Main Nue--Tournoi de Macaye (November 9, 11, 2019)

Tournoi de Macaye (1) (2) (Esku Pilota Open) (November 9, 11, 2019)

Esku Pilota roster

Previous Tournaments:

2018 Final: Bielle-Cubiat 40 Elgart-Sanchez 32 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

2017: Elgart-Amulet 40 Bielle-Cubiat 26 (no match video found)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

2016: Monce-Bilbao 40 Inchauspe-Lazcano 25 (BLOG POST--entire tournament coverage with full match video of final

This was a 4 team knockout tournament.

*=not on Esku Pilota roster at present

#=Esku Pilota Player Ranking (as of September 30). Out of 24.

Macaye was the 3rd and final "drop-in" trinquet tournament of the season. The others were Trophee Atharri (Itxassou) and Tournoid de Bidart. All three of them are very interesting to watch in terms of the differing strategy and tactics required on a 3 wall mur a gauche, as opposed to a 4 wall trinquet.

November 11

FINAL

(#18)Elgart-Sanchez* 40 (#20)Olcomendy-(#5)Harismendy 39 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Pilota Ttiki) (winners always listed 1st)

0-7; 33-33; 39-37; 39-39; 

The final closed the closest overall tournament of the year, with 3 matches decided by 6 total points, two of them by the minimum.

Match article (Esku Pilota) (includes video of the last 5 points)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

November 9

Semi-Finals

(#18)Elgart-Sanchez* 40 (#12)Inchauspe-(#24) B. Larralde 36 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Pilota Ttiki) (winners always listed 1st)

23-23; 24-25; 40-36

(#20)Olcomendy-(#5)Harismendy 40  (#10)Bielle-(#9)Cubiat 39

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Pilota Ttiki) (winers always listed 1st)

20-20; 33-21; 38-28; 38-38; 39-38; 39-39; 40-39 ( final point took over 3 minutes).

Final point (84 balls in play!)

Match articles for both matches (Esku Pilota)

Match articles for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)

Main Nue: 2019 Le Garat Lundi (Donibane Garazi/Saint-John-Pied-de Port) FINAL TABLE

Trinquet Garat, Donibane Garazi  (Saint-John-Pied-de-Port) 50 point matches.

A Mains Nues: Youtube video (8:16) that gives a flavor for the cultural meaning of these matches within the context of a Monday in Donibane Garazi. (Rene Wiedmer). (En Francais).

Goizeko-Izarra is the organization that sponsors traditional 50 point Main Nue matches on Mondays (Le Garat Lundi). This year there were thirty-two 50 point matches and nine 40 point matches (explanation for why 40 point instead of 50 point matches is with the table below. The matches consisted of Esku Pilota Elite Professionals and highly ranked amateurs. These are grueling matches that are the longest by points of any modality I know of. They can take up to 2 hours to play, and are played at a beautiful 82 year old facility. They severely test the stamina as well as skill and athleticism of the players. These matches are added to the professionals regular schedules. They are very interesting to watch. Match information can be found at Lundi site. Information is not archived. Only the latest match information is available, and is replaced every week by information about a new match. It is for that reason that I have tried to keep a record of these matches, including a table of the 17 avants (fronts) and 20 arrieres (backs) that played this year. Two tournaments are held. The Challenge de Cize and the Coupe des Chasseurs (Hunters Cup)-Trophee Denis Harriet Those results have been incorporated into the table. To follow the season match by match, consult the Recurring 50 Point Match Results page on the left side of the blog.

Esku Pilota Roster

*=Not on the Esku Pilota Roster at present.

2019 FINAL

Key: Player; Player position (av-avant-Front, ar-arrière-Back); match wins-losses; points for-against; winning-losing streak, Tournaments won. Table will be ordered by match winning percentage. 1st tie breaker will be number of wins. 2nd tie-breaker will be point differential. 3rd tie breaker will be point differential percentage. Through 32 fifty point matches and 9 forty point matches.

C-Challenge de Cize;  CdC-Coupe des Chasseurs-Trophee Denis Hariet

Aguirre (av)........9-2...488-398...+6(c)(d).1(CdC)
Niang* (av).........4-1...235-181...-1(c)
Olcomendy(av)...... 9-3...557-461...+1(a)....1(C)
Inchauspe (av)......5-2...318-224...-1(c)
Mainhaguiet* (av)...2-1...123-91....-1(c)
Elgart (av).........4-4...303-328...-1(c)
Anchordoquy* (av)...1-1....71-76....-1(c)
Etchegaray (av).....1-1....88-95....+1
Maiz* (av)..........1-1....65-74....-1(a)
Monce (av)..........2-6...329-362...-3(b)

Etcheverry (av).....1-3...126-174...+1(b)
Bielle (av).........1-4...153-239...-2(c)
L. Lambert (av).....1-5...208-271...-3(c)(d)
Lascor* (av)........0-1....24-40....-1(c)
Cigarroa* (av)......0-1....23-40....-1(c)
Heguy* (av).........0-2....69-90....-2(c)
Alcasena* (av)......0-3....92-140...-3(c)

Ducassou (ar).......1-0....40-24....+1(b)

Harismendy (ar).....4-1...234-175...+1

Sanchez* (ar).......4-2...256-216...+4(a)(c).1(CdC)
Guichandut (ar).....2-1...145-126...-1

Etchegaray (ar).....2-1...121-118...-1

Cubiat (ar).........7-6...553-566...+1(b)(c)
Lucu (ar)...........3-3...232-227...-2(c)(d)
Garat* (ar).........3-3...244-239...-1(c)
Amulet (ar).........2-2...163-151...+1(c)(d)
Harocarene* (ar)....1-1....76-81....-1(c)
P. de Ezcurra* (ar).1-1....71-76....-1(c)
Hualde* (ar)........1-1....57-75....-1(c)
X. Lambert(ar)......5-6...486-358...-2....1(C)
Iturbe (ar).........4-5...346-362...-1(c)
Palomes (ar)........1-2....94-124...+1(a)

Bereterbide* (ar)...0-1....26-40....-1(c)
Luro* (ar)..........0-1....25-40....-1(c)
Larre* (ar).........0-1....20-40....-1(c)
Iphar* (ar).........0-1....25-50....-1
B. Larralde (ar)....0-2....51-80....-2

(a)=The match on July 22, 2019 was played to only 40 points due to excessive heat (34 degrees--93.2 F) in the Trinquet.  Maiz-Palomes 40 Olcomendy-Sanchez 24

(b)=The match on August 19, 2019 was played to only 40 points. Etcheverry (substituting for Monce)-Ducassou 40 Monce (substituting for P. Larralde)-Cubiat 24.

(c) First round 26eme Coupe de Chasseurs Tournois--Trophee Denis Hariet--all are 40 point matches.
(d) The match on November 11 was played to only 40 points. It was part of a two match program, along with the Ligue du Pays Basque 2eme series final, also a 40 point. match. Aguirre-Amulet 40 L. Lambert-Lucu 23.

Main Nue--26eme Coupe des Chasseurs (Hunter's Cup)-Trophee Denis Harriet (September 2-October 28, 2019

26eme Coupe des Chasseurs (Hunter's Cup)--Trophee Denis Harriet (September 2-October 28, 2019). This was a single elimination knock out Tournament featuring 13 pairs. It was similar (but not, for the most part, professionalized) to the "Promesis" Mano Tournaments in the South in that it was made up of mostly young "up and coming" talent.  9 players are presently on the Esku Pilota roster. The first round (September 2, 9, 16--6 total matches, were 40 point matches. All other matches were 50 point matches. Note: Maiz*-Iphar* were seeded in at the semi-final stage.

Previous winners: 2012-2018

2012 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra)
Aguirre-Saldubehere 50 P. Larralde-Maita 46

2013 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra)
Aguirre-Saldubehere 50 Olcomendy-Jeannots 44

2014 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra):
Tellier-Lazcano 50 Olcomendy-Heguiabehere 42 

2015 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra via Archive.org):
Ospital-Palomes 50 Darmendrail-Amulet 16

2016 (complete BLOG POST for entire tournament, including full match video of Final:
Elgart-Lucu 50 Agirre-Lafitte 35

2017 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra)
Monce-Benesse 50 Inchauspe-Cubiat 39

2018 (complete Calendar with all results--Goizeko Izarra)
Etcheverry-B. Larralde 50 Monce-Lafitte 38

*=Not on the Esku Pelota roster at this time

As always, with a Tournament of this duration, read from the bottom up to follow chronologically

Complete Tournament recap, including scoring and photos from the Final (Goizeko-Izarra)

For the two teams in the Final, we have three matches with full scoring data (courtesy of the wonderful work of Henry Ocafrain)

Xare=a pelota that goes into the side dugout screen or (I think) back dugout on the fly

Pumpa Xare=the same, except on a bounce. It is unknown if the below scoring counts back dugout direct points in these categories.

Gregory Aguirre: 

+22 (including 16 service aces and 3 direct points--2 Xares and 1 Pumpa Xare) -3

+19 (11a, 3dp--3X) -4

+19 (11a, 4dp--2X, 2PX) -8 (including 1 service fault)

+60 (38a, 10dp--7X, 3PX) -15 (1f)

Louiz Sanchez
+11 (7dp--3X, 4PX) -8
+15 (5dp--5PX) -6
+14 (6dp--1X, 5PX) -11

+40 (18dp--4X, 14PX!) -25

Malik Niang
+23 (12a, 7dp--6X, 1PX) -4
+18 (11a, 1dp--1X) -3
+21 (10a, 3dp--2X, 1PX) -7

+62 (33a, 11dp--9X, 2PX) -14

Cedric Lucu
+16 (5dp--4X, 1PX) -8
+10 (1dp--1X) -9
+5 (2dp--2X) -10

+31 (8dp--7X, 1PX) -27

October 28

FINAL

Aguirre-Sanchez* (4-0; +64) 50 Niang*-Lucu (3-1; +48) 45 (Info Garaazi Officiel Youtube)

Pilota Ttiki condensed full match video

Selected linescore (Pilota Ttiki,  Esku Pilota, and Goizeko-Izarra--Henry Ocafrain) (winners always listed 1st)

2-2; 3-7; 8-12;14-25; 15-25; 22-28; 28-32; 33-33; 36-34; 42-38; 47-43; 50-45

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain)

Note: Direct points (points scored via the pelota hitting the screen protecting the side dugout before the opposition can hit it--Xare (pelota goes into the screen on the fly) and Pumpa Xare (same except on the bounce). It is unknown whether pelotas that go into the back dugout are included in these counts.

Aguirre +19 (inluding 11 service aces and 4 direct points--2 Xare, 2 Pumpa Xare) -8 (including 1 service fault); Sanchez +14 (6dp--1X 5PX) -11

Niang +21 (10a, 3dp--2X, 1PX) -7; Lucu +5 (2dp--2X) -10

Time of the Match: 1:35:06
Playing Time: 41:01

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

Match article (Esku Pilota)

Brief Goizeko-Izarra article:

Magnifique finale qui sans conteste opposait les quatre meilleurs Pilotari de l’édition 2019 de la Coupe des Chasseurs.

Niang et Lucu ont mis la pression d’entrée mais Aguirre et Sanchez ont dominé la deuxième moitié de la partie.

Beaucoup d’ambiance dans les tribunes bien garnies du Garat.

Un bien bel après-midi!

Loose Google translation.

Magnificent final that unquestionably opposed the four best Pilotari of the 2019 edition of the Hunters Cup.

Niang and Lucu put the pressure of entry but Aguirre and Sanchez dominated the second half of the game.

A lot of atmosphere in the well-filled stands of the Garat.

A nice afternoon!

This was Aguirre's 5th consecutive Garat win, overall.

A-S were far behind early but fought back patiently and tenaciously, eventually dominating the match 35-10 in the last 3 1/2 decades, to win the Coup des Chasseurs championship. It was a match of power and relatively short points, many of which were breathtaking in spotlighting the strength, quickness, and grace of the contestants. Things that stood out to one fan: 

Gregory Aguirre's high, booming serves that netted a good number of points, and the way he "changed up" on his serve, mixing the high boomers with hard low left and right side serves. This feature of his game kept N-L off balance.

Louiz Sanchez' mobility. He seemed to be everywhere, and didn't eschew charging forward and playing offense when opportunities arose. His 6 direct points led all scorers.

The patience with which A-S achieved their task, not in the length of individual points, but in the body language that never showed panic (even though Sanchez was quite vocal and there was occasional miscommunication between the winners) and indicated quiet confidence.

Malik Niang's power. The power of his "line drive" serves and shots is reminiscent of a young Iker Irribarria (ASPE Mano player). At 20 years old, he has tremendous strength and unlimited potential. He is energetic and enthusiastic. As he adds experience to his game, he is going to get a lot better, in my opinion. Even with all the strength and power, he showed a quick and effective right side dejada that is not often seen in this modality (4 of his 21 points came from it--they were the only dejadas in the match). 

All in all, the match consumed 95 points in a little over an hour and a half. It was as entertaining a match as you will see. It was, of course, far from technically perfect, as the 30 errors committed attest to. But it was, quite simply, very much fun to watch. 

October 21

2nd Semi-final

Niang*-Lucu (3-0; +53) 50

Mainhaguiet*-Iturbe (2-1; +32) 33 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Goizeko-Izarra (Henry Ocafrain)

2-2; 7-3; 11-9; 12-12; 14-14; 15-15; 17-17; 21-19; 22-20; (Iturbe injures elbow) 23-20; 29-21; 30-22; 34-26; 38-30; 39-31; 47-33; 50-33

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain): 

Niang +18 (including 11 service aces and 1 direct point--1 Xare) -3; Lucu +10 (1dp--1X) -9
Mainhaguiet +13 (6a; 1dp--1X) -10; Iturbe +8(5dp--2X, 3PX) -12

Time of the Match: 1:21:37
Playing time: 34:08

Match article (Esku Pilota)

A very tight match until 23-20 changed its complexion after Iturbe injured his elbow crashing into the right wall. N-L immediately went on a 6-1 run to open a lead that was then gradually increased to its largest margin at the end of the match. Niang has a dominant match with a net +15.

Niang*-Lucu advance to the Final.

Brief Goizeko-Izarra article:

Belle demi-finale avec un Public nombreux.

Niang et Lucu se sont difficilement mais irrémédiablement détachés en fin de partie.

Mainhaguiet et Iturbe se sont inclinés après nous avoir offert de très beaux points!

Il nous tarde la finale lundi prochain 28 octobre,... attention, à 16h, heure d’hiver oblige!

Loose Google translation.

Beautiful semifinal with a large audience.

Niang and Lucu have difficulty but irremediably detached at the end of the game.

Mainhaguiet and Iturbe bowed after giving us very nice points!

We are waiting for the finale next Monday, October 28th, ... beware, at 4 pm, winter time requires!

October 14

1st Semi-final

Aguirre-Sanchez* (3-0; +59) 50

Maiz*-Iphar* (seeded in at the Semi-final level) 25 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Goizeko Izarra--Henry Ocafrain) (winners always listed 1st)

0-5; 3-7; 7-11; 9-11; 12-18; 12-19; 20-20; 27-23; 43-23; 46-24; 50-25

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain) 

Aguirre +19(including 11 service aces and 3 direct points--3 Xare) -4; Sanchez +15(5dp--5 Pumpa Xare) -6

Maiz +13(7a; 3dp--2X, 1PX) -5; Iphar +2(1dp--1X) -11

Time of the Match: 1:16:49

Playing Time: 32:52

Match article (Esku Pilota)

After M-I got off to a great start, A-S used 7 and 16 point runs to outscore their opponents 38-6 and win easily. The match article praised young Andoni Iphar and said he was "un jeune a surveiller" ("a youngster to watch"), although his statistics didn't show it.

Aguirre-Sanchez* advance to the Final.

Brief Goizeko-Izarra article:

Belle partie de pelote cet après-midi.

Aguirre et Sanchez, impressionnants dans la 2ème moitié de la confrontation.

Maiz et Iphar n’ont pas démérité mais ont cédé!.

De beaux points. Public nombreux au rendez-vous.

Loose Google Translation

Nice game of pelota this afternoon.

Aguirre and Sanchez, impressive in the second half of the confrontation.

Maiz and Iphar did not play badly but gave way!

Beautiful points. A large crowd attended the match.

October 7

Round 2

Aguirre-Sanchez* (2-0; +34) 50

L.Lambert-Harocarene* (1-1; -5) 36 (Info Garazi Officiel Youtube--Note: there are some technical issues early in the video, but they are resolved)

Selected linescore (Goizeko Izarra--Henry Ocafrain, and Esku Pilota) (winners always listed 1st)

3-3; 4-4; 5-5; 6-6; 8-8; 9-11; 15-15; 16-16; 17-17; 18-22; 24-24; 26-24; 34-26; 34-27; 45-27; 48-32; 48-36 50-36

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain): Note: Direct points (points scored via the pelota hitting the screen protecting the dugout before the opposition can hit it--Xare (pelota goes into the screen on the fly) and Pumpa Xare (same except on the bounce). It is unknown whether pelotas that go into the back dugout are included in these counts.

Aguirre +22 (including 16 service aces and 3 direct points--2X, 1PX) -3; Sanchez +11 (7dp--3X, 4PX) -8

L. Lambert +20 (13a, 2dp--1X, 1PX); -5; Harocarene +5 (2dp--2X) -12

Time of the Match: 1:19:18

Playing Time: 31:38

Match article (Esku Pilota)

Aguirre-Sanchez* advance to the Semi-finals.

Brief Goizeko-Izarra article:

Belle partie de pelote cet après-midi.

Aguirre et Sanchez, après une pluie d’égalités ont fini par dominer leurs excellents adversaires.

L. Lambert et Harocarene se sont bien défendus!.

De beaux points. Le Public ravi était au rendez-vous.

Loose Google translation:

Nice game of pelota this afternoon.

Aguirre and Sanchez, after a rain of equalities ended up dominating their excellent opponents.

L. Lambert and Harocarene defended themselves well!

Beautiful points. The delighted public was at the rendezvous.

The first half was a tremendous battle, featuring 9 equal scores. At the halfway point A-S had a 2 point lead. But they broke the game open with a 21-3 burst, including an 11 point run. Both fronts had excellent matches, accounting for 29 points on aces and 5 on direct points. The backs' differential was the difference as Sanchez sparkled with 7 direct points, while Harocarene was the only player with negative figures. For the match the total figures added to +58 -28.

September 30

2nd Round

Mainhaguiet*-Iturbe (2-0; +49) 50

Elgart-Hualde* (1-1; -18) 17 (Info Garazi Youtube full match video)

Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Goizeko Izarra--Henry Ocafrain) (winners always listed 1st)

4-6; 6-6; 9-9; 10-10; 11-11; 15-13; 24-13; 24-15; 45-15; 50-17

Scoring: Henry Ocafrain 

Mainhaguiet +26(including 13 service aces and 3 direct points--1 Xare and 2 Pumpa Xares) -3; Iturbe +3(1dp--1X) -4

Elgart +5(3a) -9; Hualde +5(2dp--2PX) -12

Mainhaguiet*-Iturbe move on to the Semi-finals

Match article (Esku Pilota)

Brief Goizeko Izarra summary

Mainhaguet et Iturbe puissants, adroits et dominateurs. 

Elgart et Hualde ont subi!

Loose Google Translation

Mainhaguet and Iturbe powerful, dexterous and domineering. Elgart and Hualde have suffered!

At 15-13, Elgart faulted. It all went "pear shaped" as M-I went on a 35-4 run to move on to the Semi-finals. Mainhaguet had a dominating performance with a net +23 and 13 aces. M-I have run up a 49 point differential in their first 2 matches.

September 23

2nd Round

Niang*-Lucu (2-0; +36) 50 Anchordoqui*-de Ezurra* (1-1; -4) 31

Selected linescore (Goizeko Izarra--Henry Ocafrain) (winners always listed first

2-2; 3-3; 7-3; 7-7; 8-8; 12-8; 17-13; 19-18; 22-18; 25-22; 28-22; 33-25; 38-25; 43-27; 49-31; 50-31

Scoring (Henry Ocafrain)

Niang +23(including 12 service aces and 7 dp-- (6X, 1PX) -4;

Lucu +16(5dp--4X, 1PX) -8

Anchordoqui +13(6a 2dp--2X) -3;

de Ezcurra +6(4dp--1X, 3PX) -8

Niang*-Lucu move on to the Semi-Finals

Match Article (Esku Pilota)

Goizeko Izzara brief summary

Belle partie, engagement total des quatre Pilotari.

Pans coupés et filets à la pelle!.

NiangI et Lucu méritent leur victoire. Anchordoqui et P. de Ezcurra ont opposé une belle résistance.

Beau Public ravi!

Loose Google translation

Nice match, total commitment of the four Pilotari.

Cut edges and fillets (xare and pumpa xare) with shovel!

NiangI and Lucu deserve their victory. Anchordoqui and P. de Ezcurra resisted well.

Nice crowd delighted! 

N-L both dominated their opponents, running up +10 point advantages each. Errors were pretty evenly distributed. At each decade mark through 3 decades, they held a 4 point lead. In the 4th decade they stretched the lead to 6, in the 5th to 10. In the 6th they blew the match open, increasing their lead to 16. They increased it to 18 in the 7th. What had been a reasonably competitive match throughout the 1st half turned into an easy win.  

September 16

1st Round

Aguirre-Sanchez* 40 Bielle-Larre* 20 (Info Garazi Youtube full match video)

Goizeko-Izzara brief summary

Aguirre et Sanchez en conquérants.

Malgré leur belle défense, Bielle et Larre ont cédé.

Score sévère dû aux buts ravageurs de Aguirre.

Loose Google Tranlation

Aguirre and Sanchez as conquerors.

Despite their good defense, Bielle and Larre gave in.

Severe score due to the aggressive goals of Aguirre.

L. Lambert-Harocarene* 40 Heguy*-Cubiat 31

Goizeko Izarra brief summary.

Une découverte : Arnaud Harocanere!. Belle équipe avec Laurent Lambert efficace et tonique.

Heguy pas dans sa meilleure forme et Çubiat décontenancé par la résistance de son adversaire ont laissé filer le score malgré un très belle fin de partie.

Des beaux points!

Loose Google Translation

A discovery: Arnaud Harocanere! Nice team with Laurent Lambert efficient and tonic.

Heguy not in his best form and Çubiat disconcerted by the resistance of his opponent let slip the score despite a very nice end game.

Beautiful points!

September 9

1st Round

Elgart-Hualde* 40 Inchauspe-Luro* 25 (Info Garazi Youtube condensed full match video) Note: there is no visible scoreboard in this video. You will have to keep score yourself. 

Goizeko-Izarra brief summary:

Elgart et Hualde (sic) ont dominé leurs adversaires de bien belle façon.

Trop de pression pour Inchauspe et A. Luro qui se sont bien défendus.

Inchauspe retrouve sa main droite, pour celle de gauche, tout va bien. Merci pour les buts sur le pan coupé!

Partie agréable pour une belle assistance.

Google Translate:

Elgart and Hualde (sic) dominated their opponents very well.

Too much pressure for Inchauspe and A. Luro who defended themselves well.

Inchauspe finds his right hand, for the left one, everything is fine. Thanks for the goals on the cutaway!

Nice match for a nice audience

Mainhaguiet*-Iturbe 40 Lascor*-Amulet 24 (Info Garazi Youtube condensed full match video)

Goizeko-Izarra brief summary:

Mainhaguiet et Iturbe magnifiques ont malmené la paire Lascor et Amulet.

De beaux points!

Google Translate:

Mainhaguiet and Iturbe magnificent (as they) manhandled Lascor and Amulet.

Beautiful points!

September 2

1st Round

Niang*-Lucu 40 Cigarroa*-Garat* 23 (Info Garazi Officiel Youtube condensed match video)

Anchordoquy*-P. de Ezcurra* 40 Alcasena*-Bereterbide* 26 (Info Garazi Officiel Youtube condensed match video)

For more information on Le Garat Lundi traditional 50 point matches, including match coverage and a players' win-loss table, wee the recurring 50 point match page on the right side of the blog

Main Nue--Tournoi de Bidart (October 10, 12, 2019)

Tournoi de Bidart (1) (2) (October 10, 12) (Esku Pilota Open Tournament)

Note: This tournament was played on a mur-a gauche (left wall) fronton with a drop-in trinquet side and back dugout. This makes for a different strategic and tactical kind of Main Nue, one we also saw at Tournois d'Itassou (BLOG POST) last May, where Etcheverry-Ducassou defeated Ospital-Xala* (Yves Sallaberry) in the final.

Esku Pilota Roster

* Not on the Esku Pilota Roster at present.

Previous championships

2018 Final: Bielle-Cubiat 40 Elgart-Sanchez 32 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

2017: P. Larralde-Bilbao 40 Waltary-Ducassou 18

Match article (Esku Pilota)

2016: P. Larralde-Guichandut 40 Ospital-Ducassou 32 (BLOG POST that covers the entire tournament, scores, article links, full match video of the Final

2019

October 12

FINAL

(#7)Waltary-(#4)Bilbao 40

(#3)Ospital-Xala (Yves Sallaberry)*22 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Pilota Ttiki)

(5 Waltary service aces) 10-0; 40-22

Partial scoring

Waltary 12 aces, 1 service fault; Bilbao -1; Ospital 3a, 1f

Match article (Esku Pilota)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

W-B, playing together for the first time this year, dominated from beginning to end, once again overpowering their opponents (their aggregate score in this tournament was 80-47). Waltary had 12 aces (30 for the tournament--his oppenents. P. Larralde and Ospital, #2 and 3 on the Esku Pilota ladder, scored 8 total) on what is essentially a mur-a-gauche (mano fronton), demonstrating that he remains the most lethal server in the game. Bilbao played an almost perfect game, showing excellent mobility on defense, as well as scoring some well aimed points. OZ had no chance. Ospital's 7 match winning streak came to an abrupt end.

October 10

Semi-Finals

(#3) Ospital-Xala (Yves Sallaberry)* 40

(#15) Etcheverry-(#1) Ducassou 25 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Pilota Ttiki) (winners always listed 1st)

11-5; 16-9; 22-16; 40-22

(#7) Waltary-(#4) Bilbao 40

(#2) P. Larralde-(#24) B. Larralde 25 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (Esku Pilota and Pilota Ttiki) (winnrs always listed 1st)

13-4; 20-13; 29-13; 30-14; 37-14; (Waltary service fault) 37-25; (P.Larralde service fault) 40-25

Partial scoring (Pilota Ttiki)

Waltary 18 service aces; P. Larralde 5

Match article for both matches (Esku Pilota)

Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)

The 1st match was dominated by big runs, but they came after W-B had established a 7 point lead at the half-way point. Then followed rapidly a 17-1 W-B run followed by an 11 point B-B run that began with an innocuous Waltary service fault. P. Larralde returned the favor at 37-25, allowing W-B to quickly finish the match. B. Larralde played much of the match with a sore back. The match articles lauded the play of Bixintxo Bilbao. Later Xala said of Waltary:

"Waltary, je l’ai trouvé très frais, très violent, il a mis beaucoup de buts."

Loose Google translation

"Waltary, I found him very cool, very violent, he made a lot of aces"

O-X won the rematch of the Tournois d'Itassou (see link above) Final by jumping out to an early lead and then dominating the 2nd half of the match (18-6), easily advancing to the Final.