This is a current awareness blog that links to the latest sources of information on Basque Pelota matches and Tournaments. It covers all of both North and South Basque modalities: Pro and amateur. It links to match stories, statistics and video highlights and/or full match videos. NEW!!! JAI ALAI LEAGUE (EREMAN!) SEASON INTRO AND JAI ALAI WOMEN'S WINTER TOUR 2024 (2/22/24)!!!

NEWS AND INJURY LOG ARCHIVE--ALL MODALITIES

Here we will keep an archive of all news and injury reports from all modalities. They will be listed by modality in alphabetical order: Obituaries will be listed above the other news, in the approximate decedent order.

OBITUARIES

Mano

Jesus Garcia Arino (Arino I)July 1, 1934-November 30, 2019, at age 85 . Arino I was one of the premier front court players of his time, the 1950s and 60s. He won manomanista (singles) championships in 1957 and 1963, and played in 4 other finals. He was the 1st Bizkaian manomanista champion.


+++++

Main Nue: 

Patrick Ocafrain, May 12, 2019, age 44. 

Won World Championship in Mexico City in 1998, 3 consecutive pairs FFPB Championnat du Monde (2008-2010), among many other championships. One of the best arrieres (back court players) of his time. Played as an amateur and coached after retiring at the end of 2013.

Obituary: Sud-Ouest
Obituary: Naiz

+++++

Pala: 

Francois Susbielles--1947-2019 (North Basque Grosse Pala and Pala Corta Player/Coach/Technical Advisor to FFPB (BLOG POST)

+++++

Basque Pelota/Remonte/Laxoa/: 

Mikel Eizagirre, Circa 2019. Age 83.

Patron of Remonte and its ancestor sport, Laxoa, was co-Executive Director of Gipuzkoa Pelota Federation, was Director and one of the Founders of Pilotarien Batzarra, in his day an excellent amateur Remonista.


Obituary: Diario Vasco

+++++

Retirements and Debuts (Alphabetical by modality, chronological within modality).


Mano:

August 28

Debut

Iker Salaberria (Antiguako Pilotazaleok Youtube full match video of his victory in the Final of the oldest amateur tournament in the BasqueCountry) joins ASPE.

20 year old Salaberria, coming off a smashing Final victory in the 71st Antiguako Txapelketa, begins play for ASPE in November, in the Promotion 4 1/2 Tournament. He played 7 matches in the AT and won 6. Salaberria also won the XVI Biharko Izarrak Txapelketa in June 2019. You can watch that match ***here*** (EITB--match begins at 45:36).

August 12, 2019

Jon Juanarena retires from ASPE: Juanarena, age 27, retired, due to ongoing injury issues with his hands. He began his career in 2010 and won 3 Promotion Championships. In 2016 he switched from front to back. He played in 335 matches as a professional and ended with a record of 173-162. He played his final match in front of his home fans at Amazabal, Leiza (Leitza), Navarra (1) (2on August 13.

Retirement article (21Iguales.com)

PALA/PALA LARGA:

Debut

InnPala

Benat Ibarguren (delantero-front)
Ibarguren, after playing in several InnPala tournaments as an amateur this summer, joins the InnPala roster beginning on October 26 with the Liga Kutxabank Competition. His addition restores the 10 player roster, 5 fronts and 5 backs. Since Sylvain Brefel's retirement in February, InnPala has been playing with a 9 man roster. Ibarguren's addition means that Ibon Garate, who joined the roster last year after the retirement of Eric Zubiri, will move to the back, balancing the roster. Fronts: Fusto, Necol, Gaubeka, Landeta, and Ibarguren. Backs: Ibai Perez, Ibargarai, Urrutia, Gordon, and Garate.

Debut article (Mundo Deportivo)

Retirement


REMONTE: 

May 10, 2019

Retirement

Jose Javier Etxeberria Lacambra (Etxeberria III--Oriamendi Group A back)

Etxeberria III, 46, will retire on November 9, 2019, after 22 years. He began his career on November 29, 1997 and has won 7 long court championships, including 2 World Pairs championships. He will end his career with Uterga in a Star Match against Zeberio II-Ion. He has always been a great joy to watch, a defensive wizard and always steadying influence for any partner. He gave me a lasting memory when he pulled the behind the back rebote out of his quiver. Eskerrik Asko Etxeberria III.

Retirement article (Diario Vasco)
Retirement article (Oriamendi2010)
"Exit Interview" article (Oriamendi2010)


Aritz Etxeberria (Etxeberria IV) (delantero--front) retires from Oriamendi2010 BLOG POST

NEWS

Womens Basque Pelota:


September 11, 2019

Announcement of 3rd Edition of Kutxa Emakume Master Cup Laboral (Womens) 4 1/2 Upcoming Tournament (October-December 2019) .

Key point in the announcement is the plan to use two different pelotas, the traditional softer 'goxua" and the harder "mixed" pelota. Level of the competition will determine which pelota is used.

El Correo article
Deia article
Mundo Deportivo article



June 29, 2019

Announcement of the formation of the Emakume Pilotarien Elkartea (Women's Players Association)

Purpose:

Working to with federations and clubs to coordinate a competition calendar

Advance youth training

Organize championships in the following modalities: Paleta Goma (mur a gauche and trinquet); Mano (mur a gauche and trinquet)

Work together with schools in organizing youth

Organizing festivals and tournaments in the above modalities in different cities, as well as Cesta Punta in the future.

EPE Announcement (Basque, .pdf format 1p.) (via manista.com)

News article (Berria)
News article (Naiz)
News article (21Iguales.com)


Jai Alai/Cesta Punta:

May 28, 2019: Possible contraction of Jai Alai World Tour in 2019

IlusiĆ³n ante la crisis, by Igor G. Vico (Deia, May 28, 2019). Article discusses 35% loss of sponsorship for Jai Alai World Tour and possible loss of Tournaments from this year's calendar.

March 30, 2019

NORTH BASQUE ALL MODALITIES: FFPB (FEDERATION FRANCAISE DE PELOTE BASQUE) HAS RELEASED ITS 2018 ASSEMBLEE GENERALE ORDINAIRE EXERCICE (.PDF FORMAT, 145P.) P. 8-24 recap all FFPB Championat de France National Competition winners from Poussins to National A. It also covers the state of FFPB and the regional organizations, among other things. The report was released March 30, 2019. 


ALL MODALITIES: February 24-28: Bixintxo Bilbao (Main Nue) sanctioned and then un-sanctioned by FIPV for displaying Ikurrena (Basque Flag) at France Gold Medal Main Nue ceremony at BP World Championships at Barcelona, October 2018.

February 28, 2019

THE FEDERACION INTERNACIONAL DE PELOTA VASCA (FIPV) HAS LIFTED ITS SANCTION ON NORTH BASQUE MAIN NUE PLAYER BIXINTXO BILBAO.


SEE BELOW AND LINKS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STORY

FEBRUARY 26, 2019:

WITH REGARD TO THE BIXINTO BILBAO SANCTION BY THE FIPV, (FEBRUARY 24) THE DIRECTORATE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORTS, ATTACHED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND LANGUAGE POLICY OF THE BASQUE GOVERNMENT, ASKS THE FIPV TO CANCEL THE SANCTION AGAINST BILBAO. THE DIRECTOR, JON REDONDO QUESTIONS "THE VERY LEGALITY OF THE SANCTION."

THE ONE YEAR BAN ON INTERNATIONAL PLAY PREVENTS BILBAO FROM PLAYING MAIN NUE IN THE 2019 WORLD CUP, WHICH IS A QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT FOR THE 2022 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION. THE BAN IS THE RESULT OF BILBAO'S UNFURLING OF THE IKURRINA (BASQUE FLAG) DURING A GOLD MEDAL CEREMONY FOR FRANCE IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION, HELD LAST OCTOBER IN BARCELONA.

PILOTA TTIKI (FRENCH)
DEIA (CASTILIAN)

The "incident" (EITB video)

RELATED ARTICLE (PILOTA TTIKI) 

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

INJURY NEWS: (alphabetically, by modality, chronologically within modality) 

CESTA PUNTA/JAI ALAI


August 22 and 23

Kevin Ithurria: Ithurria injured his ankle in the 2nd set of the 1st SLAM Semi-final at St. Jean de Luz on August 22. After treatment, he continued, but was visibly limping.

On August 23, he played in the Final at Mauleon-Licharre and injured his arm in the 2nd set. He had to retire and was replaced by amateur Yohann Sorozabal. How long he will be out of action is unknown at this time.

August 6

Thibault Basque: Basque slipped attempting a catch in the tie breaker set of the Master 3 Final, appearing to seriously injure his ankle. After some treatment on the floor, he stayed and finished the match. At the post match ceremony, he was noticeably limping as he took the podium. The seriousness of the injury is unknown at this time.

Ekhi Martinez: Ekhi was injured in the warmups and missed his Master 3 Final on August 6. He was replaced by Thibault Basque (see above) on very short notice. The extent of his injury is unknown at this time.

August 4, 2019

Imanol LopezLopez suffered an arm injury early in the 1st set of the Lekeitio Masters Final on August 4. He had to leave for treatment but returned to finish the match. All of his throws from that point forward (except for 2 or 3 soft dejadas from deep in the back) were reverses. He is scheduled to play up to 5 matches the week of August 5-10, including 2 possible finals (Gant d'Or if he wins the semi-final 1st, and the Gernika Grand Slam). How many, if any, of those matches he is able to play remains to be seen. So far this summer, after winning the 2 Championships at Fronton Mexico, he is 9-0 in the Basque Country Summer Partidos, with 2 Championships.
Addendum. Lopez missed his Semi-final Gant d'Or match on August 5.


Addendum. Lopez missed his Semi-final Gant d'Or match on August 5. In an interview with Jai Alai News Facebook on August 7, he said that his arm was responding to treatment "incredibly" well and that he planned to play in the Gernika Grand Slam Final on Saturday, August 10. He is going to take the other matches he is scheduled to play "a day at a time", according to the article.

Addendum 2: Lopez played in the 1st Semi-Final of the St. Jean de Luz Cesta Punta World Tour Master 4 on August 8 and lost in the tie breaker by the minimum, ending a 14 match winning streak (see above). He played in a Hondarribia Grand Slam League match on August 9 and won in straight sets. He played in the Gernika Grand Slam (both Grand Slams were Jai Alai World Tour matches) and won--again in straight sets (see below for both), running his new winning streak to 2 and 16 of the last 17. All this with an injured right arm that did not allow him to throw forehand until the Gernika match. In that match he used it sparingly but effectively (including one long low and slow cortada winner in the 2nd set). That he played at all was amazing. That he won 2 out of 3 was phenomenal.

July 28, 2019

Mikel EgigurenFor Egiguren the stress of having played 2 matches in 3 days (July 25 in the Cesta Punta World Tour Master 2 Final, and July 27 in the Jai Alai World Tour Gernika Grand Slam Liguilla match), along with the prospect of playing in the 1st Semi-Final of the CPWT Master 3 Tournament on July 30, led to his dropping out of the Leikeitio Masters Semi-final on July 28.

July 27, 2019

Txabi Inza: After playing twice in 3 days (July 23 and 25 in the Semi-final and Final of the CPWT Master 2 Tournament, Inza was unable to play in the 3rd Round Liguilla match of the Gernika Grand Slam. He was replaced by (Aimar) Aldazabal. I have found no information about the reason for his absence. Inza returned to play in the Final of the Gant d'Or Tournament at Biarritz (see above) on August 7. He won.

July 26, 2019

Diego Beaskoetxea: Beaskoetxea was unable to play in his Hondarribia League match with Minvielle v Erik-Ekhi on June 26. According to the JAWT story (the same story for all matches), he decided to skip the June 26 Hondarribia Grand Slam League match in order to be more physically fit for the Gernika Grand Slam League match on July 27. (He was replaced by Ludovic Laduche. Beaskoetxea did play (and win) his League 3 Gernika match on July 27.

July 20, 2019

Nicolas Etxeto: Etxeto suffered an abdominal injury ("un pinchazo en la cintura") in warm-ups for his Round 2 Liguilla match in the Gernika Grand Slam. He played through it for one set but then could go no further. Etxeto returned to action on July 28 for his Lekeitio Masters Semi-final, partnering with Egiguren in a hard fought loss to (Jon) Zulaika-Lopez.

July 13, 2019

(Unai) Lekerika: Lekerika suffered a "cintura" (waist) injury in his July 13 opening Liguilla Group A match in the Gernika Grand Slam competition. He was unable to play in his Markina Masters semi-final match with Arbe v Erik (Mendizabal)-Irastorza on July 14. He was replaced by Ekhi. See below for contexts and outcomes under "Master Series Markina." When Lekerika will return is unknown. Leke returned to action, partnering with Goikoetxea on July 27 in their Gernika Grand Slam Liguilla match.

July 7, 2019

Jean Olharan (see below under Jai Alai World Tour) missed the 1st Semi-Final of Master 2 with Irastorza. Olharan was replaced by Kevin Ithurria. Olharan returned to action in the Gant d'Or Quarter-final at Biarritz on July 31, 2019. He was re-injured (back) in a Tournament at Mauleon on August 9. He nissed Master 4. (Latest Source: Jai Alai News Facebook and Cesta Punta St. Jean Facebook). Amazingly, he returned to action and won the Mauleon Tournament on August 23. 

July 4, 2019

Jerome Portet (back) suffered an arm injury in practice before his play-in Final in the Internationaux Cesta Punta, Cesta Punta World Tour match. He missed that match. When he will return is unknown.

June 22, 2019 (all of the below injuries came during the Fronton Mexico season (May 3-June 30)

Julien Ihitsague (back) was injured when hit by a throw, and further injured by an awkward fall after the first injury. The match he was in was suspended at the time of the injury. Ihitsague returned to action June 28.

June 15, 2019

Eric Irastorza (back) appeared to suffer or aggravate a leg injury in the "Duel of the Titans match. He missed the 2nd Premier League exhibition on June 23. Irastorza returned to action June 28.

June 9, 2019

Txabi Inza (back) was injured during his T3 Premier League Final. When he will play again is unknown. Inza returned to action June 28.

June 8, 2019

Jean Olharan (front) suffered a forearm injury in his Premier League match with Lopez v Olha-Irastorza (with the match at 15-14 O-L. He looks doubtful for O-L's Final v Goikoetxea-Ekhi on May 9. Olharan returned to action June 28.

April 26, 2019

Ludovic Laduche (front) suffered an angle ligament injury in the 2nd set of the FFPB Cesta Punta Pro-Am Final (Cesta Punta Pro Tour Youtube). He will miss the entire 2 month Fronton Mexico season. It is unknown at this time whether he will be able to play in the Summer Partidos in the Basque Country. Laduche returned to action for  the injured Jean Olharan in the JAWT (Jai Alai World Tour) Markina Masters semi-final.

March 23, 2019

Manu Ladutxe (early-back) was sidelined with a strained bicep on about 3/23 and is expected to be out until at May 1 at the earliest.
(Tiger's Chalk Talk Bulletin Board) Ladutxe returned to action during the on May 3, 2019 (Dania Jai Alai Statistics through May 3, 2019).

March 20, 2019

Ibon Aldazabal (late-back), who was sidelined in early Feburary (Jai Alai News Facebook) with hernia surgery, returned to action on March 20. 

March 15, 2019

Jon Zulaika, (late-front) out since February 20(M) performance, returned for the late performances March 15(E). The reason for his absence is unknown.

March 10, 2019


TEVIN (Leon Shepard) (f-l) suffered a torn quadriceps muscle the weekend of 3/9-10. He is expected to be out of action for 6 to 8 months.


MAIN NUE:

March 30, 2019

Bixintxo Bilbao (arriere-back court) did not play in his March 30 Group A match with Larralde v Waltary-Guichandut. He was replaced by Bixente Garat. He also did not play in the April 7 match v Etchegaray-X. Lambert. We still do not know the nature of the injury but Bilbao returned for his FFPB Elite Pro par Equippes 
Semi-final match on April 20.

March 24, 2019

Mathieu Ospital (avant-front court) missed the March 24 Group A FFPB Championnat de France Elite Pro par Equipes Qualification match between Ospital-Ducassou and Larralde-Bilbao. He was replaced by Mattin Olcomendy. Ospital also missed the March 31 qualification match. He was replaced by Maxime Etcheverry. He has, according to Pilota Ttiki, "mal aux mains" (sore hands). He returned to action on April 19 in the Semi-finals. 

March 10, 2019

 Julien Etchegaray missed the opening match of the FFPB CdF 2019 Elite Pro Par Equipes Group A Competition due to "grippe" (influenza). e returned to action March 17. (Pilota Ttiki)

Feb. 11, 2019



Feb. 9, 2019



Both players are scheduled to play in the CdF Equipes (doubles) competition beginning March 10. They were both back in action for their opening match March 16. 

MANO: 

August 21

Mikel Urrutikoetxea: Urrutikoetxea suffered a torn pectoral muscle in his Asta Nagusia Bilbao Semi-final win on August 21. He is expected to be out of action 3 to 6 week. He will be replaced in the AN Final by Unai Laso. (baikopilota.eus)

August 20

Andoni Aretxabaleta: Aretxabaleta suffered a finger injury in his Torneo Bizkaia Final Pairs match on August 20. The extent of the injury and how long he may be sidelined is unknown at this time. 
Source: 21Iguales.com

August 12

Jon Mariezkurrena: Mariezkurena II missed the Torneo Villa de Zarautz due to "bad hands" suffered in a match on July 21 in Etxabarri. He returned to action in the 1st Semi-final of the Aste Nagusia Bilbao Tournament on August 21. Source: 21Iguales.com

Update: Mariezkurrena re-injured his hands during his August 21 match and was unable to play in the Semi-finals of the Donostia Hiria Torneoa on August 28. How long he will be sidelined is unknown at this time (21Iguales.com)

August 5

Jose Javier ZabaletaZabaleta missed the Andra Mari Zuria (Virgen Blanca) tournament due to a right hand injury suffered July 25 in the Semi-finals of the Bizkaia Tournament. Source: Diario Vasco. He returned to action in a pairs match at Mallabia on August 13. Source: 21Iguales.com

May 23, 2019

MIKEL URRUTIKOETXEA HAS REQUESTED OF LEP.M, AND RECEIVED PERMISSION FOR A POSTPONEMENT OF THE BURUZ/BURUKO FINAL DUE TO A HAND INJURY SUFFERED IN HIS SEMI-FINAL MATCH LAST WEEK. THE MATCH HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED, AT BILBO (BILBAO) FOR JUNE 9, 2019
Source: Diario Vasco

May 22, 2019

Joseba Ezkurdia has withdrawn from the 3rd place Buruz Buruko match due to "bad hands." It is unknown how long he will be out of action. (May 22, 2019).
Source: 21Iguales.com

February 4, 2019


Aimar Oliazola suffers serious left quadriceps tendon injury in a practice session--out 4 months Oliazola II returned to action in a 22-21 loss in with Eskiroz in a match with Bengoetxea VI-Aranguren at Zamora (added June 2, 2019) (Source: Baiko Pilota Resultados) (Added June 1, 2019)

January 18-Februar 8, 2019

Mikel Urrutikoetxea out with a left foot injury. (baikopilota)


PALA/PALA LARGA

End of June 2019

Ander LandetaLandeta has been sidelined indefinitely after a wrist operation in June of 2019. He was listed as a player in the Donostia KiroTxartela Competition (see below) but was replaced by the amateur Luzuriaga. (Source: Mundo Deportivo, August 13).

May 31, 2019

Esteban Gaubeka (d-front) missed his Jornada 6 match with a wrist injury. He was replaced by Ibarguren (making for a completely amateur team--Gaubeka's partner being Ekain Mendizabal) for their match with Dardenne*-Ibargarai. Gaubeka returned on May 8 for his Semi-final.

May 25, 2019


Pablo Hernan "Fusto" (delantero-front) missed the final two matches of the League phase of the Bizkaia Open with "back discomfort". He was replaced by Jabier Ibarguren in his Jornada 5 match (see below). He was expected to play in his team's Jornada 6 match, put pulled out at the last moment. With no replacement available the 3 joko points went to Necol-Gordon and a match was set between Necol-Arroita* (Fusto"s partner) and Garate-Gordon. Fusto returned on May 8 for his Semi-final.

Sources: Mundo Deportivo article by Joseba Fonseca and correspondence with Dan Necol. Merci beaucoup, Dan.

Other miscellaneous news:

Mammoth points addition:

Sagardoaren Txapelketa/Tourneo Sidra/Cider Tournament Semi-Final

Petretigi (Segurola-Endika) 40 Gurutzeta (Ezkurra II-Garces) 36.
2nd longest Remonte point I've seen.


April 18, 2019. Segurola-Endika (Petritegi) v Ezkurra II-Garces (Gurutzeta). 33-25--33-26 point. 29 balls in play (EITB: 1:01:05--1:02:27). An amazing point on which I counted 7 point saving plays:


Endika: 4th ball running on the apron

Garces: 5th ball going right to left

Endika: 8th ball against left wall

Ezkurra II: 15th ball against left wall

Ezkurra II: 19th ball backhand against left wall

Endika: 22nd ball on knees against left wall behind the 8 line.

Garces: 29th ball Left to right and on his knees

Endika made a simple error on the 30th ball



Longest point I've seen on a long court. I've seen one longer on a short (36 meter) court. It's listed below.


MAMMOTH POINTS BLOG PAGE: Scroll to Remonte.