In the Summer of 2023, the Jai Alai World Tour produced a series of 4 Grand Slam Tournaments (8 pairs divided into 2 groups of 4, featuring League Round Robins followed by semi-finals between the two top teams in each group, followed by a Final). Coverage at the JAWT website was sporadic at first, getting better as the summer progressed.
On November 17, the Final of the JAWT was held at Club Bilbao Deportivo, a venue with a rich history and tradition that goes back, in one iteration or another, to 1912. The match was played between the 2 pairs that accumulated the most championship points during the 2023 season.
This post will consist of:
A. Non-spoiler: a link to the players and full match video of the Final. No other information will be given
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B. Spoiler
1. Same links as in non-spoiler, with the following information: Winners, score, line scores, match statistics, match article, Google English Translation of the match article,
C. Links to complete results of each of the matches of each of the Grand Slams.
D. Links to full match videos of the FINALS of each of the Grand Slams (along with others matches, if available, from any of the Grand Slams).
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A. NON-SPOILER
JAWT FINAL (November 17, 2023)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
This match begins at the beginning of the video. Originally it was the second match of the night.
The first match of the night featured a women's match made up of contestants in last year's Women's Jai Alai Winter Series. It begins at 1:28:07 on the video.
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
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B. Spoiler
10-15, 15-13, 5-4 (30-32)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
Linescore (taken from match article--see below, Red (G-G) always listed first)
First set : 1-0, 1-1 , 2-1, 2-2 , 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 3-6, 3-7, 4-7, 4-8 , 4-9, 5-9, 6-9, 7-9, 8-9, 9-9 , 10-9, 11-9, 12-9, 13-9, 14-9, 14-10, 15 -10.
Second set: : 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 1-3, 1-4, 2-4, 3-4, 3-5, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7, 5-7, 6-7, 7-7 , 7-8 , 8-8, 8-9 , 9-9 , 9-10, 10-10 , 11-10, 11-11 , 12-11 , 12-12 , 13- 12, 13-13 , 13-14, 13-15 .
Third set : 0-1, 0-2, 1-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-3 , 4-3, 4-4, 4-5 .
Scoring (EITB)
Erkiaga +17 -8; Basque +3 -7
Goikoetxea +14 -6; G. Sorozabal +3 -4
Total Score: +37 -25 (.597)
E-B + 20; G-G errors: 10 (.667 winners)
G-G +17; E-B errors 15 (.531 winners)
Balls in Play: 418
Erkiaga: 93; Basque 114
Goikoetxea 102; G. Sorozabal 109
Non-error Percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (418 -25) /418 (.940)
Individual NEP:
Erkiaga (93 - 8) / 93 (.914); Basque (114 - 7) / 114 (.939)
Goikoetxea (102 - 6) / 102 (.941); G. Sorozabal (109 - 4) / 109 (.963)
Avg. BIP per point: 6.7
Time of the match: 70:40 (total match time, actual playing time was not provided)
Avg. time per point: 68.4 seconds.
This match begins at the beginning of the video. Originally it was the second match of the night.
Match Article (EITB, Castilian)
Google English Translation:
Erkiaga and Basque, champions of the Jai Alai World Tour
The blues started the match badly, but they managed to turn the situation around to win the txapela against Goikoetxea and Gorka (15-10, 13-15 and 4-5).
Aritz Erkiaga and Thibault Basque won this Friday in the final of the Jai Alai World Tour held at the Deportivo fronton in Bilbao after defeating Iñaki Osa Goikoetxea and Gorka Sorozabal in the last set (15-10, 13-15 and 4-5 ) . The blues started the game badly, but they managed to turn the situation around to win the txapela.
In the first goals both couples have been testing each other, but Erkiaga and Basque soon took the reins to take the lead on the scoreboard ( 3-7 ). The blues have been looking for the back of the fronton and Goiko has come into play whenever he can to help his partner.
Little by little, the reds have been putting speed on the ball and that has helped them score the goals, putting 9 even on the scoreboard. Goiko and Gorka took the lead with the 10th goal. The back front has hurt Basque in terms of errors and, with 10 consecutive goals (14-9) , Goikoetxea and Gorka have managed to take the first set ( 15-10 ).
In the second set, with the ball change, the Erkiaga-Basque couple gained strength and got back into the match, scoring the first three goals. However, the reds have continued playing their game and have tried to keep the difference as small as possible ( 4-5 ).
They tied the score at 7, and this time it was not at all clear who was going to win. One of the longest goals was the 8-all tie: more than two minutes and 38 shots. Furthermore, Basque has hurt himself , and although he has been able to continue playing, Erkiaga has had to enter the game more times than necessary to help.
It was a very disputed set, but in the end the blues prevailed and left everything for the last set.
As expected, the last few goals have also been intense. Erkiaga and Basque took the lead again, Goiko and Gorka turned the score around, but the blues dominated the final goals and won the final.
Iñaki Osa Goikoetxea's last game in Bilbao
Iñaki Osa 'Goiko', one of the best punters in history, has said goodbye to Bilbao in the final of the Jai Alai World Tour. He will leave professional ball in February of next year after a 27-year career. Therefore, the one from Zumaia has not been able to say goodbye with a victory.
The first match of the night featured a women's match made up of contestants in last year's Women's Jai Alai Winter Series. It begins at 1:28:07 on the video.
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
Linescore: (winners always listed 1st)
0-2; 2-2; 2-5; 4-5; 4-9; 8-9; 8-10; 9-10; 9-11; 11-11; 11-13; 13-13; 13-14; 14-14; 14-17; 16-17; 16-19; 22-19; 22-21; 25-21
-2; =; -3; -1; -5; -1; -2; -1; -2; =; -2; =; -1; =; -3; -1; -3; +3; +1; +4
5 equal scores, 1 lead change
Scoring (EITB)
Merino +12 -7; Watkins +4 -3
Barrenetxea +8 -7; Arakistain +3 -2
Total Score: +27 -19 (.587)
M-W +16; B-A errors 9 (.640 winners)
B-A +11 M-W errors 10 (.524 winners)
Balls in play: 215
Merino 51; Watkins 58
Barrenetxea 61; Arakstain 45
Non-error percent: (BIP - errors) / BIP (215 - 19) / 215 (.912)
Individual NEP:
Merino (51 - 7) /51 (.863); Watkins (58 - 3) / 58 (.948)
Barrenetxea (61 -7) / 61 (.885); Arakstain (45 -2) / 45 (.956)
Avg. BIP per point: 4.7
Time of the match: 39:28 (total match time, actual playing time was not provided)
Average time per point: 51.5 seconds
Unfortunately, there was no match article. But what I have seen from watching selected women's matches over the last 5 years is that the women's game is improving dramatically and exponentially. This was a terrific match.
C. Complete results from each of the Grand Slams:
4. Hondarribia (Jostaldi Fronton) (July 21-September 16, 2023)
FINAL:
INAKI GOIKOETXEA--GORKA SORZABAL (substituting for JON ZABALA) 2
JOHAN SOROZABAL (substituting for JEAN OLHARAN)--THIBAULT BASQUE 0
15-12, 15-14 (30-26)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
Linescore (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 2-2; 2-9; 4-9; 4-11; 9-11; 9-12; 15-12
-1; = -1; =; -7; -5; -7; -2; -3; +3
3 equal scores, 1 lead change
Set 2:
1-0; 1-1; 7-1; 7-4; 8-4; 8-5; 9-5; 9-6; 10-6; 10-7; 12-7; 12-8; 13-8; 13-14; 15-14
+1; =; +6; +3; +4; +3; +4; +3; +4; +3; +5; +4; +5; -1; +1
2 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Goikoetxea +10 -8; G. Sorozabal +6 -5
J. Sorozabal +8 -7; Basque +5 -7
Goikoetxea 2 aces
Total score: +29 -27 (.518)
G-GS +16 JB errors 14 (.533)
JS-B +13 G-GS errors 13 (.500)
Balls in Play: 370
Goikoetxea 98; G. Sorozabal 87
J. Sorozabal 85; Basque 100
Non-error percent (BIP - errors) / BIP: (370 -27) / 370 (.927)
Individual NEP:
Goikoetxea (98 - 8) / 98 (.918); G. Sorozabal (87 - 5) / 87 (.943)
J. Sorozabal (85 - 7) / 85 (.918); Basque (100 - 7) / 100 (.930)
Avg. BIP per point: (370 / 56) (6.6)
Time of the match: 65:49 (total match time, actual playing time was not provided)
Avg. time per point: 71.8 seconds
GOIKOETXEA SAYS GOODBYE TO HONDARRIBIA IN STYLE
Published on 09/17/2023
Goikoetxea-Gorka have been proclaimed champions of the 'Hondarribia Grand Slam', beating Johan-Basque 2-0 (15-11, 15-14) in the final.
You couldn't ask for a better ending to the summer season at the Jostaldi fronton, with the stands packed and the public enjoying the Johan/Gorka brotherly duel and seeing Goikoetxea in action on this stage for the last time.
Johan-Basque started strong and at times it seemed like a surprise could spring, but the red couple has been putting things in place, with an immaculate Goiko and an imperial Gorka.
After 15-11 in the opening set, the match was still up in the air and was tied, but Goiko knew how to wait for his moment and, when the others made a mistake, he continued playing masterfully and also leading the second set, 15 -14 and the game at his side.
Great day of basket rush at Jostaldi, with the presence of the Provincial Tourism Deputy, Azahara Domínguez; the director of Tourism of the Provincial Council, Iñigo García; the director of Sports of the Basque Government, Gorka Iturriaga; and the mayor of Hondarribia, Igor Enparan.
Complete League setup and results and of the Tournament (Jai Alai World Tour)
Other Hondarribia complete Match videos:
August 25, 2023: Day 3 League (2 matches)
15-13, 15-11 (30-24)
IBAN ETCHEBERRY (substituting for JEAN OLHARAN)--THIBAULT BASQUE 0
15-13, 15-5 (30-18)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB) in the order listed above)
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3. Gernika (Gernika) (July 15-August 12, 2023)
FINAL
JOHAN SOROZABAL (substituting for AARON GONZALEZ DE MATAUKO)--UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA (substituting for IMANOL LOPEZ) 0
15-9, 15-10 (30-19)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
Linescore (winners always listed 1st)
Set 1:
2-0; 2-3; 8-3; 8-4; 9-4; 9-6; 12-6; 12-8; 13-8; 13-9; 15-9
+2; -1; +5; +4; +5; +3; +6; +4; +5; +4; +6
1 equal score, 2 lead changes
Set 2:
5-0; 5-2; 6-2; 6-3; 9-3; 9-5; 11-5; 11-6; 14-6; 14-10; 15-10
+5; +3; +4; +3; +6; +4; +6; +5; +8; +4; +5
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
EITB provided no statistical information on this match.
Match article (Jai Alai World Tour--Castilian)
Google English Translation
ERKIAGA-DEL RIO, TOTAL SUPERIORITY IN GERNIKA!
Published on 08/13/2023
Aaron-Manzi vs Eñaut-Unda: 15-11, 15-9 in the "curtain raiser".
ERKIAGA-DEL RIO vs JOHAN-LEKERIKA: 15-9, 15-10
Aritz Erkiaga and Julen Del Rio are the new champions of the Gernika Grand Slam. It is the second title for the man from Biscay and the first for the man from Alava. Although it may seem a bit distant, they started the championship badly. Defeat against Aaron and López and some lack of communication between the two. Normal. It was the first time that Aritz and Julen played together. A month later the understanding is complete. The matches played in Gernika and those they have played together in Iparralde have helped them grease the machinery and understand each other better and better. Today they have been much superior. More than the scoreboard shows. Erkiaga has been a gale force with a very confident Del Rio behind, against the blues who have lacked, precisely, playing a few games together to reach a final together. Johan, substitute for Barandika, and Lekerika, playing for Zabala, were unable to close the final.
Fabulous atmosphere, yes, in the Jai Alai Cathedral. All the paper sold, fans in the stands and ETB cameras in action. The match got off to a lively start. Two shots from Erkiaga to start (2-0), right hand from Leke to tie (2-2) and first shot from Johan, two very forced rebound walls, to put the blues ahead on the scoreboard (2-3) It was the first and only time. The Colorados have tied at three and have already left. 7-3, two walls from Erkiaga. 8-4, Johan finishes wide. 9-5, two walls from Erkiaga, Sorozabal arrives and returns the play but in the opposite direction. The blues have gotten closer to three points (9-6) thanks to Lekerika: incredible basket, from bottom to top with his feet in the air, releases from the right, hits the ball and raises his arms asking for support from the public.
But the Colorados, dominators of the game, have continued with their roadmap. Erkiaga looks for the ball and literally breaks it wide (10-6), ends the same on the side in the txoko (13-8) and closes the serve set, this time due to Johan's mistake when entering to finish (15 -9).
In the second set there was no change of script. With the initial 5-0, Erkiaga and Del Rio left the blues cold and from then on, the blues dreamed of entering the game when the reds missed a couple of balls in a row. There was no option: 6-2, 9-3, 11-5, 14-6, 14-10 and 15-10. The Ispaster striker had room to shine in the shot and those offensive errors have been small balls of oxygen for Unai and Johan. When the score allowed it, Del Rio loosened his right hand more up and down. A play that hurts, but when it is not right, a good gift for the opponent.
Yes indeed. Surely, we would have seen another final if today's losers had played the entire tournament together.
No other matches were televised.
Note: the 2nd Semi-final was abandoned after Jean Olharan suffered a severe leg injury near the end of the first set.
FINAL:
15-11, 9-15, 5-2 (29-28)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
Linescore: (winning team always listed 1st)
Set 1:
1-0; 1-3; 4-3; 4-4; 8-4; 8-8; 9-8; 9-9; 14-9; 14-11; 15-11
+1; -2; +1; =; +4; = +1; =; +5; +3; +4
5 equal scores, 2 lead changes
Set 2:
0-3; 1-3; 1-4; 3-4; 3-5; 4-5; 4-7; 6-7; 6-9; 7-9; 7-10; 8-10; 8-13; 9-13; 9-15
-3; -2; -3; -1; -2; -1; -3; -1; -3; -2; -3; -2; -5; -4; -6
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Tie Breaker:
1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 5-2
+1; =; +1; =; +3
2 equal scores, 0 lead changes
EITB provided no statistical information.
Match article (Jai Alai World Tour, Castilian)
Google English Translation
BARANDIKA AND BASQUE, THE VICTORY OF PERSEVERANCE!
Published on 07/20/2023
BARANDIKA-BASQUE vs ERKIAGA-IBARLUZEA: 15-11, 9-15, 5-2
Erika-Maddi vs Lur-Arai: 8-15, 8-15
Goikoetxea has received a warm tribute and on behalf of the town of Markina, "Txino" Bengoa and the City Council have presented him with an award.
3,500 fans joined this year's Grand Slam. Markina-Xemei has 5,000 inhabitants and a front of almost 1,000 people (including Labrite de Iruñe). Today it is packed to the brim and tickets have been sold out for a long time.
Xabi Barandika and Thibault Basque have won the Markina-Xemein Grand Slam. From the beginning they have been the "silent favorites" of this tournament. They were the favorites of many fans since the day they were presented, but they have been "lucky" not to carry that label. In the remaining five pairs there has been a player from the town. They have had the honor of playing at home, but also the pressure. Xabi and Thibault, with little pressure, progressed game after game and in the end they were the ones who took the victory.
The match was well designed by the winners. Removing Erkiaga from the game. As far as possible, let the Ispaster pass over it, so that it does not bounce too much. The reds have started well, charging back. Erkiaga reached the break 8-4 without having many chances. On the rebound and very forced, he made the most notable fall, thrown to the ground with force. But the party is not broken. Ibarluzea held on, Aritz began to finish from the ribs and they tied 8-8 and 9-9. Barandika broke the tie, finishing off the rest of the serve (10-9) and from there they went almost directly to fifteen (15-11).
But in the second game things have changed a lot. When the material is heated, the chances of Erkiaga increase. The Blues are now ahead 4-7. The Basques also made quite a few mistakes in today's regatta. He stood on the right in that position, although he dominated the rebound well. The Reds have gone a little further up, but at 6-7 Ispaster's team has stood up. Of the eight paintings, he left a delicious delicacy on the plate. dead The ball has barely bounced. Otherwise Barandika was there! 9-15 the set ends with some nice walls from Erkiaga. Disappointment
The final round of five points has started with a goal. Then a nice goal with a rebound from Barandika (2-1). Xabi's rebound is a huge offensive weapon. And Erkiaga also responded with rebounds, but with setbacks (2-2). The blues did not score any more goals, even Barandika made it 3-2 at the end of the throw-in. 4-2 Basques, behind. And 5-2 was the shot that Aritz threw out. He had to vomit and almost fell.
To round off the beautiful day, tribute was paid to Iñaki Osa Goikoetxea. He did not reach the final of the tournament and watched the match as an audience. The great Juan Mari Bengoa and the municipal councilor Mari Eli Ituarte gave him the work of art to express the gratitude of the entire town.
It is a great thing for a town of 5,000 inhabitants to have a stadium where 1,000 people enter. It is the same capacity as Labrite in Pamplona, but in a much smaller town. The Grand Slam was organized for the first time last year and in this year's edition around 3,500 fans gathered at the University. There is something! Let the serum continue!
FINAL
ERIK MENDIZABAL--JULEN DEL RIO (substituting for UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA) 0
15-9, 15-8 (30-17)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
Linescore (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
7-0; 7-2; 11-2; 11-7; 13-7; 13-9; 15-9
+7; +5; +9; +4; +6; +4; +6
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
0-1; 3-1; 3-2; 5-2; 5-3; 8-3; 8-7; 9-7; 9-8; 15-8
-1; +2; +1; +3; +2; +5; +1; +2; +1; +7
1 equal score, 1 lead change
EITB provided no statistical information.
Match article (El Coreo, Castilian)
Google English Translation
Goikoetxea and Gorka win the Grand Slam of basket tip in San Sebastián
Erik and Del Río, a last-minute substitute for Lekerika after the muscular problem he suffered in his right arm on Friday night in Markina, prevailed (2-0)
John Paul Martin
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 10:00 p.m.
Goikoetxea and Gorka are the new champions of the San Sebastián basket-tipping Grand Slam, the first event on the Jai Alai World Tour circuit. The player from Zumaia and the French Basque defeated Erik and Del Río, a last-minute substitute for Lekerika, who on Friday night suffered a muscle problem on his right arm in the game that He played in Markina.
The winners have dominated both sets with authority. They have taken the first (15-9) after a much more solid start than their rivals. They have had the situation under control against a combination that was playing together for the first time. They have commanded in the luminous 11-2 and, although their opponents have tried to react, their efforts have fallen on deaf ears. In the second they have also immediately opened an important gap that has allowed them to remain calm and win the tournament (15-8).
Other Donostia Full Match Videos
1st Semi-Final: June 3, 2023
15-10, 15-11 (30-21)
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)
Linescore (match winner always listed 1st)
Set 1:
2-0; 2-1; 5-1; 5-2; 9-2; 9-4; 10-4; 10-6; 12-6; 12-9; 14-9; 14-10; 15-10
+2; +1; +4; +3; +7; +5; +6; +4; +6; +3; +5; +4; +5
0 equal scores, 0 lead changes
Set 2:
1-0; 1-1; 3-1; 3-4; 7-4; 7-5; 8-5; 8-6; 9-6; 9-11; 15-11
+1; =; +2; -1; +3; +2; +3; +2; +3; -2; +4
3 equal scores, 4 lead changes
Scoring (EITB)
Mendizabal +13 -5; Lekerikabeaskoa +10 -1
Barandika +6 -5; Zabala +9 -2
Total Score: +38 -13 (.745)
M-L +23 B-Z errors 7 (.766 winners)
B-Z +15 M-L errors 6 (.714 winners)
Balls in Play: 416
Erik 99; Lekerikabeaskoa 112
Barandika 92; Zabala 113
Non-error percent (BIP - errors) / BIP (416 - 13) / 416 (.969)
Individual NEP:
Erik (99 - 5) / 99 (.949); Lekerikabeaskoa (112 - 1) / 112 (.991)
Barandika (92 - 5) / 92 (.946); Zabala (113 - 2) / 113 (.982)
Avg. balls per point: 8.2
Time of the match (total match time, actual playing time was not provided):
65:19
Avg. time per point: 76.8 seconds
Match article (Jai Alai World Tour, Castilian)
Google English Translate
ERIK-LEKERIKA, TO THE DONOSTIA FINAL
Published on 06/05/2023
Erik-Lekerika have qualified for the final of the 'Grand Slam Donostia 2023' after having defeated Barandika-Zabala 2-0 (15-10 and 15-11) in the semifinal this afternoon .
It is the third victory in this tournament for Erik-Lekerika, who came with two victories in two league games. Erik Mendizabal played at a high level in the first set and in the second Barandika took over, leading the blues ahead. However, Lekerika came to the rescue and the match ended 2-0.
Carmelo Balda's day began with the match between Basterra-Basque and Víctor-Bailo, with a victory for the latter by 25-23.
Next Saturday at 11:00, framed in the events that accompany the semi-finals of the Top-14 rugby in Anoeta, the second semi-final will be played, between Goiko-Gorka (first in group A) and Johan-López (second in B) . The final is scheduled for June 17.
