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)!!!

Remonte Galarreta Star Matches--2020--December 31,2019--March 14, 2020

Remonte Player Pages at Oriamendi2010

Remonte Player Rankings at Oriamendi2010

Rankings are explained at the bottom of the rankings page:

Source for all, unless otherwise specifically stated: Oriamendi2010

For more information about these players, who also play in Euskal Jai Berri short court tournaments, see the Euskal Jai Berri match results page, on the right side of the blog.

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

Koteto Ezkurra's final match and retirment ceremony FULL VIDEO (EITB). Koteto Ezkurra, one of Remonte's all time greats, perhaps the greatest of all time, retired on Oct. 5, 2018 after 28 years and almost innumerable championships.

Diario Vasco Article

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

2019 full Oriamendi2010 recap--players' win loss records and link to full coverage of all 7 Tournaments

For selected coverage of Oriamendi Star Match and Session information from  2016-2019, see the archival Star Match Page on the right side of the blog.

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

2020 Star match and Session information

At this point I have decided to change the format of this page. Beginning with 2020, a cumulative total record will be kept for all Oriamendi2010 players. While those records are available via the Oriamendi2010 Players pages, you have to access each player separately. This will be a "one stop" address for all players, arranged by win-loss percentage within Oriamendi2010 Group and player position.

Note: as of February 27, 2020 I have added "Leader Boards" for pairs Star Matches. The highest total and runner up (of all matches thus far) will be tracked for the following variables:

+ Net Scoring (winners minus errors)--will be kept for both positions
Service aces 
Two wall winners
"Perfect" games (net scoring; 0 errors)
Source of all known scoring: Oriamendi2010 match reports.

The 2020 Season actually began on December 31, 2019

March 14

Ezkurra II-Zubiri (B-B) 40
Goikoetxea V-Aizpuru III (substituting for Endika) (B-B) 39


For more information on this match, see below under "X Sagardoaren Txapelketa"

This was Ezkurra II's 5th consecutive overall win.

2020 Star Matches: 22 matches (41 wins 41 losses) 4 singles matches 

Note: Losses added to 1 more than wins from January 4 until February 29 because of a special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) match played on January 4, 2020. As of February 29 losses and wins are now equal due to the result of special 2 (Urriza-Barrentxea IV v 3 (Juanenea-Ezkurra II-Ion) match on February 29.  
A=Group A; B=Group B; D=delantero(front); Z=zaguero (back)

1.  Larranaga (B-Z)........2-0
2.  Zubiri (B-Z)...........1-0
3.  Juanenea (B-D).........4-2 (-1)
3.  Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2 (-1)    
5.  Uterga (A-D)...........2-1 (-1)
5.  Azpiroz (B-D)..........2-1 (-1)
5.  Ezkurra II (B-D).......2-1 (+3)
8.  Ion (A-Z)..............6-4 (-2) 
9.  Urriza (A-D)...........5-4 (-2) 
10. Aldabe (B-D)...........1-1 (-2) 
10. Segurola (B-D).........1-1 (-2)  
12. Ansa II (B-D)..........3-4 (-1)  
13. Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-8 (-1) 
14. Matxin III (A-D).......1-2 (-1) 
14. Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2 (-1)  
15. Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3 (-1)  
16. Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-2 (-1) 
16. Arruarte (B-Z).........0-1 (-1)
16. Garces (B-Z)...........0-1 (-1)
16. Aizpuru III (B-Z)......0-1

Star Match Leader Board--pairs matches only--through 16 matches

Net Scoring: 

Delanteros (fronts):

Juanenea (B)  +21 (+24 -3) January 11
Uterga (A)    +21 (+23 -2) January 9
Urriza (A)    +19 (+22 -3) January 13 

Zagueros (backs)

Endika (A)     +18 (+22 -4) January 30
Barrenetxea IV +16 (+18 -2) February 27

Most service aces

Barrenetxea IV   8 January 4, February 22
Endika           8 January 9, January 16
Zubiri           8 March 14
Barrenetxea IV   7 February 13, February 15
Endika           7 January 30
Aizpuru III      7 March 14

Most two wall winners: (note: this comes from a much smaller sample).

Urriza          13 January 18
Uterga          10 February 27

"Perfect" games

Endika (Z)    (+15 -0) January 11
Ion (Z)       (+14 -0) February 6 

+++++

In other matches: 

1. Urrutia II-Arruarte (B-B) 35 
Benat-Garces (B-B) 18

3. Zeberio II-Barrenetxea IV (A-A) 40
Urriza-Larranaga (A-B) 27 (A-A 4-3; A-B 3-4)

4. Ansa II-Juanenea (B-B) 30
Matxin III-Ion (A-A) 23 (B-B 4-1; A-A 1-4)

Xabier Urburu (Juanenea) returns to action for the first time since 2016. Now Oriamendi2010 has two players with the same name. There is an Azpiroz (A) delantero and Azpiroz (B) zaguero, and Juanenea (B) in the front.


Table: 22 programs--86 matches (164 wins 164 losses) 9 singles matches; two 2 v 3 matches

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against(points per game); winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)
ST=Sagardoaren Txapelketa (3/5-5/9)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Uterga        4-2...226-207(72.2)..+1 
2. Zeberio II    6-5...386-379(69.5)..+2 (+2)
3. Matxin III    8-8...541-512(65.8)..-1 (-1)   (ST 1-0)
4. Etxarri       1-1.....66-51(58.5)..-1 (+1)
5. Urriza        6-7...453-441(68.8)..-4 (-2)   (ST 0-1)  
6. Endika*       0-1.....36-40(76.0)..-1 6
7. Azpiroz       0-1.....11-30(41.0)..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

1. Endika*        6-2...290-204(61.7)..+1 
2. Barrenetxea IV 9-9...635-617(69.6)..+2...1-E (ST 0-1)
3. Ion           8-10...576-671(69.3)..-2       (ST 1-0)
4. Agirrezabala   2-8...282-340(62.2)..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero records.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Ansa II       6-4...287-318(60.5)...+3 (+2) (ST 1-0)
2. Juanenea      9-7...564-526(68.1)...-3 (-1) (ST 0-1)
3. Segurola      8-7...465-459(61.6)...+1 (+1) (ST 1-0)
4. Goikoetxea V 10-9...548-536(57.1)...-2 (-2) (ST 0-1)
5. Aldabe        8-8...505-515(63.7)...-1      (ST 0-1)  
6. Urrutia II    7-8...445-454(59.9)...+1 
7. Ezkurra II    6-7...433-473(69.7)...+5      (ST 1-0) 
8. Barricart     2-3...127-138(53.0)...-2   
9. Benat         1-5...166-208(62.3)...-3 

Zagueros (backs)

1. Juanenea      1-0......30-23(53.0)..+1

1. Labaka       10-3....404-374(59.8)..+1 
2. Arruarte      8-6....436-397(59.5)..+1 (+2) (ST 0-1)
3. Azpiroz       9-7....560-521(67.6)..-1      (ST 1-0) 
4. Larranaga     9-7....520-530(65.6)..-1 (-2) (ST 1-0) 
5. Zaldua        3-3....209-208(69.5)..-2 (+1) 
6. Aizpuru III   4-5....261-256(57.4)..-1 (-1) (ST 0-1) 
7. Zubiri       9-11....605-641(62.3)..+1      (ST 1-0)
8. Garces       4-10....397-436(59.5)..-3      (ST 0-1)

+++++

March 12, 2020

Ansa II-Larranaga (B-B) 40
Juanenea-Garces (substituting for Agirrezabala) (B-B) 29


For more information on this match, see below under "X Sagardoaren Txapelketa"

2020 Star Matches: 21 matches (39 wins 39 losses) 4 singles matches 

Note: Losses added to 1 more than wins from January 4 until February 29 because of a special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) match played on January 4, 2020. As of February 29 losses and wins are now equal due to the result of special 2 (Urriza-Barrentxea IV v 3 (Juanenea-Ezkurra II-Ion) match on February 29.  
A=Group A; B=Group B; D=delantero(front); Z=zaguero (back)

1.  Larranaga (B-Z)........2-0
2.  Juanenea (B-D).........4-2 
2.  Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2 (+1)   
4.  Uterga (A-D)...........2-1 
4.  Azpiroz (B-D)..........2-1 
6.  Ion (A-Z)..............6-4 
7.  Urriza (A-D)...........5-4 
8.  Aldabe (B-D)...........1-1 
8.  Ezkurra II (B-D........1-1
8.  Segurola (B-D).........1-1  
11. Ansa II (B-D)..........3-4 (+1) 
12. Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-8 (-1) 
13. Matxin III (A-D).......1-2 
13. Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2   
14. Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3  
15. Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1 
15. Arruarte (B-Z).........0-1 
15. Garces (B-Z)...........0-1

Star Match Leader Board--pairs matches only--through 15 matches

Net Scoring: 

Delanteros (fronts):

Juanenea (B)  +21 (+24 -3) January 11
Uterga (A)    +21 (+23 -2) January 9
Urriza (A)    +19 (+22 -3) January 13 

Zagueros (backs)

Endika (A)     +18 (+22 -4) January 30
Barrenetxea IV +16 (+18 -2) February 27

Most service aces

Barrenetxea IV   8 January 4, February 22
Endika           8 January 9, January 16
Barrenetxea IV   7 February 13, February 15
Endika           7 January 30

Most two wall winners: (note: this comes from a much smaller sample).

Urriza          13 January 18
Uterga          10 February 27

"Perfect" games

Endika (Z)    (+15 -0) January 11
Ion (Z)       (+14 -0) February 6 

+++++

In other matches:

1. Etxarri-Labaka (A-B) 35 Urrutia II-Zubiri (B-B) 16 (A-B 11-8; B-B 8-11)

3. Ezkurra II-Barrenetxea IV (A-A) 40 Urriza-Ion (A-A) 39

The above match article also mentioned this match, which would have certainly been the "Star Match" if not for the Sagardoaren Txapelketa. It said that this was a great match in which both teams played very well, and were given an ovation as they left the concha. This was a match that "makes Remonte fans" ("Sin diuda uno de esos partidos que hacen afición").

Barrenetxea IV's 6 match losing streak came to an end.

4. Matxin III-Aizpuru III (A-B) 30 Goikoetxea V-Azpiroz (B-B) 26  (A-B 10-8; B-B 8-10)

Table: 21 programs--82 matches (156 wins 156 losses) 9 singles matches; two 2 v 3 matches

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against(points per game); winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)
ST=Sagardoaren Txapelketa (3/5-5/9)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Uterga        4-2...226-207(72.2)..+1 
2. Matxin III    8-7...518-482(66.7)..+1 (+1) (ST 1-0)
3. Urriza        6-6...426-401(68.9)..-3 (-1) 
(ST 0-1)  
4. Zeberio II    5-5...346-352(69.8)..+1  
5. Etxarri       1-1.....66-51(58.5)..-1 (+1)
6. Endika*       0-1.....36-40(76.0)..-1 (-1)
7. Azpiroz       0-1.....11-30(41.0)..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

1. Endika*        6-2...290-204(61.7)..+1 
2. Barrenetxea IV 8-9...595-590(69.7)..+1...1-E (+1) 
(ST 0-1)
3. Ion            8-9...573-641(71.4)..-1 (-1)
(ST 1-0)
4. Agirrezabala   2-8...282-340(62.2)..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero records.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Juanenea      9-7...564-526(68.1)...-3 (ST 0-1)
2. Goikoetxea V 10-8...509-496(55.8)...-1 
3. Ansa II       5-4...257-295(61.3)...+2 (+2) 

(ST 1-0)
4. Segurola      8-7...465-459(61.6)...+1 (-1) 
(ST 1-0)
5. Aldabe        8-8...505-515(63.7)...-1 (-1) 
(ST 0-1)  
6. Urrutia II    6-8...410-436(60.4)...-1 
7. Ezkurra II    5-7...393-434(68.9)...+4 (+1) 
8. Barricart     2-3...127-138(53.0)...-2 (-1)  
9. Benat         1-4...148-173(66.5)...-2 

Zagueros (backs)

1. Labaka       10-3....404-374(59.8)..+1 
2. Larranaga     9-6....493-490(65.5)..+3 (+1) (ST 1-0) 
3. Azpiroz       9-7....560-521(67.6)..-1 (-1)
(ST 1-0) 
4. Arruarte      7-6....401-379(60.0)..-1 
5. Aizpuru III   4-4....222-216(54.7)..+1 (+2) 
6. Zaldua        3-3....209-208(69.5)..-2 (-1) 
7. Zubiri       8-11....565-602(61.4)..-1 (-1)
8. Garces        4-9....379-401(60.0)..-2 (ST 0-1)

+++++

March 7, 2020

Segurola-Ion (B-A) 40
Urriza-Arruarte (A-B) 34

For more information on this match, see below under "X Sagardoaren Txapelketa"

2020 Star Matches: 20 matches (37 wins 37 losses) 4 singles matches 

Note: Losses added to 1 more than wins from January 4 until February 29 because of a special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) match played on January 4, 2020. As of February 29 losses and wins are now equal due to the result of special 2 (Urriza-Barrentxea IV v 3 (Juanenea-Ezkurra II-Ion) match on February 29.  
A=Group A; B=Group B; D=delantero(front); Z=zaguero (back)

1.  Larranaga (B-Z)........1-0
2.  Juanenea (B-D).........4-1 
3.  Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2   
4.  Uterga (A-D)...........2-1 
4.  Azpiroz (B-D)..........2-1 
6.  Ion (A-Z)..............6-4 (+1) 
7.  Urriza (A-D)...........5-4 (-1)
8.  Aldabe (B-D)...........1-1 
8.  Ezkurra II (B-D........1-1
8.  Segurola (B-D).........1-1 (+6) 
11. Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-8 (-1)
12. Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4 (-1)
13. Matxin III (A-D).......1-2 (-1)
13. Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2 (-1)  
14. Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3 (-1) 
15. Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1 (-1)
16. Arruarte (B-Z).........0-1 

Star Match Leader Board--pairs matches only--through 14 matches

Net Scoring: 

Delanteros (fronts):

Juanenea (B)  +21 (+24 -3) January 11
Uterga (A)    +21 (+23 -2) January 9
Urriza (A)    +19 (+22 -3) January 13 

Zagueros (backs)

Endika (A)     +18 (+22 -4) January 30
Barrenetxea IV +16 (+18 -2) February 27

Most service aces

Barrenetxea IV   8 January 4, February 22
Endika           8 January 9, January 16
Barrenetxea IV   7 February 13, February 15
Endika           7 January 30

Most two wall winners: (note: this comes from a much smaller sample).

Urriza          13 January 18
Uterga          10 February 27

"Perfect" games

Endika (Z)    (+15 -0) January 11
Ion (Z)       (+14 -0) February 6 

In other matches:


1. Urrutia II-Larranaga (B-B) 35

Etxarri-Garces (A-B) 31 (A-B 9-8; B-B 8-9)



Etxarri played in his first match since November 2, 2019



3. Ezkurra II-Azpiroz (B-B) 40

Matxin III-Barrenetxea IV (A-A) 37 (B-B 3-1; A-A 1-3)



This was Barrenetxea IV's 6th consecutive loss. 


4. Ansa II-Zubiri (B-B) 30
Juanenea-Aizpuru III (B-B) 24

Table: 20 programs--78 matches (148 wins 148 losses) 9 singles matches; two 2 v 3 matches

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against(points per game); winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)
ST=Sagardoaren Txapelketa (3/5-5/9)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Uterga        4-2...226-207(72.2)..+1 
2. Urriza        6-5...387-361(68.0)..-2 (ST 0-1)  
3. Matxin III    7-7...488-456(67.4)..-1 (ST 1-0) 
4. Zeberio II    5-5...346-352(69.8)..+1  
5. Endika*       0-1.....36-40(76.0)..-1
6. Etxarri       0-1.....31-35(66.0)..-1
6. Azpiroz       0-1.....11-30(41.0)..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

1. Endika*        6-2...290-204(61.7)..+1 
2. Ion            8-8...534-601(70.9)..+3 (+1) 
(ST 1-0)
3. Barrenetxea IV 7-9...555-551(69.1)..-6...1-E (-1) 
(ST 0-1)
4. Agirrezabala   2-8...282-340(62.2)..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero records.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Juanenea      9-6...535-486(68.1)...-2
2. Goikoetxea V 10-7...483-466(55.8)...+1 
3. Segurola      8-7...465-459(61.6)...+1 (+1) 
(ST 1-0)
4. Aldabe        8-8...505-515(63.7)...-1 (-1) 
(ST 0-1)  
5. Ansa II       4-4...217-266(60.4)...+1 
6. Urrutia II    6-7...394-401(61.2)...+2 
7. Barricart     2-3...127-138(53.0)...-2   
8. Ezkurra II    4-7...353-395(68.0)...+3 
9. Benat         1-4...148-173(66.5)...-2 

  Zagueros (backs)

1. Labaka        9-3....369-358(60.6)..-1 
2. Azpiroz       9-6....534-491(68.3)..+2 (+1) 
(ST 1-0) 
3. Larranaga     8-6....453-461(65.3)..+2 (+1) 
4. Arruarte      7-6....401-379(60.0)..-1 (-2)
5. Zaldua        3-3....209-208(69.5)..-2 
6. Zubiri       8-10....549-567(62.0)..+1 (+1)
7. Aizpuru III   3-4....192-190(54.6)..-2 (-1) 
8. Garces        4-8....350-361(59.3)..-1



March 5, 2020

Matxin III-Azpiroz (A-B) 40
Aldabe-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 35

For more information on this match, see below under "X Sagardoaren Txapelketa"

This was Barrenetxea IV's 5th consecutive overall loss.

2020 Star Matches: 19 matches (35 wins 35 losses) 4 singles matches 

Note: Losses added to 1 more than wins from January 4 until February 29 because of a special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) match played on January 4, 2020. As of February 29 losses and wins are now equal due to the result of special 2 (Urriza-Barrentxea IV v 3 (Juanenea-Ezkurra II-Ion) match on February 29.  
A=Group A; B=Group B; D=delantero(front); Z=zaguero (back)

1.  Larranaga (B-Z)........1-0
2.  Juanenea (B-D).........4-1 (+1)
3.  Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2 (+1)  
4.  Uterga (A-D)...........2-1 (+1)
4.  Azpiroz (B-D)..........2-1 (+5)
6.  Urriza (A-D)...........5-3 
7.  Ion (A-Z)..............5-4 
8.  Aldabe (B-D)...........1-1 (-7)
8.  Ezkurra II (B-D........1-1  
10. Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-8 
11. Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4
12. Matxin III (A-D).......1-2 (+4) 
12. Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2  
13. Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3  
14. Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1 
14. Segurola (B-D).........0-1 


Star Match Leader Board--pairs matches only--through 13 matches

Net Scoring: 

Delanteros (fronts):

Juanenea (B)  +21 (+24 -3) January 11
Uterga (A)    +21 (+23 -2) January 9
Urriza (A)    +19 (+22 -3) January 13 

Zagueros (backs)

Endika (A)     +18 (+22 -4) January 30
Barrenetxea IV +16 (+18 -2) February 27

Most service aces

Barrenetxea IV   8 January 4, February 22
Endika           8 January 9, January 16
Barrenetxea IV   7 February 13, February 15
Endika           7 January 30

Most two wall winners: (note: this comes from a much smaller sample).

Urriza          13 January 18
Uterga          10 February 27

"Perfect" games

Endika (Z)    (+15 -0) January 11
Ion (Z)       (+14 -0) February 6 

In other matches:

1. Urrutia II-Garces (B-B) 35
Benat-Labaka (B-B) 20

3. Zeberio II-Zubiri (A-B) 40
Juanenea-Zaldua (B-B) 35 (A-B 9-7; B-B 7-9)

4. Goikoetxea V-Arruarte (B-B) 30
Barricart-Aizpuru III (B-B) 27

Table: 19 programs--74 matches (140 wins 140 losses) 9 singles matches; two 2 v 3 matches

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against(points per game); winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)
ST=Sagardoaren Txapelketa (3/5-5/9

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Uterga        4-2...226-207(72.2)..+1 
2. Urriza        6-4...353-321(67.4)..-1  
3. Matxin III    7-6...451-416(66.7)..+2 (ST 1-0) 
4. Zeberio II    5-5...346-352(69.8)..+1  
5. Endika*       0-1.....36-40(76.0)..-1
6. Azpiroz       0-1.....11-30(41.0)..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

1. Endika*        6-2...290-204(61.7)..+1 
2. Barrenetxea IV 7-8...518-511(68.6)..-5...1-E 
(ST 0-1)

3. Ion            7-8...494-567(70.7)..+2 
4. Agirrezabala   2-8...282-340(62.2)..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero records.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Juanenea      9-5...511-456(69.1)...-1
2. Goikoetxea V 10-7...483-466(55.8)...+1 
3. Aldabe        8-8...505-515(63.7)...-1 (ST 0-1)  
4. Segurola      7-7...425-425(60.7)...-3  
5. Ansa II       3-4...187-242(61.3)...-1 (+1) 
6. Urrutia II    5-7...359-370(60.7)...+3 (+1)
7. Barricart     2-3...127-138(53.0)...-2 (-2)  
8. Ezkurra II    3-7...313-358(67.1)...+2 
9. Benat         1-4...148-173(66.5)...-2 

  
Zagueros (backs)

1. Labaka        9-3....369-358(60.6)..-1 
2. Arruarte      7-5....367-339(58.8)..+2 (+4)
3. Azpiroz       8-6....494-454(67.8)..+1 (+1) 
(ST 1-0) 
4. Larranaga     7-6....418-430(65.2)..+1 (+1) 
5. Zaldua        3-3....209-208(69.5)..-2 (-2)
6. Aizpuru III   3-3....168-160(54.7)..-1 (-4)  
7. Zubiri       7-10....519-543(62.5)..+1
8. Garces        4-7....319-326(58.6)..+1


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

X Sagardoaren Txapelketa/Torneo Sidra/Cider Tournament

Tournament Announcement (Oriamendi2010)
Short video (EITB via Oriamendi2010)

The 10th Sagardoaren Txapelketa begins on March 5 and ends with a Final on May 9. It is one of the longest and most grueling tournaments on the calendar. For the most part it combines Oriamendi2010 Group A and B players. There are 8 teams this year, 4 in Group A and 4 in Group B (Sagardoaren Groups). They each represent one of the Cider Houses in the area. The Tournament consists of a single round robin league. The top 2 finishers in each group will then advance to a 4 team Semi-Final League, a single round robin. The top 2 finishers of that advance to the Final. All matches are 40 point partidos. Most, if not all Sagardoaren matches will be "Star Matches" (see below).

The League Teams:

Group A

Gurutzeta: Goikoetxea V-Endika (B-A)
Larre Gain: Ezkurra II-Zubiri (B-B)
Bereziartua: Urriza-Arruarte (A-B)
Gaztanaga: Segurola-Ion (B-A)

Group B:

Petritegi: Maxtin III-Azpiroz (A-B)
Altzueta: Juanenea-Agirrezabala (B-A)
Oliaume Zar: Aldabe-Barrenetxea IV (B-A)
Setien: Ansa II-Larranaga (B-B)

Team point scoring system:

Win=4 points
36-39=2 points
32-35=1 point
26-31=0 points
25 or less=-1

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


Round 1--Week 2


March 14

Oriamendi Table

Group A Table


Gaztanaga: Segurola-Ion (1-0; +6) 4
Larre Gain: Ezkurra II-Zubiri (1-0; +1) 4
Gurutzeta: Goikoetxea V-Endika (0-1; -1) 
Bereziartua: Urriza-Arruarte (0-1; -6) 1

Group B Table

Setien: Ansa II-Larranaga (1-0; +11) 4
Petritegi: Matxin III-Azpiroz (1-0; +5) 4
Oliazume Zar: Aldabe-Barrenetxea IV (0-1; -5) 1
Altzueta: Juanenea-Agirrezabala (0-1; -11) 0

Cumulative scoring:  3 matches that have complete scoring. 4 total matches: +174 (.767) -53 (.233)

+++++

March 14

Larre Gain: Ezkurra II-Zubiri (B-B) 40
Gurutzeta: Goikoetxea V-Aizpuru III (substituting for Endika) (B-B) 39

Selected linescore: (winners always listed 1st)

14-14; 23-15; 24-20; 27-27; 30-37; 38-37; 38-38; 39-39; 40-39

=; +8; +4; =; +7; +1; =; =; +1

Runs: 9-122-7; 8-0

Scoring: 

Ezkurra II +18 -5; Zubiri +14(8a) -2(1f)
Goikoetxea V +14 -4; Aizpuru III +17(including 7 service aces) -4(including 1 service fault)
(Scores add to 40-38)

Total scoring for the match: +63 (.808) -15 (.192)


The final "Star Match" before suspension of all play at Galarreta due to the corona virus was an exciting and well played match that went to the final point. When 3 time champion Endika was replaced by Aizpuru III, it seemed that E-Z would have a big advantage. It wasn't easy, but with "red hot" Ezkurra II putting up a +13 net (+18 -5) and Zubiri racking up 8 service aces among his +14, as well  as playing superb defense with only 1 in play error,  Larre Gain was able to pull out a match they had under control, lost control of, and then produced a big run at the end to win. Ezkurra II, who returned from injury in late January and had an awful 1-7 start, won his 5th match in succession. A 9-1 run late in the 1st half of the match gave E-Z an 8 point lead. But G-A chipped away at it, equalizing at 27 with a 12-4 run (for a total of 22-7). A 10-3 run gave G-A a commanding 37-30 lead and visions of restricting E-Z to 1 or even 0 team points. E-Z were having none of that, and answered with a decisive 8-0 run to take a 38-37 lead. The teams split the last 4 points, which yielded equal scores at 38 and 39 before E-Z finally won. Aizpuru III, on short notice, had a monster offensive match, with +17 (including 7 service aces).

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

UPCOMING

THIS TOURNAMENT, ALONG WITH ALL OTHER GALARRETA MATCHES, HAS BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

+++


March 12

Group B Table

Setien: Ansa II-Larranaga (1-0; +11) 4
Petritegi: Matxin III-Azpiroz (1-0; +5) 4
Oliazume Zar: Aldbabe-Barrenetxea IV (0-1; -5) 1
Altzueta: Juanenea-Agirrezabala (0-1 -11) 0

Group A Table

Gaztanaga: Segurola-Ion (1-0; +6) 4
Bereziartua: Urriza-Arruarte (0-1; -6) 1
Gurutzeta: Goikoetxea V-Endika (0-0; 0) 0
Larre Gain: Ezkurra II-Zubiri (0-0; 0) 0

+++

Round 1--Week 2

March 12

Match preview

Setien: Ansa II-Larranaga (B-B) 40
Altzueta: Juanenea-Garces (substituting for Agirrezabala) (B-B) 29

Selected linescore:

"Even for the first 20 points" ("egualado hasta el tanto 20);  21-17; 29-20; 40-29

Partial Scoring

Ansa II winners and Juanenea errors added to 24
Juanenea winners and Ansa II errors added to 22

Larranaga +12(including 5 service aces) -2
Garces +5(2a) -4

Match article

Setien (A-L got off the mark with a big win, keeping Altzeta (J-G) off the team scoreboard. It didn't start out that easily. The match article said it was an even match up to 20, with both fronts playing aggressive Remonte ("Dieron velocidad a la pelota con su poderoso golpe"). But A-L then took over the match, finishing by outscoring their opponents 19-12. The difference was mainly in the back where Larranaga (net +10) clearly outplayed Garces (+1), accounting for 9 of the 11 points that were the margin of victory.

+++

UPCOMING:

MARCH 14

GROUP A

LARRE GAIN: EZKURRA II-ZUBIRI v 
GURUTZETA: GOIKOETXEA V-AIZPURU III 


March 7

League Table (Oriamendi2010--points only)

Round 1 Day 2

Group A Table

Gaztanaga: Segurola-Ion (1-0 +6) 4
Bereziartua: Urriza-Arruarte (0-1 -6) 1
Gurutzeta: Goikoetxea V-Endika (0-0 0) 0
Larre Gain: Ezkurra II-Zubiri (0-0 0) 0

Group B

Petritegi: Matxin III-Azpiroz (1-0 +5) 4
Oliazume Zar: Aldbabe-Barrenetxea IV (0-1, -5) 1
Altzueta: Juanenea-Agirrezabala (0-0 0) 0
Setien: Ansa II-Larranaga (0-0 0) 0

Cumulative match scoring: +55 (.733) -20 (.267)

Group A

Gaztanaga: Segurola-Ion (B-A) 40
Bereziartua: Urriza-Arruarte (A-B) 34

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

12-16; 21-25; 30-30; 31-31; 32-32; 33-33; 33-37; 34-40

Scoring:

Segurola +18 -1; Ion +11(including 2 service aces) -6
Urriza +22 -6; Arruarte +5(2a) -5

Total scoring for the match: +56 (.757) -18 (.243)


Gaztanaga put 4 points on the ledger while holding Bereziartua to only 1 as S-I broke open a close and hard fought match in the last decade with a 10-4 spurt to win going away. According to the match article, Segurola made the difference as he played an almost flawless match (1 error) while keeping Arruarte busy and Urriza idled (especially after the early part of the match). In that way he helped to "hold" Urriza to +22 and perhaps, though I can't be sure because I didn't see the match, frustrate him into a high number (by his standard) of errors. Arruarte added little offense and Ion was +6 net over him. Segurola has played some of his best remonte in this tournament during the last few years, winning it in 2016 and 2019. He seems to be primed and ready to make a run at defending his championship.

+++

March 5

League Table 

Round 1 Day 1

Group B

Petritegi: Maxtin III-Azpiroz (A-B) (1-0; +5) 4
Oliaume Zar: Aldabe-Barrenetxea IV (0-1;  -5) 1
Altzueta: Juanenea-Agirrezabala (0-0 0) 0
Setien: Ansa II-Larranaga (0-0 0) 0

Group B


Petritegi: Matxin III-Azpiroz (A-B) (1-0; +4; +5) 40
Oliaume Zar: Aldabe-Barrenetxea IV  (0-1; +1; -5) 35

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

8-20; 27-27; 34-34; 39-34; 40-35

8-20; 32-15

Scoring:

Matxin III +14 -5; Azpiroz +15(including 3 service aces) -4
Aldabe +13 -7; Barrenetxea IV +13(5a) -4

Total match scoring: +55 (.733) -20 (.267)


A-B were playing for the first time since they won 2 matches and the championship of the Azpetia Tournament in October. This time, in a match of diametrically opposed halves, things didn't go their way. The first half was all A-B as they opened a 20-8 lead. From there on it was all M-A, who clawed their way back to equality with a 19-7 run. The match was even at 34 when M-A took over with a 5 point run. At 39-35, A-B were desperate for a point that would give them 2 tournament points. But it was not to be and they had to settle for 1. How much, if any effect that has on the final league table remains to be seen. Azpiroz had an excellent match, his +12 in play and net + 11 neutalized last year's player of the year.

+++++++++++++

Individual Leader Boards (Through March 12, 2019).

Point Differential


Key: Player; (Oriamendi Group; Tournament Group); Number of matches played for which scoring is available); +=winners -=errors; (differential--winners -errors)


Delanteros (Fronts)


Segurola (B-A)       1 +18 -1 (+17)
Urriza (A-A)         1 +22 -6 (+16)
Matxin (A-B)         1 +14 -5  (+9)
Aldabe (B-B)         1 +13 -7  (+6)
Ansa II (B-B)        1 NO Data Available
Juanenea (B-B)       1 NDA 

Zagueros (Backs) 

Azpiroz (B-B)        1 +15 -4 (+11)  
Larranaga (B-B)      1 +12 -2 (+10)
Barrenetxea IV (A-B) 1 +13 -4  (+9)
Ion (A-A)            1 +11 -6  (+5)
Garces (B-B)         1  +5 -4  (+1)
Arruarte (B-A)       1  +5 -5   (0)

Service Aces

Key: Player; (Oriamendi Group; Tournament Group); Number of matches played for which scoring is available); Service aces


Barrenetxea IV (A-B) 1   5
Larranaga (B-B)      1   5
Azpiroz (B-B)        1   3
Ion     (A-A)        1   2
Arruarte (B-A)       1   2
Garces (B-B)         1   2

+++++++++++++


Previous winners (Source: Oriamendi 2010 Emaitzak/Resultados database)

Note: for all results and match articles for all previous tournaments, I will link to the results. Finals match articles will be linked to directly. To match the results to the match articles for all other matches, I will link to all match articles for that year. Simply match the articles to the result dates. It is a bit cumbersome, but, I think, the easiest way to find non-Final Tournament match stories given the structure of the Oriamendi2010 databases. All match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, are from Oriamendi2010 or the Viva El Remonte blog via Oriamendi2010. I have yet to find any tournament history in any modality covered as well and as powerfully from the standpoint of easy retrieval of information from one place, as the Oriamendi2010 website. High Cestas to all involved. Esterrik Asko.

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

2011--Juaristi-Olazar 40 Endika-Urrutia I 36 (match article) (complete match results)--(individual match articles)


2013--Matxin III-Etxeberria III 40 Jauristi-Agirrezabala 33 (match article) (video highlights 36-28--40-33) (complete  tournament match results)--(individual match articles)

2014--Etxeberria IV-Ion 40 Matxin III-Etxeberria III 34 (match article)(video highlights 36-24--39-34) (full tournament match results)--(individual match articles)


2016--Segurola-Endika 40 Uterga-Aizpuru III 38 (match article) (Full match video--EITB) (complete tournament match results)--(individual match articles) (BLOG POST--scroll to the Remonte section))



Endika has won this tournament 3 times and Segurola 2. Juaristi, Olazar, Endika and Uterga have played in 3 finals. Matxin III, Etxteberria III,  Urriza, Garces, and Segurola have played in 2 finals. Segurola-Endika are the only team who have won 2 STs.

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

==========
MARCH
==========

January-February  2020: Monthly and Cumulative leaders

Complete February 2020 Rankings: (rankings explanation is below rankings)

February Monthly Rankings Leaders 

Group A: Urriza (D) 36.60
Group B: Zaldua (D) 37.50 

Leading Monthly leaders:

Group A:

Endika (D-Z) 1 (January); Urriza (D) 1 (February) 
Highest score: Endika  37.50 (January); Urriza: 36:60 (February)

Group B: 
Juanenea (D) 1 January; Zaldua (Z) 1 February
Highest score: Zaldua 37.5 (February); Juanenea (D) 37.29 (January)

Uneven Group Match Summary: Cumulative: January-February

A-A 1-0; A-A-B 0-1
A-B-B 1-0; A-A 0-1
A-A 3-3; A-B 3-3
A-B 8-7; B-B 7-8; 
B-B 2-1; A-A 1-2
A 1-0; B 0-1

Heaviest cumulative load (January-February) (see number in parenthesis, which is the average number of total points played per game.

Group A: 

1. Uterga (D)       (6) 4-2...226-207(72.2)
2.    Ion (Z)         (15) 7-8...494-567(70.7)

Group B: 

1. Juanenea (D)   (13) 9-4...476-416(68.6)
2. Zaldua (Z)      (5) 3-2...174-168(68.4) 

Highest % of matches that are Star Matches

1. Barrenetxea IV (A-Z) 12 of 14 (.857)
2.    Urriza (A-D)          8 of 10 (.800)

+++++

February 29


Juanenea-Ezkurra II-Ion (B-B-A) 40
Urriza-Barrenetxea IV (A-A)35 (A-B-B 1-0; A-A 0-1)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

17-12; 25-17; 32-31; 33-32; 40-35

No scoring was provided, except to say that Ezkurra II had a great game in the middle, scoring many points without making an error.


February 29 was the "Day of Remonte" at Galarreta, during which player awards were given to the best overall player (Endika Barrenetxea (Zaguero-back)), the best Group A player (also Barrenetxea IV) and the best Group B player (Kemen Ansa?--Aldabe (Delantaro--front).

Barrenetxea IV broke a 6 year overall player streak by Javier Urriza. He did it by beating Urriza in the Finals of the two major Singles Tournaments, the Torneo Individual Kutxabank last September, and the Master UTS Individual last on February 8, 2020. He also won the Torneo de Azpetia (with Aldabe) last October. He was runner up (with Ansa II) in the San Fermin Tournament last July and in the Orona Campeonato Parejas (with Matxin III) held last November-December. For calendar year 2019, Barrenetxea IV had the best winning % among Group A Zagueros (46-41; 53%). He also played the most matches of anyone on the roster (87)

For calendar year 2019, Aldabe had the best record (by winning %) of anyone on the roster (38-28; 58%).

As for the match, it was the 2nd time this year the U-B took on the challenge of 3 opponents. On January 4 they defeated Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion 40-19. This time, they came up short, partly due to an excellent match in the middle by Ezkurra II, who has been struggling since his return from injury in late January (2-7). But in this match, according to the match article, he sparkled with a flawless defensive game and scored freely. The team established a solid early lead, and then survived a big U-B comeback to win.

2020 Star Matches: 18 matches (33 wins 33 losses) 4 singles matches 

Note: Losses added to 1 more than wins from January 4 until February 29 because of a special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) match played on January 4, 2020. As of February 29 losses and wins are now equal due to the result of special 2 (Urriza-Barrentxea IV v 3 (Juanenea-Ezkurra II-Ion) match on February 29.  
A=Group A; B=Group B; D=delantero(front); Z=zaguero (back)

1.  Larranaga (B-Z)........1-0
1.  Aldabe (B-D)...........1-0
3.  Juanenea (B-D).........4-1
4.  Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2 (+1) 
5.  Uterga (A-D)...........2-1 (+1)
6.  Urriza (A-D)...........5-3 (-2)
7.  Ion (A-Z)..............5-4 
8.  Ezkurra II (B-D........1-1 (+5) 
9.  Azpiroz (B-D)..........1-1 (-1)
10. Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-7 (-1)
11. Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4 (-1) 
12. Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2 (-1) 
13. Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3 (-1) 
14. Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1 (-1)
14. Segurola (B-D).........0-1 (-1)
16. Matxin III (A-D).......0-2 

Star Match Leader Board--pairs matches only--through 13 matches

Net Scoring: 

Delanteros (fronts):

Juanenea (B)  +21 (+24 -3) January 11
Uterga (A)    +21 (+23 -2) January 9
Urriza (A)    +19 (+22 -3) January 13 

Zagueros (backs)

Endika (A)     +18 (+22 -4) January 30
Barrenetxea IV +16 (+18 -2) February 27

Most service aces

Barrenetxea IV   8 January 4, February 22
Endika           8 January 9, January 16
Barrenetxea IV   7 February 13, February 15
Endika           7 January 30

Most two wall winners: (note: this comes from a much smaller sample).

Urriza          13 January 18
Uterga          10 February 27

"Perfect" games

Endika (Z)    (+15 -0) January 11
Ion (Z)       (+14 -0) February 6 

In other matches (2 only in this program).

1. Aldabe-Arruarte (B-B) 40
Goikoetxea V-Zubiri (B-B) 30

This was Zubiri's 5th consecutive defeat.

3. Matxin III-Larranaga (A-B) 40
Segurola-Azpiroz (B-B) 34 (A-B 8-7; B-B 7-8)

Table: 18 programs--70 matches (132 wins 132 losses) 9 singles matches; two 2 v 3 matches

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against(points per game); winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Uterga           4-2...226-207(72.2)..+1 (+1) 
2. Urriza           6-4...353-321(67.4)..-1 (-1) 
3. Matxin III       6-6...411-381(66.0)..+1  
4. Zeberio II       4-5...306-317(69.2)..-1  
5. Endika*          0-1.....36-40(76.0)..-1
6. Azpiroz          0-1.....11-30(41.0)..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

1. Endika*          6-2...290-204(61.7)..+1 
2. Barrenetxea IV   7-7...483-471(68.1)..-4...1-E
3. Ion              7-8...494-567(70.7)..+2
4. Agirrezabala     2-8...282-340(62.2)..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero records.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Juanenea         9-4...476-416(68.6)...+2
2. Goikoetxea V     9-7...453-439(55.7)...-1 
3. Aldabe           8-7...470-475(63.0)...+4 (+1)
4. Segurola         7-7...425-425(60.7)...-3 (-1) 
5. Barricart        2-2...100-108(52.0)...-1   
6. Ansa II          3-4...187-242(61.3)...-1 
7. Urrutia II       4-7...324-350(61.3)...+1  
8. Ezkurra II       3-7...313-358(67.1)...+2 (+1)
9. Benat            1-3...128-138(66.5)...-1 (-1)

  
Zagueros (backs)

1. Labaka            9-2....349-323(61.1)..+2 
2. Aizpuru III       3-2....141-130(54.2)..+1  
3. Zaldua            3-2....174-168(68.4)..-1 
4. Azpiroz           7-6....454-419(67.2)..-1  
5. Larranaga         7-6....418-430(65.2)..+1 
6. Arruarte          6-5....337-312(59.0)..+1 
7. Zubiri           6-10....479-508(61.7)..-4 
8. Garces            3-7....284-306(59.0)..-3

February 27

Uterga-Ion (A-A) 40
Matxin III-Barenetxea IV (A-A) 36

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

6-6; 8-8; 10-10; 16-10; 23-1430-21; 34-30; 39-36; 40-36

Scoring:

Uterga +22 (including 10 two wall winners); -7; Ion +12(including 2 service aces) -2
Matxin III +9 -4; Barrenetxea IV +18 (5a) -2(including 1 service fault)

Total Match Scoring: +61(.803) -15 (.197)


This was a match of 2 halves. After the first quarter ended 10-10, U-I, based on U's swashbuckling, risk taking play (see his two wall conversions above) took command with a 13-4 run. But from there, Barrenetxea IV, who began slowly ("empezo algo frio") "heated up" and brought his team back in the match. They cut the lead to 4 and then to 3, but could get no closer. Their 22-17 finish wasn't enough to overcome their early doldrums. Matxin III, although finishing with a +5 net, was a bit too conservative and lacked the scoring power to get his team over the line. Ion played a solid if unspectacular match in the back, finishing with +10 net, and only 2 errors. Barrenetxea IV (+16 net) put up excellent numbers in the back, but got started a bit to late. And in the end it was Uterga, who's willingness to take risks netted him 7 errors (a high number for for a Group A front), but also produced 22 winners and a well earned, hard fought victory.

2020 Star Matches: 17 matches (30 wins 31 losses) 4 singles matches 

Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 
A=Group A; B=Group B; D=delantero(front); Z=zaguero (back)

1.  Larranaga (B-Z)........1-0
1.  Aldabe (B-D)...........1-0
3.  Juanenea (B-D).........3-1
4.  Urriza (A-D)...........5-2 
5.  Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2 
6.  Uterga (A-D)...........2-1 (+1)
7.  Ion (A-Z)..............4-4 (+2) 
8.  Azpiroz (B-D)..........1-1 (-1)
9.  Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-6 (-3)
10. Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4 
11. Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2 
12. Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3 
13. Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
13. Segurola (B-D).........0-1
13. Ezkurra II (B-D........0-1
16. Matxin III (A-D).......0-2 (-3)

Star Match Leader Board--pairs matches only--through 13 matches

Net Scoring: 

Delanteros (fronts):

Juanenea (B)  +21 (+24 -3) January 11
Uterga (A)    +21 (+23 -2) January 9
Urriza (A)    +19 (+22 -3) January 13 

Zagueros (backs)

Endika (A)     +18 (+22 -4) January 30
Barrenetxea IV +16 (+18 -2) February 27

Most service aces

Barrenetxea IV   8 January 4, February 22
Endika           8 January 9, January 16
Barrenetxea IV   7 February 13, February 15
Endika           7 January 30

Most two wall winners: (note: this comes from a much smaller sample).

Urriza          13 January 18
Uterga          10 February 27

"Perfect" games

Endika (Z)    (+15 -0) January 11
Ion (Z)       (+14 -0) February 6 

In other matches:

1. Urrutia II-Labaka (B-B) 35
Benat-Zubiri (B-B) 30

3. Ezkurra II-Azpiroz (B-B) 40
Zeberio II-Larranaga (A-B) 25 (A-B 7-7; B-B 7-7)

Ezkurra II's 6 match losing streak came to an end.

4. Goikoetxea V-Aizpuru III (B-B) 30
Segurola-Arruarte (B-B) 29

Labaka (B-Z) has the best roster record (winning %) after his win today. He is 9-2. Juanenea (B-D), Endika (A-D, Z), and Urriza (A-D) are tied for 2nd (8-4, 6-3, and 6-3 respectively).  

Table: 17 programs--67 matches (125 wins 126 losses) 9 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against(points per game); winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Urriza           6-3...318-281(66.6)..+2 
2. Uterga           4-2...226-207(72.2)..+1 
3. Matxin III       5-6...371-347(65.3)..-1  
4. Zeberio II       4-5...306-317(69.2)..-1  
5. Endika*          0-1.....36-40(76.0)..-1
6. Azpiroz          0-1.....11-30(41.0)..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

1. Endika*          6-2...290-204(61.7)..+1 
2. Barrenetxea IV   7-6...448-431(67.6)..-3...1-E
3. Ion              6-8...454-532(70.4)..+1
4. Agirrezabala     2-8...282-340(62.2)..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero records.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Juanenea         8-4...436-381(68.1)...+1
2. Goikoetxea V     9-6...423-399(54.8)...+1 (+1)
3. Segurola         7-6...391-385(59.7)...-2 (-1)
4. Aldabe           7-7...430-445(62.5)...+3 
5. Barricart        2-2...100-108(52.0)...-1   
6. Ansa II          3-4...187-242(61.3)...-1 
7. Urrutia II       4-7...324-350(61.3)...+1 (+1) 
8. Benat            1-3...128-138(66.5)...-1 (-1)
9. Ezkurra II       2-7...273-323(66.2)...+1
  

Zagueros (backs)

1. Labaka           9-2....349-323(61.1)..+2 
2. Aizpuru III      3-2....141-130(54.2)..+1 (+4) 
3. Zaldua           3-2....174-168(68.4)..-1 (-1) 
4. Azpiroz          7-5....420-379(66.6)..+4 (-1) 
5. Larranaga        6-6....378-396(64.5)..-1 (-1)
6. Arruarte         5-5....297-282(57.9)..-1 (-1)
7. Zubiri           6-9....449-468(61.1)..-4 
8. Garces           3-7....284-306(59.0)..-3


+++

February 22

Urriza-Azpiroz (A-B) 40
Ezkurra II-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 36

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

3-3; 8-8; 10-10; 17-12; 20-19; 30-24; 35-32; 40-36 (=;=;=;5;1;6;3;4)

Scoring:

Urriza +18 -3; Azpiroz +11(including 3 service aces) -3
Ezkurra II +15 -10* Barrenetxea IV +14 (8a) -1(1 service fault)
Scoring adds to 40-35

*Inferred from the other scores

Total match scoring: +58(.773) -17(.227)


In their first since the UTS singles Final on February, Urriza's team had the last word with a victory over Barrenetxea IV's team. It was a "see-saw" contest, but once U-A moved ahead with a 7-2 run, E-B could never quite get back to equality. They came close, following the U-A run with a 7-3 run of their own, but that was as close as they would get. U-A followed with a 10-5 run, which E-B answered with an 8-5 run, but then U-A were able to finish by adding a single point to their lead to win by 4. The match article praised the play of Azpiroz, which it compared favorably to that of Barrenetxea IV (especially in the rally), but noted that Ezkurra II, while beginning to get back into his rhythm in his 8th match since returning January 16 from an injury that sidelined him for 4 months, is still making too many errors. He is now 1-7 in those matches.

Ezkurra II lost his 6th consecutive match overall.

2020 Star Matches: 16 matches (28 wins 29 losses) 4 singles matches 

Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

1.  Larranaga (B-Z)........1-0
1.  Aldabe (B-D)...........1-0
3.  Juanenea (B-D).........3-1
4.  Urriza (A-D)...........5-2 (+1)
5.  Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2 (-1)
6.  Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-5
7.  Uterga (A-D)...........1-1
7 . Azpiroz (B-D)..........1-1 (+5)
9.  Ion (A-Z)..............3-4 (-1)
10. Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4 (-1)
11. Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2 (-1)
12. Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3 (-1)
13. Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
13. Segurola (B-D).........0-1
13. Matxin III (A-D).......0-1
13. Ezkurra II (B-D........0-1

In other matches:

1. Matxin III-Arruarte (A-B 35)
Segurola-Zubiri (B-B) 32 (A-B 7-6; B-B 6-7)

3. Juanenea-Larranaga (B-B) 40
Uterga-Zaldua (A-B) 37 (A-B 6-6; B-B 6-6)

4. Aldabe-Labaka (B-B) 30
Goikoetxea V-Aizpuru III (B-B) 20

Table: 16 programs--63 matches (117 wins 118 losses) 9 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Urriza           6-3...318-281..+2 (+1)
2. Uterga           3-2...186-171..-1 (-1)
3. Matxin III       5-5...335-307..+1 (+1) 
4. Zeberio II       4-4...281-277..+1 (+1) 
5. Endika*          0-1.....36-40..-1
6. Azpiroz          0-1.....11-30..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

1. Endika*          6-2...290-204..+1 
2. Barrenetxea IV   7-5...412-391..-2...1-E
3. Ion              5-8...414-496..-1
4. Agirrezabala     2-8...282-340..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero records.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Juanenea         8-4...436-381...+1
2. Segurola         7-5...362-355...-1 
3. Goikoetxea V     8-6...393-370...-1 
4. Aldabe           7-7...430-445...+3 (+2) 
5. Barricart        2-2...100-108...-1 (-1)  
6. Ansa II          3-4...187-242...-1 (-1)
7. Benat            1-2....98-103...+1 
8. Urrutia II       3-7...289-320...-3  
9. Ezkurra II       1-7...233-298...-6 

Zagueros (backs)

1. Labaka           8-2....314-293..+1 
2. Zaldua           3-2....174-168..-1  
3. Azpiroz          6-5....380-354..+3 (+1) 
4. Larranaga        6-5....353-356..+2 (+1)
5. Arruarte         5-4....268-252..+2 (+1)
6. Aizpuru III      2-2....111-101..-2 (-3)   
7. Zubiri           6-8....419-433..-3 
8. Garces           3-7....284-306..-3

February 20


Iban Larranaga, a Group B Zaguero (back), who led his Group and position in matches played in 2019 (87--14 more matches than any other Z), had the 2nd best winning percentage (45-42--52%--the leader Arruarte (35-21--63%) played 31 less matches, and won the Orona Pairs Tournament with Urriza, played his first non-tournament Star Match since September 28, 2019. He played only 2 non-tournament Star matches in 2019.

Uterga-Larranaga (A-B) 40
Matxin III-Ion (A-A) 31 (A-B 3-3; A-A 3-3)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

23-22; 28-23; 34-27; 40-31

Partial scoring:

Uterga +20 -7; Larranaga +11(including 5 service aces) -?
Matxin III +? -?; Ion +6(3a) -?
M-I made 10 errors as a team
U-T's total adds to 41


Larranaga made the best of his opportunity, nearly doubling Ion's winners and combining with Uterga's +13 net score, to take over what was a very even match throughout the 1st half. A 17-9 finish helped them cruise to victory.

2020 Star Matches: 15 matches (26 wins 27 losses) 4 singles matches 

Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 (25 wins-26 losses)

Note: errors have been corrected. They had to do with one of the tables not representing the changes from the table before and a mistake in Juanenea's table (February 21, 2020

Larranaga (B-Z)........1-0
Aldabe (B-D)...........1-0
Juanenea (B-D).........3-1
Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2
Urriza (A-D)...........4-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-4
Uterga (A-D)...........1-1
Ion (A-Z)..............3-4
Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2
Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3
Azpiroz (B-D)..........0-1
Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
Segurola (B-D).........0-1
Matxin III (A-D).......0-1

In other matches:

1. Goikoetxea V (B-D(delantero-front) 30
Urrutia (B-D) 15

3. Zeberio II-Zaldua (A-B) 40
Juanenea-Labaka (B-B) 29 (A-B 6-5; B-B 5-6)

The match article also had a brief summary of this match, stressing Zeberio II's vast experience, "seriousness and very solid game" ("Con trabajo, seriedad y con un juego muy sólido estuvo mejor que Juanenea"), as a key to the victory. Juanenea (7-3) and Labaka (7-1) were a combined 14-4 going into this match and had the best records for their positions in the B group.  Zeberio II (3-4) and Zaldua (2-1) (5-5), were both in the middle of the pack for their positions. But Zeberio II, at age 45 and in his 26th year as a professional, showed exactly why he is still an "A" player.

Labaka's 5 match winning streak came to an end.

4. Aldabe-Arruarte (B-B) 30
Barricart-Zubiri (B-B) 23

Table: 15 programs--59 matches (109 wins 110 losses) 9 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Uterga           3-1...149-131..+2
2. Urriza           5-3...278-245..+1 
3. Zeberio II       4-4...281-277..+1 (+1) 
4. Matxin III       4-5...300-275..-1 (-1) 
5. Endika*          0-1.....36-40..-1
6. Azpiroz          0-1.....11-30..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

1. Endika*          6-2...290-204..+1 
2. Barrenetxea IV   7-4...376-351..-1...1-E
3. Ion              5-8...414-496..-1
4. Agirrezabala     2-8...282-340..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero record.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

1. Juanenea         7-4...396-344...-2
2. Segurola         7-4...330-320...+3 (+1)
3. Goikoetxea V     8-5...373-340...+1 (+1)
4. Barricart        2-2...100-108...-1 (-2) 
5. Ansa II          3-4...187-242...-1 
6. Aldabe           6-7...400-425...+2 
7. Benat            1-2....98-103...+1 (+1)
8. Urrutia II       3-7...289-320...-3 (-1) 
9. Ezkurra II       1-6...197-258...-5 

Zagueros (backs)

1. Labaka           7-2....284-273..-1 
2. Zaldua           3-1....137-128..+3 (+1) 
3. Aizpuru III      2-1......91-71..-1 (-1)
4. Azpiroz          5-5....340-318..+2 (+1) 
5. Larranaga        5-5....313-319..+1 (+1)
6. Arruarte         4-4....233-220..+1 (+1) 
7. Zubiri           6-7....387-398..-2 (-3)
8. Garces           3-7....284-306..-3

February 15

Urriza-Ion (A-A) 40
Juanenea-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 36
(A-B 3-3; A-A 3-3)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

4 equal scores in the 1st half of the match; 12-23; 29-29; 34-31; 34-36; 40-36

Scoring:

Urriza +23 -5; Ion +8(including 5 service aces); -2
Juanenea +14 -5; Barrenetxea IV +15 (7a) -4(including 1 service fault)

Total scoring for the match: +60 (.789) -16 (.211)

The match was even during most of the first half but J-B broke away to a 9 point lead before U-I fought back to equality at 29 with a 17-6 run. U-I continued their excellent play to take a 34-31 lead, making the entire segment of play into a 22-8 run. Seemingly, they were headed for an easy win. But suddenly J-B roared into the lead with a 6 point run of their own. And then just as suddenly, U-I won the last 6 points and the match. It was not quite as dramatic as Thursday's battle to the last point, but an excellent match nonetheless. Almost 80% of the total points were winners. Urriza put up what are "monster" numbers for most other delanteros, but that he is capable of every time he steps on the concha. All this after what the match article described a "cold" ("frio") and "offside" ("fuera de juego") 1st half for him. Ion was in poor form as J-B built their lead, but from 12-23 to 40-36, he played flawless defense, allowing Urriza to round into lethal form.

2020 Star Matches: 14 matches (24 wins 25 losses) 4 singles matches 

Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........3-1
Aldabe (B-D)...........1-0
Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2
Urriza (A-D)...........4-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-4
Ion (A-Z)..............3-3
Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2
Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3
Azpiroz (B-D)..........0-1
Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
Segurola (B-D).........0-1
Uterga (A-D)...........0-1

In other matches:

1. Benat-Labaka (B-B) 35 Urrutia II-Arruarte (B-B) 33

This was Labaka's 5th consecutive win.

3. Matxin III-Azpiroz (A-B) 40 Ezkurra II-Zubiri (B-B) 20 (A-B 5-5; B-B 5-5)

This was Ezkurra II's 5th consecutive loss.

4. Segurola (B-D--delantero--front) 30
Aizupuru III (B-Z--zaguero--back) 26

Table: 14 programs--55 matches (102 wins 103 losses) 8 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Uterga           2-1...109-100..+1
Urriza           5-3...278-245..+1 
Matxin III       4-4...269-235..+1 (+1)
Zeberio II       3-4...241-248..-1 (-1)
Endika*          0-1.....36-40..-1
Azpiroz          0-1.....11-30..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika*          6-2...290-204..+1 
Barrenetxea IV   7-4...376-351..-1...1-E
Ion              5-7...383-456..+1
Agirrezabala     2-8...282-340..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero record.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Juanenea         7-3...367-304...-1
Barricart        2-1.....77-78...+1 
Segurola         7-4...330-320...+3 
Goikoetxea V     7-5...343-325...-1  
Ansa II          3-4...187-242...-1 
Aldabe           5-7...370-402...+1 
Urrutia II       3-6...274-290...-2 
Benat            1-2....98-103...+1 (+1)
Ezkurra II       1-6...197-258...-5 (-1)

Zagueros (backs)

Labaka           7-1....255-233..+5 (+1)
Aizpuru III      2-1......91-71..-1 (-1)
Zaldua           2-1......97-99..+2 (+1)
Zubiri           6-6....364-368..-1
Azpiroz          5-5....340-318..+2 (+2)
Larranaga        4-5....273-288..-1
Arruarte         3-4....203-197..-3 (-2) 
Garces           3-7....284-306..-3

February 13

Match preview

Aldabe-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 40
Zeberio II-Ion (A-A) 39 (A-B 2-3; A-A 3-2)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

10-10; 29-20; 30-21; 32-3537-39; 40-39

Selected scoring:

Aldabe +16 -6; Barrenetxea (7 service aces)
Zeberio II +13 -4; Ion (7 service aces)


In a great match where the momentum switched back and forth, A-B had the final say, scoring the last 3 points to snatch victory from the "jaws" of defeat. At 30-21 they were in command, but Z-I roared back with a 15-2 run. A-B won 4 of then next 7 points but still trailed by 3. According to the match article, an Aldabe winner finished the match.

2020 Star Matches: 13 matches (22 wins 23 losses) 4 singles matches 


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........3-0
Aldabe (B-D)...........1-0
Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-3
Urriza (A-D)...........3-2
Ion (A-Z)..............2-3
Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2
Zeberio II (A-D).......1-3
Azpiroz (B-D)..........0-1
Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
Segurola (B-D).........0-1
Uterga (A-D)...........0-1

In other matches:

1. Labaka (B-Z (zaguero-back) 30 Urrutia II (B-D (delantero-front)) 29

3. Uterga-Zubiri (A-B) 40
Ezkurra II-Larranaga (B-B) 32 (A-B 4-5; B-B 5-4)

4. Barricart-Azpiroz (B-B) 30
Goikoetxea V-Agirrezabala (B-A) 19 (B-B 6-4; A-B 4-6)

Table: 13 programs--51 matches (95 wins 96 losses) 7 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)


Uterga           2-1...109-100..+1 (+2)
Urriza           4-3...238-209..-1 (-1) 
Zeberio II       3-4...241-248..-1 (-1)
Matxin III       3-4...229-215..-2
Endika*          0-1.....36-40..-1
Azpiroz          0-1.....11-30..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika*          6-2...290-204..+1 
Barrenetxea IV   7-3...340-311..+3...1-E
Ion              4-7...343-420..-2
Agirrezabala     2-8...282-340..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero record.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Juanenea         7-2...332-264...+2
Barricart        2-1.....77-78...+1 (+2) 
Segurola         6-4...300-294...+2 
Goikoetxea V     7-5...343-325...-1 (-2) 
Ansa II          3-4...187-242...-1 (+1) 
Aldabe           5-7...370-402...+1 (+1) 
Urrutia II       3-5...241-255...-1 (-2) 
Ezkurra II       1-5...177-218...-4
Benat            0-2.....63-70...-2

Zagueros (backs)

Aizpuru III      2-0......65-41..+2
Labaka           6-1....220-200..+4
Zaldua           2-1......97-99..+2
Zubiri           6-5....344-328..+1
Arruarte         3-3....170-162..-2 (+1)
Larranaga        4-5....273-288..-1 (-1)
Azpiroz          4-5....300-298..+1 
Garces           3-7....284-306..-3

February 8

FINAL--El Torneo Master UTS Individual


Urriza (A) 29 (EITB--match begins at 0:00)

For more information, see below under ETM UTS section


2020 Star Matches: 12 matches (20 wins 21 losses) 4 singles matches 


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........3-0
Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2
Urriza (A-D)...........3-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...4-3
Ion (A-Z)..............2-2
Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2
Zeberio II (A-D).......1-2
Azpiroz (B-D)..........0-1
Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
Segurola (B-D).........0-1
Uterga (A-D)...........0-1

In other matches:

1. Goikoetxea V-Zaldua (B-B) 35
Aldabe-Arruarte (B-B) 29

Ezkurra II-Ion 30 (B-A) 30 (EITB--match begins at 1:26:23)

Condensed linescore (winners always listed 1st) (EITB)

0-5; 1-5; 1-6; 2-6; 2-7; 4-7; 4-8; 4-9; 8-9; 8-11; 11-11; 11-12; 12-12; 12-13; 13-13; 13-15; 15-15; 15-21; 18-21; 18-22; 21-22; 21-23; 24-23; 24-24; 28-24; 28-26; 34-26; 34-27; 35-27; 35-28; 36-28; 36-29; 38-29; 38-30; 40-30
(-5; -4; -5; -4; -5; -3; -4; -5; -1; -3; =; -1; =; -1; =; -2; =; -6; -3; -4; -1; -2; +1; =; +4; +2; +8; +7; +8; +7; +8; +7; +9; +8; +10)

6 equal scores, 1 lead change.

4. Segurola-Aizpuru III (B-B) 30
Matxin III-Garces (A-B) 11 (B-B 5-3; A-B 3-5)

Table: 12 programs--47 matches: (88 wins 89 losses) 6 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

E=X El Torneo Master UTS Individual (1/23-2/8)

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Urriza           4-3...238-209..-1 (ETM-UTS 1-1)
Zeberio II       3-3...202-208..+2
Uterga           1-1.....69-68..-1
Matxin III       3-4...229-215..-2
Endika*          0-1.....36-40..-1
Azpiroz          0-1.....11-30..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika*          6-2...290-204..+1 (ETM-UTS 1-1)
Barrenetxea IV   6-3...300-272..+2...1-E(ETM-UTS 2-0)
Ion              4-6...304-380..-1
Agirrezabala     2-7...263-310..-1

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero record.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Juanenea         7-2...332-264...+2
Goikoetxea V     7-4...324-295...+3 (ETM-UTS 0-1)
Segurola         6-4...300-294...+2
Barricart        1-1.....47-59...-1
Urrutia II       3-4...212-225...+2
Ansa II          3-4...187-242...-1 (ETM-UTS 1-1)
Aldabe           4-7...330-363...-3
Ezkurra II       1-4...145-178...-3
Benat            0-2.....63-70...-2

Zagueros (backs)

Aizpuru III      2-0......65-41..+2
Labaka           5-1....190-171..+3
Zaldua           2-1......97-99..+2
Zubiri           5-5....304-296..-1
Larranaga        4-4....241-248..+1
Arruarte         3-3....170-162..-2
Azpiroz          3-5....270-279..-2 (ETM UTS 0-1)
Garces           3-7....284-306..-3

February 6

Match preview

Juanenea-Ion (B-A) 40
Uterga-Agirrezabala (A-A) 34 (A-A 3-2; A-B 2-3)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

13-5; 22-12; 32-30; 40-34

Partial scoring:

Ion +14(including 6 service aces) -0

Match article

Ion had a perfect game, which led his team to an early 8 point lead. They maintained the lead throughout, although they were challenged by a 25-19 U-A run.  But J-I then finished with an 8-4 burst to win going away.

2020 Star Matches: 11 matches (19 wins 20 losses) 3 singles matches 


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020. 

Juanenea (B-D).........3-0
Urriza (A-D)...........3-1
Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...3-3
Ion (A-Z)..............2-2
Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-2
Zeberio II (A-D).......1-2
Azpiroz (B-D)..........0-1
Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
Segurola (B-D).........0-1
Uterga (A-D)...........0-1

In other matches

1. Urrutia II-Zaldua (B-B) 35
Benat-Zubiri (B-B) 30

3. Zeberio II-Larranaga (A-B) 40
Matxin III-Azpiroz (A-B) 37

4. Segurola-Labaka (B-B) 30
Aldabe-Garces (B-B) 25

Table: 11 programs--43 matches (81 wins 82 losses) 5 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Urriza           4-2...209-179..+1 (ETM-UTS 1-0)
Matxin III       3-3...218-185..-1
Zeberio II       3-3...202-208..+2
Uterga           1-1.....69-68..-1
Endika*          0-1.....36-40..-1
Azpiroz          0-1.....11-30..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika*          5-2...250-174..-1 (ETM-UTS 1-1)
Barrenetxea IV   5-3...270-243..+1 (ETM-UTS 1-0)
Ion              4-5...274-340..+2
Agirrezabala     2-7...263-310..-1

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero record.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Juanenea         6-2...292-234...+1
Goikoetxea V     6-4...289-266...+2 (ETM-UTS 0-1)
Segurola         5-4...270-283...+1
Barricart        1-1.....47-59...-1
Urrutia II       3-4...212-225...+2
Ansa II          3-4...187-242...-1 (ETM-UTS 1-1)
Aldabe           4-6...301-328...-2
Ezkurra II       1-3...115-138...-2
Benat            0-2.....63-70...-2

Zagueros (backs)

Aizpuru III      1-0......35-30..+1
Labaka           5-1....190-171..+3
Arruarte         3-2....141-127..-1
Zubiri           5-5....304-296..-1
Larranaga        4-4....241-248..+1
Zaldua           1-1......62-70..+1
Azpiroz          3-5....270-279..-2 (ETM UTS 0-1)
Garces           3-6....273-276..-2

+++++

February 1

1st Semi-Final: El Torneo Master UTS Individual 

Barrenetxea IV (A-Z) 30
Ansa II (B-D) 25 (A 2-0; B 0-2)

For more information, see below under ETM UTS section.

2020 Star Matches: 10 matches (17 wins 18 losses) 3 singles matches 


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........2-0
Urriza (A-D)...........3-1
Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...3-3
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-1
Ansa II (B-D)..........2-4
Ion (A-Z)..............1-2
Zeberio II (A-D).......1-2
Azpiroz (B-D)..........0-1
Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
Segurola (B-D).........0-1

In other matches:

1. Goikoetxea V-Aizpuru III (B-B) 35
Aldabe-Arruarte (B-B) 30

3. 2nd Semi-Final: El Torneo Master UTS Individual 

Urriza (A-D) 30
Endika (A-Z) 28

For more information, see below under ETM UTS section.

4. Uterga-Agirrezabala (A-A) 35
Ezkurra II-Larranaga (B-B) 28 (B-B 2-1; A-A 1-2)

Uterga returned to action after being out with an injury suffered December 5, 2019.

Table: 10 programs--39 matches (73 wins 74 losses) 5  singles matches; one 2 v 3 match)

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Uterga           1-0.....35-28..+1
Urriza           4-2...209-179..+1 (ETM-UTS 1-0)
Matxin III       3-2...181-145..+1
Zeberio II       2-3...162-171..+1
Endika*          0-1.....36-40..-1
Azpiroz          0-1.....11-30..-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika*          5-2...250-174..-1 (ETM-UTS 1-1)
Barrenetxea IV   5-3...270-243..+1 (ETM-UTS 1-0)
Ion              3-5...234-306..+1
Agirrezabala     2-6...229-270..+1

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero record.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Juanenea         5-2...252-200...-1
Goikoetxea V     6-4...289-266...+2 (ETM-UTS 0-1)
Segurola         4-4...240-258...-1
Barricart        1-1.....47-59...-1
Aldabe           4-5...276-298...-1
Ansa II          3-4...187-242...-1 (ETM-UTS 1-1)
Urrutia II       2-4...177-195...+1
Ezkurra II       1-3...115-138...-2
Benat            0-1.....33-35...-1

Zagueros (backs)

Aizpuru III      1-0......35-30..+1
Labaka           4-1....160-146..+2
Arruarte         3-2....141-127..-1
Zubiri           5-4....274-261..+1
Azpiroz          3-4....233-239..-1 (ETM UTS 0-1)
Larranaga        3-4....201-211..-4
Garces           3-5....248-246..-1
Zaldua           0-1......27-40..-1

==========
FEBRUARY
==========

January Summary:

Complete January 2020 Rankings

January Monthly Rankings Leaders 

Group A: Endika (Z-D) 37.50
Group B: Juanenea (D) 37.29

Uneven Group Match Summary

A-A 1-0; A-A-B 0-1
A-A 3-1; A-B 1-3
B-B 4-3; A-B 3-4
B-B 2-0; A-A 0-2
A 1-0; B 0-1

Heaviest load: Juanenea (B-D) 7 matches; 552 points (78.86 points per match). 

January 30

Match preview

Zeberio II-Endika (A-A) 40
Segurola-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 24 (A-A 3-1; B-A 1-3)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

2-2; 5-12; 11-21; 18-29; 21-32; 24-40

Scoring:

Zeberio II +11 -2; Endika +22(including 7 service aces) -4(including 2 service faults)
Segurola +9 -2; Barrenetxea IV +9(2a) -5(1f)

Total scoring for the match: +51 (.797) -13 (.203)

Match article

Two of the Torneo Master UT Individual Semi-finalists played in today's Star Match. Barrenetxea IV was no match for Endika on this occasion. Though they do not play each other on February 1st, Endika showed why he is so dangerous, while Barrenetxea IV had a rather quiet match. Barrenetxea IV's strength is his serve, but in this match he had only 2 aces. Endika's strength, on the other hand, is his court coverage, speed, and ability to score in the rally. He is, after all, a converted delantero (front), who less than a month ago (see below, December 28 entry) played in the front. Today he scored 15 of his 22 winners in play. 22 winners for a back is, according to the match article, "una barbaridad" (barbarian, perhaps better translated as the work of  "a beast.") His scoring advantage over Barrenetxea IV was over 80% of the difference in the match score. Z-E dominated, beginning with a 9-3 run and ending with an 8-3 run. Zeberio II and Segurola both had very good matches, somewhat cancelling each other out, but no one had an answer for Endika today. It will be very interesting to see what, if any answers Urriza has on Saturday.

2020 Star Matches: 9 matches (16 wins 17 losses) 2 singles matches 


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........2-0
Urriza (A-D)...........3-1
Endika (A-D,Z).........4-2
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-1
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...2-3
Ansa II (B-D)..........2-3
Ion (A-Z)..............1-2
Zeberio II (A-D).......1-2
Azpiroz (B-D)..........0-1
Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
Segurola (B-D).........0-1

In other matches:

1. Urrutia II-Labaka (B-B) 35
Benat-Garces (B-B) 33

3. Aldabe-Ion (B-A) 40
Juanenea-Larranaga (B-B) 39 (B-B 4-3; A-B 3-4)

Juanenea's 5 match winning streak came to an end.

4. Goikoetxea V-Zubiri (B-B) 30
Barricart-Agirrezabala (B-A) 12 (B-B 4-2; A-B 2-4)

A note on my cumulative records. My cumulative records for the Calendar Year 2020 begin with the matches of December 31, 2019,  as that is the date that Oriamendi2010 switched from 2019 to 2020 cumulative win-loss records. I check my records program by program and double check them against the Oriamendi results database player by player. I have noticed discrepancies between my w-l records and Oriamendi's. So far, I have found inconsistencies between Oriamendi's individual player records on the player pages and their actual records in the Oriamendi results database. I have not found any on mine yet, but will keep searching.

Obviously, Oriamendi's records are the official records. The records I am keeping are for convenience of fans who wish to quickly access cumulative player records in the context of their Groups and Positions. Judge for yourself who's records are more accurate.

Table: 9 programs--35 matches  (67 wins; 68 losses: 3 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Matxin III       3-2...181-145..+1
Urriza           3-2...179-151..-1
Zeberio II       2-3...162-171..+1
Endika*          0-1....36-40...-1
Azpiroz          0-1....11-30...-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika*          5-1...222-144..+2 (ETM-UTS 1-0)
Barrenetxea IV   4-3...240-218..-1
Ion              3-5...234-306..+1
Agirrezabala     1-6...195-242..-2

*My record for Endika varies slightly from Oriamendi's record. They have only his Zaguero record. I have combined his Zaguero and Delantero record.

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Juanenea         5-2...252-200...-1
Goikoetxea V     5-4...254-236...+1 (ETM-UTS 0-1)
Aldabe           4-4...246-263...+1
Segurola         4-4...240-258...-1
Ansa II          3-3...162-212...+2 (ETM-UTS 1-0)
Barricart        1-1.....47-59...-1
Urrutia II       2-4...177-195...+1
Ezkurra II       1-2....87-103...-1
Benat            0-1.....33-35...-1

Zagueros (backs)

Labaka           4-1....160-146..+2
Arruarte         3-1.....111-92..+2
Zubiri           5-4....274-261..+1
Larranaga        3-3....173-176..-3
Azpiroz          3-4....233-239..-1 (ETM UTS 0-1)
Garces           3-5....248-246..-1
Zaldua           0-1......27-40..-1

January 25

2nd Quarter-final: X El Torneo Master UTS Individual 

Endika (A-Z) 30
Goikoetxea V (B-D) 14 (A 1-0; B 0-1)

For more information, see below under ETM UTS section

2020 Star Matches: 8 matches (14 wins 15 losses) 2 singles matches 


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........2-0
Urriza (A-D)...........3-1
Endika (A-D,Z).........3-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...2-2
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-1
Ansa II (B-D)..........2-3
Ion (A-Z)..............1-2
Azpiroz (B-D)..........0-1
Goikoetxea V (B-D).....0-1
Zeberio II (A-D).......0-2

In other matches: 

1. Segurola-Garces (B-B) 35
Aldabe-Zubiri (B-B) 32

3. Matxin III-Barrenetxea IV (A-A) 40
Ezkurra II-Ion (B-A) 20  (A-A 2-1; A-B 1-2)

4. Juanenea-Arruarte (B-B) 30
Azpiroz-Larranaga (A-B) 11 (B-B 3-2; A-B 2-3)

This was Juanenea's 5th consecutive win

Table: 8 programs--31 matches (59 wins; 60 losses: 3 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Matxin III       3-2...181-145..+1
Urriza           3-2...179-151..-1
Zeberio II       1-3...122-147..-1
Endika           0-1....36-40...-1
Azpiroz          0-1....11-30...-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika           4-1...182-120..+1 (ETM-UTS 1-0)
Barrenetxea IV   4-2...216-178..+3
Ion              2-5...194-267..-4
Agirrezabala     1-5...183-212..-1

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Barricart        1-0.....35-29...+1
Juanenea         5-1...213-160...+5
Segurola         4-3...216-218...+1
Goikoetxea V     4-4...224-224...-1 (ETM-UTS 0-1)
Ansa II          3-3...162-212...+2 (ETM-UTS 1-0)
Aldabe           3-4...206-224...-1
Ezkurra II       1-2....87-103...-1
Urrutia II       1-4...142-162...-4

Zagueros (backs)

Arruarte         3-1.....111-92..+2
Labaka           3-1....125-113..+1
Larranaga        3-2....134-136..-2
Zubiri           4-4....244-249..-1
Azpiroz          3-4....233-239..-1 (ETM UTS 0-1)
Garces           3-4....215-211..+1
Zaldua           0-1......27-40..-1

+++++

January 23

1st Quarter-final: X El Torneo Master UTS Individual 

Ansa II (B-D) 30 
Azpiroz (B-Z) 24 

For more information, see below under ETM UTS section

2020 Star Matches:7 matches (13 wins 14 losses) 1 singles match


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........2-0
Urriza (A-D)...........3-1
Endika (A-D,Z).........2-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...2-2
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-1
Ansa II (B-D)..........2-3
Ion (A-Z)..............1-2
Azpiroz (B-D)..........0-1
Zeberio II (A-D).......0-2

Other matches:

1. Goikoetxea V-Labaka (B-B) 30
Urrutia II-Garces (B-B) 23

3. Ezkurra II-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 40
Urriza-Larranaga (A-B) 23

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st).

15-20; 40-23

E-B steamrolled U-L with a 25-3 run that, according to the brief match article (see below with Tournament article) turned them into "ice cream" ("dejaron helados a sus rivales"). A big part of the win was the 14 service aces "dished out" by Barrenetxea IV. Ezkurra II, playing in his 2nd match since returning from an injury on January 16 (see below), was much more effective than his first, evening his record for 2020 at 2-2.

4. Juanenea-Zubiri (B-B) 30
Matxin III-Agirrezabala (A-A) 29 (B-B 2-0; A-A 0-2)

Matxin III has been involved in both the A-A losses

Table: 7 programs--27 matches (52 wins; 53 losses: 2 singles matches; one 2 v 3 match)

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Urriza           3-2...179-151..-1
Matxin III       2-2...141-125..-2
Zeberio II       1-3...122-147..-1
Endika           0-1....36-40...-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika           3-1...152-106..-1
Barrenetxea IV   3-2...176-158..+2
Ion              2-4...174-227..-3
Agirrezabala     1-5...183-212..-1

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Barricart        1-0.....35-29...+1
Juanenea         4-1...183-149...+4
Goikoetxea V     4-3...210-194...+2
Segurola         3-3...181-186...-1
Aldabe           3-3...174-189...+1
Ansa II          3-3...162-212...+2 (ETM-UTS 1-0)
Ezkurra II       1-1.....67-63...+1
Urrutia II       1-4...142-162...-4

Zagueros (backs)

Larranaga        3-1....123-106..-1
Labaka           3-1....125-113..+1
Arruarte         2-1......81-78..+1
Zubiri           4-3....212-214..+2
Azpiroz          3-4....233-239..-1 (ETM UTS 0-1)
Garces           2-4....180-179..-2
Zaldua           0-1......27-40..-1

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

X El Torneo Master UTS Individual: This tournament is the 1st of 2020 and is a seeded ladder tournament with the top 6 players from the 2019 Summer Singles Tournament. It will be played in 5 rounds beginning January 23 and ending with a final on February 8, 2020. We will follow it here and in the main blog. With the exception of one match, all will be Star matches.  For ongoing Oriamendi2010 player tables, scroll up above the double red lines. Match scores of these matches will be given there but match stories, scoring, video links, etc. will be referred back here. At the bottom of the present tournament coverage will be links to information about all of the other 9 Tournaments in this series, going back to 2010.

Oriemendi Tournamament announcement: Note that due to an injury, Ezkurra II (Group B delantero--front)) has been replaced by Goikoetxea V (Group B delantero--front).

The calendar:

Quarter-finals

January 23: (Star Match): Ansa II (B-D) v Azpiroz (B-Zaguero--back)
January 25: (Star Match): Goikoetxea V (B-D) v Endika (A-Z)

Semi-finals:

February 1: (Star Match): Barrenetxea IV (A-Z) (seeded in) v winner of January 23 Quarter Final
February 1: (Match 3): Urriza (A-D (seeded in) v winner of the January 25 Quarter Final

FINAL

February 8: (Star Match): Winners of the Semi-finals

+++++

FINAL

February 8, 2019


Match preview
Match preview (Diario Vasco)

Urriza (A-D) 29 (Z 3-2; D 2-3) 
(EITB: match begins at 0:00)

Best points (times given are the times on the EITB video) 

Point 12: 6-5--7-5 (17:21--17:53): 11 balls in play, Barrenetxea IV makes a great save and immediately returns a 2 wall winner

Point 15: 9-5--9-6 (20:37--21:33): 14 balls in play, 5 saves, the final one by Urriza, who returns a left wall shot for a winner

Point 22: 13-8--14-8 (28:55--29:19): 9 balls in play, 5 saves, Barrenetxea IV wins the point with a left wall shot

Point 28: 16-11--16-12 (36:39--36:55): 5 balls in play, Barrenetxea IV makes the save of the match with a diving apron save, but Urriza wins the point with a 2 wall shot

Point 35: 19-15--20-15 (42:54--43:19): 7 balls in play, Barrenetxea IV has 2 saves, including a rebote save. He wins the point with a 2 wall shot

Points 48-49: 25-22--25-23--25-24 (58:28--60:38): 13 and 3 balls in play: 
Pt. 48--6 saves, 3 by each player, including an apron save by Barrenetxea IV and a rebote save by Urriza. Urriza wins the point with a dejada.
Pt. 49--Urriza equals Barrenetxea IV's earlier save of the match and then immediately wins the point with a 2 wall winner from the apron.

POINTS 58-59: 29--28; 29--29; 30--39 (72:57--77:11): 15 and 4 balls in play, the two best points of the match:  
Pt. 58: 8 saves, 5 by Barrenetxea IV, including an 2 apron and 1 rebote saves; 3 by Urriza including a rebote save, Urriza wins the point with a dejada
Pt. 59: 3 saves, including a diving underhand Barrenetxea IV save that passes Urriza for the win. Urriza, in frustration, "heads" the pelota after it comes off the back wall. 

Condensed linescore (winner always listed 1st)

0-2; 1-2; 1-3; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-5; 9-5; 9-6; 11-6; 11-7; 12-7; 12-8; 15-8
15-10; 16-10; 16-12; 17-12; 17-15; 20-15; 20-17; 25-17; 25-25; 26-25; 26-26; 29-26; 29-29; 30-29

6 equal scores, 1 lead change

Scoring (my scoring, as I could find no scoring from any other source). My judgments, yours may be different.

Barrenetxea IV +26(including 8 service aces -5(including 2 service faults)
Urriza +24(7a) -4(1f)

Pasas: (1st serve over serves, server gets a second opportunity)
Barrenetxea IV 7(including 1 fault and 1 ace); Urriza 5(0 faults)

Total scoring for the match: +50 (.847) -9 (.153)

Balls in play: 231
Barrenetxea IV 116(?); Urriza 115(?)

Non error % .961

Saves: 85
Barrenetxea IV 44(including 7 rebotes); Urriza 41(7r)

Save % (saves/bip): .368

Time of the match: 71:23
Average balls per point: 3.92
Average time per point: 1:18

Match article
Feature article on Endika Barrenetxea (Mundo Deportivo)

Barrenetxea IV won this major singles Tournament by defeating Urriza by the miminum, after having defeated him 30-27 in last September's Torneo Kutxabank (singles) Final. They have now played against each other in the last 3 Tournament Finals (2 singles and the Orona Campeonato Parejas). The aggregate total of those 3 matches is Barrenetxea IV 97, Urriza 96. Barrenetxea IV has won two. They are clearly the best zaguero (back) and delantero (front) on the roster. This latest match will continue to "stoke the coals" on the argument as to who is the best Remontista in the world. 

Just as in last week's semi-final, Urriza was forced to make a comeback late in the match. In last week's match, he came back against Endika from 5-15, 7-17, and 19-25 deficits. In this match the deficits were 9-5, 15-8, and 25-17. And just like last week's match, he roared back to tie at 25, and 26 (last week it was 26 and 27). But this time he couldn't get "over the hump, with Barrenetxea IV winning 3 consecutive crucial points with dejada, two wall, and left wall winners (65:45--68:11 on the video). A left pass and left wall winner by Urriza cut the deficit to 1. Then came the last two points, one long (15 balls), one short (4) (72:57--77:11 on the video). The first was the best point of the match, with 8 saves, 5 by Barrentxea IV (3 in succession--2 crashing into the netting sandwiched around a rebote) and 3 saves (1 rebote) by Urriza. Urriza won the point with a perfectly placed dejada, just out of the reach of a sliding Barrenetxea IV, who lay on the ground in frustration (and exhaustion) for a long time. With this buildup, the final point was over in the blink of an eye. But the 4 balls included 3 saves and finished with another Urriza dejada that had just a bit too much on it, allowing Barrenetxea IV, barreling in again, to reach it as he was diving, and put enough on the underhand shot to pass his opponent. Urriza realized that Barrenetxea IV was going to get there and was running back before the winning shot was hit. But it was a perfect pass to the outside that Urriza could do nothing more than head like an association footballer, on the 2nd bounce. 

The fans seemed as exhausted as the players when it ended, and gave both a standing ovation. They knew they had just witnessed the best this modality has to offer. And if there is one Remonte match you want to see, this is definitely it.

+++++

Semi-Finals

February 1

Choosing of "material" for the matches

The article is interesting in that it hints at what each player is looking for in the pelotas that he chooses. Pelotas were between 127 (4.48 ounces)  and 130 grams (4.59 ounces). 

Match previews

1st Semi-Final (Star Match)

Barrenetxea IV (A-Z) 30
Ansa II (B-D) 25 (A 2-0; B 0-2) (Z 2-2; D 2-2)
(EITB: match begins at 0:00)

Condensed linescore (winner always listed 1st)

0-2; 1-2; 3-2; 3-5; 5-5; 5-6; 6-6; 6-7; 7-7; 7-8; 8-8; 8-10; 11-10; 11-11; 17-11; 17-12; 19-12; 19-13; 20-13; 20-14; 22-14; 22-16; 23-16; 23-17; 25-17; 25-18; 27-18; 27-25; 30-25

8 equal scores, 3 lead changes

Scoring:

EITB:

Barrenetxea IV +20(including 10 service aces, 6 deep passes); -6(including 2 faults)
Ansa II +19(6a, 4 two walls, 3dp) -10(5f)

Pasas (1st serve over serves, server gets a second opportunity)
Barrenetxea 5 (of these he had 1 fault); Ansa II 10 (of these he had 3 faults)

Total scoring for the match: +39 (.709) -16 (.291)

Oriamendi2010:

 Barrenetxea IV +24(including 10 service aces) -4(including 2 service faults)
Ansa II +21(5a) -6(5f)

Total scoring for the match: +45 (.818) -10 (.182)

Balls in Play (my count): 138

Non-error %: .928

Saves: 40
Barrenetxea IV 19; Ansa II 21(including 2 rebote saves)

Save % (saves/bip): ,290

+++++

2nd Semi-final (Match 3)

Urriza (A-D) 30
Endika (A-Z) 28 (D 2-1; Z 1-2)
(EITB: match begins at 59:04)

Best points: (times given are the times on the EITB video)

Point 11: 3-7--4-7: (1:11:12--1:11:49), 11 balls in play: Urriza 5 saves, Endika 3, including one left wall backhand save.

Point 29: 11-17--12-17: (1:30:13--1:30:39), 9 balls in play: Endika 4 saves, including a falling rebote save.

Point 36: 15-20--16-20: (1:39:20--1:40:08), 20 balls in play: Urriza 4 saves, Endika 1 save, an overhead scoop.

Point 45: 19-25--20-25: (1:51:15--1:53), 12 balls in play: 7 saves, 5 by Endika, but Urriza wins the point

Point 52: 25-26--26-26: (2:00:59--2:01:25), 7 balls in play. Urriza converts a fantastic save, one which he races to the apron and climbs into the netting for, into an immediate winner. An amazing, clutch play, given the context.

POINTS 55-58: 27-27--30-28 (2:05:07--2:08:23). Final 4 points of the match, 3 brilliant winners by Urriza (dejada, service ace, deep pass) and 1 by Endika (saves the serve pinned against the left wall and returns a 2 wall winner. What a finish.  

Condensed linescore: (winner always listed 1st)

0-2; 1-2; 1-3; 2-3; 2-7; 4-7; 4-13; 5-13; 5-15; 7-15; 7-17; 12-17; 12-18; 15-18; 15-20; 16-20; 16-23; 18-23; 18-24; 19-24; 19-25; 24-25; 24-26; 27-26; 27-27; 29-27; 29-28; 30-28

2 equal scores, 1 lead change  

Scoring (EITB): 

Urriza +23(including 5 service aces, 7 two walls, 2 dejadas, and 5 deep passes)  -9
Endika +19 (4a, 5 two walls, 2 dejadas, and 4 deep passes) -7

Pasas: (1st serve over serves, server gets a second opportunity) 
Urriza 2 (0 faults)
Endika 2 (1 fault)

Total scoring for the match: +42 (.724) -16 (.276)

Balls in play: 236
Urriza 119 (97 on the bounce, 22 in the air)
Endika 117 (80 on the bounce, 37 in the air)

Non error %: .932

Saves: 70
Urriza 26; Endika 44

Save %: (saves/bip) .297

Time: 67:23
Average balls per point: 4.07
Average time per point: 1:10

Scoring: (Oriamendi2010)

Urriza +28(including 5 service aces) -4
Endika +24(including 3 service aces) -2

Total scoring for the match: +52 (.897) -6 (.103)

Match article for both matches
Match article for both matches (Noticias de Navarra)

At the end of the day, it was determined that the winners will replay the Torneo Kutxabank Final held in September of 2019. But they had to survive terrific challenges to get there. Both matches were excellent, judging by the match statistics. In total the two matches yielded 97 winners and only 16 errors (.858 winners). 

Barrenetxea IV picked mostly heavy pelotas (see above) to make his serve as lethal as possible. 1/3 of his points came via the service ace. He also tried to keep Ansa II back as much as possible (as shown by his 6 deep pass winners). But Ansa II played an excellent all around match. He held his own in the in-play scoring. Not surprisingly, the forward (who does not normally serve) had difficulty with his service game, fatally faulting 5 times, which was much of the difference in the match. At 10-10 it was anyone's match. But the experienced Barrentxea IV went on a 12-3 run, and though Ansa II fought back with a 12-8 run of his own, it was not enough. 

The 2nd match was one of those "matches for the ages." Endika roared out to two 10 point leads (5-15; 7-17) and surely a place in the final. But there is a reason that Urriza is the best player in the world. He dug deep and clawed his way back into the match with a 19-9 run to finally equalize at 26. For the 38 year old delantero, this expenditure of energy may have been too much, especially when his opponent was 9 years his junior and a server by trade. But that is not what happened, as the last points of the linescore show. What a finish. After the score was tied at 27, Urriza got his last 3 points with a service ace, a two wall winner, and a dejada. Endika got his with a great save off the serve that he converted into a two wall winner. 

Both players were "on their game", used all their weapons, and showed the fans just how well this modality can be played at this level.

And so Urriza and Barrrenetxea IV meet in a "rematch final" in the Star Match on February 8. If this match is anything like that one was, fans should be in for a great treat. 

+++++

January 25

2nd Quarter-final

Match preview

Endika (A-Z) 30
Goikoetxea V (B-D) 14 (Z 1-1; D 1-1) (A 1-0; B 0-1) 


Selected linescore (winner always listed 1st)

6-6; 13-9; 20-12; 30-14

No match scoring was available.

Match article

After a slow start, Endika finished with a 17-5 run to win easily. He will face Urriza in the 2nd Semi-Final on February 1.

January 23

1st Quarter-final

Ansa II (B-D) 30 
Azpiroz (B-Z) 24 (D 1-0; Z 0-1)

Selected linescore: (winner always listed 1st)

9-4; 13-7; 16-10; 18-17; 20-20; 28-21; 30-24 

Scoring: 

Ansa II +25(including 6 service aces) -8*(including 4 service faults)
Azpiroz +16(4a) -5* (4f)

*=inferred from the other scores (service faults were available in the match article but not total errors, so far as I could decipher. 

Total scoring for the match: +41 (.759) -13 (.241)

Match article

Ansa II built a big early lead with a 9-4 opening run, but then a 10-4 reply by Azpiroz equalized the match at 20. Ansa II answered that with a 7-1 run to win.  He will face Barrenetxea IV in one of the semi-finals.

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

January 18


Urriza-Agirrezabala (A-A) 40
Zeberio II-Endika (A-A) 32

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

"Equality was the prevailing tone until" 24-24; 33-25; 37-29; 40-32

Scoring:

Urriza +22(including 13 two wall winners) -3; Agirrezabala +9(including 4 service aces -2
Zeberio II +15 -5; Endika +11(2a) -4
Scores add to 40-31

Total match scoring: +58 (.806) -14 (.194)

Urriza is now +62 -12 in his last 3 matches. He has won 2 of them.

Endika is now +26 -4 in his last 2 matches, and has split them.


Until 24-24, this was anyone's match. At that point U-A took control with a 9-1 run. After that, equality picked up where it left off before the run, 8-8. 13 of Urriza's +22 were two wall winners, a relatively high percentage for a power forward who likes to hit the pelota right through his opponents' cestas. But he has proved again and again that he has an all round arsenal of shots. Agirrezabala provided excellent support. Z-E also played well, but the one scoring spurt did them in.


2020 Star Matches: 6 matches (12 wins 13 losses)


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........2-0
Urriza (A-D)...........3-1
Endika (A-D,Z).........2-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...2-2
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......1-1
Ion (A-Z)..............1-2
Ansa II (B-D)..........1-3
Zeberio II (A-D).......0-2

Other matches:

1. Goikoetxea V-Arruarte (B-B) 35
Urrutia II-Labaka (B-B) 25

3. Ansa II-Azpiroz (B-B) 40
Matxin III-Ion (A-A) 32 (B-B 1-0, A-A 0-1)

In the first A-A v B-B match of the year, the B's finished with a comfortable win.

4. Aldabe-Zubiri (B-B) 30
Segurola-Garces (B-B) 28

Table: 6 programs--23 matches (45 wins; 46 losses; 1 singles match;  one 2 v 3 match)

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Urriza           3-1...156-111..+1
Matxin III       2-1...112-95...-1
Zeberio II       1-3...122-147..-1
Endika           0-1....36-40...-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika           3-1...152-106..-1
Barrenetxea IV   2-2...136-135..+1
Ion              2-4...174-227..-3
Agirrezabala     1-4...154-182..+1

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Barricart        1-0.....35-29...+1
Juanenea         3-1...153-120...+3
Goikoetxea V     3-3...180-171...+1
Segurola         3-3...181-186...-1
Aldabe           3-3...174-189...+1
Ansa II          2-3...132-188...+1
Urrutia II       1-3...119-132...-3
Ezkurra II       0-1.....27-40...-1

Zagueros (backs)

Larranaga        3-0....100-66...+3
Labaka           2-1.....95-90...-1
Arruarte         2-1.....81-78...+1
Azpiroz          3-3....209-209..+1
Zubiri           3-3....182-185..+1
Garces           2-3....157-149..-1
Zaldua           0-1.....27-40...-1

+++++

January 16


Juanenea-Endika (B-A) 40
Ansa II-Ion (B-A) 13

There was no linescore.

Partial scoring:

Juanenea +12 -1; Endika +15(including 8 service aces) -0

Ansa II-Ion combined: +12* -13*

*=Inferred from the other scores

Total match scoring: +39 (.736) -14 (.264)


Juanenea is now +35 -3 in his last two matches, and Endika (who was perfect in this match)+28 -1. According to the match article, A-I "were missing." However, when your opponents make a total of 1 error, it is easy to get lost in the glare of their brilliant performance.


2020 Star Matches: 5 matches (10 wins 11 losses)


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........2-0
Urriza (A-D)...........2-1
Endika (A-D,Z).........2-1
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...2-2
Ion (A-Z)..............1-2
Ansa II (B-D)..........1-3
Zeberio II (A-D).......0-1
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......0-1

Other matches:

1Segurola-Labaka (B-B) 35
Goikoetxea V-Zubiri (B-B) 30

3Zeberio II-Larranaga (A-B) 40
Ezkurra II-Agirrezabala (B-A) 27 

4Matxin III-Garces (A-B) 40
Aldabe-Azpirioz (B-B) 25 (A-B 2-2; B-B 2-2) 

Table: 5 programs: 19 matches (37 wins; 38 losses; 1 singles match;  one 2 v 3 match)

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Matxin III       2-0....80-55...+2
Urriza           2-1...116-79...-1
Endika           0-1....36-40...-1
Zeberio II       1-2....90-107..+1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika           3-0....120-66..+3
Barrenetxea IV   2-2...136-135..+1
Ion              2-3...142-187..-2
Agirrezabala     0-4...114-150..-4

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Barricart        1-0.....35-29...+1
Juanenea         3-1...153-120...+3
Segurola         3-2...153-156...+1
Goikoetxea V     2-3...145-146...-1
Aldabe           2-3...144-161...-3
Urrutia II       1-2.....94-97...-2
Ansa II          1-3....92-156...-3
Ezkurra II       0-1.....27-40...-1

Zagueros (backs)

Larranaga        3-0.....100-66..+3
Labaka           2-0......70-55..+2
Garces           2-2....129-119..+1
Arruarte         1-1......46-53..-1
Zubiri           2-3....152-157..-3
Azpiroz          2-3....169-177..-1
Zaldua           0-1......27-40..-1

+++++

January 11


Juanenea-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 40
Urriza-Agirrezabala (A-A) 36 (A-A 1-1; A-B 1-1)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

"multiple equalities"; 15-11; 40-36

Scoring:

Juanenea +21 -3; Barrenetxea IV+9(including 3 service aces -7*
Urriza +17 -7; Agirrezabala +9(1a) -3*

*=Inferred from the other scores

Total match scoring: +56 (.737) -20 (.263)


Urriza's 6 match winning streak came to an end, courtesy of a great match by Juanenea. The Group B front had mixed fortunes in the recently concluded Pairs Championship, including a nightmare finish in one of the matches, but he was the "Star" today. And his team needed every winner he made, as the last 50 points of the match were split evenly.


2020 Star Matches: 4 matches (8 wins 9 losses)


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion) played on January 4, 2020 

Juanenea (B-D).........1-0
Urriza (A-D)...........2-1
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...2-2
Ion (A-Z)..............1-1
Ansa II (B-D)..........1-2
Endika (A-D,Z).........1-1
Zeberio II (A-D).......0-1
Agirrezabla (A-Z)......0-1

Other matches:

1Barricart-Garces (B-B) 35
Urrutia II-Zubiri (B-B) 29

3. Matxin III-Azpiroz (A-B) 40
Segurola-Ion (B-A) 30

4. Goikoetxea V-Larranaga (B-B) 30
Aldabe-Arruarte (B-A) 16 (B-B 2-1; A-B 1-2)

Table: 4 programs--15 matches: (29 wins; 30 losses:  1 singles match; one 2 v 3 match)

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Matxin III       1-0....40-30...+1
Urriza           2-1...116-79...-1
Endika           0-1....36-40...-1
Zeberio II       0-2....50-80...-2

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika           2-0....80-53...+2
Barrenetxea IV   2-2...136-135..+1
Ion              2-2...129-147..-1
Agirrezabala     0-3....87-110..-3

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Barricart        1-0.....35-29...+1
Juanenea         2-1...113-107...+2
Goikoetxea V     2-2...115-111...+2
Aldabe           2-2...119-121...-2
Segurola         2-2...118-126...-1
Urrutia II       1-2.....94-97...-2
Ansa II          1-2....79-116...-2

Zagueros (backs)

Larranaga        2-0.....60-39...+2
Labaka           1-0.....35-25...+1
Azpiroz          2-2....144-137..+1
Zubiri           2-2....122-122..-2
Arruarte         1-1.....46-53...-1
Garces           1-2.....89-94...+1
Zaldua           0-1.....27-40...-1

+++++

January 9


Urriza-Endika (A-A) 40
Ansa II-Barrenetxea IV (B-A) 20 (A-A 1-0; A-B 0-1)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

8-8; 20-10; 31-16; 40-20

Scoring: 

Urriza +23 -2; Endika +13(including 8 service aces) -1*
Ansa II +10 -4; Barrenetxea IV +7(1a) -3
Score adds to 43-20

Total scoring for the match: +53 (.841) -10 (.159)


This was Urriza's 6th consecutive overall victory. U-E dominated the last 3/4 of the match, exactly doubling their lead in the 2nd half of the match. Not counting the 3 v 2 match last week Urriza is now +89 -9, an average of +22 +2 for the 4 matches we have statistics for.


2020 Star Matches: 3 matches (6 wins 7 losses)  


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion). 

Urriza (A-D)...........2-0
Ion (A-Z)..............1-1
Ansa II (B-D)..........1-2
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...1-2
Endika (A-D,Z).........1-1
Zeberio II (A-D).......0-1

Other matches:

1. Goikoetxea V-Labaka (B-B) 35
Urrutia II-Garces (B-B) 25

3. Juanenea-Ion (B-A) 40
Zeberio II-Azpiroz (A-B) 31

4. Segurola-Larranaga (B-B) 30
Aldabe-Zubiri (B-B) 23

Table: 3 programs-11 matches (21 wins; 22 losses):    1 singles match; one 2 v 3 match) 

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Urriza           2-0....80-39...+2
Endika           0-1....36-40...-1
Zeberio II       0-2....50-80...-2

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika           2-0....80-53...+2
Ion              2-1....99-107...+1
Barrenetxea IV   1-2....96-99...-1
Agirrezabala     0-2....51-70...-2

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Aldabe           2-1....103-91...-1
Segurola         2-1.....88-86...+2
Urrutia II       1-1.....65-62...-1
Juanenea         1-1.....73-71...+1
Goikoetxea V     1-2.....85-95...+1
Ansa II          1-2....79-116...-2

Zagueros (backs)

Arruarte         1-0.....30-23...+1
Larranaga        1-0.....30-23...+1
Labaka           1-0.....35-25...+1
Zubiri           2-1.....93-87...-1
Azpiroz          1-2....104-107..-2
Zaldua           0-1.....27-40...-1
Garces           0-2.....54-65...-2

+++++

January 4, 2020

Match preview article

Urriza-Barrenetxea IV (A-A) 40
Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion (B-A-A) 19 (A-A 1-0; B-A-A 0-1)

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

8-8; 20-10; 31-11; 37-15; 40-19

Scoring:

Urriza +15 -?; Barrenetxea IV +14(including 8 service aces) -? (-5 total)
Ansa II +5 -6; Zeberio II +6 -3; Ion +3(1a) -4*

*=Inferred from the other scores


U-B, the top delantero and zaguero on the roster, evened the score with A-Z-I, after losing a 2 v 3 match to the same team on May 4, 2019 (40-31).
The match article said that U-B were like a cyclone in this match.


2020 Star Matches: 2 matches: (4 wins 5 losses)  


Note: Losses add to 1 more than wins because of special 2 (Urriza-Barrenetxea IV) v 3 (Ansa II-Zeberio II-Ion).

Urriza (A-D)...........1-0
Ion (A-Z)..............1-1
Ansa II (B-D)..........1-1
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...1-1
Endika (A-D)...........0-1
Zeberio II (A-D).......0-1

Other matches:

1. Zubiri (B) 30 Garces (B) 29

3. Aldabe-Endika (B-A) 40
Juanenea-Azpiroz (B-B) 33 (A-B 1-1; B-B 1-1)

4. Segurola-Arruarte (B-B) 30
Goikoetxea V-Agirrezabala (B-A) 23 (B-B 1-0; A-B 0-1)

Table: 2 programs--7 matches (13 wins; 14 losses): 1 singles match; 1 2 v 3 match) 

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Urriza           1-0....40-19...+1
Endika           0-1....36-40...-1
Zeberio II       0-1....19-40...-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Endika           1-0....40-33...+1
Barrenetxea IV   1-1....76-59...+1
Ion              1-1....59-76...-1
Agirrezabala     0-2....51-70...-2

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Aldabe           2-0.....80-61...+2
Urrutia II       1-0.....40-27...+1
Ansa II          1-1.....59-76...-1
Juanenea         0-1.....33-40...-1
Segurola         1-1.....58-63...+1
Goikoetxea V     0-2.....50-70...-2

Zagueros (backs)

Zubiri           2-0.....70-57...+2
Arruarte         1-0.....30-23...+1
Azpiroz          1-1.....73-67...-1
Garces           0-1.....29-30...-1
Zaldua           0-1.....27-40...-1

+++++

December 31

Star Match:

Ansa II-Ion (B-A) 40
Endika-Barrenetxea IV (A-A) 36 (A-B 1-0; A-A 0-1)

No statistics or linescore is available



No linescore or scoring was available for this match. Endika, as he occasionally does, returned to his "roots" in this match. He began his career as a front.


2020 Star Matches: 1 match: (2 wins 2 losses)

Ion (A-Z)..............1-0
Ansa II (B-D)..........1-0
Endika (A-D)...........0-1
Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...0-1

Other matches:

1. Urrutia II-Azpiroz (B-B) 40 Goikoetxea V-Zaldua (B-B) 27

3. Aldabe-Zubiri (B-B) 40 Segurola-Agirrezabala 28 (B-A) (B-B 1-0; A-B 0-1)

There was no 4th match.

Table: 1 program--3 matches (6 wins; 6 losses)

Key: Player; wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak; Tournaments won

Group A

Delanteros (fronts)

Endika           0-1....36-40...-1

Zagueros  (backs)

Ion              1-0....40-36...+1
Barrenetxea IV   0-1....36-40...-1
Agirrezabala     0-1....28-40...-1

Group B

Delanteros (fronts)

Urrutia II       1-0.....40-27...+1
Aldabe           1-0.....40-28...+1
Ansa II          1-0.....40-36...+1
Segurola         0-1.....28-40...-1
Goikoetxea V     0-1.....27-40...-1

Zagueros (backs)

Azpiroz          1-0.....40-27...+1
Zubiri           1-0.....40-28...+1
Zaldua           0-1.....27-40...-1