JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--PALA CORTA--PALETA CUERO--CHAMPIONNAT D'EUROPE DE PELOTA BASQUE--FRONTON MUR A GAUCHE 36 M--JUNE 17-18, 2022

The Championnat d'Europe de Pelota Basque (36 meter Fronton) Senior (Pala Corta--short bat and Paleta Cuero-- leather [hard] paddle), and Under 22 Cesta Punta singles men's and women's Competitions, sponsored by La Union de Federaciones Europeas de Pelota Vasca, Federacion Espanola de Pelota (FEPelota), and Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque, was contested at Fronton Argoulets Toulouse, France (1--Frontons.net) (2--City--Wikipedia) on June 17-18, 2022. 

Four nations participated: Belgium (1 participant from 1 club--men's Cesta Punta); Italy (1 team from one club--Paleta Cuero); France (8 teams--2 in each modality--representing "France") and Spain (8 teams--2 in each modality, representing 7 different Spanish clubs) 

Competition Brochure (FEPelota, Spanish, .pdf format, 5p.)

Complete Schedule (FEPelota, Spanish, .pdf forrmat, 3p.)

Complete results: (UFEPV--scroll to all results)

Final match results by Country:

Spain: Cesta Punta (Women) 3-1 (Champions); Men 1-2; Pala Corta 2-1 (Champions); Paleta Cuero 2-1 (Champions)

8-5 (3 Championships)

France: Cesta Punta (Women) 0-2; Men 2-1 (Champions); Pala Corta 1-2; Paleta Cuero 2-2 

5-7 (1 Championship)

Belgium: Cesta Punta Men 1-1

Italy: Paleta Cuero 0-1

The complete tournament was streamed on both the FFPB Facebook Page and Youtube Channel Playlist. Note: all full match videos below are from the Youtube source.

The videos are arranged chronologically, but I have decided to match the scores to the videos by chronology within modality, beginning with Cesta Punta, and following that with Pala Corta and Paleta Cuir. Where possible, I have linked the players to biographical information about them. 

Note: Colors are linked to teams on the video scoreboard.

CESTA PUNTA

WOMEN'S

June 18

1st Semi-Final

Berriatua (Spain): Ihart Arakistain--Maialen Aldazabal 2

France 1: Mercadie-Sorozabal 0

15-3, 15-9 (30-12)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

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2nd Semi-Final

Markina (Spain): Erika Mugartegi--Eneritz Lizardi 2

France 2--: M. Laugie--A. Laugie 0

15-8, 15-4 (30-12)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

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FINAL:

Markina (Spain): Erika Mugartegi-Eneritz Lizardi 2

Berriatua (Spain): Ihart Arakistain-Maialen Aldazabal 0

15-14, 15-12 (30-26)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

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Men's Singles

June 17

Play-in

Pelota Basque Athletic (Belgium) Emeric Libois 2

France 2: Clement Garcia 0

15-13, 15-8 (30-21)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

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June 18

1st Semi-Final

France 1: Thomas Urrutia 2

Danok Bat (Spain): Enaut(?) Urresti 0

15-7, 15-6 (30-13)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

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2nd Semi-Final

Zumaiako (Spain) Gonzalo(?) Aguirre 2

Pelota Basque Athletic (Belgium) Emeric Libois 1

15-11, 12-15, 10-5 (37-31)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

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FINAL:

France 1: Thomas Urrutia 2

Zumaiako (Spain) Gonzalo(?) Aguirre 0

15-10, 15-12 (30-22)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

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PALA CORTA (SHORT BAT)

June 17

1st Semi-Final

France 1: Dan Necol (Innpala Pala Larga [Big Bat] Professional)--Sylvain Brefel (former Innpala Pala Larga Professional) 2

Natacion Barcelona (Spain): Ruben Ayara--Emiliano Skufka 1

15-3, 14-15, 10-9 (39-27)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

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2nd Semi-Final

Puertas Bamar (Spain): Carlos Baeza--Imanol Ibanez (former Innpala Pala Larga Professional) 2

France 2: Pierre Casteran--Etienne Trannoy 0

15-12, 15-7 (30-19)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

---

June 18

FINAL:

Puertas Bamar (Spain): Carlos Baeza--Imanol Ibanez (former Innpala Pala Larga Professional) 2

France 1: Dan Necol (Innpala Pala Larga [Big Bat] Professional)--Sylvain Brefel (former Innpala Pala Larga Professional) 1

15-6, 9-15, 10-9 (34-30)

++++++

++++++

PALETA CUERO (LEATHER [HARD BALL] PADDLE)

June 17

Play-in

France 2 (White): Lucas Hourcourigaray--Mickael Mangaman 2

Alta Langa (Italy--Blue): Rossi--Maldanado 0

15-7, 15-7 (30-14)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

---

1st Semi-Final

France 1: Nicolas Hourmat--Christophe de Elizondo 2

Puertos Bamar (Spain): Ander Landeta (former Innpala Pala Larga Professional)--Albert Medina 1

12-15, 15-14, 10-6 (37-35)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

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2nd Semi-Final

Obrerena (Spain): Mikel Sainz--Javier Labiano 2

France 2: Lucas Hourcourigaray--Mickael Mangaman 0

15-13, 15-12 (30-25)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

---

June 18

FINAL

Obrerena (Spain): Mikel Sainz--Javier Labiano 2

France 1: Nicolas Hourmat--Christophe de Elizondo 0

15-8, 15-14 (30-22)

FULL MATCH VIDEO

Multiple Modalities--Federacion Espanola de Pelota Campeonato de Espana de Clubes Fronton 36m Div. Honor Finals

Semi-Finals and finals in three modalities (mano--individual and pairs, paleta cuero, and pala corta),of the Federation Espanola de Pelota (FEPelota) Campeonatos de Espana de Cluba were played March 24-26, 2017.This was the culmination of a weekly competition that began January 5. The finals were streamed and are available on the FEPelota Youtube site. They are high quality videos. All matches were played in sets (2 out of 3, to 15, with the tie breaker to 10)

Competition context (results) Note: link to the finals is working at present.

Competition Context (team table)

March 26, 2017

Colmenar Viejo (1)(2)

Mano Individual

San Cosme (Zabala--red) defeated Huarte (Yoldi--white) 2-0 (10-9, 10-4)

Full match video

Mano Parejas

Irutzun (Ongay-Bergera--red) defeated San Cosme (Urbieta-Matute--blue) 2-0 (10-9, 10-7)

Full match video

Paleta Cuero

Oberena (Arizaleta-Labiano--red) defeated Lintxu-Tajonar (Ayarra-J. Goni) 2-1 (15-10, 14-15, 10-9)

Full match video

This was the most exciting match of the day. L-T came back from 14-12 in the second set. They almost came back from 9-6 in the tie-breaker.

Pala Corta

Nat. Barcelona (Sanz-Skufka--red) defeated Tenis Pamplona (Lascoiti-Etchevarren--blue) 2-1 (12-15, 15-7, 10-6)

Match video (Note: there were technical problems with the 1st 1 minute and 10 seconds of this video. The match is then joined in progress at 2-1 Nat. Barcelona, first set.

Awards Ceremony 

Multiple Modalities--Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPB) Championnat de France--4 National A Finals in two weekends

FFPB completed its CdF National A Finals in Pasaka, Women's Paleta Gomme Pleine (Trinquet), Paleta Cuir (Trinquet), and Xare on the March 11, 17, and 18. The wonderful thing about these finals is that three of them were covered live via Facebook (and later on demand via Facebook and Youtube), and the other was covered with a match article. All were accompanied by a large number of photos.

The Paleta and Xare finals were covered extensively by pelotelive.free.fr, which provided full linescores, match charts, selected match statistics, and links to videos and photos. The Pasaka match was covered by Pilota Ttiki. FFPB also covered all of the events and contributed the photos.

All in all, it was a wonderful example of what can be done to provide full coverage of BP on a small budget. Canal+ and EITB are incomparable in their commercial coverage, but it is limited, for the most part, to important professional matches (although EITB does cover many amateur events in the South Basque country). With the improvement in computer, photo, and Internet technology, many more of these matches that are slightly "below" the radar of the commercial or large public networks can be enjoyed by BP fans around the globe.

For the purposes of this post, we will link to all of these finals (and their competition contexts) through pelotelive.free.fr. All of the videos are also avalable via Facebook and/or Youtube outlets that you can link to directly from the PFF sites. However, if you wish to watch the matches directly via PFF, make sure to click on "desactiver" below the videos to disable PFF's auto-refresh function, which is used for live coverage, but which is always "on." Otherwise the videos will stop.
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March 11, 2017

Pasaka

Saint Andre, Bayonne (1)(2)

Azcaindarrak Bat (Ascain) (Albistur-Mascotena) defeated Zaharrer-Segi (Saint Etienne de Baigorry) (Izoco (substituting for Ospital)-Dutaret-) 13-8.

Competition context

Match page with link to match article and photos

Preview article

Direct link to match article (which includes non-FPP photos)

FFPB photos:

If you research the FFPP competition results and archives and the results archive of the Ligue de Pelote du Pays Basque, you will see that these two teams have been the best in the North Basque country for several years. They have met (with changing personnel) in many finals in both competitions. Ascain has won most of them, and most have been very competitive, This final was also very competitive until Ascain dominated at the end.
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The other three finals were all played at Chiquito, Paris (1)(2)

March 17,2017

A. Paleta Gomme Pleine (Trinquet) (Women)

Saint Pee Union Club (Saint Pee Sur Nivelle) (Halsouet-Comet--blue) defeated Zaharrer-Segi (Saint Etienne de Baigorry) (Leiza-Serre--red) 40-31

Competition context

Match page--includes full linescore, match chart, match commentary, multiple match videos (Youtube and Facebook) and photos (FFPB)

Match article--also links to photos (FFPB)

B. Paleta Cuir (Trinquet)

Biarritz Athletic Club (Biarritz) (Thibault-Cambos-red) defeated Urrunarak (Urrugne) (Larretche-Bourrus--blue) 2-1 (14-15, 15-9, 10-5)

Competition context

Match page--includes full linescore, match chart, match statistics, match commentary, multiple match videos (Youtube and Facebook), and photos (FFPB)

Match article--also links to photos (FFPB)

March 18, 2017

Xare

Hardoytarrak (Anglet) (Driolet-Sistiague--blue) defeated Nozbait (Hasparren) (Lopetegui-Funosas) 40-30

Competition context

Match page--includes final score, match chart, match statistics, match commentary, multiple match videos (Youtube and Facebook), and photos (FFPB)

Match article--also links to photos (FFPB)

For more 2017 FFPB CDF National A and B videos including videos from poule to final stage, arranged by modality, see the FFPB CDF 2016-2017 National A and B match videos page on the right side of the blog.

Multiple Modalities--Highlights of the Master International Pelote 2016 - 2nd edition amateur competition.

Master International Pelote was a set of 3 amateur competitions--organized by the Pelote Club du Chaudron, with several sponsors, including the Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPB) and InnPala--held in La Reunion (an overseas Department of France located on an island in the Indian Ocean) November 12-19, 2016.

In mid-December DMB production released a 29 minute 23 second video highlighting the week's competitions and youth outreach.

MIP 2016 Édition 2 (Dominique Meyer-Bisch - DMB Production)

Competitions were held in Main Nue, Pala Corta, and Paleta Cuir (all on mur a gauche courts). The Paleta Cuir competition was fully covered by pelotelive.free.fr. The Pala Corta competition was partially covered by PFF. The pala/paleta competitions were also covered by the MIP Facebook page.  Both sources have links to several match videos. Look for thought bubble or film icons at PFF. Make sure to "disactiver" PFF's auto-refresh or the video will stop. A complete listing of MIP Facebook match videos can be found here.

One of the highlights of the competition was the upset of InnPala professionals Fusto-Brefel by the local La Reunion team of Mahabo-Mangaman in a Paleta Cuir semi-final.

Mahabo-Mangaman defeated Fusto-Brefel 2-0 (15-12, 15-11).

Selected match video Make sure to "disactiver" PFF's auto-refresh or the video will stop.

Also available at MIP Facebook page

November 19, 2016

Paleta Cuir Final:

Clain (substituting for Mahabo)-Magaman defeated Sainz-Skufka 2-1 (6-15, 15-10, 10-7).

Match video (match video is at the bottom of the page)

November 19, 2016

Pala Corta Final:

Zozaya-Muruzabal defeated de Elizondo-Belestin 2-1 (15-10, 12-15, 10-4)

Full match video and complete linescores are available at the pelotelive.free.fr match page. Scroll to the bottom of the page for videos. Part 1 is at the bottom of the page. Part 2 is directly above Part 1.

Multiple Modalities--FIPV IX Mondial Pelota Basque Espoirs Fronton 36m

The Federación Internacional de Pelota Vasca, with the aid of the Fédération Française de Pelote Basque, held its IX Mondial Pelota Basque Espoirs Fronton 36m under 22 amateur competition from October 23-29, 2016 at Plaza Berri, Biarritz (1)(2)(3). Competition took place in 3 modalities: Mano doubles, Mano singles, Pala Corta and Paleta Cuero (Paleta Cuir). Teams from 8 nations (Spain, France, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and the United States) competed.

All semi-finals and finals, a total of 10 matches (there were no Pala Corta semi-finals) were televised by Canal+ and made available for on demand viewing by the Audiense Audiovisuel and FIPV Youtube sites. Individual players are identified in the match videos.

Audiense Audiovisuel

FIPV

668 photos (Source FFPB).

Final Nation results and medals

All results (all matches were played in sets).

Mano Indivdual

Mano Parejas (doubles)

Paleta Cuero (Paleta Cuir)

Pala Corta

Multiple Modalities--Euskadiko Euskal Pilota Federakuntza--Basque Country City Championships

The Euskadiko Euskal Pilota Federakuntza is a main sponsoring organization of amateur pelota in the South Basque. They organize tournaments and competitions in several modalities.

EEPF:

For information on the history of pilota and specifications of modalities, along with links to important regional federations, click on the "Federacion" tab. Note that the site is completely bilingual (Basque and Castilian). I use the Castilian here for my own convenience, as I am more familiar with Castilian than Basque. Click on the EUS tab at the top of the page for Basque.

One of EEPF's major competitions,  the Basque Country City Championships (Herriarteko Txapelketa), with finals in four modalities, ended in July 2016. The modalities are Mano Parejas (Eskuz Binaka, Doubles Handball), Pala Corta (Pala Motza, Short Bat Pala), Paleta Cuir (Paleta Larruz, Leather Ball Paleta), and Zesta Punta (Cesta Punta, Jai Alai).

Results:

Click on "CTO. EH Interpueblos", then on any of the modalities. Note that all modalities except Pala/Paleta had three age/ability based competitions. Pala/Paleta had two senior championship finals. Click on "Calendario de Resultados." This is the easiest way to find out the overall winners of each competition. The score of the individual final is also given.

EITB televised these finals.

1. Jai Alai/Zesta Punta: July 23, 2016 at: Mutrikuko Miuruaitz Pilotalekua (1) (2)

Mutriku v Markina-Zemien

Three finals were played: Kadets, Gazteak (Juveniles), and Seniors. The matches were scored in single partido fashion.

Match article for all three matches (match stories give players names and times of each match, which are in order of age group from youngest to oldest, to help you navigate the video).

Full match video of all three matches


2. Ezkuz Binaka (Mano parejas):  July 22, 2016 at Zarauzko Aritzbatalde Pilotalekua (1) (2).

Azpetia v Doneztebe

Three matches were played: Kadets, Gazteak (Juveniles), and Seniors

Match article for all three matches (match stories give players names and times of each match, which are in order of age group from youngest to oldest, to help you navigate the video).

Full match video of all three matches


3. Larruzko Paleta (Paleta Cuir) and Pala Corta: July 15, 2016 at Ordiziako Beti Alai Pilolekua (1) (2).

Andoain v Gasteiz

Two senior championship matches were played. The matches were scored in single partido fashion.

Match articles for both matches (match stories give the names of the players).

Full match video of both matches

These two matches are quite illustrative for those trying to find their way through the thickets of the many sub-modalities of Pala/Paleta. Watch the pelota and the implement in both matches closely. You will see the difference between paleta and pala. The pala corta has a smaller hitting area but is thicker and heavier than the paleta used in larruzko paleta. A bigger pelota is used in pala corta. Listen closely to the sound of paleta/pala on pelota.

Note that the Larruzko Paleta match features the Tuesta Brothers playing for Gasteiz (blue). We have seen them recently also playing paleta cuir in the Paleta Tour in the North Basque, a competition covered in this blog in July. (If you are interested in that, simply search "Paleta Tour" in the search box on the right side of this page). There are videos of two Poule A matches they played for Alava on June 18. Those matches are the first two poule matches on the pelotelive.free.fr competition page. If you would like to watch them, make sure to click on "desactiver" tab under the video to disable the PFF auto-refresh.

Paleta--Paleta Cuir--Paleta Tour 2016

Paleta Tour 2016, a  "haute niveau" level men's tournament sponsored by Section Paloise Pelote Basque was a 12 team, four "poule" round robin doubles competition followed by quarter finals, semi-finals, and a final that ran from May 13-July 2, 2016. Paleta Cuir is explained in the modalities page on the right side of the blog. This tournament was played on a 36 meter mur a gauche court. Cuir, for those who do not know, means leather, a very hard leather ball. And that means crash helmets and an entirely different sound when ball hits paleta or wall. Note the difference in striking area between the short bat here and the paleta used for the rubber ball. The game moves at an incredible pace, as you'll see. Source for all information, pelotelive.free.fr. Video source: Olivier Simon via Tout sur la Pelote Basque Youtube site. The videos (full, condensed and selected parts of matches) are all linked from their match pages at pelotelive.free.fr. Make sure to "disactiver" the auto-refresh before watching.

Final:

Dardenne-Chatellier defeated Clain-Lagarde 3-1 (8-10, 10-8, 10-3, 10-4)

Competition site

Final Match video

In addition to the final match video, there are match videos for seven other matches. 8 of 19 matches are covered. Look for the video icon as you scroll through the competition site. For beginners, there is no better introduction to this modality. For experienced fans, it is, quite simply, a feast.