Remonte--e-Remonte/Euskal Jai Fundacion-- XV Torneo Individual de Remonte Profesional de Navidad-Gran Premio Magna 2020. (December 19, 20, 26, 27, 2020)

 XV Torneo Individual de Remonte Profesional de Navidad-Gran Premio Magna 2020. (December 19, 20, 26,  27, 2020) at Aoiz, Huarte, Alsasua, and Lodosa.

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This post will include the following information. Structure of the Tournament, Players, Scores, condensed linescores, Player's Total Points, Cumulative Statistics, Match Articles, History of the Tournament (Champions of Each Tournament with selected match articles.

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This was a triangular singles Tournament (each partido match played to 20 points) that consisted of three triangular Semi-finals  and a triangular Final. Each of the three Semi-finals consisted of a round robin match between 3 players. The winner of the each of the 3 round robins advanced to a Final. In addition, a Pairs match was also played on each day.

Note: All articles, unless otherwise specified, are in Castilian. Euskal Jai Fundacion also offers its articles in Basque. They can be easily translated using your browser's language options. There are also several free translators available on the Net, for those who wish to cut and paste. I use translate.google.com.

Tournament Preview (Euskal Jai Berri) 

Tournament Preview (Noticias de Navarra) 

The Players (D=Delantero--Front; Z=Zaguero--Back--their positions in pairs matches).  Zaguero's always serve in pairs matches. Note: Most of the Players' photgraphs are available at an archival Oriamendi2010 site post. Clicking on the picture will sometimes link to more information about the player. It is the best available information at this time, given the fact that e-Remonte has no web-site and e-Remonte/Euskal Jai Berri have no player information available at this time 

4 Delanteros and 5 Zagueros played.

1st Semi-final

Pairs match:

Xabier Erburu (D)--Mikel Otano (Z) v 

Benat Rodriguez (D)--Saldias (Z)

Ibai Barricart (Z) 

Aritz Garces (Z)

Xanti Uterga (D)

2nd Semi-final

Pairs match: 

Xuban Oairzabal(Matxin III) (D)--Igor Agirrezabala (Z) v

Aimar Jabalera (D)--Ibai Barricart (Z)

Kemen Aldabe (D)

Xabier Aspiroz (Z)

Josetxo Ezkurra (Ezkurra II) (D)

3rd Semi-final:

Pairs match

Aldabe-Agirrezabala v Matxin III-Larretxea 

Ion Etxeberria (Ion) (Z)

Mikel Otano (Z)

Patxi Zeberio (Zeberio II) (D)

FINAL:

Pairs Match

Zeberio II-Otano v Ezkurra II-Saldias

Xabier Azpiroz(Z)

Ion Etxeberria (Z)

Xanti Uterga (D)

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December 19

1st Semi-final Triangular 

Toki-Edor, Aoiz (1--Frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia) (Castilian)

Uterga 20 Barricart 6

Condensed full linescore (Euskal Jai Berri) (winner always listed first)

0-1; 3-1; 3-2; 6-2; 6-3; 13-3; 13-5; 16-5; 16-6; 20-6

1 equal score, 1 lead change. biggest run: Uterga: 7

Uterga 20 Garces 10

Condensed full linescore

2-0; 2-1; 5-1; 5-2; 6-2; 6-5; 8-5; 8-7; 10-7; 10-8; 18-8; 18-10; 20-10

0 equal scores, 0 lead changes, biggest run: Uterga 8 

Garces 20 Barricart 9

Condensed full linescore

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 9-2; 9-7; 17-7; 17-9; 20-9

2 equal scores, 1 lead change, biggest run: Garces 8 (2 times)

Uterga (D)    2-0

Garces (Z)    1-1

Barricart (Z) 0-2

D: 2-0; Z: 1-3

Uterga    40-16 (+24)

Garces    30-29  (+1)

Barricart 15-40 (-25) 

Uterga advances to the Final

Pairs Match

Benat-Saldias 35; Benat-Otano 20

Match article (Noticias de Navarra)

Match article (Euskal Jai Fundacion)

The match article said that Uterga used an outside serve to great advantage in winning his two matches.

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December 20

2nd Semi-final Triangular

Toki-Alai, Huarte (1 or 2--Frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia) (Castilian)

Azpiroz 20 Aldabe 8

Condensed full linescore (winner always listed first)

0-3; 5-3; 5-5; 10-5; 10-6; 18-6; 18-7; 19-7; 19-8; 20-8

2 equal scores, 1 lead change, biggest run: Azpiroz: 8

Aldabe 20 Ezkurra II 19

Condensed full linescore

1-0; 1-1; 3-1; 3-2; 7-2; 7-3; 7-8; 9-8; 9-9; 13-9; 13-14; 17-14; 17-18; 18-18; 18-19; 20-19

9 equal scores, 7 lead changes, biggest run: Ezkurra II: 5

Azpiroz 20 Ezkurra II 19

5-0; 5-1; 7-1; 7-2; 11-2; 11-4; 12-4; 12-6; 12-9; 13-9; 13-10; 14-10; 14-11; 15-11; 15-13; 16-13; 16-14; 17-14; 17-15; 18-15; 18-19; 20-19

1 equal score, 2 lead changes, biggest run: Azpiroz: 5

Azpiroz    (Z) 2-0

Aldabe     (D) 1-1

Ezkurra II (D) 0-2

D: 2-0; Z: 1-3

D: 1-3; Z: 2-0

Cumulative 

D: 3-3; Z: 3-3

Azpiroz    40-27 (+13)

Aldabe     28-39 (-11)

Ezkurra II 38-40  (-2)

Azpiroz advances to the Final

Pairs Match

Matxin III-Agirrezabala 35 Jabalera-Barricart 26

Match article: (Euskal Jai Fundacion)

The match article said that Azpiroz used a powerful serve on the short court at Huarte to great advantage. Two of the matches had terrific finishes, with Ezkurra II at match point in both before losing the final two points of both. Had he won the second match, he would have been in the "driver's seat" going into the third. As it was, he not only had to win the third match but win it by more than 12 points, as there would have been a 3 way tie with all players at 1-1.

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December 26

3rd Semi-final Triangular

Burunda, Alsasua (1--Frontons.net) (2-Wikipedia)

3rd Semi-final Triangular Preview (Noticias de Navarra)

Ion 20 Otano 18

Condensed full linescore (winner always listed first)

0-4; 1-4; 1-5; 7-5; 7-7; 8-7; 8-8; 9-8; 9-9; 10-9; 10-10; 11-10; 11-11; 12-11; 12-12; 13-12; 13-13; 14-13; 14-14; 18-14; 18-17; 19-17; 19-18; and 20-18

9 equal scores, 2 lead changes, biggest run: Ion: 6; Ion kept the lead after 8 of the 9 equal scores

Zeberio II 20 Otano 19

Condensed full linescore

2-0; 2-2; 3-2; 3-5; 6-5; 6-9; 8-9; 8-11; 10-11; 10-17; 15-17; 15-19; 20-19

4 equal scores, 4 lead changes, biggest run: Otano: 6

Ion 20 Zeberio II 14

Condensed full linescore

0-3; 1-3; 1-4; 2-4; 2-5; 8-5; 8-6; 9-6; 9-7; 10-7; 10-11; 13-11; 13-12; 15-12; 15-13; 18-13; 18-14; 20-14

3 equal scores, 3 lead changes, biggest run: Ion: 6

Ion (Z)        2-0

Zeberio II (D) 1-1

Otano (Z)      0-2

D: 2-0; Z: 1-3

D: 1-3; Z: 2-0

D: 1-1; Z: 2-2

Cumulative:

D: 4-4; Z: 5-5

Ion        40-32 (+8)

Zeberio II 34-39 (-5)

Otano      37-40 (-3)

Ion advances to the Final

Pairs Match:

Aldabe-Saldias (substituting for Agirrezabala) 35 Matxin III-Larretxea 33

Match article (Euskal Jai Fundacion)

Ageless (45) Patxi Zeberio, a 25 year veteran who won this Championship in 2005 and 2008 (and is a four time finalist), came up a bit short in this one, After winning the last 5 points to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in his first match against Otano, he went on a 4 point run to take an 11-10 lead in his elimination match against Ion. However, that was as far as he could go, as Ion used a powerful serve to help take 10 of the next 13 points and advance to the Final. 

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December 27

FINAL Triangular

San Francisco Javier de Lodosa (1--frontons.net) (2--Wikipedia)

Uterga 20 Ion 12

Condensed full linescore (winner always listed first)

0-2; 1-2; 1-6; 5-6; 5-7; 11-7; 11-8; 19-8; 19-12; 20-12.

1 equal score, 1 lead change, biggest run: Uterga: 8 

Azpiroz 20 Ion 16

Condensed full linescore

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 3-2; 3-4; 4-4; 4-8; 7-8; 7-13; 12-13; 12-15; 13-15; 13-16; 20-16.

5 equal scores, 3 lead changes, biggest run: Azpiroz: 7

Azpiroz 20 Uterga 16

Condensed full linescore

3-0; 3-1; 7-1; 7-2; 10-2; 10-3; 11-3; 11-4; 13-4; 13-14; 17-14; 17-15; 19-15; 19-16; 20-16.

2 equal scores, 2 lead changes, biggest run: Uterga: 10 (the biggest run of the Tournament: he also had two 8 point runs. Garces also had two 8 point runs (in the same match).

Azpiroz (Z) 2-0

Uterga  (D) 1-1

Ion     (Z) 0-2

D: 2-0; Z: 1-3

D: 1-3; Z: 2-0

D: 1-1; Z: 2-2

D: 1-1; Z: 2-2

Cumulative

D: 5-5; Z 7-7

Azpiroz  40-32  (+8)

Uterga   36-32  (+4)

Ion      28-40 (-12)

Azpiroz wins the Championship. Uterga finishes second. Ion finishes third.

Pairs match

Zeberio II-Otano 35 Ezkurra II-Saldias 30

Match article (Noticias de Navarra)

Match article (Euskal Jai Fundacion)

Azpiroz, using great court coverage and the best rebote in the Tournament, frustrated Uterga into trying to make perfect winners. That was the formula used to win an unexpected Championship. Azpiroz beat the two front runners in elimination matches: Ezkurra II (20-19) in the second Semi-final, and Uterga (20-16) in the final. He also came from behind in the final, winning the last 7 points over Ion, to put him in a position to play for the Championship. 

The EJF match article said (Google English translation of the original Castilian).

"In the final stretch, the perseverance and exceptional defense of Azpiroz, with a great ease to play from the rebound, added more than the genius in attack of Uterga: the forward doneztebarra, the great favorite to the title, was forced to risk to the maximum before a rival who covered much field, and committed some failures by millimeters that Azpiroz knew how to take advantage of to take the txapela." 

Cumulative Table: 

Name             Position         W-L   Points+/-        Total              Net Points

Azpiroz    (Z)     4-0 80-59     (139)   +21

Uterga     (D)     3-1 76-48     (124)   +28

Ion        (Z)     2-2 68-72     (140)    -4

Garces     (Z)     1-1 30-29      (59)    +1

Zeberio II (D)     1-1 34-39      (73)    -5

Aldabe     (D)     1-1 28-39      (67)   -11

Ezkurra II (D)     0-2 38-40      (78)    -2

Otano      (Z)     0-2 37-40      (77)    -3

Barricart  (Z)     0-2 15-40      (55)   -25

Of the 12 matches in the Tournament, 3 were decided by the 1 by 20-18. and 2 by 20-16.

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History, as far as I have been able to research, of the Navidad Championship. I think this is the sequence, but I am not sure.

I: 2005--Patxi Zeberio II

II: 2006--Koteto Ezkurra

Source: El Remonte Blog

III: 2007--Inaki Lisazo 35 Miguel Mari Irrutia 27

Match article (El Remonte Blog)

IV: 2008--Zeberio II 35 Urrutia 34

Match article (El Remonte Blog)

V: 2009--Inaki Lisazo 35  Koteto Ezkurra 21

Match article (El Remonte Blog)

VI-IX--2010-2013--Gorka Urtasun

Source (Euskal Jai Fundacion)

X: 2014--Julen San Miguel 30 Aritz Etxeberria (Etxeberria IV) 23

Match Article: (Diario Vasco)

XI: 2015--Xanti Uterga 30 Javier Urriza 15 (January 18, 2016)

Match article (Euskal Jai Fundacion)

Match article (Erremontea.eus)

XII: 2016--Javier Urriza 30 Xanti Uterga 22

XIII: 2017--Javier Urriza 30 Endika Barrenetxea (Barrenetxea IV) 20

Match Article (Erremontea.eus)

XIV: 2018-19--Javier Urriza 30 Gorka Urtasun 28

Complete Blog Post for this Tournament 

XV: 2020--XV Xabier Azpiroz 20 Xanti Uterga 16

Complete Blog Post for this Tournament

Winners: 

Gorka Urtasun    4 (2010---13)

Javier Urriza    3 (2016--18-19)

Patxi Zeberio    2 (2005, 2008)

Inaki Lisazo     2 (2007, 2009)

Koteto Ezkurra   1 (2006)

Julen San Miguel 1 (2014)

Xanti Uterga     1 (2015)

Xabier Azpiroz   1 (2020)

Remonte--2021 Masters Singles Tournament--January 24, 30, 2021

A note about Remonte (Wikipedia--Castilian), for those who are unfamiliar with the modality. It looks like Jai Alai, but it is not Jai Alai. The implement, called a cesta (basket--the same name as the Jai Alai basket) is longer, more shallow, and more rigid than a Jai Alai cesta. The modality was invented in 1904 by Juanito Moya, who invented the implement (Gran Enciclopedia de Navarra--Pelota--Castilian). Cesta technology in Remonte, has not changed in well over 100 years. 

Because of the nature of the implement, it is not a catch and throw sport. It is, for all practical purposes, a racquet sport. Players "hit" the pelota. It is not as fast as Jai Alai, but it is fast enough. It is raquetball on very powerful steroids. The pelota is smaller than a baseball but harder than a golf ball, as you will understand when you hear it bounce off the granite front wall. It is played almost exclusively in Hegoalde (South Basque)--Navarra and Bizkaia. Some say it takes more skill than Jai Alai. I don't know about that, watch and come to your own conclusions. 

In 2015, Javier Urriza (see below), the "Goikoetxea" of Remonte, played an  exhibition match against Imanol Lopez (one of the two best Jai Alai players in the world--the above mentioned Inaki Osa Goikoetxea being the other). The match was played in Mexico City. Each used the other's implement.  Guess who won. (Manista.com). Even if you are a Jai Alai fanatic, you will, I hope, also appreciate the joys of Remonte.  

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UTS Komunikazoia Master Txapelketa/El Campeonato UTS Komunikazioa Master Singles Championship was played on January 24 and 30, 2021.

This is one of the 4 Major "A" (two singles and two pairs) annual tournaments contested by the Oriamendi company, one of two major Hegoalde (South Basque) Remonte sponsoring organizations. This year it was contested as two Semi-finals and a Final. It has been contested under the auspices of Oriamendi (previously known as Oriamendi2010), on a somewhat larger scale, annually since 2010-11.  

The matches were single partidos, to 30 points.

Note: all match articles, features, and previews, unless otherwise specifically stated, are in Castilian. For Oriamendi articles in Basque, simply remove the /es/ from the Internet address. For translation, set up your browser for translation or open a separate tab or window to your favorite translation service. I use translate.google.com.

The Players

Javier Urriza (Delantero--Front)
Endika Barrenetxea (Barrenetxea IV) (Zaguero--Back)

Aritz Juanenea (D)

Imanol Ansa (Ansa II) (D)

Urriza won his 6th Masters Tournament. 11 Oriamendi Master Singles Tournaments have been played since 2010-11.

Other winners have been: Xanti Uterga (see below), 2; Koteto Ezkurra (EITB-- Retirement Ceremony and Final match of possibly the Greatest of All Time), 2; and Barrenetxea IV, 1.

Julen San Miguel (Full match video of the 2013 Kutxabank Singles Final v Urriza) played in 3 Masters Finals and lost all three. Endika Urrutia played in two and lost both. 

At the bottom of this post are links to Full match videos from the 2016-2020 Masters Singles FINALS.

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Tournament Preview (Oriamendi)

January 30

Galarreta, Hernani (1--Oriamendi) (2--Wikipedia) 

Note: This tournament was played on a long court (54 meters--over 1/2 the length of an American Grid Iron Football field). Note: Pairs back court players serve in this modality.

FINAL Preview (Oriamendi)

FINAL Preview (Oriamendi)

FINAL

Urriza 30
Barrenetxea IV 25

FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB) (Match begins at 53:48 on the video).

Partial linescore (winner always listed first)

0-4; 1-7; 9-8; 16-18; 21-18; 23-24; 28-24; 28-25; 30-25

Scoring (Oriamendi)

Urriza +21 (including 8 service aces and 1 Two Walls) -0
Barrenetxea +25 (6a, 5 TW) -9 (including 2 service faults)

Total Score: +46 -9 (.836)

Note: Urriza, according to Oriamendi scoring, played a "perfect game." That is to say, he made no errors. It is a very rare feat in Remonte or any other Basque Pelota modality. It is not uncommon for a player to hit the pelota 100 times in a Remonte singles match. 

Match article (Oriamendi)

Match article (Naiz)

Match Article (Diario Vasco)

"He hit the ball very hard early, incisive, with self-confidence and I was  challenged throughout the game. If I got ahead in the final it was because I didn't make mistakes and I was serious."

Javier Urriza

"Against Urriza you cannot make (as many mistakes as I did)."
Endika Barrenetxea

This was Urriza's 19th career major championship. He has won all 4 championships in 2021, two singles and two pairs.

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January 24
 
Semi-Finals

FULL MATCH VIDEOS OF BOTH MATCHES, IN THE ORDER GIVEN BELOW (EITB)

Barrenetxea IV 30
Juanenea 25

Selected linescore (winner always listed first)

2-5; 10-6; 17-20; 23-24; 29-24; 29-25; 30-25

Scoring: (EITB)

Barrenetxea IV +22 -7
Juanenea +18 -8

Total Score:  +40 -15 (.727)
Balls in Play: 203
Barrentxea IV 104 (65 on the bounce--botez, 39 in the air--airez)
Juanenea 99 (61 on the bounce, 31 in the air)

Non-Error Percentage (BIP - errors / BIP) (188/203): .926
Time of the match: 54:26
Average balls per point: 3.8
Average time per point (for the full match, actual playing time was not provided): 61.6 seconds

The match article noted that Barrenetxea IV capitalized on Juanenea's weakness with the rebote (rebound off the back wall, an extraordinarily difficult shot in Remonte, particularly for front court players, who almost never use it on the long court). 

Urriza 30
Ansa II 23

Partial line score (winner always listed first)

6-1; 23-14; 23-20; 28-22; 30-23

Neither EITB nor Oriamend provided any statistics for this match.

Match article for both matches (Oriamendi).

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PAST FINALS FULL MATCH VIDEOS

FULL MATCH VIDEO OF THE 2019-2020 Classic FINAL (EITB)

Barrenetxea IV 30
Urriza 29

Complete coverage of the 2020 Tournament, including results from 2010-11--2019.

FULL MATCH VIDEO OF THE 2019 FINAL (EITB)

Urriza 30 
Uterga 25

Complete Blog coverage of the entire 2019 Tournament 

FULL MATCH VIDEO OF THE 2018 FINAL (EITB)

Urriza 30
Barrenetxea IV 19

FULL MATCH VIDEO OF THE 2016-2017 FINAL (EITB)

Urriza 30
Endika 24

Complete Blog coverage of the entire 2016-2017 Tournament.

FULL MATCH VIDEO OF THE 2015-2016 FINAL (EITB)

Uterga 30
Urriza 27

Blog Post about this match in the context of the importance of "Botilleros" (coaches) in BP modalities.

Scroll to "Remonte" and then to the final article just before "Jai Alai/Cesta Punta".

Remonte--X Sagardoaren Txapelketa/Torneo Sidra/Cider Tournament--March 5-May 9, 2020--UPDATE THROUGH MARCH 14

X Sagardoaren Txapelketa/Torneo Sidra/Cider Tournament

UPDATE THROUGH MARCH 14

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, another single round robin. The top 2 finishers  advance to the Final. All matches are 40 point partidos. Most, if not all Sagardoaren matches will be "Star Matches" (the second of 4 matches on each program). Below you will find cumulative League and Semi-final League tables, cumulative Tournament scoring, match results, articles, analysis, and videos (when available), followed by Individual leader boards (updated after each match) for net scoring and service aces. At the bottom of the post you will find a a history of this tournament from 2011-2019, including match scores, articles, and videos (when available).

Note: source for all scoring, unless otherwise specifically stated, is the Oriamendi2010 match article accompanying that match.

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

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

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) 2 
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 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 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: 9-1; 22-7; 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)

Match article

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

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.

+++

March 7

Round 1--Week 1

League Table (Oriamendi2010--team points only)

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 for 2 matches: +111 (.745) -38 (.255)

+++

Group A

Match preview

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; 37-33; 40-34

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)

Match article:

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

Group B Table

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

+++

Group B

Match preview

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

Match article

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 neutralized last year's Player of the Year.

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

Individual Leader Boards (Through March 14, 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)
Ezkurra II (B-A)     1 +18 -5 (+13)
Goikoetxea V (B-A)   1 +14 -4 (+10)
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) 

Aizpuru III (B-A)    1 +17 -4 (+13)(2)
Zubiri (B-A)         1 +14 -2 (+12)
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)(1)
Arruarte (B-A)       1  +5 -5   (0)

1=Substituted for Agirrezabala on March 12
2=Substituted for Endika on March 14

Service Aces

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

Zubiri (B-A)         1   8
Aizpuru III (B-A)    1   7 (2)
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 (1)

1=Substituted for Agirrezabala on March 12
2=Substituted for Endika on March 14

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

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)

2012--Onatz-San Miguel 40 Juaristi-Olazar 31 (match article) (video highlights 35-31--40-31) (complete tournament 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)

2015--Zeberio II-Endika 40 Uterga-Olazar 27 (match article) (Full match video--EITB) (complete 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))

2017--Otaegi-Ion 40 Urriza-Azpiroz 37  (match article)  (Full match video--EITB)  (complete tournament match results)--(individual match articles)

2018--Urriza-Garces 40 Uterga-Zubiri 31 (match article) (Full match video--EITB)  (complete tournament match by match results)--(individual match articles)

2019--Segurola-Endika 40 Ezkurra II-Garces (match article) (Full match video--EITB) (complete tournament match results)--(individual match articles)

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.

Remonte--Oriamendi2010 2019 Awards; February Rankings and Cumulative Win-Loss records for January-February 2020

This rankings update contains Oriamendi2010 February 2020 rankings, cumulative January-February win-loss records, cumulative January-February "Star Match" win-loss records, and "Star Match" leaderboards, along with a small section on the 2019 Oriamendi2010 Best Player awards, which were given out on February 29, 2020. 

Oriamendi2010 Roster

Oriamendi2010 presents programs of 4 matches each on Thursdays and Saturdays. These are mostly pairs partido matches, played to 30, 35, or 40 points. There are also singles matches played to 30 points. The roster is divided into two groups based mostly on skill level. However (see below), many (26 matches out of 70 through the end of February) are played between teams of uneven skill levels. This mixing is one of the unique aspects of Oriamendi2010's Remonte competition and is always fascinating to follow.

The second match of each program is known as the "Star Match", the Marquee match of the day. More often than not, it is contested between two all "A" teams.

Interspersed in the programs throughout the year are several Tournaments (in 2019 there were 7). They are played under their own scoring rules (which can be some of the most complex and unique in all of Basque Pelota). The results of these tournaments stand alone, but are also incorporated into the Monthly Rankings that Oriamendi2010 provides.

At the end of each month Oriamendi2010 uses a rankings system that is based not only on wins and losses, but on the dominance of wins. The company provides a table of points allotted based on results. Any win (30, 35, or 40 points) is rewarded with 40 points. How many points match losers are allotted depends on the length of the matches and how many points they score. The maximum is 35, the minimum is 20. At the end of the month the company averages each player's total points, as the number of matches played by each player varies. So a perfect monthly record would be 40 points. A minimum of 4 matches must be played during the month to be included in the rankings.

One item that Oriamendi2010 does not provide is an easily accessible listing of each player's individual cumulative won-loss record throughout the year. Below you will find that information, sorted by winning percentage, This is an experiment on my part and I make no claim as to its accuracy. I sum the results every week to come up with the monthly totals you can find below. I also cross check these with the database of results Oriamendi2010 provides on an ongoing basis. Still, if you check my results against Oriameni2010's individual cumulative records (see the individual player pages), there are discrepancies. Their figures are, obviously, the official records. Mine are not. I am going to stick with my methods. I encourage you to check my results against theirs and draw your own conclusions. Corrections are always gladly accepted.

For those who wish to follow Oriamendi2010 Remonte on a program by program basis, I keep a page of ongoing results and program by program win-loss tables. There are almost always links to Oriamend2010 Star Match previews and match articles. Often you will find selected linescores and scoring taken from the match articles. Results for the other 3 matches of each program can also be found there. Tournaments are also covered there, as well as in the main blog.

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

February 2020 Summary:

Oriamendi2010 had a very busy February, beginning with the Semi-finals and Finals of  El Torneo Master UTS Individual singles competition, won in one of the most exciting and entertaining matches in a long time by Barrenetxea IV (Group A Zaguero (back) 30-29 over Urriza (Group A Delantero (front), and ending with the annual awards announcements on February 29.

Awards announcement article (Oriamendi2010)

The best overall player award went to (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 best 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  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 (scroll to "Remonte") 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%). 

February Summary:

9 programs and 35 matches were contested. Ezkurra II (B-D) continued his comeback from injury, slowly finding his rhythm. By the end of February he had a record of 3 wins and 7 losses, but had won his last two matches, including a 2 v 3 match that was part of the "Day of Remonte" celebration and awards ceremony. According to the match article, he had a terrific match in leading his team (consisting of Juanenea (B-D) an Ion (A-Z) to a 40-36 win over Urriza-Barrenetxea IV, the two best players on the roster at the moment. 

Urriza was 3-2 (if you include the 2 v 3 match), and that was enough to win the monthly rankings Group A championship. His 5 matches were decided by a total of 15 points. Zaldua (Z) won the Group B championship. He made his first appearance since December on February 6 and had a 3-1 record for the month. The highlight was a comprehensive victory with Zeberio II (A-D) over Juanenea-Labaka (B-B), who have the 2020 cumulative best records through the end of February (see below), on February 20. Zeberio II had a great match, and Zaldua provided excellent support. Zaldau was a little over a year old when Zeberio II began his career in 1995.

The best match of the month after the UTM Final (see above) was the "Star Match" of February 13, a 40-39 victory by Aldabe-Barrenetxea IV (B-A--the two award winners) over veterans Zeberio II-Ion (A-A). Down 37-39, A-B scored the final 3 points of the match (the final point an Aldabe winner). See the match article here. The linescore should give you a feel for just how exciting a match this was.

Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st)

10-10; 29-20; 30-21; 32-35; 37-39; 40-39

Complete Februay 2020 Rankings: (rankings allotments are at the bottom of the 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)

+++++

"Star Match" Cumulative Records For January-February 2020

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

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 

5.  Uterga (A-D)...........2-1 

6.  Urriza (A-D)...........5-3 

7.  Ion (A-Z)..............5-4 

8.  Ezkurra II (B-D........1-1 

8.  Azpiroz (B-D)..........1-1 

10. Barrenetxea IV (A-Z)...5-7 

11. Ansa II (B-D)..........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 

16. Matxin III (A-D).......0-2 

Star Match Leader Board--pairs matches only--through 13 matches. Note: All data is from Oriamendi2010 match articles. These are "best" performances, as Oriamendi2010 match scoring is often incomplete, which would make cumulative scoring leader boards difficult and cumbersome. This is known match scoring data.

Highest % of matches that are Star Matches

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

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 

+++++

Cumulative Player Records through February 29, 2020. Pairs, singles and 2 v 3 matches are included. 

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 match); 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 
2. Urriza           6-4...353-321(67.4)..-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 
4. Segurola         7-7...425-425(60.7)...-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  

8. Ezkurra II       3-7...313-358(67.1)...+2 

9. Benat            1-3...128-138(66.5)...-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

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)