
Group B:
Linescores (match winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-3; 5-4; 6-4; 6-8; 9-8; 9-10; 11-10; 11-11; 13-11; 13-13; 14-13; 14-14; 15-14
-2;+2;+1;+2;+1;+2;-2;+1;-1;+1;=+2;=;+1;=+1
8 equal scores, 5 lead changes
Set 2:
0-2; 2-2; 2-4; 3-4; 3-6; 6-6; 6-11; 8-11; 8-14; 9-14; 9-15
-2;=;-2;-1;-3;=;-5;-3;-6;-5;-6
2equal scores, 0 lead changes
Tie breaker:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-3
-1;=;-1;+2;+1;+2
2 equal scores, 1 lead change
Scoring (EITB):
Erkiaga +17 -5; Ibarluzea +3 -13
Laduche +11 -6; G. Sorozabal +3 -3
Erkiaga: 5 Erestoan Tantoa (serve intercepts/immediate kills); 4 Bi Paretak (2 walls); 2 Dejadaz (drop shots), at least 1 Perfect Chula (that won the 1st set)
Laduche: 2 Service Aces; 3 Dejadaz; 3 Moztuak (passing shots); 2 Bi Paretak
Ibarluzea: 3 Atzean (behind)
G. Sorozabal: 2 Atzean; 1 Bi Paretak
Total Score: +34 -27 (.557)
E-I +20 L-S 9 errors (.690 winners)
L-S +14 E-I 18 errors (.437 winners)
Balls in Play (Deia, EITB provided no BIP information)
426
Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (426 - 27) / 426 (.937)
Avg. BIP per Point: 7.1
Time of the match (Deia, EITB did not provide any data) (for the whole match, playing time was not calculated): 83 minutes.
Avg. Time per Point: 81.7 seconds
Note: Erkiaga-Ibarluzea finished the League portion of the Tournament with a perfect 3-0 record, winning Group B and punching their ticket to the Semi-finals. They finished with a point differential of +26 (actually losing 3 points in this match). Perhaps more interesting was their total score in the 3 matches, +93 -67. They have participated in the only 2 matches so far that have gone to a tie breaker. They won them both. In their other match they beat Jokin Arbe--Mikel Mancisidor 15-6, 15-5. Arbe-Mancisidor made the Tournament field by winning a play in Tournament.
Perhaps more interesting is the total score of Erkiaga-Ibarluzea.
Erkiaga +54 -12
Ibarluzea +9 -23
This suggests that there is a weakness in the team, which might be exploited in the Semi-finals. That would obviously call for a strategy of keeping the ball away from Erkiaga at all costs. Force Ibarluzea to keep making plays in the deep, forcing Erkiaga to play deeper and deeper.
Ibarluzea has had a difficult Tournament so far. Erkiaga has been the best front by far in 2023 and for the last few years, with a full toolkit of shots and fantastic court presence. It will be interesting to see how I-E's Semi-final (and possibly Final) opponents set up their strategy. And it will be equally interesting to see how E-I handle that strategy.
Group B is now set with Erkiaga-Ibarluzea winning with 10 points and Johan Sorozabal-Imanol Lopez finishing 2nd with 9. They both advance to the Semi-finals.
8 of the 10 matches in the Tournament have been decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 10 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 300 (15-0, 15-0) is 94 (303-209). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is now 11, and more than 10 points is now 9. A full set has been decided by 1 point 5 times.
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Castilian, links to 11 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
D. Match article Google English Translation
ERKIAGA-IBARLUZEA, GROUP B WINNERS!
Take it!
ERKIAGA-IBARLUZEA vs LADUCHE-GORKA: 15-14, 9-15, 5-3
10th day of the Basque Label Winter Series
10th consecutive Sold Out in Gernika
Objective accomplished. Aritz Erkiaga and Jon Ibarluzea have closed their qualification for the semifinals of the Eusko Label Winter Series. They have also done so as the head of the group, by winning the three league games. In this way they avoid crossing paths with Goikoetxea and Lekerika in the Semi-final.
The rivals of the "pink panthers" in the semifinals will be Olharan-Del Rio, Erik-Minvielle or Goitia-Basque. It is still to be decided.
Erkiaga has given another performance, with back discomfort (since Friday's Singles Championship final) and another thigh strain in today's game. It has not been the best day for Ibarluzea but the Biscayan duo has almost a month to rest, rehearse and correct course.
The match was very important and the greens, Laduche and Gorka, missed out. Once again they were down to 14 in a set. That first set, if they had won, who knows if they would have gone for the match and left them one step away from the semifinals. But it was not to be. At 14-14, the goal was pink. Ludovic took out, Aritz entered the rest and drew a textbook txik-txak. The ball didn't even bounce. Before that, he had delighted the public with a frameable recital. Eleven executions in total of Eraman's pelotari bordering on perfection. Two side walls from box nine and with a new ball; cuts that sought the left wall; sides to the txoko from distant positions; jump baskets early to knock down two walls... the question is, what else can be done?
As expected, the green couple avoided Erkiaga at all costs, and all the balls went to Ion Ibarluzea. The most difficult ones came to Aritz, who threw himself to the ground several times with all his strength. Thus they have managed to win that very important set, by just one goal. In the second game, the game has turned green. The advantage was enough for Erkiaga to decide to risk even more.
The set finished 9-15 for the greens. They were eliminated but they fought for victory. It has not been. The tiebreaker was once again pink (5-3), a result of great value for Erkiaga and Ibarluzea.
What has been achieved is nothing negligible. They have won all three games played. They have suffered in two of them, but they reach the semifinals undefeated. They avoid Goikoetxea and Lekerika, and with that they increase their chances in that semifinal. We will know their opponents next Monday: Olharan-Del Rio vs Erik-Minvielle. The first are the ones who mathematically have the most options, but Erik and Minvielle also have it in their hands. As if that were not enough, Goitia and Basque still have some options left.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
E. Standings: Team and Player
Team: Score: 2-0 win (4 points). 2-1 win (3 points). Lost 2-1 (1 point). 2-0 loss (0 points).
For a full explanation of the cross throughs due to confirmation of an EITB video scoring error on December 31, 2023, see the entry for that date below.
Group A:
W L PF PA Net League Pts.
Goikoetxea-Lekerika 3 0 90 50 +40 12
Olharan-Del Rio 1 1 44 53/54 -9/10 4
Goitia-Basque 1 2 72/73 85 -13/12 4
Mendizabal-Minvielle 0 2 42 60 -18 0
Goikoetxea-Lekerikabeaskoa win Group A--Qualify for Semi-finals
Group B:
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea 3 0 93 67 +26 10
J. Sorozabal-Lopez 2 1 84 77 +7 9
Laduche-G. Sorozabal 0 2 54 59 -5 0
Arbe-Mancisidor* 0 2 32 60 -28 0
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea win Group B--Qualify for Semi-finals
J. Sorozabal-Lopez also qualify for Semi-finals
Player
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Erkiaga: 1,080 (3 played)
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3)
J. Sorozabal: 900 (3)
Goitia: 720 (3)
Olharan 360 (1)
Arbe: 360 (2)
Laduche: 360 (2)
Mendizabal: 360 (2)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Back:
Ibarluzea: 1,080 (3)
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (3)
Lopez: 900 (3)
Basque: 720 (3)
Del Rio: 540 (2)
Mancisidor: 360 (2)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
G. Sorozabal: 360 (2)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +54 -12: +42 (3 matches)
Goitia (A) +33 -21: +12 (3 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +20 -9: +11 (3 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +32 -21: +11 (3 matches)
Laduche (B) +20 -11: +9 (2 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +23 -17: +6 (2 matches)
Arbe (B) +14 -9: +5 (2 matches)
Olharan (A) +9 -5: +4 (1 match)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +25 -7 (-7) (3 matches)
Mancisidor (B) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
G. Sorozabal (B) +5 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
Del Rio (A) +15 -12 (-12) (2 matches)
Lopez(B) +15 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Basque (A) +11 -14 (-14) (3 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +9 -23 (-23) (3 matches)
Match 9: December 31, 2023
Group A:
15-13, 15-11 (EITB) 15-10 (Jai Alai News Facebook) (30-24 30-23)
Note: The 15-10 final score was confirmed by a
video highlighted story on EITB on January 1, 2024. The video confirms that EITB thought the score was 15-11. Their own news sourcing corrected the error later. For more on the error, see the Set 2 note below.
Linescores (winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 2-2; 2-3; 5-3; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 9-6; 9-9; 10-9; 10-11; 13-11; 13-12; 14-12; 14-13; 15-13
-1; =; -1; =; -1; +2; =; +1; =; +3; =; +1; -1; +2; +1; +2; +1; +2
8 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Set 2:
*EITB corrected an earlier scoring error, which I was not able to account for. This point, 13-10--14-10, was changed to 13-10--14-11. This also effected individual scoring--see below. Note also that the Jai Alai News Facebook match article (see below) lists the scores as 15-13, 15-10. However, even if this was the final score, EITB's scoring is still off by 1 (also see below).
1-0; 1-1; 4-1; 4-2; 5-2; 5-4; 7-4; 7-6; 9-6; 9-7; 12-7; 12-9; 13-9; 13-10; 14-11*; 15-11
+1 =; +3; +2; +3; +1; +3; +1; +3; +2; +5; +3; +4; +3; +3; +4
1 equal score, 0 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Olharan +9 -5; Del Rio +9 -5
Goitia +11 -7; Basque +3 -4
Olharan 4 Moztuak (passing); 2 Bi Paretak (2 walls) 2 Erestoan Tantoa (serve intercepts/immediate kills) 1 Pasa (1st serve overserve, no penalty)
Goitia 4 Moztuak; 2 Bi Paretak; 3 Atzean (behind); 3 Pasa ; 1 service fault (underserve)
Del Rio 8 Atzean; 1 Moztuak
Basque 3 Atzean
Total score adds to 29-24. Final match score was 30-24 30-23
Total score for known scores:
+32 -21 (.604)
Balls in Play: Unknown due to the EITB scoring error and lack of a Deia match article (which has been my source when I do not count the points). However, we did find out that EITB keeps detailed BIP data, as they do for all their BP coverage of the major modalities. They are simply choosing not to display it, as they feel it is more important to televise players going up an elevator after the match rather than using the time to present match statistics. At 8-6 of Set 2, the network did grace us with complete BIP information to that point.
BIP: 226
Olharan 63; Del Rio 52
Goitia 50; Basque 61
EITB did not provide any match time information. Deia had been my source for that information.
Note: This match saw the return to action of Jean Olharan, who had been out since last summer with a leg injury. While he showed some evidence of rust, he also showed flashes of the brilliance that fans have come to expect from him. The real revelation, in my opinion, was the play of Julen Del Rio. Del Rio showed that he is becoming an offensive powerhouse in the back court. The fuel that runs the powerhouse is a devastating forehand that reminds me of Felix Espilla, one of the best back courters in recent times. The highlight of Del Rio's play was his Set 2 point winning 11-7--12-7 shot, which he caught, slipped, and then threw from behind the 9 line while in a sitting position.
The win kept O-D's semi-final hopes alive, evening their record at 1-1 with one match to play. Del Rio is now +15 -12 through 2 matches, while Unai Lekerikabeaskoa and Imanol Lopez have finished their League schedule with +25 -7 and +15 -13 respectively.
Unfortunately, Alex Goitia and Thibault Basque's quest for a semi-final position is quite precarious (1-2, 4 PTS, -11 or 12). The last Group League match is between O-D (now 1-1, 4 PTS, -10) and Erik Mendizabal--David Minvielle (0-2, 0 PTS, -18). If O-D win, they punch their ticket to the Semi-finals. An M-M win would have to be a tremendous blowout to thread the needle for either M-M or G-B to achieve a Semi-final place.
This was the 8th match of 9 in the Tournament to be decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 9 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 270 (15-0, 15-0) is 97 (274-177). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is still 10, and more than 10 points is now 8. A full set has been decided by 1 point 4 times.
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Castilian, links to 14 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
D. Match article Google English Translation
OLHARAN PUTS ALL LEGS UP!
They need a set against Erik and Minvielle to secure qualification
Take it!
9th day Eusko Label Winter Series (Group A)
OLHARAN-DEL RIO vs GOITIA-BASQUE: 15-13, 15-10
Jean Olharan has turned the Winter Series classification upside down. With today's victory and four points, they tie with Goitia-Basque in Group A, surpass them in goal-average and depend on themselves in the last game against Erik and Minvielle. Olharan has carried out a crucial game with his excellent defense, success in attack, experience in managing the game and the invaluable help of Del Rio. The Gasteiztarran has scored six goals from the right.
After half a year, Olharan has returned to the courts in style. He has drawn on efficiency and experience. His iron defense becomes a nightmare for opponents. He fights for every now and then. He throws himself to the ground and makes good balls that seemed impossible. It is very difficult for him to score and he is effective in attack.
Today's game was a eliminatory for him and Del Rio. If they lost they were eliminated, but the oldest player on the field has used his experience, transmitting confidence to his defender. "The bad news is that I'm already the oldest in many games," he said half seriously, half jokingly at the beginning of the match.
Today Gernika dressed up to say goodbye to the year and the fans said goodbye standing to the four punters.
Especially Pau's forward, decisive in his return to the Winter Series.
The match started with a txula from Thibault Basque. The man from Labour marked his territory, warning Del Rio. Either you take care of the txula or I'm going to put them on you on the rebound. Thus he scored a second goal (2-3) but the player from Gasteiz showed his teeth with a right-footed dive (3-3). Julen has gained confidence again and having a defender who scores goals is something that sets you apart. Today he has scored half a dozen, either by hitting the wall or by bouncing the ball a lot, passing his opponents over him.
The match was disputed, especially the first set. Alex Goitia, daring forward, looks for the ball well on the right. He starts running and can start to command. Thus, he hit a two-wall at 5-4 and a right hand wide, surprising everyone, to tie it at six. Goitia and Basque, with successes and errors, were two goals behind at the first break (8-6) but tied at nine, even taking the lead (10-11) at a critical moment in the match. But Olharan, from two side walls, and Del Rio, leaning against the wall, have stuck their heads out to face the final stretch. At 13-12, Goitia failed to serve and with another ball to Txapa, they lost the set by two points (15-13).
Jean and Julen's start was better in the second set. They have worked well as a couple and that has been reflected in the score (4-1, 5-2). Goitia and Basque have held on to the game with their teeth. First, the judge called Olharan a bounce (5-4). Two right hands from Del Rio have once again put things in the way (7-4) but Goitia and Basque have pressed again. Tremendous Alex's jump to score an almost impossible ball on the left wall. Then he was imprisoned but Del Rio hit the two counter-court shots (7-6). Olharan has executed the cuts very well, spending them on top of the txapa and hiding them on the left wall. Goitia was attentive to Jean's two-wall game and responded with the same play but in the opposite direction (9-7). In that stretch of the game Jean and Julen were five points ahead (12-7) and the game heated up with a ball that Olharan touched but the judges were slow to point out. The goal fell on the right side, but not without the Markina-Xemein striker showing his genius. But by then the game was already gone. In the last stretch, Olharan looked for the ball forward and showed, once again, his effectiveness. 15-10
With today's four points, Olharan-Del Rio and Goitia-Basque are tied at four points, with the advantage of the first in both-average. For today's losers to advance to the semifinals, Olharan and Del Rio have to lose 2-0 against Erik-Minvielle, and fall by five points difference. Anything can happen, but now the advantage goes to Jean and Julen.
On January 8, the Eusko Label Winter Series returns to Mondays. Another match that is very decisive: Erkiaga-Ibarluzea vs Laduche-Gorka Sorozabal. The Biscayans, with two wins out of two, need to close the classification, because if they lose, things would become quite complicated for them.
GROUP A
Goikoetxea-Lekerika .......12 pts (+40)
Olharan-Del Rio ............4 pts (-9)
Goitia-Basque ..............4 pts (-13)
Erik-Minvielle .............0 pts (-18)
GROUP B
Johan-López ................9 pts (+7)
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea ..........7 pts (+29)
Laduche-G. Sorozabal .......0 pts (-8)
Arbe-Manci .................0 pts (-28)
January 8, 10th round: Erkiaga-Ibarluzea vs Laduche-Gorka
January 15, 11th matchday: Olharan-Del Rio vs Erik-Minvielle
January 22, 12th matchday: Laduche-Gorka vs Arbe-Manci
E. Standings: Team and Player
Team: Score: 2-0 win (4 points). 2-1 win (3 points). Lost 2-1 (1 point). 2-0 loss (0 points).
Group A:
W L PF PA Net League Pts.
Goikoetxea-Lekerika 3 0 90 50 +40 12
Olharan-Del Rio 1 1 44 53/54 -9/10 4
Goitia-Basque 1 2 72/73 85 -13/12 4
Mendizabal-Minvielle 0 2 42 60 -18 0
G-L win Group A--Qualify for Semi-finals
Group B:
J. Sorozabal-Lopez 2 1 84 77 +7 9
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea 2 0 64 35 +29 7
Laduche-G. Sorozabal 0 1 22 30 -8 0
Arbe-Mancisidor* 0 2 32 60 -28 0
J. Sorozabal-Lopez qualify for Semi-finals
Player
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3 played)
J. Sorozabal: 900 (3)
Erkiaga: 720 (2)
Goitia: 720 (3)
Olharan 360 (1)
Arbe: 360 (2)
Mendizabal: 360 (2)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Laduche: 180 (1)
Back:
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (3)
Lopez: 900 (3)
Ibarluzea: 720 (2)
Basque: 720 (3)
Del Rio: 540 (2)
Mancisidor: 360 (2)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
G. Sorozabal: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +37 -7: +30 (2 matches)
Goitia (A) +33 -21: +12 (3 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +20 -9: +11 (3 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +32 -21: +11 (3 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +23 -17: +6 (2 matches)
Arbe (B) +14 -9: +5 (2 matches)
Laduche (B) +9 -5: +4 (1 match)
Olharan (A) +9 -5: +4 (1 match)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +25 -7 (-7) (3 matches)
G. Sorozabal (B) +2 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Mancisidor (B) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +6 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
Del Rio (A) +15 -12 (-12) (2 matches)
Lopez(B) +15 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Basque (A) +11 -14 (-14) (3 matches)
Match 8: December 18, 2023
Group B:
*=won their place in the Tournament by winning a play-in Tournament
15-14, 15-7 (30-21)
Linescores (winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-2; 1-2; 1-4; 3-4; 3-5; 4-5; 4-6; 9-6; 9-7; 11-7; 11-9; 13-9; 13-10; 14-10; 14-14; 15-14
-2; -1; -3; -1; -2; -1; -2; +3; +2; +4; +2; +4; +3; +4; =; +1
2 equal scores, 1 lead change
Set 2:
1-0; 1-1; 5-1; 5-2; 6-2; 6-3; 11-3; 11-4; 12-4; 12-5; 14-5; 14-7; 15-7
+1; =; +4; +3; +4; +3; +8; +7; +8; +7; +9; +7; +8
1 equal score, 0 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
J. Sorozabal +13 -8; Lopez +8 -3
Arbe +8 -5; Mancisidor +2 -4
J. Sorozabal 6 Atzean (behind); 3 Errebotean Tantoa (serve intercepts/immediate kills); 2 Moztuak (passing)
Arbe 2 Sakez (aces); 2 Bi Parretak (2 walls); 2 Dejada (drop shots)
Lopez 7 Atzean; 1 Zabalean Luz (long and wide)
Mancisidor 2 Atzean
Total Score: 31-20 (.620)
J-L +21 A-M 9 errors (.700 winners)
A-M +10 J-L 11 errors (.476 winners)
Balls in Play:
398
Non error percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (398 - 20) / 398 (.950)
Avg. BIP per point: 7.8
Time of the match (Deia, EITB did not provide any data) (for the whole match, playing time was not calculated): 71 minutes
Avg. time per point: 83.5 seconds
Note: With this win, Johan Sorozabal--Imanol Lopez punched their ticket to the Semi-finals. The only question still to be answered is whether they will win Group B or finish 2nd. Arbe-Mancisidor were eliminated from post League competition with this loss.
But not without a fight. And what a fight it was. In the first set A-M fought back from 9-6, 13-9, and 14-10 to tie the score at 14. What followed was the longest partido (long court) Jai Alai point I have ever seen. 44 balls in play, consuming 3 minutes 19 seconds. The
point is available via Jai Alai News Facebook.
It ended, as was eloquently described by
Deia's Igor G. Vico as (paraphrasing) "a millimeter that made a difference of 1,000 kilometers." The 45th ball, a certain two wall winner from center court at the 2 line by Arbe, was ruled to have landed off the court. It could't have missed by more than 1 or 2 inches. But the call was confirmed by the judges after Arbe requested a review. A-M were understandably deflated after that, and were dominated in the 2nd set. But point 29 of Set 1 was the point of the Tournament so far, in my opinion. (For a listing of other mammoth Jai Alai points--some with video links to the point, as well as other mammoth points in other disciplines, see my "
Mammoth Points" blog post.)
This was the 7th match of 8 in the Tournament to be decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 8 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 240 (15-0, 15-0) is 91 (244-153). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is now 10, and more than 10 points is 6. This match marked the 4th time in the tournament where a full set was decided by 1 point.
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Basque, links to 9 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
D. Match article Google English Translation
JOHAN AND LOPEZ, THE SECOND COUPLE CLASSIFIED!
And Arbe and Manci, first eliminated
Guk Jai Alai (Gernika Jai Alai)
Basque Label Winter Series
Round 8, group B
JOHAN LOPEZ vs ARBE-MANCI: 15-14, 15-7
Take it!
Johan Sorozabal and Imanol Lopez have finished their work in the league. After a 2-0 win against Arbe and Manci, they have qualified for the finals and are currently in first place in Group B. They have obtained a total of 9 points: two wins and one defeat. In those two victories, however, they were about to lose the first set at 14-14. Both against Laduche and Gorka, and also against Arbe and Manci. In today's game, they also focused on the set. Before it was 14 and 10, they relaxed, the opponents continued hard and in the end even equalized 14-14. They played with great intensity and tension. long 44 balls. Manci held on hard in the penalty area, the ball finally arrived for Arbe, he finished the double wall in front of him and... it went wide by a few centimeters. The judges saw this directly and did not change their opinion, even after Arbe asked for a replay. 15-14 first set for the yellow pair, and from then on it was difficult for the oranges to maintain their morale.
Jokin and Mikel have started the game very concentrated. More concentrated than their opponents. They wanted to improve the image they gave in their first match (a 15-6, 15-5 loss to Aritz Erikiaga-Ion Ibarluzea on November 20), and they also achieved it in the first game. They have been serious and Johan and Lopez, on the other hand, a little uncoordinated. The first point was Arbe's quick shot into the wall. The oranges were up 1-4 before and S-L couldn't equalize until the 6th point. It was a very well-worked goal, and the Lapur striker finished it brilliantly. 7-6, Johan made it from nine frames, from a huge double-wall rebound. 8-6 also on the rebound, with a lot of waist and giving the ball a lot of power. And 9-6, wide open, deceiving Arbe.
They have shown their superiority in these drops. They worked comfortably on the court and as I said, they reached the final round 14-10. But, Manci scored first (14-11), followed by Arbe on the rebound (14-12) and a few mistakes in between, the oranges tied 14-14. The last drop, the one we told you about earlier, was almost scored by Arbe in the counter-canto. 15-14
In the second game, when he realized, the yellows were ahead 5-1. Asking for the "corner of doubts" for the second time, the oranges have also tried to correct a point, but more than with conviction, with the need to do something. 8-3, 12-4 and 15-7, Sorozabal and Lopez prevailed and achieved a deserved victory. Arbe and Manci are the first eliminated in this tournament. Even if they won the last match, they have no chance of qualifying for the finals. They will be sorry for the last drop in the first set, but they declared themselves as a couple in that game, and they have another match to enjoy and finish the tournament with a good taste in their mouths.
Johan and Lopez, on the other hand, will have to make some corrections. In the three games they have played, they have had difficulties, always in the first set. They lost 15-6 against Erkiaga and Ibarluzea (Ariz's show!), won 15-14 against Laduche and Gorka (Laduche double faulted on the final point), they were ahead 14-13) and Arbe and Manci also almost won the set. As they have admitted to Euskal Televisa, the mistakes must be made now, as there is no chance to do so in the finals.
Group B
1 Johan-Lopez ...................9 pts (+7)
2 Erkiaga-Ibarluzea ............ 7 pts (+29)
3 Laduche-G. Sorozabal ..........0 pt (-8)
4 Arbe-Manci ....................0 pt (-28)
There was a great atmosphere at the front today too, including a group of buses that arrived from Angelu, full of Lapurtian fans. Remember that next Monday we do not have a game, because the 9th day will be played on the same day as the year (New Year's Day): Goitia-Basque vs Olharan-Del Rio. It will be a noon function.
E. Standings: Team and Player
Team: Score: 2-0 win (4 points). 2-1 win (3 points). Lost 2-1 (1 point). 2-0 loss (0 points).
Group A:
W L PF PA Net League Pts.
Goikoetxea-Lekerika 3 0 90 50 +40 12
Goitia-Basque 1 1 49 55 -6 4
Olharan-Del Rio 0 1 14 30 -16 0
Mendizabal-Minvielle 0 2 42 60 -18 0
G-L win Group A--Qualify for Semi-finals
Group B:
J. Sorozabal-Lopez 2 1 84 77 +7 9
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea 2 0 64 35 +29 7
Laduche-G. Sorozabal 0 1 22 30 -8 0
Arbe-Mancisidor* 0 2 32 60 -28 0
J. Sorozabal-Lopez qualify for Semi-finals
Player
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3 played)
J. Sorozabal: 900 (3)
Erkiaga: 720 (2)
Goitia: 540 (2)
Arbe: 360 (2)
Mendizabal: 360 (2)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Laduche: 180 (1)
Back:
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (3)
Lopez: 900 (3)
Ibarluzea: 720 (2)
Basque: 540 (2)
Mancisidor: 360 (2)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Del Rio: 180 (1)
G. Sorozabal: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +37 -7: +30 (2 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +20 -9: +11 (3 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +32 -21: +11 (3 matches)
Goitia (A) +24 -14: +10 (2 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +23 -17: +6 (2 matches)
Arbe (B) +14 -9: +5 (2 matches)
Laduche (B) +9 -5: +4 (1 match)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +25 -7 (-7) (3 matches)
Del Rio (A) +6 -7 (-7) (1 match)
G. Sorozabal (B) +2 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Mancisidor (B) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Basque (A) +8 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +6 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
Lopez(B) +15 -13 (-13) (3 matches)
Match 7: December 11, 2023
Group A:
15-14, 15-5 (30-19)
Linescores (winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 2-2; 2-3; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 7-8; 11-8; 11-9; 13-9; 13-12; 14-12; 14-14; 15-14
-1; =; -1; =; -1; +1; =; +1; =; +1; =; +1; -1; +3; +2; +4; +1; +2; =; +1
9 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Set 2:
4-0; 4-1; 8-1; 8-4; 14-4; 14-5; 15-5
+4; +3; +7; +4; +10; +9; +10
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Scoring (Note: neither EITB nor Deia scoring added to 30-19. This was the first time EITB individual scoring [28-19] did not add up to the final score. I usually do not use Deia scoring [29-19] as it seldom has added to the final score in its match articles for this Tournament. Since neither source was correct I will present both of them, so that you can not only see the scores, but also see the differences in scoring judgement. This calls into question the standards of what is a winner and error, but that is a topic for another blog post). For purposes of cumulative individual scoring consistency (see below) I will continue to use EITB scoring.
Goikoetxea (EITB +7 -3, Deia +5 -3); Lekerikabeaskoa (+8 -4, +6 -4)
Goitea (+9 -8, +9 -10); Basque (+3 -5, +3 -8)
EITB:
Goikoetxea 3 erestoan tantoa (serve intercepts-immediate kills); 1 two walls, 1 txik-txak-txula (bounces, hits back wall or hits back wall and bounces or rolls out--in either case comes off back wall too low to be returned)
Lekerikabeaskoa 6 atzean (behind) ; 1 two walls, 1 moztuak (passing) , 1 erestoan tantoa
Goitia 2 dejada (drop shot); 2 moztuak; 1 two walls
Basque 2 atzean; 1 two walls
EITB 28-19, Deia +29-19, actual score: 30-19
Total Score: EITB +27 -20 (.574); Deia +23 -25 (.479)
G-L +15; +11 G-B errors -13; -18 (EITB .536 winners; Deia .379 winners)
G-B +12; +12 G-L errors -7 -7 (.632 winners)
Balls in Play: (Deia, EITB did not provide any data)
330
Non error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (330 - 19) / 330 (.942)
Avg. BIP per point: 6.7
Time of the Match (Deia, EITB did not provide any data) (for the whole match, playing time was not calculated): 59 minutes
Avg. Time per Point: 72.2 seconds
Note: Goikoetxea-Lekerikabeaskoa finished their League play with a perfect 3-0 record. They did not lose a set and had a +40 point differential. They will take the Group A # 1 seed, and while they are waiting for their semi-final, they are going to be traveling to the states to keep in practice by playing at Dania Jai Alai.
This was a slightly eccentric pairing in that the back courter outscored the front courter +25 to +20 (EITB). Leke has shown that he is by far the most potent offensive force of this Tournament in the back court . This fact was driven home by his return of Goitia's serve at 14-14 in the 1st set, when he won the point and set with a spectacular 2 wall winner from the 10 1/2 line. It was the point of the match, and broke the back of G-B's resistance, as the 2nd set was a complete rout.
Leke's defense was also superb in the League phase, with 7 errors in 3 matches. Goiko finished the League phase with +20 -9 (again EITB). Together they were +45 -16, an average of +15 -5.3 per match. Put another way, they had an average of 20 winners of 30 total points in each of three matches.
Despite the loss, Goitia-Basque are still in the driver's seat for the 2nd Semi-final slot in Group A, especially with the return of Jean Olharan in doubt and Erik Mendizabal-David Minvielle at 0-2. G-B played well in the first set, achieving equality through the first half. They then roared back from 11-8, 13-9, and 14-12 deficits, before Leke's coup de grace.
This was the 6th match of 7 in the Tournament to be decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 7 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 210 (15-0, 15-0) is 82 (214-132). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is now 9 and more than 10 points is 5. This match marked the 3rd time in the tournament where a full set was decided by 1 point.
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Basque, links to 6 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
D. Match article Google English Translation
IN THE SEMI-FINALS AND GROUPS!
Take it!
Basque Label Winter Series
Day 7, Group A
Jai Alai League
GOIKOTEXEA-LEKERIKA vs GOITIA-BASQUE: 15-14, 15-5
Tickets sold out
Goikoetxea and Lekerika are in the finals of the Winter Series. They have won all three matches in the league, winning 2-0 in all three and they have already secured the first place in group A. They are the first pair to qualify for the finals and considering the two groups, the best in the league. All other pairs have lost at least one set. Goiko and Lekerika have not. They have won the six games played and five of them by fire.
In today's game, Goitia and Basque have squeezed the most, in this case. Fourteen have equalized but in that difficult moment of the game, Lekerika threw a huge two wall with his right hand. They won the set with that drop and from then on, in despair, the opponents could not raise their heads. Fans will see Goikoetxea two more times in Gernika, before retiring forever.
The game has started and the strikers have started the competition. 0-1, Goitia behind. 1-1, Goikoetxea from the ribs. 1-2, the superlatives are left inside. Since then, G-B dominated with the slower ball.Basque dominated the game with his powerful backhand. He also moves a lot on the court, going forward for the ball and taking control of the ball. But Lekerika has shown more security. He made fewer mistakes, he avoided a lot on the left wall and when the ball came alive, the brown couple dominated. However, they tied 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6 and 7-7 in this first game. We have seen beautiful drops there: Goitia put into the bottle prompt and walled; Goitia himself with ribs inside; Goiko in Chapagain; Basque wall-double from the side...
Goitia and Basque reached the break first (7-8) but the browns went directly from seven to eleven (11-8). After a few mistakes, they went 13-11 and 14-12 on the scoreboard, but in the last round the young people managed to tie the game. Goitia and Basques played there. At 14-14, they had a chance to win the set but Lekerika didn't let them. Goitia took the serve, Gernikar (Leke) took it with his right hand in the 10th quarter and threw a huge shot at the wall in the most difficult moment. He got the audience on their feet and retired to the locker room with a big round of applause.
In the second game, the favorites started 4-0 and 8-1 and the youngsters, on the other hand, played with will and power. When they got a slow ball, they cut the lead to four points (8-4) but when the maroons got theirs again, they made their opponents dance again.
Goikoetxea closes the game, throwing a two wall mounted shot at the rest of the serve. 15-5
The competition for the 2nd place in group A is open and an important match will be played on the new year's day: Goitia-Basque vs Olharan-Del Rio. If the first wins, they will be in the finals. If Olharan and Del Rio prevail, they will have to play another match against Erik and Minvielle, since the latter are not yet mathematically eliminated.
Group A
1 Goikoetxea-Lekerika ................12 pts (+40)
2 Goitia-Basque .......................4 pts (-6)
3 Olharan-Del Rio .....................0 pt (-16)
4 Erik-Minvielle ......................0 pt (-18)
Next Monday, matchday 8, group B match: JOHAN-LOPEZ (1-1, 5 Pts, -2) vs ARBE-MANCI (0-1; 0 Pts, -19)
Until then!
E. Standings: Team and Player
Team: Score: 2-0 win (4 points). 2-1 win (3 points). Lost 2-1 (1 point). 2-0 loss (0 points).
Group A:
W L PF PA Net League Pts.
Goikoetxea-Lekerika 3 0 90 50 +40 12
Goitia-Basque 1 1 49 55 -6 4
Olharan-Del Rio 0 1 14 30 -16 0
Mendizabal-Minvielle 0 2 42 60 -18 0
G-L win Group A--Qualify for Semi-finals
Group B:
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea 2 0 64 35 +29 7
J. Sorozabal-Lopez 1 1 54 56 -2 5
Laduche-G. Sorozabal 0 1 22 30 -8 0
Arbe-Mancisidor* 0 1 11 30 -19 0
Player
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Goikoetxea: 1,080 (3 played)
Erkiaga: 720 (2)
Goitia: 540 (2)
J. Sorozabal: 540 (2)
Mendizabal: 360 (2)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Arbe: 180 (1)
Laduche: 180 (1)
Back:
Lekerikabeaskoa: 1,080 (3)
Ibarluzea: 720 (2)
Basque: 540 (2)
Lopez: 540 (2)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Del Rio: 180 (1)
Mancisidor: 180 (1)
G. Sorozabal: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +37 -7: +30 (2 matches)
Goikoetxea (A) +20 -9: +11 (3 matches)
Goitia (A) +24 -14: +10 (2 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +23 -17: +6 (2 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +19 -13: +6 (2 matches)
Laduche (B) +9 -5: +4 (1 match)
Arbe (B) +6 -4: +2 (1 match)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Mancisidor (B) +2 -5 (-5) (1 match)
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +25 -7 (-7) (3 matches)
Del Rio (A) +6 -7 (-7) (1 match)
G. Sorozabal (B) +2 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Basque (A) +8 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
Lopez(B) +7 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +6 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
+++++
Match 6: December 4, 2023
Group B:
15-8, 15-14 (30-22)
Linescores (winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-3; 6-3; 6-4; 9-4; 9-5; 11-5; 11-6; 12-6; 12-8; 15-8
-3; +3; +2; +5; +4; +6; +5; +6; +4; +7
1 equal score, 1 lead change
Set 2:
3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-4; 8-4; 8-5; 10-5; 10-6; 11-6; 11-9; 12-9; 12-11; 13-11; 13-14; 15-14
+3; +2; +3; =; +4; +3; +5; +4; +5; +2; +3; +1; +2; -1; +1
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
J. Sorozabal +16 -7; Lopez +2 -4
Laduche +9 -5; G. Sorozabal +2 -7
J. Sorozabal: Atzean (behind) 8, Moztuak (passing) 5, 2 walls 3
Laduche: Atzean 5, Txik-Txak-Txula 2, Moztuak 2
Lopez: Dejada (drop shot) 1; Atzean 1
G. Sorozabal Atzean 2
Total Score: +29 -23 (.558)
J-L +18 L-G errors 12 (.600 winners)
L-G +11 J-L errors 11 (.500 winners)
Balls in Play (Deia, EITB did not provide any data)
458
Non error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (458 - 22) / 458 (.952)
Avg. BIP per point: 8.8
Time of the match (Deia, EITB did not provide any data) (for the whole match, playing time was not calculated): 73 minutes
Avg. time per point: 84.2 seconds
Note: Johan Sorozabal followed up his ordinary performance (+3 -6) in his team's opening match loss with a dominant performance in this match (+16 -7), leading his team to a straight set win over Laduche-G. Sorozabal. But L-G made them work hard for it, turning a 10-5 deficit in the second set into a 14-13 lead before J-L won the final two points and the match.
J-L now have 5 league points, putting them 2 points behind leaders Erkiaga-Ibarluzea and 5 points ahead of both Laduche-G. Sorozabal and Arbe-Mancisidor.
This was L-G's 1st league match in the tournament, so they have 2 more matches to get back into the race.
This was the 5th match of 6 in the Tournament to be decided in straight sets. The total winning margin, on a scale from 6 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 180 (15-0, 15-0) is 71 (184-113). The total number of sets where the losing team scored less than 10 points is now 8 and more than 10 points is 4. This match marked the 2nd time in the tournament where a full set was decided by 1 point.
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Castilian, links to 3 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
D. Match article Google English Translation
FOUR POINTS SUFFERED BUT WELL DESERVED!
Take it!
6th day-Eusko Label Winter Series (group B)
JOHAN LOPEZ vs LADUCHE-GORKA: 15-8, 15-14
There are so many that they are worth a game. We don't know what would have happened if Laduche and Gorka had forced the tiebreaker. They had it on hand. 13-14 ahead in the second set and as they say, "with the wind in our favor." They came from behind to front without the yellows being able to break their streak. But in the absence of so much Laduche has made a double fault (2 over serves, his only over serves of the match), and his opponents have not forgiven him. Tied at 14 and the last goal of the match fell on the yellow side.
Despite the final suffering, victory by 2 sets to 0 and four very important points for Johan and Imanol. The public left the fronton happy, after seeing a good and hard-fought match. The large Lapurtarra audience has left the venue singing the famous Matalaz song: "Egiazko euskaldunak, tirano arrotzen ohiltzeko..."
Great atmosphere and packed house at the Jai Alai in Gernika. Among the almost 2,000 attendees, 13 boys and girls from "Levante Jai Alai", the new school in Bilbao that has about twenty kids rehearsing under the orders of Ihart Arakistain. Let's go to the game. The beginning has been green. 0-3 for Ludovic and Gorka. His younger brother, Johan, scored his first goal from a cut (1-3) and after the tie at three, López took control with a right hand close to the wall (4-3). The match was tough but little by little the yellows have been taking advantage of their dominance. Both López from behind, and Johan from the front boxes, have set the pace of the match until opening a considerable gap on the scoreboard (11-5, 12-7, 15-8).
After a very good first set, the yellows continued with their tactics in the second. Good communication as a couple, dominance in the rally and scores that fell to his side, the result of his good work. 3-0, López's txula. 4-1, shot by Imanol from frame eight. 5-4, two rebound walls from Johan Sorozabal. 10-5, cut by Johan. But the ball, little by little, has been quickening, the greens have been gaining confidence, the public, eager to see more ball, has supported them and in the end, they have pushed and how! The Getaria striker has brought the crowd to its feet at 11-7: Johan shoots two walls, Ludovic arrives, he shoots loosely but without adjusting enough. Johan comes running and takes Laduche's drop by throwing himself to the ground. The man from Getaria shoots txik-txak but López, also throwing himself to the ground, also leads to a good one. The public goes crazy. Laduche has to get some air in and he does. On the third try it doesn't fail. He breaks the ball with his forehand, bringing the entire audience to their feet.
The greens, very confident, tied at 13 thanks to a great goal from Gorka. The eldest of the Sorozabals, 22 years old, jumps on the wall to score and with a magnificent right hand, he does so much txik-txak. The next goal was also for the greens, but at 13-14 Laduche's error came. After executing the serve perfectly throughout the match, he made a double fault. At 14-14 he had another chance, but López reached his cut, going on to dominate the yellows. In the end, Johan, with a backhand blow, closed the match. A meeting that has left a good taste in the mouths of fans.
This is how the classification looks:
GROUP B
1 Erkiaga-Ibarluzea ...........7 pts (+29)
2 Johan-López .................5 pts (-2)
3 Laduche-Gorka................0 pts (-8)
4 Arbe-Manci ..................0 pts (-19)
Next Monday, 7th day and match related to Group A: Goikoetxea-Lekerika vs Goitia-Basque. All tickets are sold out.
E. Standings: Team and Player
Team: Score: 2-0 win (4 points). 2-1 win (3 points). Lost 2-1 (1 point). 2-0 loss (0 points).
Group A:
W L PF PA Net League Pts.
Goikoetxea-Lekerika 2 0 60 31 +29 8
Goitia-Basque 1 0 30 25 +5 4
Olharan-Del Rio 0 1 14 30 -16 0
Mendizabal-Minvielle 0 2 42 60 -18 0
Group B:
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea 2 0 64 35 +29 7
J. Sorozabal-Lopez 1 1 54 56 -2 5
Laduche-G. Sorozabal 0 1 22 30 -8 0
Arbe-Mancisidor* 0 1 11 30 -19 0
Player
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Erkiaga: 720 (2 played)
Goikoetxea: 720 (2)
J. Sorozabal: 540 (2)
Goitia: 360 (1)
Mendizabal: 360 (2)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Arbe: 180 (1)
Laduche: 180 (1)
Back:
Ibarluzea: 720 (2)
Lekerikabeaskoa: 720 (2)
Lopez: 540 (2)
Basque: 360 (1)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Del Rio: 180 (1)
Mancisidor: 180 (1)
G. Sorozabal: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +37 -7: +30 (2 matches)
Goitia (A) +15 -6: +9 (1 match)
Goikoetxea (A) +13 -6: +7 (2 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +23 -17: +6 (2 matches)
J. Sorozabal (B) +19 -13: +6 (2 matches)
Laduche (B) +9 -5: +4 (1 match)
Arbe (B) +6 -4: +2 (1 match)
Aguirre (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +17 -3 (-3) (2 matches)
Basque (A) +5 -5 (-5) (1 match)
Mancisidor (B) +2 -5 (-5) (1 match)
Del Rio (A) +6 -7 (-7) (1 match)
G. Sorozabal (B) +2 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Lopez(B) +7 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +6 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
+++++
Match 5: November 27, 2023
Group A:
**=Aguirre is the official substitute front for this Tournament after finishing 2nd in the play-in tournament.
15-9, 15-5 (30-14)
**=Aguirre is the official substitute front for this Tournament after finishing 2nd in the play-in tournament.
Linescores (winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-2; 5-2; 5-4; 9-4; 9-5; 10-5; 10-6; 13-6; 13-8; 14-8; 14-9; 15-9
+3; +2; +3; +2; +3; +1; +5; +4; +5; +4; +7; +5; +6; +5; +6
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
3-0; 3-1; 12-1; 12-2; 13-2; 13-5; 15-5
+3; +2; +11; +10; +11; +8; +10
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Goikoetxea +3 -3; Lekerikabeaskoa +11 -2
Aguirre +3 -9; Del Rio +6 -7
Goikoetxea 2 Aztean (behind), 1 two walls
Lekerikabeaskoa 9 Aztean (behind), 2 two walls
Aguirre 2 Aztean (behind)
Del Rio 6 Aztean (behind
Total score: +23 -21 (.523)
G-L +14; 16 A-D errors (.467 winners)
A-D +9; 5 G-L errors (.643 errors)
Balls in Play (Deia, EITB did not provide any data):
224
Non error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (224 -21) / 224 (.906)
Avg. BIP per point: 5.1
Time of the match (Deia, EITB did not provide any data) (for the whole match, playing time was not calculated): 49 minutes
Avg. time per point: 66.8 seconds
Note: Group A Goikoetxea--Lekerikabeaskoa, like Erkiaga--Ibarluzea in Group B last week, all but guaranteed their place in the semi-finals with this dominating win. The scoring in this match was almost a complete reversal from a usual match at this level. The backs were responsible for 17 of the 23 winners (73.9%). Lekerikabeaskoa is now +17 -3 in 2 matches. Goikoetxea is +13 -6. They have won those matches by a total score of 60-31.
So far, in 5 League matches, there has been only one that was decided by a tie breaker. The total winning margin, on a scale from 5 (15-14, 14-15, 5-4) to 150 (15-0, 15-0) is 63 (154-91). Of the non tie breaker sets, the losing team has scored less than 10 points 7 times, more than 10 points 3 times. It is still early days, but the lack of competitive matches is a bit troubling.
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Basque, links to 24 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
D. Match article Google English Translation
LEKERIKA-TOP, LEG AND SEMI-FINALS
Basque Label Winter Series
Round 5, Group A
Take it!
GOIKOTEXEA-LEKERIKA vs COSME-DEL RIO: 9-15, 5-15
Lekerika and Goikoetxea have easily dominated the fifth day of the Eusko Label Winter Series. We put them in that order, Lekerika and Goikoetxea, because the defender from Guernica was the player who added a little sauce to today's game.
There has been no match.
Olharan's injury has greatly distorted the match and Cosme and Del Rio have both been unable to do so.
Goikoetxea and Lekerika have achieved an easy victory with little effort, and as we say, the only good news is the return of Lekerika, having left behind a difficult summer (Lekerika had an arm injury that limited him).
Goikoetxea and Lekerika are not mathematically in the finals, but they have a leg and a half inside. As for the blue couple, they will have to wait for the reappearance of Olharan, in order to win and qualify in the two remaining matches: precisely against the Goitia-Basque and Erik-Minvielle pairs.
There is not much to say about today's game. Lekerika prevailed in the competition between defenders; the brown couple has been much more; the blues have made too many mistakes. The Gernika fronton has no mercy and the shortcomings of each player are more obvious than anywhere else. For better or for worse.
At the end of the game, the winning couple climbed up the stands on their way to the ETB set and received applause from the fans. In these first two matches of the championship, the opponents did not make things difficult for Goiko and Leke, but they also overcame the matches with great solvency, leaving no chance for fear.
Group A
1. Goikoetxea-Lekerika .........8 pts (+29 points)
2. Goitia-Basque ...............4 pts (+5)
3. Olharan-Del Rio .............0 pt (-16)
4. Erik-Minvielle ............. 0 pt (-18)
Group B
1. Erkiaga-Ibarluzea ...........7 pts (+29)
2. Johan-Lopez .................1 pt (-10)
3. Laduche-Gorka ...............0 pt (0)
4. Arbe-Manci ..................0 pt (-19)
E. Standings: Team and Player
Team: Score: 2-0 win (4 points). 2-1 win (3 points). Lost 2-1 (1 point). 2-0 loss (0 points).
* Winner of the Play in Tournament for the final slot.
Note: Cosme Aguirre replaced Jean Olharan in the Day 5 match.
Group A:
W L PF PA Net League Pts.
Goikoetxea-Lekerika 2 0 60 31 +29 8
Goitia-Basque 1 0 30 25 +5 4
Olharan-Del Rio 0 1 14 30 -16 0
Mendizabal-Minvielle 0 2 42 60 -18 0
Group B:
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea 2 0 64 35 +29 7
J. Sorozabal-Lopez 0 1 24 34 -10 1
Laduche-G. Sorozabal 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arbe-Mancisidor* 0 1 11 30 -19 0
Player
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
**Aguirre is the designated front substitute after finishing 2nd in the play in Tournament. He replaced Olharan on Day 5, November 27.
Front:
Erkiaga: 720 (2 played)
Goikoetxea: 720 (2)
Goitia: 360 (1)
Mendizabal: 360 (2)
Arbe: 180 (1)
J. Sorozabal: 180 (1)
Aguirre**: 180 (1)
Back:
Ibarluzea: 720 (2)
Lekerikabeaskoa: 720 (2)
Basque: 360 (1)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Del Rio: 180 (1)
Lopez: 180 (1)
Mancisidor: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
S=Substitute
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +37 -7: +30 (2 matches)
Goitia (A) +15 -6: +9 (1 match)
Goikoetxea (A) +13 -6: +7 (2 matches)
Mendizabal (A) +23 -17: +6 (2 matches)
Arbe (B) +6 -4: +2 (1 match)
J. Sorozabal (B) +3 -6: -3 (1 match)
Aguirre** (S) +3 -9: -6 (1 match)
Backs:
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +17 -3 (-3) (2 matches)
Basque (A) +5 -5 (-5) (1 match)
Mancisidor (B) +2 -5 (-5) (1 match)
Lopez(B) +5 -6 (-6) (1 match)
Del Rio (A) +6 -7 (-7) (1 match)
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +6 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
+++++
Match 4: November 20, 2023
Group B:
*=won their place in the Tournament by winning a play-in Tournament
15-6, 15-5 (30-11)
Line Score: (match winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
3-0; 3-1; 6-1; 6-2; 8-2; 8-3, 11-3; 11-5; 13-5; 13-6; 15-6
+3; +2; +5; +4; +6; +5; +8; +6; +8; +7; +9
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-3; 7-3; 7-4; 12-4; 12-5; 15-5
+3; +2; +3; +1; +4; +3; +8; +7; +10
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Erkiaga +17 -2; Ibarluzea +4 -1
Arbe +6 -4; Mancisidor +2 -5
Erkiaga: 7 two walls, 3 dejadas, 3 atzean (behind); 2 serve intercepts-immediate kills
Arbe: 2 serve intercepts-immediate kills, 2 atzean (behind), 1 two walls
Ibarluzea: 4 atzean (behind)
Mancisidor: 1 txik-txak-txula, 1 atzean (behind)
Pasas (1st serve over serves, 5 allowed before penalty): Erkiaga 1, Arbe 0
Total Score: +29 -12 (.707)
E-I +21; A-M errors 9 (.700 winners)
A-M +8; E-I errors 3 (.707 winners)
Balls in Play (EITB did not provide BIP data, these are my count
284
Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (284 - 12) / 284 (.958)
BIP/point frequency distribution
0-4/17
5-9/14
10-14/6
15-19/2
20-24/0
25-28/2
Longest point: 28
Avg. BIP per Point: 6.9
Time of the Match: 48:22
Average Time per point: (for the whole match, playing time was not calculated): 70.8 seconds
Note: Erkiaga-Ibarluzea took a giant step toward punching their ticket to the semi finals with a convincing win over Arbe-Mancisidor. Once again, as with their win two weeks ago over Erik Mendizabal--Imanol Lopez, Aritz Erikaga dominated the proceedings. His total net points in two matches are now +37 -7. But that doesn't really explain how he dominated both sets of this match.
In the first set, Jokin Arbe tried to take the attack to Aritz, attempting 7 serve intercepts-immediate kills where he tried to beat Aritz up front. He succeeded twice, was thwarted by Aritz 4 times, and committed an error on one of the attempts. So 2 of 7 on points that are usually put away due to poor serves. In the 2nd set, Aritz led off the set by intercepting Jokin's 1st serve and killing the point with a 2 wall winner. Then, after an excellent txula (9th ball) by Mancisidor that closed the gap to 4-3 (the closest A-M would get in the entire match), Aritz intercepted Jokin's next serve and once again immediately killed the point. 5-3. Aritz followed with 9 winners of his team's final 10 points, including the last 3 to end the proceedings with a flourish.
Arbe did score 4 of his 6 winners with serve intercepts-immediate kills, but it was far too little.
Ion Ibarluzea followed up two weeks ago's disastrous +2 -9 (including +1 -8 in the 2nd set loss) with a solid effort, making only 1 error in the match. Mikel Mancisidor had a difficult opening set, making all of his 5 match errors in the set, but settled down to play a much more solid game in the 2nd set, including a great back pedaling catch, an over the shoulder catch, and a couple of spectacular wall climbs.
But in the end, there was just too much Aritz.
C. Match Article (Jai Alai News Facebook--Basque, links to 16 photos) (Note: you do not have to be a Facebook user to link to this address. If you are asked for your Facebook user name, simply click on the circled X).
D. Match article Google English Translation
TOO MUCH DOMINANCE!
ERKIAGA-IBARLUZEA vs ARBE-MANCI: 15-6, 15-5
Basque Label Winter Series
Day 4, Group B
Jai Alai League
Aritz Erkiaga and Ion Ibarluzea easily won their second match of the Eusko Label Winter Series. With seven points, they have qualified for the finals in their hands after Arbe and Manci made it easier than expected. For the fourth time in a row, the front of Gernika has been filled to the brim, but the almost two thousand spectators who gathered there did not see the competitive game.
Instead, they have witnessed what happens many times in sports. That is to say that one clearly dominates the other. That they are more Sports law. The following numbers: Ibarluzea made one mistake and four behind. Erkiaga made two mistakes and made 17.
From the beginning of the match, the pink couple has been placed in front. Arbe and Manci have not started well. The Mutricuar made mistakes at the beginning of this set and the Marquis didn't want to come up with anything else. Realize that 6-1 put the Reds ahead. Arbe scored in the corner at 6-2, but almost without piloting, the Reds were ahead 12-3 again. The players of Ispaster made the drops by cutting on the plate and with double walls.
However, in that last part of the set, we have some more fought shots, well piloted and beautiful. Jokin made the 12-4 on the rest of the serve, the 11-5 with the ribs left well inside and the 13-6 with the double wall. However, Erkiaga was the master on the court, with a rebound to the left wall, he successfully rejected the 14-6 and ended this first game with a difference of nine points (15-6).
In the second game, Arbe's kick went in for Erkiaga and the Ispaster player finished the first ball he hit with a wall double (1-0). Manci has not failed in this set but they have started 4-1, this time also the Reds are ahead. The oranges have won by one point, 4-3, but Erkiaga and Ibarluzea have escaped again. 6-3, 12-4 and 15-5. As the ball came to life, Erkiaga also hurt in the rebound and was comfortable from the beginning to the end of the game.
Before today's game, Arbe and Manci won the trials against Erkiaga and Ibarluzea. But the rehearsal is one thing and the match is another. However, if Jokin and Mikel have a higher level of play than they showed today and despite today's 2-0 loss, they are still alive in the tournament. Cheers, looking forward to the next two games!
Erkiaga and Ibarluzea have strengthened the leadership of group B. They are not mathematically in the finals yet, but they have 7 points in the case of a draw and a very favorable points average (+29 points). Johan and Lopez have one point (-10); Arbek and Manci 0 points (-19); Ludovic Laduche and Gorka Sorozabal are yet to debut in the competition.
COSME INSTEAD OF OLHARAN
There is a change in next Monday's game, as Jean Olharan will not be there. The Bearno native will not be able to play for a day, as he will be discharged on the 28th of the month at the famous CERS sports center in Capbreton. He has been interned there since November 7. They start the day at 6:45 for breakfast and have recovery work from 8:00 to 18:00. It is a center for top athletes and they are not allowed to go home at night.
Cosme Aguirre from Zumaia will play instead of Olharan. Finalist in the Pro Am and in this tournament, the first backup striker. It will be the 5th day of the Eusko Label Winter Series, the game corresponding to group A:
GOIKOTEXEA-LEKERIKA vs COSME-DEL RIO
(Note: Olharan is expected back for his December 11 match with Del Rio v Alex Goitia--Thibault Basque).
All tickets are sold out.
E. Standings: Team and Player
Team: Score: 2-0 win (4 points). 2-1 win (3 points). Lost 2-1 (1 point). 2-0 loss (0 points).
* Winner of the Play in Tournament for the final slot.
Group A:
W L PF PA Net League Pts.
Goikoetxea-Lekerika 1 0 30 17 +13 4
Goitia-Basque 1 0 30 25 +5 4
Olharan-Del Rio 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mendizabal-Minvielle 0 2 42 60 -18 0
Group B:
Erkiaga-Ibarluzea 2 0 64 35 +29 7
J. Sorozabal-Lopez 0 1 24 34 -10 1
Laduche-G. Sorozabal 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arbe-Mancisidor* 0 1 11 30 -19 0
Player
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
Front:
Erkiaga: 720 (2 played)
Goikoetxea: 360 (1)
Goitia: 360 (1)
Mendizabal: 360 (2)
Arbe: 180 (1)
J. Sorozabal: 180 (1)
Back:
Ibarluzea: 720 (2)
Basque: 360 (1)
Lekerikabeaskoa: 360 (1)
Minvielle: 360 (2)
Lopez: 180 (1)
Mancisidor: 180 (1)
F. Cumulative match by match scoring (+/-) statistics (source will always be EITB)
Fronts:
Erkiaga (B) +37 -7: +30 (2 matches)
Goitia (A) +15 -6: +9 (1 match)
Goikoetxea (A) +10 -3: +7 (1 match)
Mendizabal (A) +23 -17: +6 (2 matches)
Arbe (B) +6 -4: +2 (1 match)
J. Sorozabal (B) +3 -6: -3 (1 match)
Backs:
Lekerikabeaskoa (A) +6 -1 (-1) (1 match)
Basque (A) +5 -5 (-5) (1 match)
Mancisidor (B) +2 -5 (-5) (1 match)
Lopez(B) +5 -6 (-6) (1 match)
Minvielle (A) +4 -9 (-9) (2 matches)
Ibarluzea (B) +6 -10 (-10) (2 matches)
+++++
5-0; 5-0; (this point was replayed due to player obstruction--it was a 12 ball point); 5-4; 10-4; 10-5; 11-5; 11-6; 12-6; 12-7; 13-7; 13-8; 15-8
Average time per point (for the whole match, playing time was not calculated): 60.2 seconds
Note: Goikoetxea had a difficult time serving. He used up all of his 5 allotted non-penalty pasas (over serves) and faulted on one under serve. Mendizabal looked a bit rusty, he had catching and throwing errors that he usually doesn't commit. His 12 errors gifted G-L 40 percent of their total points.
Comfortable victory for Goikoetxea and Lekerika (2-0) in the premiere of the Eusko Label Winter Series
Great show at the opening presentation, starting the 2nd edition of the Jai Alai League
Opening day of the Eusko Label Winter Series, and in turn, also of the Jai Alai League, kicking off the season with the largest tournament on the calendar. The important steps taken in recent months have been reflected today in the "Theater of Dreams" in Gernikarra. Jai Alai has become the Old Trafford of Champions League nights - with the permission of "Txopo" Iribar, present as another fan today at the fronton. The pelotaris have paraded two by two, each couple with their own color shirt, under a play of lights and music and the logos of "Eraman!" and "Jai Alai League" projected on the left wall, converted into a giant 57-meter screen.
On the field, those in charge of putting on the show are the pelotaris and there, Goikoetxea and Lekerika have had no rival. From the beginning, they went ahead 5-0 and the blues couldn't catch up with them in the entire set. Goiko finished inside at 3-0; Erik scored his first goal on the return serve, 5-1; The blues have come closer with a two-wall (5-3) and a txik-txak from the mutrikuarra (5-4). But Goikoetxea and Lekerika have shown much more consistency. The Zumai veteran has worked hard, going down for the ball and dominating with his backhand, and Lekerika, with very few errors and with a forehand that is much more damaging than this past summer.
The "gold" couple has once again taken advantage and has not let go (10-4, 11-5 and 12-7). Nice two-walled Lekerika, lying on its side; and another surprising two walls, but on the side, by Minvielle. Goiko and Leke closed the set with seven points in favor (15-8) and took another six points advantage in the second (15-9).
The start of this second game was balanced (2-2, 4-4), but by the middle of the set the tone of the first was repeated. Minvielle, correct but without dominating; Erik, showing some glimpses of his quality; Goikoetxea in very good condition, without frills but causing damage from the forehand and rebound; and Lekerika also at a good level, but comfortable at all times. With seven goals in one go, Goiko and Leke went to score ten (10-4) and maintained that advantage until the end of the game. Erik signed a drop shot at 14-9 but another Gipuzkoan from the coast, Goikoetxea, was in charge of closing the match. It was a right rebound that also made a "txost" at the angle between the court and the left wall.
With these 4 points and the +13 goal average, Goikoetxea and Lekerika are solid leaders of Group A. If they do not make a big mistake, the other three couples (Erik-Minvielle, Goitia-Basque and Olharan-Del Rio) will be They will have to fight for second place in the group.
On the 2nd day of the Winter Series, relating to Group B, Johan-López and Erkiaga-Ibarluzea will face each other. The match will begin at the usual time: 7:30 p.m. at the fronton, 10:30 p.m. on ETB 1.
Match Win: 360 points; Match Loss: 180 points; bonus points for top Tournament finishes are added after the Tournament is over. These points are accumulated over multiple tournaments and determine the "Final Four" (top 2 fronts and top 2 backs) at the end of the season.
