BIARRITZ SLAM (GANT D'OR)
SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ (DONIBANE LOHIZUNE) SLAM
PAU CUP SLAM
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This post will keep you up to date on links to full match video scores, scoring, statistics, and match articles (when available). It will run with a no spoiler section at the top, with only the match-ups and video links. Following those, there will be a multiple === barrier. Below that will be the match score, line scores, statistics, and match articles (if and when available). For facebook videos, I will provide complete scoring (my own). For Youtube videos, which are commercial quality I will copy out statistics provided by Canal +, EITB, or CPPT sources.
NO SPOILER SECTION
WEDNESDAY, 8/23/23: BIARRITZ (GANT D'OR)--FINAL
INAKI GOIKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ v JOHAN SOROZABAL--GORKA SOROZABAL
FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB--BASQUE)
ADDED 2ND MATCH VIDEO 8/25/23
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MONDAY, 8/21/23: BIARRITZ (GANT D'OR)--ONLY SEMI FINAL
ARITZ ERKIAGA--DAVID MINVIELLE (RED) v JOHAN SOROZABAL--GORKA SOROZABAL (GREEN)
Note: You do not have to be a Facebook user to watch this match. Simply x out the request for your Facebook information. This is not a commercial video, but is a good quality video.
SPOILER SECTION BELOW
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SPOILERS
WEDNESDAY: 8/23/23: BIARRITZ (GANT D'OR FINAL)
INAKI GOIKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ 2
JOHAN SOROZABAL--GORKA SOROZABAL 1
10-15, 15-5, 5-4 (30-24)
INAKI GOIKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ WIN THE 47TH GANT D'OR (GOLDEN GLOVE)
Note: a crowd of around 1,700 watched this match, played in blistering heat (note the extensive fanning in the crowd). The crowd was backing the Sorozabal brothers, who played their club cesta punta at Biarritz. The brothers were, in total, 43 years old. As old as Goikoetxea, who is making his farewell tour before retiring at the end of the year. Lopez, at 39, who dominated the backs in the Summer League--scoring 27 points in league play, 7 more than his nearest competitor--gave this match the look and feel of a possible "changing of the guard." But it didn't change, not on this night.
After looking quite rusty in a first set 10-15 loss, the two veterans came out in the second set and opened with a 36 ball point, by far the longest of the match. They had to dig deep to keep the point going, and when they finally won it, the complexion of the match changed. They led 4-1, 8-3, 9-4, and finished it off 15-5. Johan tried to stem the tide, intercepting Goiko's serve 5 times. He had one immediate kill to show for it, but twice (3-1--4-1) and 7-3--8-3), Goiko picked off the two wall winner attempt and replied with a winner of his own. The veterans took advantage of their opponents' inexperience and struck quickly, with 6 of their last 14 points lasting less than 5 balls, and 7 lasting 5-9.
The tie breaker crackled with excitement from beginning to end. While there were no equal scores or lead changes in the first two sets, it featured 4 equal scores and 1 lead change. When Johan produced a winner with his team down 4-3 (Goiko had uncharacteristically fouled at 3-2, letting the youngsters back in the match), the Sorozabals had forced the old veterans into a one point partido. 6 balls later it was over, as Gorka couldn't handle a difficult catch along the left wall.
The all time "Hall of Famers" had survived, just barely. But the youngsters (21 and 22 years old and set to represent the United States in the upcoming Basque Pelota World Cup) gave them all they could handle and then some.
Line Scores (winning team always listed 1st)
SET 1
0-2; 1-2; 1-5; 3-5; 3-8; 6-8; 6-10; 8-10; 8-13; 10-13; 10-15
-2; -1; -4; -2; -5; -2; -4; -2; -5; -3; -5
0 EQUAL SCORES, 0 LEAD CHANGES
SET 2
2-0; 2-1; 4-1; 4-3; 8-3; 8-4; 14-4; 14-5; 15-5
+2; +1; +3; +1; +5; +4; +10; +9; +10
0 EQUAL SCORES, 0 LEAD CHANGES
TIE BREAKER
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 3-2; 3-3; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4
-1; =; -1; +1; =; +1; =; +1
4 EQUAL SCORES, 1 LEAD CHANGE
SCORING (1ST 2 SETS CUMULATIVE--FRANCE TV)
GOIKOETXEA +9 -4; LOPEZ +2 -6
J SOROZABAL +5 -7; G SOROZABAL +3 -6
NOTE: FTV scoring adds to +24 -18. The actual score after 2 sets was 25-20.
TIE BREAKER--MY SCORING, YOURS MAY BE DIFFERENT
t=throwing error
c=catching error
f=service fault (under serve)
Point #; Server; Balls in Play; GL JG; +/-
1 J 11 0 1 J +
2 J 4 1 1 Lo +
3 Goi 4 1 2 Lo - (t)
4 J 6 2 2 Gor - (c)
5 Goi 5 3 2 Goi +
6 Goi 0 3 3 Goi - (f)
7 J 20 4 3 Gor - (t)
8 Goi 4 4 4 J +
9 J 6 5 4 Gor - (c)
GOIKOTXEA +1 -1(fault); LOPEZ +1 -1(throwing)
J SOROZABAL +2 -0; G SOROZABAL +0 -3 (2 catching, 1 throwing)
FOR THE MATCH:
PASAS (OVER SERVES, 5 ALLOWED WITHOUT PENALTY):
GOIKOETXEA 2; J SOROZABAL 5
SERVE INTERCEPTS:
J SOROZABAL 7 (1 immediate kill, 1 error, 3 had no immediate effect, 2 were caught and the point immediately killed)
GOIKOETXEA 3(0 immediate kills, 0 errors, 3 had no immediate effect)
TOTAL MATCH SCORING: (Earned points---[+]winners) Unearned points--[-] opponents errors) (note: this is total match scoreing for 51 known points. The match had 54 points (see above).
GL +13 -16=29
JG +10 -12=22
Total Match Score (51 points)
+23 -28 (.451)
BALLS IN PLAY: 391
NON-ERROR PERCENT (BALLS IN PLAY - KNOWN ERRORS) / BALLS IN PLAY
(391 - 28) / 391 (.928)
AVERAGE BALLS PER POINT: 7.2
BIP / POINTS
0-4 / 22
5-9 / 19
10-14 / 8
15-19 / 2
20-24 / 2
36 / 1
KNOWN TIME OUTS: 3
KNOWN BALL CHANGES: GL 1, JG 1
GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION
TOP HOUSE AND LOPEZ...FOR A DROP!GOIKOETXEA-LOPEZ vs SOROZABAL BROTHERS: 10-15, 15-5, 5-4
In the second tournament of the JAI ALAI LEAGUE, the people of Zumaia are victorious.The Winter Series was won by Beaskoetxea and Lopez. The St. John's International and the Pau Cup are missing before going to the final stage. We said that this year's Golden Xistera final (the 47th in its history) was full of symbolism, in the pre-match analyses. It was the final that symbolizes the change of generation and era. Also, at the tip of the basket, an example of the new balance between North and South. An unusual finale, because none of the four protagonists are at their "best". Goikoetxea and Lopez belong to the generation that has started to give up the ball (Imanol still has it and has no opponent), and the Sorozabal brothers are still there to do it. With such a difference in age (21-22 years for the Lapur people, 43-39 for the Gipuzkoans) it is a miracle that these four players have coincided in a grand final. Luck, and the quality of the players, have made it possible for these two generations to meet in a grand final. For Goikoetxea, it will be his third and last Golden Xistera. Imanol has a wider track record in Biarritz and would like to continue to increase it. Young people have just started playing ball. This is Johan's second season and Gorka's first.
Before the game, Goiko and Lopez were the main favorites. The youngsters still lack experience, but they played at home, with all the public on their side, and the characteristics of the court could change with the high heat and humidity. Young people have started better. It's colder in the mountains. At the time they were 3-8 behind the scoreboard. After the break, they tried to turn the situation around, they went even to 6 and 8, but Johan and Gorka controlled the set at all times. 15-10 first for the thieves.
In the second game we saw the reds more intense. Goikoetxea started the set by finishing and were ahead 5-1 and 8-3. The first two points after the break were also for Zumaia, and against this, Johan and Gorka measured their strength and efforts, thinking about the third set. Gorka has tried to shorten the points, Johan has also entered some difficult serves and Iñaki and Imanol have dominated the second game with a score of 15-5.
In the tie breaker, Johan scored the first goal. Then 1-1. In the next shot, Lopez pumped the ball up and threw it to the top of the rebound (1-2). They then tied the two, 3-2 in front of Zuma, 3-3 in Biarritz, 4-3 in front of Gipuzkoa, 4-4 and in the last point Imanol Lopez took control. From the rest of the serve, he started playing with his right hand, he gave all the balls a great speed and also the right direction, positioning himself in the middle of the two opponents with great intent, until he made the ball impossible for Gorka. 5-4 and the hat goes to Zumaira.
You may never see this match (Goiko-Lopez vs Sorozabal brothers) again, but at least it was played once. This was witnessed by the 1,700 fans of the Euskal Jai stadium. Everyone stood up and started clapping as soon as the game ended. It was a farewell game because Goikoetxea is going. And also the most welcome. If things go normally, because we will see the ball players, the niece of the painter Ana Mari Sorozabal from Donostia, play and win several finals in the coming years.
JAI ALAI LEAGUEThis was the second tournament in the Jai Alai League circuit.
Gernika Winter Series:
Biarritz Golden Xistera:
St. John's International:Johan-Lopez in the final.
Second semi-final today: Erkiaga-Gorka vs Goikoetxea-Minvielle
Pau Cup:Finals to play. Johan-Minvielle vs Laduche Gorka (tomorrow)
Erkiaga-Del Rio vs Goikoetxea-Lopez (September 1)
Final: September 7
Durango:
The final stage of the Jai Alai League, in October.
++++++++++++++++++
MONDAY: 8/21/23: BIARRITZ (GANT D'OR ONLY SEMI-FINAL)
JOHAN SOROZABAL--GORKA SOROZABAL 2
ARITZ ERKIAGA--DAVID MINVIELLE 1
12-15, 15-8, 5-2 (32-25)
Note: the match turned on two controversial calls in the 2nd set. At 6-7, Aritz Erkiaga was charged with juggling (pumpa) on a short kill shot. As Biarritz has no replay review, the call stood. Instead of 6-8 the score was 7-7. The decision effected Aritz' play for the rest of the match. At 10-8, there was a no call on a Gorka Sorozabal touch that broke David Minvielle's concentration, with EM losing the point. Instead of a possible 10-9, the score was 11-8 and JG then ran the table including another juggle called on Erkiaga as he attempted a serve intercept at 13-8 (this time a clear juggle). Erkiaga then threw away an intercept kill shot to end the set as JG won the final 8 points. If you watch the match, notice Erkiaga discussing the issue with the judges after the teams returned from the 10-8 time out.
Line Scores (winning team always listed 1st)
SET 1
1-0; 1-2; 2-2; 2-3; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-6; 7-6; 7-7; 10-7; 10-10; 11-10; 11-13; 12-13; 12-15
+1; -1; =; -1; =; -2; +1; =; +3; =; +1; -2; -1; -3
7 EQUAL SCORES, 3 LEAD CHANGES
SET 2
0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 3-2; 3-3; 5-3; 5-4; 6-4; 6-7; 8-7; 8-8; 15-8
-1; =; -1; +1; =; +2; +1; +2; -1; +1; =;+7
6 EQUAL SCORES, 3 LEAD CHANGES
TIE BREAKER
3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-2; 5-2
+3; +2; +3; +2; +3
0 EQUAL SCORES, 0 LEAD CHANGES
SCORING (MINE--YOURS MAY BE DIFFERENT)
JOHAN SOROZABAL: +15 -6(1 FAULT, 4 THROWING, 1 CATCHING); 1 PASA (OVER SERVE, 5 ALLOWED BEFORE LOSING A POINT), 6 SERVE INTERCEPTS, 1 IMMEDIATE KILL
GORKA SOROZABAL: +3 -7 (5 CATCHING, 2 THROWING)
ARITZ ERKIAGA: +9(1 ACE) -5 (2 JUGGLES, 2 CATCHING, 1 THROWING); 3 PASAS, 4 SERVE INTERCEPTS, 0 IMMEDIATE KILLS
DAVID MINVIELLE +3 -9 (6 CATCHING, 2 THROWING, 1 JUGGLE)
TOTAL MATCH SCORE: +30 -27 (.526)
BALLS IN PLAY: 497
AVERAGE BALLS PER POINT: 8.7
LONGEST POINT: 31 BIP (SET 2: 4-3--5-3)
SHORTEST POINT: 0 BIP (SET 2 FAULT): 8-7--8-8
BIP / POINTS
0-4 / 18
5-9 / 18
10-14 / 7
15-19 / 12
20-24 / 1
31 / 1
NON-ERROR PERCENT (BIP - ERRORS) / BIP (497-27 / 497): .946
Time outs: Set 1: 10-10; Set 2: 10-8
Ball Changes: EM 5; JG 3
GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION
SOROZABAL BROTHERS (Johan-Gorka) vs GOIKOETXEA-LOPEZ
I don't know if it will be a big finale, but without a doubt it will be a very symbolic one. In the Euskal Jai stadium, which will be full to the brim tomorrow, we will have brothers Johan and Gorka Sorozabal on one side, and Goikoetxea and Lopez on the other. The Zumaians are the best footballers of the last 20 years. They are a symbol of a generation that is starting to retire. The two young brothers from Biarritz are new shoots coming their way. It will still take at least a couple of years for Johan and Gorka to reach the top, but they are examples of the new generation that is on the way. The brothers from Lapu-Lapu who won the semi-final against Bart Erkiaga and Minviel (15-12, 8-15, 2-5), even though their surname comes from Donostia. Their grandmother was the painter Ana Mari Sorozabal.
In addition to the change of generations, tomorrow's final will also represent a change of era. Johan and Gorka are the "last ballplayers" who made their debut in America. Under the contract of the whole year and under the working conditions of living from the bottom of the basket. Goikoetxea and Lopez, on the other hand, are the last great figures who ended the historical era of the United States. When they were young, there was a future and prestige in America for Iñaki and Imanol. Johan and Gorka have set their goals in the Basque Country, just like the sport itself. The new "Jai Alai League" has built the first bridge between the North and South of the Basque Country and there are tournaments on the same circuit, the Gold Xistera that ends tomorrow or the Gernika Winter Series.
The cameras of Canal Plus and Euskal Telebista will witness this change of generation and era. We will continue the game from the sofa at home through the professionals of both channels, in Basque or French. There is still work to be done, so that the great sporting championships of the North can be known in the South, and just as much in the opposite direction.
For me personally, Biarritz is the location of many memories. Not so long ago, there were very few of us young people who followed the Zesta tipa. Even the fronts were empty, be it in Gernika, Markina-Xemein or Durango. I liked a sport, I loved it, but I couldn't enjoy it because of the landscape. I felt like a loser among the decadent facades and the last nostalgic ones anchored in the past.
We had to go to the North to see a full front. I often made this plan with my friend Ibon Aldazabal and, still unknown, Aritz Erkiaga also came with us to watch the finals of the Gold Xister. We adapted the southern look a bit but we couldn't figure out how to properly adapt to the Northern dress code. At the entrance to the front, to our surprise, we discovered the sculpture "Seme Euskalduna" by the newly born artist Mikel Lertxundi. A huge stone scythe, the ball is close to coming out of the tip of the basket.
The crowd to enter the front. The facade of the building, decorated with international flags. French speaking here and there. Once inside, take all the seats and at least the small joy of listening to the scoreboard in Basque. "Reds four, blues hope". Bereikua and Lopez won that 2008 final. Lopez is now fifteen years older, but no one can take away the position of the best defender. Goiko and he will share the court tomorrow with the two young brothers from Biarritz. Two generations and two historical eras, hand in hand. After the sports level of the Northern and Southern players, much more balanced than 15 years ago.
People will be watching what happens on the court tomorrow but I will have my eyes on the stands. Fortunately, no young person from the South will have to go to Biarritz to see a fronton full of people.
Enjoy the game and may the best win!
