Munduko Pilota Batzarra (World Pelota Association) and Jai Alai World Tour sponsored the 2023 World Singles Championship, played at Mendibarren Fronton, Berriatua (1--Frontons.net) (2--City, Wikipedia)
This was a seeded Tournament, with the higher seeded players entering in later rounds. There were 1/8, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and a Final. There was also a women's pairs Tournament, set up in the same fashion. Unfortunately there is no information available for the Women's Tournament before the Quarter Finals.
The entire Tournament ran from December 1, 2023 through January 5, 2024, with Qurater Finals beginning on December 16. The Finals of both tournaments were televised by EITB.
Mendibarren is a 48 meter court, and has become the home of this tournament recently, after several years at 38 meter Bizkaia (Bilbo) Fronton. It is, in my opinion, a perfect court for the singles game.
We have little to no match information about any of these matches, but the Berritxu Zesta Eskola Facebook page (click on the X if you don't have a Facebook account) provided scores and linescores for all matches. Note that if you are unable to directly access the Facebook links below, try using this link and then tracking back to the relevant links. Dates are noted for each match below.
As all of those posts include photos (69 total) I will link to them. The posts were all in Basque.
NON SPOILER:
Both women's and men's Finals were streamed by EITB. I will present this link in a non spoiler fashion, followed by a === barrier. Below that, all information (scores, linescores, available statistics, final standings of the players, selected Google translated match articles, and more, will be available.
January 5, 2024
Finals:
Women's
MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL (Deia article--Castilian) v
ARAI LEGARDI (linked information contains spoilers, see the link below)
Men's
ERIK MENDIZABAL (substituting for IMANOL LOPEZ)
Women's match begins at: 0:00 on the video
Men's match begins at 50:14 on the video
Note that between the end of the Women's match and beginning of the Men's match there is a ceremony celebrating the career of Aimar Aldazabal, who retired after 21 years as a professional player.
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SPOILERS
NOTE: THE MAIN THEME OF THIS TOURNAMENT, AS SHOWN BY THE MATCH ARTICLES AND VIDEOS AVAILABLE, WAS THAT IT WAS A MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT. 16 MEN AND 8 WOMEN WERE INVOLVED. THE MEN PLAYED 15 MATCHES, THE WOMEN PLAYED PLAYED 9 FROM THE QUARTER-FINAL LEVEL ON. THERE WERE EARLIER WOMEN'S ROUNDS, BUT THERE WAS NO COVERAGE THAT I COULD FIND REGARDING THOSE EARLIER MATCHES.
WOMEN'S CESTA PUNTA IS QUICKLY GROWING AND BECOMING POPULAR IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY. THE QUALITY HAS IMPROVED BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. JUDGE FOR YOURSELF IN THE ONE MATCH THAT WAS TELEVISED.
AS FAR AS THE MEN ARE CONCERNED, ARITZ ERKIAGA, AT PRESENT, TOWERS OVER THE CESTA PUNTA WORLD LIKE THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES. HE WAS SEEDED LATE IN THE TOURNAMENT AND DID NOT DISAPPOINT. HE WON 3 MATCHES, ALL IN STRAIGHT SETS, AND HAD AN ASTRONOMICAL 41 NET POINTS, MEANING THAT HE WAS WINNING EACH SET BY AN AVERAGE OF 12-5. HIS WINNING SCORES WERE 12-10, 12-5, 12-4, 12-1, 12-5, AND 12-6.
HE TRAILED MIKEL MANCISIDOR BY 4 POINTS IN THE FIRST SET, BUT RALLIED TO WIN THAT. HE NEVER TRAILED BY MORE THAN ON POINT THE REST OF THE WAY, AND ONLY 3 TIMES. HE TOYED WITH ERIK MENDIZABAL (A MULTIPLE SINGLES QUINIELLA CHAMPION AT DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA) IN THE FINAL. MENDIZABAL WAS BROUGHT IN ON SHORT NOTICE WHEN IMANOL LOPEZ WAS UNABLE TO PLAY DUE TO INJURY. THIS MAY HAVE EFFECTED HIS PERFORMANCE, BUT NOBODY WAS GOING TO BEAT ERKIAGA.
IT WAS ERKIAGA'S 3RD CONSECUTIVE SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP, AFTER DEFEATING IMANOL LOPEZ AND AIMAR ALDAZABAL THE LAST TWO YEARS. IT WAS HIS 4TH SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP OVERALL. ALDAZABAL RETIRED AFTER THIS TOURNAMENT, ENDING A 21 YEAR CAREER IN THE SPORT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE LACK OF COMPETITIVE FINALS BELIED THE FACT THAT THIS WAS A TERRIFICALLY COMPETITIVE TOURNAMENT, WITH SOME SPECTACULAR MATCHES. THE ONLY EVIDENCE OF THIS IS THE PRESENTATION OF LINESCORES FOR EACH MATCH (SEE BELOW).
I HAVE LINKED TO THE RELEVENT POSTS DUE TO THE 69 PHOTOS THEY CONTAINED. I HAVE COPIED OUT THE LINESCORES BELOW.
THE BEST WAY TO FOLLOW THE TOURNAMENT FROM BEGINNING TO END IS BY STARTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST.
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JANUARY 5, 2024
DAY 8: FINALS
Note that between the end of the Women's match and the beginning of the Men's match there was a ceremony to mark the retirement of Aimar Aldazabal, who finished off a 21 year career playing both front and back court, beginning at Fort Pierce Florida in 2003, playing in US quiniella Leagues at Fort Pierce and Dania Beach, among others. He began his sporting life at the Berriartua Club, so his final performance (today's doubles match--see below, which was not streamed), took place at his home Fronton. Cesta Punta Pro Tour website lists 8 Championships among his finest performances.
Women's match begins at 0:00 on the video.
Men's match begins at 50:14 on the video.
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
ARAI LEGARDI (2-0; +17) 2 (click on right arrow at top left of screen)
MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL (2-0; +22) 0
Deia Interview (Castilian)
12-8, 12-5 (24-13)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 2-1; 2-2; 3-2; 3-3; 5-3; 5-5; 8-5; 8-6; 10-6; 10-7; 11-7; 11-8; 12-8
-1;+1;=;+1;=;+2;=;+3;+2;+4;+3;+4;+3;+4
4 equal scores, 1 lead change
Set 2:
4-0; 4-1; 5-1; 5-3; 6-3; 6-4; 9-4; 9-5; 12-5
+4;+3;+4;+2;+3;+2;+5;+4;+7
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Lejardi +18 -5
Ortize de Mendibil +8 -6
Total Score: +26 -11 (.703)
Balls in Play: 129
Lejardi 69 (50 on the bounce, 19 in the air)
Ortiz de Mendibil 60 (46, 14)
Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (129 - 11)/ 129 (.915)
Avg. BIP per point: 4.4
Time of the match: 32:25 (entire time of the match, EITB did not keep track of actual playing time.
Avg. Time per Point: 52.6 seconds
ARAI LEGARDI WINS THE WOMEN'S SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP (3-0; +28)
Women's Final Standings
ARAI LEGARDI: 3-0 +28 Champion
MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL: 2-1 +11 2nd Place
ERIKA MUGARTEGI: 1-1 0
IHART ARAKISTAIN: 1-1 -1
MAIALEN ALDAZABALl: 0-1 -7
ELAIA GOGENOLA: 0-1 -8
ENERITZ LIZARDI: 0-1 -8
OIHANA SOROZABAL: 0-1 -15
MEN'S TOURNAMENT
ARITZ ERKIAGA (2-0, +28) 2
ERIK MENDIZABAL (substituting for IMANOL LOPEZ) (2-0, +3) 0
12-5, 12-6 (24-11)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-3; 10-3; 10-5; 12-5
+3;+2;+3;+1;+7;+5;+7
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
1-0; 1-2; 6-2; 6-4; 10-4; 10-6; 12-6
+1;-1;+4;+2;+6;+4;+6
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Erkiaga +17 -2
Mendizabal +9 -7
Total Score: +26 -9 (.743)
Balls in Play: 181
Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (181-9) / 181: .950
Erkiaga: 97 (80 on the bounce, 17 in the air)
Mendizabal 84 (76, 8)
Avg. Balls per Point: 5.2
Time of the match: 36:23 (entire time of the match, EITB did not keep track of actual playing time.
Avg. Time per Point: 62.4 seconds
ARITZ ERKIAGA WINS THE MEN'S SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP (3-0; +41)
In addition there was a "curtain raiser"
JOKIN ARBE--ROBERTO LEKUE (manista.com) 25
(Alberdi interview, Xistera Kluba, Basque, Castilian, or French)
Men's Final Standings
ARITZ ERKIAGA: 3-0 +41; Champion
ERIK MENDIZABAL: 2-1 -10; Runner up
COSME AGUIRRE: 2-1 +4
MIKEL MANZICIDOR: 2-1 +2
LUDOVIC LADUCHE: 1-1 +13
AIMAR ALDAZABAL: 1-1 +4
JOHAN SOROZABAL: 1-1 +3
ANTXON ALBERDI: 1-1 -8
URKO LEKERIKABEASKOA: 1-1 -13
JULEN DEL RIO: 1-1 -18
THIBAULT BASQUE: 0-1 +2
ALEX GOITIA: 0-1 -2
ROBERTO LEKUE: 0-1 -3
JON TAMBOURINDEGUY: 0-1 -3
MARTIN: 0-1 -4
JOKIN ARBE: 0-1 -8
IMANOL LOPEZ: DID NOT PLAY DUE TO INJURY
Match article for both matches (Hitza--Basque)
Google English Translation
Arai Lejardi has worn the first cap of the Women's Individual Championship.
Aritz Erkiaga won the individual championship for the third time in a row [January 5], the fourth overall.
Mikel Reina Barros
01/08/2024
Little by little, the girls' cesta point is making progress . It already has the first champion of the Individual Championship: Arai Lejardi. Markina-Xemeindarra overcame Maite Ortiz de Mendibil in two sets [January 5] at the front of Mendibarren Fronton in Berriatu.
The first set was the most equal, everyone tried to impose their game, they were uncomfortable when they didn't play their way, the player from Gasteiz is a forward and Lejardi is a defender. But Lejardi adapted better, especially by delaying the ball with backhands, and won the first set 12-8. With the confidence of winning the set , Markina-Xemeindara worked more comfortably in the second, also she started to win 4-0 and left the set focused. In the end she prevailed 12-5.
Erkiaga also prevailed in two sets against Erik Mendizabal from Mutri. However, it was a tough match, especially physically. The native of Ispaster showed his mastery in front of the spectators who filled the stadium. He scored 16 goals and only missed two. Both puntistas wanted to work on the goals from the beginning, but Erkiaga finished better. He prevailed 12-5 in the first set and 12-6 in the second. The striker wore the cap for the third year in a row in Berriatu.
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December 29, 2023
Day 7: Semi-Finals
All 4 Scores (2 women's and 2 men's) and 14 photos
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
MATCH 1
ARAI LEJARDI (1-0; +8) 2 (click on right arrow at top left of screen)
IHART ARAKISTAIN (1-0; +8) 1
(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Arakstain is Berriatua's Front Court Player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube)
12-4, 9-12, 5-1 (26-17)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 8-2; 8-3; 11-3; 11-4; 12-4
-1;=;-1;+6;+5;+8;+7;+8
2 equal scores, 1 lead change
Set 2:
0-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-3; 5-7; 6-7; 6-8; 7-8; 7-11; 9-11; 9-12
-1;-1;+2;+1;+2;-2;-1;-2;-1;-4;-2;-3
2 known equal scores, 2 lead changes
Tie breaker:
1-0; 1-1; 5-1
+1;=;+4
1 equal score, 0 lead changesl
LEJARDI ADVANCES TO THE FINAL
MATCH 2
MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL (1-0; +15) 2 Deia Interview (Castilian)
ERIKA MUGARTEGI (1-0; +7) 0
(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Mugartegi is Markina's front court player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube)
12-8, 12-9 (24-17)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-3; 5-4; 8-4; 8-6; 10-6; 10-8; 12-8
-3;+1;+4;+2;+4;+2;+4
1 equal score, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-4; 5-4; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 7-8; 8-8; 8-9; 12-9
-1;=;-1;+2;=;+1;=;+1;=+1;-1;=;-1;+3
8 equal scores, 3 lead changes
ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL ADVANCES TO THE FINAL
MEN'S TOURNANAMENT
MATCH 1
ARITZ ERKIAGA (1-0; +9) 2
JULEN DEL RIO (1-0; +1) 0
12-4, 12-1 (24-5)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
1-0; 1-2; 3-2; 3-4; 12-4
+1; -1; +1; -1; +8
4 equal scores, 4 lead changes
Set 2:
9-0; 9-1; 12-1
+9;+8;+11
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
ERKIAGA ADVANCES TO THE FINAL
MATCH 2
ERIK MENDIZABAL (substituting for IMANOL LOPEZ) (1-0; -1) 2
AIMAR ALDAZABAL (1-0; +8) 0
12-9, 12-11 (24-20)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
1-0; 1-2; 2-2; 2-6; 6-6; 6-7; 8-7; 8-9; 9-9; 9-10; 10-10; 10-11; 12-11
+1;-1;=;-4;=;-1;+1;-1;=;-1;=;-1;+1
8 equal scores, 4 lead changes
Set 2:
4-0; 4-4; 8-4; 8-5; 10-5; 10-6; 11-6; 11-9; 12-9
+4;=;+4;+3;+5;+4;+5;+2;+3
1 equal score, 0 lead changes
MENDIZABAL ADVANCES TO THE FINAL
++++
December 23, 2023:
Day 6: Quarter Finals
All 4 Scores (2 women's and 2 men's) and 9 photos
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
MATCH 1
MAITE ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL 2 Deia Interview (Castilian)
OIHANA SOROZABAL 0 (French)
12-5, 12-4 (24-9)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
2-0; 2-1; 4-1; 4-5; 12-5
+2;+1;+3;-1;+7
1 equal score, 2 lead changes
Set 2:
5-0; 5-1; 7-1; 7-2; 10-2; 10-4; 12-4
+5;+4;+6;+5;+8;+6;+8
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
ORTIZ DE MENDIBIL ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS
MATCH 2
(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Mugartegi is Markina's front court player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube)
(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Aldazabal is Berriatua's back court
player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube)
12-11, 12-6 (24-17)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-2; 1-2; 1-6; 2-6; 2-7; 3-7; 3-8; 5-8; 5-10; 9-10; 9-11; 12-11
-2;-1;-5;-4;-5;-4;-5;-3;-5;-1;-2;+1
1 equal score, 1 lead change
Set 2:
1-0; 1-3; 5-3; 5-4; 9-4; 9-6; 12-6
+1;-2;+2;+1;+5;+3;+6
1 equal score, 2 lead changes
MUGARTEGI ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS
MEN'S TOURNAMENT
Day 6: Quarter Finals
JOHAN SOROZABAL (1-0; +11) 0
12-9, 12-7 (24-16)
Linescores (match winner 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; 6-7; 11-7; 11-9; 12-9
-1;=;-1;=;-1;+1;=;+1;=;+1;-1;+4;+2;+3
7 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Set 2:
2-0; 2-1; 5-1; 5-3; 6-3; 6-7; 12-7
+2;+1;+4;+2;+3;-1;+5
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes
ALDAZABAL ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS
MATCH 2
ERIK MENDIZABAL (substituting for IMANOL LOPEZ) 2
LUDOVIC LADUCHE (1-0; +12) 1
12-9, 7-12, 5-4 (24-25)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 2-1; 2-3; 4-3; 4-7; 5-8; 8-8; 8-9; 12-9
-1;+1;-1;+1;-3;-3;=;-1;+3
6 equal scores, 5 lead changes
Set 2:
1-0; 1-2; 3-2; 3-5; 5-5; 5-6; 6-6; 6-11; 7-11; 7-12
+1;-1;+1;-2;=;-1;=;-5;-4;-5
5 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Tie breaker:
0-1; 3-1; 3-4; 5-4
-1;+2;-1;+1
3 equal scores, 3 lead changes
MENDIZABAL ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS
++++
December 16, 2023
Day 5: Quarter Finals
All 4 Scores (2 women's and 2 men's) and 14 photos
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
MATCH 1
ARAI LEJARDI 2 (click on right arrow at top left of screen)
(from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Lizardi is Markina's back court player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube)
12-9, 12-7 (24-16)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
1-0; 1-2; 2-2; 2-4; 3-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 7-7; 8-7; 8-8; 10-8; 10-9; 12-9
+1;-1;=;-2;-2;+1;=;+1;=;+1;=+2;+1;+3
6 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Set 2:
0-1; 8-1; 8-3; 9-3; 10-4; 10-7; 12-7
-1;+7;+5;+6;+6;+3;+5
1 equal score, 1 lead change
LEJARDI ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS
MATCH 2
IHART ARAKISTAIN 2 (from the Final of the Women's Cesta Punta, Championnat de Pelote de Europe 36m, played on June 18, 2022. Arakstain is Berriatua's Front Court Player--Federation Francaise de Pelote Youtube)
ELAIA GOGENOLA 0
12-10, 12-6 (24-16)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
4-0; 4-3; 8-3; 8-5; 10-5; 10-10; 12-10
+4;+1;+5;+3;+5;=;+2
1 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
3-0; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 6-3; 6-4; 10-4; 10-6; 12-6
+3;+1;+2;+1;+3;+2;+6;+4;+6
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
ARAKISTAIN ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS
MENS COMPETITION
MATCH 1
MIKEL MANZICIDOR (2-0, +6) 0
12-10, 12-5 (24-15)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-3; 2-3; 2-4; 3-4; 3-5; 4-5; 4-8; 9-8; 9-10; 12-10
-3;-1;-2;-1;-2;-1;-4;+1;-1;+2
3 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Set 2:
4-0; 4-2; 5-2; 5-3; 6-3; 6-4; 10-4; 10-5; 12-5
+4;+2;+3;+2;+3;+2;+6;+5;+7
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
ERKIAGA ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS
MATCH 2
COSME AGUIRRE (2-0; +6) 1
11-12, 12-11, 5-4 (28-27)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
5-0; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 10-6; 10-7; 11-7; 11-12
+5;=;+1;=;+4;+3;+4;-1
3 equal scores, 1 lead change
Set 2:
1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 4-2; 4-6; 5-6; 5-9; 6-9; 6-10; 7-10; 7-11; 12-11
+1;=+1;=+2;-2;-1;-4;-3;-4;-3;-4;+1
4 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Tie breaker:
0-2; 2-2; 2-4; 5-4
-2;=;-2;+1
2 equal scores, 1 lead change
WOW!!!
DEL RIO ADVANCES TO THE SEMI-FINALS
Quarter Final Preview (Hitza--Basque)
Google English Translation
For the first time, women will play the Individual Championship
They will play in Berriatua together with the men, the contract to play the tournament in the front of Mendibar ends this year. It will be Aimar Aldazabal's last tournament. The quarter-finals will begin on Saturday [December 16].
Presentation of the individual tournament in Berriat
Mikel Reina Barros
12/12/2023
The Individual Championship organized by the Berriatu Zesta School, the Berriatu City Council and the World Ball Assembly comes with innovations. For the first time, women will participate. The last four years have been played in Mendibar's fronto, but this year the contract to play there ends. However, in today's [December 12] presentation, the organizers have expressed their intention to continue doing it there.
"Using the good moment of the Zesta-punta, we also wanted to make room for the girls, because they are also on the rise. We notice this at Zesta School, for example, and we wanted to give them a boost", he explained. He said that it is a "great opportunity" to see the best pointe players in Berriatuan and that it has been a tournament that has gained "strength" in the calendar in recent years. They highlighted the success of last year's tournament , both in terms of level and audience.
Mikel Plaza, the head of the World Football Association, explained that the tournament has become a benchmark in the front of Mendibar, and he admitted that he would be "very happy" if it were played there in the next few years: "The head-to-head has become regular there. It's not the most important tournament in the way of handball, but the front is very suitable, and that has opened the doors to other puntists." The mayor of the town, Joseba Goienola, emphasized that the tournament spreads the name of Berriatua around the world: "We don't have a football cathedral or a university, but we do have a school , and a very important one, too. And that is the most important thing in the beginning, to educate young children in all the senses".
The renewed Maialen Aldazabal was "enthusiastic" about playing the individual tournament, and said that in recent years it has strengthened its commitment to women. "We are not used to playing in this way, and we will see how we adapt. It is a new challenge for us and we will learn a lot." When asked about his favourites , he highlighted the names of Arai Lejardi, Elaia Gogenola and Ihart Arakistein and that usually the strikers perform "better", especially when finishing the shot.
Greetings It will be the first individual championship for Maialen, and the last for Aimar Aldazabal, but in general. The native of Berria will say goodbye to professional football, where and in his town. In fact, he has not played a professional match since last year's head-to-head tournament. " I'm full of enthusiasm , because I'm going to play in town. I know that I will lack rhythm and that the young people are coming strong, but it is my front line, and it is the modality that I like the most".
The quarter-finals will be played on December 16 and 23, the semi-finals on December 29 and the finals on January 5. All the festivals will start at 19:30 and the girls' and boys' doubles competition will be played. Tickets will cost 10 euros. They have played preliminary eliminations in the men's division , and Mikel Manzi, Cosme Agirre, Johan Sorozabal and Ludovic Ladutche have qualified to play against last year's four best point guards.
Matches:
December 16:
Erkiaga-Manzi, Del Rio Cosme, Arai-Eneritz and Ihart-Elaia
December 23:
Aimar-Johan, Lopez-Ladutche, Maite-Sorozabal and Erika-Maialen
December 29:
The semi-finals
January 5:
Finals (via EITB)
Match articles for all 4 matches (Hitza--Basque)
Google English Translation
Unsurprisingly, the favorites advanced in the Berriatu Individual Championship
On Saturday [December 16] they played the first ever quarter-finals for both men and women.
Mikel Reina Barros
12/18/2023
The favorites have left no room for surprise in the top-of-the-line Individual Championship in Berriatu, and have entered the semi-finals . On Saturday [December 16] the girls played the Individual Championship for the first time. Two of the names drawn among the favorites played in the presentation and did not have much problem to enter the semi-finals.
Arai Lejardi beat Eneritz Lizardi 2-0. The second team started the game better by leading 3-5, but the Markina-Xemenida showed the ability to turn the score around and made fewer mistakes in the last points: 12-9. In the second, the defender who dominated from the beginning took an 8-1 lead, but even though Lizardi came within three points, she prevailed 12-7.
Ihart Arakistarin also had to work hard in the first set even though Gogenola was losing 10-5 , she was able to get a 10-10 tie , but the last two points were in favor of Arakistarin. In the second set, she went from a 6-4 lead to a 10-4 lead, eventually winning 12-6.
In the men's first ever quarter-final, current champion Aritz Erkiaga noticed Mikel Manzi's greater pace at the start. The team from Mutri came from two playoffs, and in the first set, the team from Ispaster had to squeeze. The defender was ahead 0-3, turned it around 9-8 for the champion to win 12-10. In the second, taking the speed, he went ahead 4-0 until Erkiaga prevailed 12-5.
Without a doubt, the most even match was between Julen Del Rio and Cosme Aguirre, the defender won 2-1. 11-12 prevailed in the first and 12-11 in Gasteiz in the second. The third and final set was even more equal, Del Rio won 5-4.
Matches:
December 23:
Aimar-Johan, Lopez-Ladutche, Maite-Sorozabal and Erika-Maialen
December 29:
The semi-finals
January 5:
Finals (via EITB)
++++
December 9, 2023
Day 4: 1/8
Scores and 7 photos
MATCH 1
ANTXON ALBERDI (1-0; +4) 0 (Xistera Kluba interview, Basque, Castilian, or French)
12-6, 12-6 (24-12)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
1-0; 1-2; 6-2; 6-3; 7-3; 7-4; 8-4; 8-5; 10-5; 10-6; 12-6
+1;-1;+4;+3;+4;+3;+4;+3;+5;+4;+6
1 equal score, 1 lead change
Set 2:
0-1; 5-1; 5-4; 9-4; 9-6; 12-6
-1;+4;+1;+5;+3;+6
1 equal score, 1 lead change
LADUCHE ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER FINALS
MATCH 2
URKO LEKERIKABEASKOA (1-0; -2) 0 (video of Urko in action)
12-8, 12-5 (24-13)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
3-0; 3-2; 5-2; 5-3; 6-3; 6-4; 10-4; 10-5; 11-5; 11-8; 12-8
+3;+2;+3;+2;+3;+2;+6;+5;+6;+3;+4
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
4-0; 4-1; 6-1; 6-4; 8-4; 8-5; 12-5
+4;+3;+5;+2;+4;+3+;+7
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
J.SOROZABAL ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER FINALS
++++
December 8, 2023
Day 3: 1/8
Scores and 9 photos
MATCH 1
MIKEL MANCISIDOR (1-0, +3) 2
12-8, 12-8 (24-16)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 4-2; 4-5; 5-5; 5-6; 7-6; 7-7; 8-7; 8-8; 12-8
-1;=;-1;+2;-1;=;-1;+1;=;+1;=;+4
7 equal scores, 8 lead changes
Set 2:
0-1; 2-1; 2-3; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-5; 5-5; 5-8; 12-8
-1;+1;-1;=;-1;=;-1;=;-3;+4
6 equal scores, 3 lead changes
MANCISIDOR ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER FINALS
MATCH 2
COSME AGUIRRE (1-0, +2) 2
12-11, 11-12, 5-2 (28-25)
Linescores (winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
2-0; 2-1; 6-1; 6-2; 7-2; 7-4; 8-4; 8-7; 9-7; 9-11; 12-11
+2;+1;+5;+4;+5;+3;+4;+1;+2;-2;+1
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Set 2:
4-0; 4-1; 8-1; 8-4; 9-4; 9-6; 10-6; 10-8; 11-8; 11-12
+4;+3;+7;+4;+5;+3;+4;+2;+3;-1
1 equal score, 1 lead change
Tie breaker:
0-2; 5-2
1 equal score, 1 lead change
AGUIRRE ADVANCES TO THE QUARTER FINALS
++++
December 2, 2023
Day 2: 1/8
Scores and 7 photos
MATCH 1
URKO LEKERIKABEASKOA 2 (video of Urko in action)
12-11, 6-12, 5-2 (23-25)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 2-2; 2-5; 4-5; 4-7; 7-7; 7-9; 11-9; 11-11; 12-11
-1;=;-1;=;-3;-1;-3;=;-2;+2=+1
5 equal scores, 1 lead change
Set 2:
0-2; 1-2; 1-3; 3-3; 3-5; 4-5; 4-6; 6-6; 6-12
-2;-1;-2;=;-2;-1;-2;=;-6
2 equal scores, 0 lead chantes
Tie breaker:
2-0; 2-1; 4-1; 4-2; 5-2
+2;+1;+3;+2;+3
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
MATCH 2
ANTXON ALBERDI 2 (Xistera Kluba interview, Basque, Castilian, or French)
MARTIN 0
12-9, 12-11 (24-20)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 1-1; 1-5; 4-5; 4-6; 6-6; 6-7; 8-7; 8-8; 11-8; 11-9; 12-9
-1;=;-4;-1;-2;=;-1;+1;=;+3;+2;+3
4 equal scores, 1 lead change
Set 2:
0-3; 2-3; 2-6; 5-6; 5-8; 6-10; 9-10; 9-11; 12-11
-3;-1;-4;-1;-3;-4;-1;-2;+1
1 equal score, 1 lead change
++++
December 1, 2023
Day 1: 1/8
Scores and 5 photos
MATCH 1:
ROBERTO LEKUE 0 (manista.com)
12-9, 10-12, 5-3 (27-24)
Linescores (match winner always listed first)
Set 1:
2-0; 2-1; 3-1; 3-4; 5-4; 5-6; 9-6; 11-7; 11-9; 12-9
+2;+1;++2; -1; +1; -1; +3; +4; +2; +3
3 equal scores, 4 lead changes
Set 2:
1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-3; 5-3; 5-5; 8-5; 8-7; 9-7; 9-8; 10-8; 10-12
+1;=;+1;-1;+2;=;+3;+1;+2;+1;+2;-2
5 equal scores, 3 lead changes
Tie breaker:
1-0; 1-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-3
+1;-1;+2;+1;+2
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes
MATCH 2
COSME AGUIRRE 2
12-11, 12-11 (24-22)
Linescores (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-4; 1-4; 1-5; 4-5; 4-6; 5-6; 5-7; 6-7; 6-9; 7-9; 7-10; 11-10; 11-11; 12-11
-4;-3;-4;-1;-2;-1;-2;-1;-3;-2;-3;+1;=+1
1 equal score, 1 lead change
Set 2:
0-1; 4-1; 4-3; 5-3; 5-4; 6-4; 6-8; 9-8; 9-9; 10-9; 10-11; 12-11
-1;+3;+1; +2;+1;+2;-2;+1;=;+1;-1;+1
6 equal scores, 5 lead changes
