1. January 7, 2017--Zumaia (1)(2)(3) Goikoetxea-Inza defeated Egiguren-Enbil 2-0 (15-10, 15-11).
Match article (Jai Alai News Facebook page--English translation may be available)
This was a benefit match for the defense of Pablo Ibarren.
2. Cesta Punta--Rekalde v Irastorza, a documentary film produced by Arte France and Ethan Productions, directed by Jacques Mitch, 2005, 50 minutes 43 seconds (French). This 11 year old documentary has recently been uploaded to Youtube by the director. It is an excellent account of modern day Jai Alai, which uses a championship partido match (Rekalde-Goitia v Jabi-Irastorza) as the pivot around which it documents biographies of the two title figures. There is much to see here describing US quiniela Jai Alai at the time, along with other aspects of the sport. The language is French, but in Jai Alai pictures are worth a thousand words and the themes of the film are easy to pick up without any language proficiency. Note that in the championship match, selected ball speeds were available for Irastorza. Top speed was 208 km/hour (129 mph). 11 years later, in last summer's Internationaux Cesta Punta SLAM final, father time (40 years old) was catching up with him. The fastest throw I saw clocked for him in that match was a mere 196 km/hr (122mph).
Friday, January 13, 2017
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Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Pala--InnPala Rankings Update--January 7,.2017
InnPala has published its first rankings table for the 2016-17 season. Rankings are current through the end of the recently completed La Liga Kutxabank competition. Rankings are by player position. They are:
Delanteros Zagueros
(Front) (Back)
Gaubeka 66 Ibai-Perez 66
Necol 44 Ibargarai 44
Zubiri 36 Brefel 36
Fusto 30 Gordon 30
Landeta 24 Imanol 24
Rankings, along with explanation
La Liga was a 3 diamond (***) tournament.
Note that the InnPala ranking date has not yet been changed as of January 11, 2017
Delanteros Zagueros
(Front) (Back)
Gaubeka 66 Ibai-Perez 66
Necol 44 Ibargarai 44
Zubiri 36 Brefel 36
Fusto 30 Gordon 30
Landeta 24 Imanol 24
Rankings, along with explanation
La Liga was a 3 diamond (***) tournament.
Note that the InnPala ranking date has not yet been changed as of January 11, 2017
Pala--La Liga Kutxabank--Final and 3rd place match
La Liga Kutxabank competition began on October 29, 2016 at Bizkaia Fronton, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1)(2). It ended with a final at Bizkaia on January 7, 2017.
This tournament included the entire InnPala roster, divided into 5
teams which participated in a double round robin League competition,
followed by a semi-final between the 2nd and 3rd place teams. The
winner faced the League winner in the final. Most
of the matches were played at Bizkaia. There were also matches at Sopela
and Gallarta. For more on the tournament see the tournament page at InnPala.
Week 1--October 29, 2016 (Full match videos available)
Week 2--November 5, 2016 (Selected match videos available)
Week 3--November 12, 2016
Week 4--November 19, 2016
Week 5--November 25-26, 2016 (Full match videos available)
Week 6--December 2-3, 2016
Week 7--December 10, 2016 (Full match videos available)
Week 9--December 23, 2016
Semi-final--December 30, 2016 (Full match video available)
Final
January 7, 2017
Individual Joko (set) score sources for both matches: Diario Vasco Cartelera (January 8, 2017), Mundodeportivo.com via InnPala Twitter feed, Deia match article, InnPala Fronton Facebook page. Diario Vasco had an incorrect joko score for the 3rd joko of the 3rd place match. It was 10-5 Zubiri-Brefel.
Gaubeka--Ibai-Perez defeated Necol-Ibargarai 3-0 (10-4, 10-7, 10-9)
Full match video for both the final and 3rd place match (EITB--added February 11, 2017).
Individual joko linescores (EITB) (winners always listed 1st):
Joko 1: 1-0; 2-0; 3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-2; 4-3(50 balls in play); 5-3 ; 6-3; 7-3; 7-4; 8-4; 9-4; 10-4; (1-0)
Joko 2: 0-0 (68 balls in play); 1-0 ; 2-0; 1-1; 2-1; 3-1; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4; 5-5 6-5; 7-5; 7-6; 8-6; 9-6; 9-7; 10-7 (2-0)
Joko 3: 1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 3-2; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-5; 4-6; 5-6; 6-6; 6-7; 7-7; 7-8; 8-8; 8-9; 9-9; 10-9 (3-0).
Scoring:
Gaubeka +9 -1, Ibai-Perez +3 (all service aces) -7 (including 1 service fault)
Necol +6 -11, Ibargarai +3 -7 (including 1 service fault)
Note that the individual scores do not add up to the total
Balls in play: 604
Time of the match: 56 minutes, 20 seconds
Match preview (Deia)
Match article (mundodeportivo.com)
Match article with match statistics (Deia)
Match article with 22 photos (InnPala Fronton Facebook page)
At the time this was posted, there was no match video available. If and when it becomes available, it will be added.
In the match preview Ibargarai said that his team must attack to win. They did, but G-IP were up to the task of defending, waiting for mistakes, and counter punching. The number of balls in play (604) for a match won in straight jokos (only 50 points out of a possible maximum 95, an average of 12 balls in play per point--compared to the semi-final, in which 73 points and 4 jokos consumed 499 balls in play, an average of 8) indicates that this was a difficult struggle in spite of the final tally. But in the end, N-I led for only one point in the entire match (4-3 in the third joko, according to the mundodeportivo.com account). Two turning points came early, in the first joko. At 4-2, Gaubeka had to leave for treatment of a shoulder injury. He came back and played magnificently (his error count was amazing). At 5-3 in the same joko there was a monster 49 ball point won by G-I. That completely broke N-I's resistance in that joko and set the tone for the rest of the match. Ibai-Perez was named the best player of the match for his great defense (including more than one "impossible" rebote). N-I were hurt by errors, but it comes with the territory when you play the attacking game they had planned from the beginning. I-P finished the tournament with 7 wins and 2 losses (24-15 jokos). N-I finished 4-6 (20-23).
3rd Place Match
Zubiri-Brefel defeated Fusto-Gordon 3-2 (10-8, 6-10, 10-5, 9-10, 10-9). :
Individual joko linescores: (winners always listed 1st) (EITB)
Joko 1: 0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 1-3; 1-4; 2-4; 3-4; 3-5; 4-5; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 8-6; 9-6; 9-7; 9-8; 10-8 (1-0)
Joko 2: 0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 1-3; 2-3; 3-3; 3-4; 3-5; 3-6; 4-6; 4-7; 4-8; 5-8; 5-9; 6-9; 6-10 (1-1)
Joko 3: 1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 3-1; 3-2; 4-2; 5-2; 6-2; 7-2; 8-2; 8-3; 9-3; 9-4; 9-5; 10-5 (2-1)
Joko 4: 0-1; 0-2; 1-2; 2-2; 3-2; 3-3; 3-4; 3-5; 4-5; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 7-7; 8-7; 9-7; 9-8; 9-9; 9-10 (2-2)
Joko 5: 1-0; 1-1; 1-2; 2-2; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-3; 6-3; 6-4; 7-4; 7-5; 7-6; 8-6; 8-7; 8-8; 8-9; 9-9; 10-9 (3-2).
Scoring (EITB
Zubiri +7 -8; Fusto +18 -6
Brefel +17 -11; Gordon +5 -15
675 balls in play
Zubiri 165, Brefel 174
Fusto 204, Gordon 132
Time of the match: 1 hour, 17 minutes, 42 seconds.
87 points were scored out of a possible maximum 95. The last two jokos were won comebacks at the very end.
===============================
Table of wins and losses for the 2016-2017 season.
Key: Player; Position (d=delantero (front court), z=zaguero (back court)); match wins-losses; joko (set) wins-losses; winning-losing streak; championships won. Matches that are single partidos will be noted. Table will be according to match winning percentage. 1st tie breaker will be number of wins. 2nd tie breaker will be joko win-loss differential. We begin the season with La Liga Kutxabank, starting October 29, 2016.
January 7, 2017 (end of La Liga)
Gaubeka(d)..7-2.....24-15..+2*....1(La Liga)
Zubiri(d)......6-5.....24-19..+1*
Fusto(d)........5-5.....20-21..-2
Necol(d)........4-7.....20-26..-1
Landeta(d)...3-6.....15-22..+1
Ibai-Perez(z)..7-3....25-18..+1*....1(La Liga)
Brefel(z).........5-4....20-16..+2
Ibargari(z).....5-6....23-23...-1
Gordon(z)......5-6....20-24...-2
Imanol(z).......3-6....15-22..+1*
Includes Dec. 30, 2016 independent match: Landeta-Imanol defeated Zuberi--Ibai-Perez 3-1 (10-8, 7-10, 10-9, 10-7) at Bizkaia.
*Does not include the result of Nov.25, 2016 independent match Gaubeka--Ibai-Perez v Zubiri-Imanol. The result is unknown at this time. I will add it when I find it.
Includes Nov. 19, 2016 independent match: Zuberi-Ibargari defeated Necol-Gordon 3-0 (10-8, 10-3, 10-9) at Bizkaia.
For cumulative accounting of this player table see the InnPala Player win-loss table under the Pala page on the right side of the blog.
Week 1--October 29, 2016 (Full match videos available)
Week 2--November 5, 2016 (Selected match videos available)
Week 3--November 12, 2016
Week 4--November 19, 2016
Week 5--November 25-26, 2016 (Full match videos available)
Week 6--December 2-3, 2016
Week 7--December 10, 2016 (Full match videos available)
Semi-final--December 30, 2016 (Full match video available)
Final
January 7, 2017
Individual Joko (set) score sources for both matches: Diario Vasco Cartelera (January 8, 2017), Mundodeportivo.com via InnPala Twitter feed, Deia match article, InnPala Fronton Facebook page. Diario Vasco had an incorrect joko score for the 3rd joko of the 3rd place match. It was 10-5 Zubiri-Brefel.
Gaubeka--Ibai-Perez defeated Necol-Ibargarai 3-0 (10-4, 10-7, 10-9)
Full match video for both the final and 3rd place match (EITB--added February 11, 2017).
Individual joko linescores (EITB) (winners always listed 1st):
Joko 1: 1-0; 2-0; 3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-2; 4-3(50 balls in play); 5-3 ; 6-3; 7-3; 7-4; 8-4; 9-4; 10-4; (1-0)
Joko 2: 0-0 (68 balls in play); 1-0 ; 2-0; 1-1; 2-1; 3-1; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4; 5-5 6-5; 7-5; 7-6; 8-6; 9-6; 9-7; 10-7 (2-0)
Joko 3: 1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 3-2; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-5; 4-6; 5-6; 6-6; 6-7; 7-7; 7-8; 8-8; 8-9; 9-9; 10-9 (3-0).
Scoring:
Gaubeka +9 -1, Ibai-Perez +3 (all service aces) -7 (including 1 service fault)
Necol +6 -11, Ibargarai +3 -7 (including 1 service fault)
Note that the individual scores do not add up to the total
Balls in play: 604
Time of the match: 56 minutes, 20 seconds
Match preview (Deia)
Match article (mundodeportivo.com)
Match article with match statistics (Deia)
Match article with 22 photos (InnPala Fronton Facebook page)
At the time this was posted, there was no match video available. If and when it becomes available, it will be added.
In the match preview Ibargarai said that his team must attack to win. They did, but G-IP were up to the task of defending, waiting for mistakes, and counter punching. The number of balls in play (604) for a match won in straight jokos (only 50 points out of a possible maximum 95, an average of 12 balls in play per point--compared to the semi-final, in which 73 points and 4 jokos consumed 499 balls in play, an average of 8) indicates that this was a difficult struggle in spite of the final tally. But in the end, N-I led for only one point in the entire match (4-3 in the third joko, according to the mundodeportivo.com account). Two turning points came early, in the first joko. At 4-2, Gaubeka had to leave for treatment of a shoulder injury. He came back and played magnificently (his error count was amazing). At 5-3 in the same joko there was a monster 49 ball point won by G-I. That completely broke N-I's resistance in that joko and set the tone for the rest of the match. Ibai-Perez was named the best player of the match for his great defense (including more than one "impossible" rebote). N-I were hurt by errors, but it comes with the territory when you play the attacking game they had planned from the beginning. I-P finished the tournament with 7 wins and 2 losses (24-15 jokos). N-I finished 4-6 (20-23).
3rd Place Match
Zubiri-Brefel defeated Fusto-Gordon 3-2 (10-8, 6-10, 10-5, 9-10, 10-9). :
Individual joko linescores: (winners always listed 1st) (EITB)
Joko 1: 0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 1-3; 1-4; 2-4; 3-4; 3-5; 4-5; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 8-6; 9-6; 9-7; 9-8; 10-8 (1-0)
Joko 2: 0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 1-3; 2-3; 3-3; 3-4; 3-5; 3-6; 4-6; 4-7; 4-8; 5-8; 5-9; 6-9; 6-10 (1-1)
Joko 3: 1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 3-1; 3-2; 4-2; 5-2; 6-2; 7-2; 8-2; 8-3; 9-3; 9-4; 9-5; 10-5 (2-1)
Joko 4: 0-1; 0-2; 1-2; 2-2; 3-2; 3-3; 3-4; 3-5; 4-5; 5-5; 6-5; 6-6; 7-6; 7-7; 8-7; 9-7; 9-8; 9-9; 9-10 (2-2)
Joko 5: 1-0; 1-1; 1-2; 2-2; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-3; 6-3; 6-4; 7-4; 7-5; 7-6; 8-6; 8-7; 8-8; 8-9; 9-9; 10-9 (3-2).
Scoring (EITB
Zubiri +7 -8; Fusto +18 -6
Brefel +17 -11; Gordon +5 -15
675 balls in play
Zubiri 165, Brefel 174
Fusto 204, Gordon 132
Time of the match: 1 hour, 17 minutes, 42 seconds.
87 points were scored out of a possible maximum 95. The last two jokos were won comebacks at the very end.
===============================
Table of wins and losses for the 2016-2017 season.
Key: Player; Position (d=delantero (front court), z=zaguero (back court)); match wins-losses; joko (set) wins-losses; winning-losing streak; championships won. Matches that are single partidos will be noted. Table will be according to match winning percentage. 1st tie breaker will be number of wins. 2nd tie breaker will be joko win-loss differential. We begin the season with La Liga Kutxabank, starting October 29, 2016.
January 7, 2017 (end of La Liga)
Gaubeka(d)..7-2.....24-15..+2*....1(La Liga)
Zubiri(d)......6-5.....24-19..+1*
Fusto(d)........5-5.....20-21..-2
Necol(d)........4-7.....20-26..-1
Landeta(d)...3-6.....15-22..+1
Ibai-Perez(z)..7-3....25-18..+1*....1(La Liga)
Brefel(z).........5-4....20-16..+2
Ibargari(z).....5-6....23-23...-1
Gordon(z)......5-6....20-24...-2
Imanol(z).......3-6....15-22..+1*
Includes Dec. 30, 2016 independent match: Landeta-Imanol defeated Zuberi--Ibai-Perez 3-1 (10-8, 7-10, 10-9, 10-7) at Bizkaia.
*Does not include the result of Nov.25, 2016 independent match Gaubeka--Ibai-Perez v Zubiri-Imanol. The result is unknown at this time. I will add it when I find it.
Includes Nov. 19, 2016 independent match: Zuberi-Ibargari defeated Necol-Gordon 3-0 (10-8, 10-3, 10-9) at Bizkaia.
For cumulative accounting of this player table see the InnPala Player win-loss table under the Pala page on the right side of the blog.
Main Nue--FFPB Championnat de France Elite Pro Individuel--Results of January 9, 2017
The Main Nue
Individuel Elite Pro Championnat de France A and B competition is sponsored by the Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPB). The competition began on December 23, 2016 and will end on February 20, 2017. You can follow its progress here. Pelotelive.free.fr also provides A and B
coverage. The tournament is a seeded ladder tournament.
* not listed on the Esku Pilota player pages at this time.
The A group consists of Antton Amulet, Philippe Bielle, Bixintxo Bilbao, Pascal de Ezcurra, Baptiste Ducassou, Peio Guichandut, Ximun Lambert, Peio Larralde, Matheiu Ospital, and Agusti Waltary. The seeds, from low to high are: Amulet and Ospital (1/8), Bilbao and Waltary (Quarter-finals), and Larralde and Ducassou ("Liguilla").
The B group consists of Gregory Aguirre, Jean-Philippe Benesse*, Mickael Darmendrail, Vincent Elgart, Julien Etchegaray, Alexis Inchauspe, Laurent Lambert, Cedric Lucu, Alain Migueltorena, Antton Monce, Mattin Olcomendy*, and Mickael Palomes. The seeds, from low to high are: Darmendrail and L. Lambert (1/8), Palomes and Inchauspe (Quarter-finals), and Elgart and Monce ("Liguilla").
The "Liguilla" phase is a round robin among the top 4 finishers (two who win their way in and two who are seeded in) which will determine the finalists.
Article describing the competition (Esku Pilota)
December 23 2016-January 2, 2017 matches; January 6, 2017 matches
January 9, 2017
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Le Garat, St. Jean-Pied-de-Port (1) (2)
B5. Benesse* defeated Darmendrail via a forfeit. Darmendrail is recovering from cyst surgery and has dropped out of the tournament.
In place of that match, as a "lever de rideau" (curtain raiser) for the A4 match, Elgart (seeded into the "Liguilla" phase of the B tournament) played against Benesse instead.
Elgart defeated Benesse* 40-36 or 40-35. (Note: the Garat "lundi" page has the score of this match 40-36. Pilota Ttiki and Esku Pilota have it 40-35). This is the second consecutive week that separate sources have different scores for the same match. Benesse's next match will be a quarter final match against Palomes on Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Garat.
A4. Ospital defeated de Ezcurra 40-33
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article, along with match statistics (source: H. Ocafrain via Excel spreadsheet created by Esku Pilota), and an audio interview with Ospital. (Esku Pilota). Note that de Ezcurra's + adds to 28 (which is not listed in the spreadsheet or in the original Ocafrain table at the Garat "lundi" page).
This was a difficult match for Ospital. According to the match article he was playing with a sore heel which he bandaged. The bandage bothered him and he fell behind 8-2. According to Ospital:
"J’avais un petit souci au talon depuis le Super Prestige et j’ai joué en début de partie avec la cheville bandée et ce n’est pas du tout les mêmes appuis. Je n’étais pas du tout précis. Sur le coup de 20 j’ai enlevé le strap et après j’ai trouvé un petit plus de précision dans mon jeu"
loosely translated by Google:
"I had a little worry in the heel since the Super Prestige and I played at the beginning of the game with the ankle bandaged and it is not at all the same supports. I was not at all accurate. On the stroke of 20 I removed the strap and then I found a little more precision in my game."
Ospital was struggling at: 2-8; 9-11; 14-16; and 19-21. After the bandage came off the score went to 27-23; 32-28; and 39-31.He next faces Waltary at the Garat on January 16.
In other news, Bilbao's match v Guichandut, originally scheduled for Villefranque on January 14, has been postponed due to Bilbao being ill with influenza. That match has been re-scheduled for January 21 at the same venue. To replace match of the 14th a "lever de rideau" B match between Monce and Elgart (both seeded in at the Liguilla level), will precede the B6 match of Etchegaray v L. Lambert.
For cumulative records of Main Nue elite professionals see the "Cumulative records of EP players" on the recurring results page on the right side of the blog.
* not listed on the Esku Pilota player pages at this time.
The A group consists of Antton Amulet, Philippe Bielle, Bixintxo Bilbao, Pascal de Ezcurra, Baptiste Ducassou, Peio Guichandut, Ximun Lambert, Peio Larralde, Matheiu Ospital, and Agusti Waltary. The seeds, from low to high are: Amulet and Ospital (1/8), Bilbao and Waltary (Quarter-finals), and Larralde and Ducassou ("Liguilla").
The B group consists of Gregory Aguirre, Jean-Philippe Benesse*, Mickael Darmendrail, Vincent Elgart, Julien Etchegaray, Alexis Inchauspe, Laurent Lambert, Cedric Lucu, Alain Migueltorena, Antton Monce, Mattin Olcomendy*, and Mickael Palomes. The seeds, from low to high are: Darmendrail and L. Lambert (1/8), Palomes and Inchauspe (Quarter-finals), and Elgart and Monce ("Liguilla").
The "Liguilla" phase is a round robin among the top 4 finishers (two who win their way in and two who are seeded in) which will determine the finalists.
Article describing the competition (Esku Pilota)
December 23 2016-January 2, 2017 matches; January 6, 2017 matches
January 9, 2017
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Le Garat, St. Jean-Pied-de-Port (1) (2)
B5. Benesse* defeated Darmendrail via a forfeit. Darmendrail is recovering from cyst surgery and has dropped out of the tournament.
In place of that match, as a "lever de rideau" (curtain raiser) for the A4 match, Elgart (seeded into the "Liguilla" phase of the B tournament) played against Benesse instead.
Elgart defeated Benesse* 40-36 or 40-35. (Note: the Garat "lundi" page has the score of this match 40-36. Pilota Ttiki and Esku Pilota have it 40-35). This is the second consecutive week that separate sources have different scores for the same match. Benesse's next match will be a quarter final match against Palomes on Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Garat.
A4. Ospital defeated de Ezcurra 40-33
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article, along with match statistics (source: H. Ocafrain via Excel spreadsheet created by Esku Pilota), and an audio interview with Ospital. (Esku Pilota). Note that de Ezcurra's + adds to 28 (which is not listed in the spreadsheet or in the original Ocafrain table at the Garat "lundi" page).
This was a difficult match for Ospital. According to the match article he was playing with a sore heel which he bandaged. The bandage bothered him and he fell behind 8-2. According to Ospital:
"J’avais un petit souci au talon depuis le Super Prestige et j’ai joué en début de partie avec la cheville bandée et ce n’est pas du tout les mêmes appuis. Je n’étais pas du tout précis. Sur le coup de 20 j’ai enlevé le strap et après j’ai trouvé un petit plus de précision dans mon jeu"
loosely translated by Google:
"I had a little worry in the heel since the Super Prestige and I played at the beginning of the game with the ankle bandaged and it is not at all the same supports. I was not at all accurate. On the stroke of 20 I removed the strap and then I found a little more precision in my game."
Ospital was struggling at: 2-8; 9-11; 14-16; and 19-21. After the bandage came off the score went to 27-23; 32-28; and 39-31.He next faces Waltary at the Garat on January 16.
In other news, Bilbao's match v Guichandut, originally scheduled for Villefranque on January 14, has been postponed due to Bilbao being ill with influenza. That match has been re-scheduled for January 21 at the same venue. To replace match of the 14th a "lever de rideau" B match between Monce and Elgart (both seeded in at the Liguilla level), will precede the B6 match of Etchegaray v L. Lambert.
For cumulative records of Main Nue elite professionals see the "Cumulative records of EP players" on the recurring results page on the right side of the blog.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--Week 6
Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas, the premier doubles
competition of the 2016-2017 Mano season, began December 2, 2016. 8
teams compete for the title. The first (league) phase is a double round
robin (14 matches). The top 4 finishers will then face off in a single
round robin (3 matches). The two winners will play in a final on April
9, 2017.
Asegarce Competition Page
Asegarce League phase table
ASPE League phase table
Wikipedia Competition Page (Castilian)
Full ongoing league phase table (with total points and differential):
Source for all match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, is 21iguales.com 21iguales.com will also keep an ongoing phase table at its main Parejas site and with every match article.
Match linescores will be provided from match articles when available. Full match linescores can be found at 21iguales.com Twitter feed. Track back to the date and match and follow from beginning to end. The feed is also available at the Main site of 21iguales.com while the matches are in progress.
Source for all highlights and full match videos, unless otherwise specifically stated, is EITB.
Week 1; Week 2; Week 3; Week 4; Week 5
Week 6
January 5, 2017
Brief video recap of the week
At the end of the 6th round, 5 teams are tied for 2nd place with 3 wins and 3 losses. The tie breaker is point differential, which is listed in every linked table.
A. Beotibar, Tolosa (1)(2): Irribaria-Rezusta defeated Victor (substituting for Artola)-Albisu 22-13.
Match article with statistics and linescore
The first half of the match was equal, with each team taking and then losing substantial leads. I-R owned the second half 11-2. Irribaria outscored the other three players combined. I-R 6-0 (+6) A-A 3-3 (-2)
Match highlights
Match highlights (22iguales.com Youtube) 11 selected points.
January 6, 2017
B. Astelena, Eibar (1)(2): Elezkano II-Zabaleta defeated Urrutikoetxea-Imaz 22-16.
Match article with statistics and linescore
The lead changed hands 4 times in this match. The last 2 (7-11--12-11 and 12-13--18-13) were decisive. Urrutikoetxea did all the scoring (+10, but also 5 errors) for his team. Imaz' score was +0 -0 E-Z 3-3 (+1) U-I 1-5(-3)
In a late news update, Danel Elezkano will be replaced by Erik Jaka for E-Z's round 7 match v Ezkurdia-Merino II. Elezkano has an ankle ligament injury. He twisted the ankle late in this match, but returned to finish it after treatment. At this time Elizkano's return date is unknown.
Elizkano injury article (Diario Vasco)
Match highlights
Full Match video (Fronton.tv) Scroll to "Eibar-Astelena - 06/01/2017". Elezkano's injury occurs in the 21-16 point. Point begins at 1:01:31. Injury occurs at 1:01:58. Point ends at 1:02:02 on the video.
January 7, 2017
C. Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2): Altuna III-Barriola defeated Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe 22-12.
Match article with statistics and linescore
For the second week in a row, A-B came back from a big deficit to win. This time, B-L got off to a quick 8-2 lead.Then A-B struck back with a 14-0 run that sealed the outcome. Altuna III again had a big match, scoring around 70% of his team's points. A-B have won each of the three matches they have played together. They have lost the three where one or both of them did not play. A-B 3-3 (+2) B-L 2-4 (-1).
Match highlights
Full match video (match begins at 1:05:34 on the video).
January 8, 2017
D. Politiportivo La Juventud, Soria (1)(2): Ezkurdia-Merino II defeated Victor (substituting for Olaizola II)-Untoria 22-12
Match article with statistics and linescore
Explanation of Olaizola II's absence (Diario Vasco)
Olaizola II missed this match due to illness. He was replaced by Victor, playing his second match (both as a substitute) in 4 days. E-M broke open the match with a 6-0 run in the second half. E-M 3-3 (+1) O-U 3-3 (-1)
Match highlights
Full match video (match begins at 1:07:47 on the video).
Asegarce Competition Page
Asegarce League phase table
ASPE League phase table
Wikipedia Competition Page (Castilian)
Full ongoing league phase table (with total points and differential):
Source for all match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, is 21iguales.com 21iguales.com will also keep an ongoing phase table at its main Parejas site and with every match article.
Match linescores will be provided from match articles when available. Full match linescores can be found at 21iguales.com Twitter feed. Track back to the date and match and follow from beginning to end. The feed is also available at the Main site of 21iguales.com while the matches are in progress.
Source for all highlights and full match videos, unless otherwise specifically stated, is EITB.
Week 1; Week 2; Week 3; Week 4; Week 5
Week 6
January 5, 2017
Brief video recap of the week
At the end of the 6th round, 5 teams are tied for 2nd place with 3 wins and 3 losses. The tie breaker is point differential, which is listed in every linked table.
A. Beotibar, Tolosa (1)(2): Irribaria-Rezusta defeated Victor (substituting for Artola)-Albisu 22-13.
Match article with statistics and linescore
The first half of the match was equal, with each team taking and then losing substantial leads. I-R owned the second half 11-2. Irribaria outscored the other three players combined. I-R 6-0 (+6) A-A 3-3 (-2)
Match highlights
Match highlights (22iguales.com Youtube) 11 selected points.
January 6, 2017
B. Astelena, Eibar (1)(2): Elezkano II-Zabaleta defeated Urrutikoetxea-Imaz 22-16.
Match article with statistics and linescore
The lead changed hands 4 times in this match. The last 2 (7-11--12-11 and 12-13--18-13) were decisive. Urrutikoetxea did all the scoring (+10, but also 5 errors) for his team. Imaz' score was +0 -0 E-Z 3-3 (+1) U-I 1-5(-3)
In a late news update, Danel Elezkano will be replaced by Erik Jaka for E-Z's round 7 match v Ezkurdia-Merino II. Elezkano has an ankle ligament injury. He twisted the ankle late in this match, but returned to finish it after treatment. At this time Elizkano's return date is unknown.
Elizkano injury article (Diario Vasco)
Match highlights
Full Match video (Fronton.tv) Scroll to "Eibar-Astelena - 06/01/2017". Elezkano's injury occurs in the 21-16 point. Point begins at 1:01:31. Injury occurs at 1:01:58. Point ends at 1:02:02 on the video.
January 7, 2017
C. Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2): Altuna III-Barriola defeated Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe 22-12.
Match article with statistics and linescore
For the second week in a row, A-B came back from a big deficit to win. This time, B-L got off to a quick 8-2 lead.Then A-B struck back with a 14-0 run that sealed the outcome. Altuna III again had a big match, scoring around 70% of his team's points. A-B have won each of the three matches they have played together. They have lost the three where one or both of them did not play. A-B 3-3 (+2) B-L 2-4 (-1).
Match highlights
Full match video (match begins at 1:05:34 on the video).
January 8, 2017
D. Politiportivo La Juventud, Soria (1)(2): Ezkurdia-Merino II defeated Victor (substituting for Olaizola II)-Untoria 22-12
Match article with statistics and linescore
Explanation of Olaizola II's absence (Diario Vasco)
Olaizola II missed this match due to illness. He was replaced by Victor, playing his second match (both as a substitute) in 4 days. E-M broke open the match with a 6-0 run in the second half. E-M 3-3 (+1) O-U 3-3 (-1)
Match highlights
Full match video (match begins at 1:07:47 on the video).
Remonte--VII Master Individual Oriamendi Tournament--the match after
Whenever EITB broadcasts an important Remonte match from Galarreta, Hernani (1)(2), it is the "Star Match," the 2nd of a four match session. These sessions are played on Thursdays and Saturdays. After the important Star Match, EITB televises the 3rd match, which is usually a match involving better and more experienced players. I watch these matches because I don't often get to see the players in them. Also, it is fascinating to watch the body language of the "grind" that is the essence of the Oriamendi2010 schedule. The body language of these matches reminds me somewhat of the body language seen during the grind of an American Quiniela Jai Alai season at Miami or Dania Beach, Florida. Oriamendi2010 players grind out game after game, with partner after partner, week in and week out throughout the year. When a non-championship Remonte match ends at Galarreta, the contestants simply take off their helmets and cestas and walk off the floor. Fans have almost always seen the incredible things that you will see in a Remonte match. The idea of using something that looks like a Jai Alai basket as a racquet to hit the ball rather than catch and throw it seems impossible. Yet these players do this with grace, athleticism, and style. Remonte is not as fast as Jai Alai (but then, neither is any other ball sport in the world), but it is fast enough. To be able to hit the ball at all is amazing. To be able to hit it with a cesta on your right hand while plastered against the left wall, or to be able to execute standing or falling rebotes (rebounds off the back wall), as is done in Jai Alai on a regular basis, seems impossible with the Remonte implement. Watch and you'll see.
The match I watched (which is covered at the above Star Match link), was between Etxeberria IV-Etxeberria III and Segurola-Ion. Three of them are "A" group players. Segurola is a "B" group player who often plays in matches with A players. What I saw was one of the most amazing performances I have seen in the short time I've been following the sport. Etxeberria IV is a player I have seen little of and read even less about. But he put on an incredible performance to lead his team to victory. His partner had a pretty good game as well. Together, they played an almost perfect match.
Etxeberria IV-Etxeberria III defeated Segurola-Ion 40-26
Full match video (EITB) (match begins at 1 hour, 13 minutes on the video)
MY ARTICLE: Enhanced linescore E IV-EIII v S-I
The match I watched (which is covered at the above Star Match link), was between Etxeberria IV-Etxeberria III and Segurola-Ion. Three of them are "A" group players. Segurola is a "B" group player who often plays in matches with A players. What I saw was one of the most amazing performances I have seen in the short time I've been following the sport. Etxeberria IV is a player I have seen little of and read even less about. But he put on an incredible performance to lead his team to victory. His partner had a pretty good game as well. Together, they played an almost perfect match.
Etxeberria IV-Etxeberria III defeated Segurola-Ion 40-26
Full match video (EITB) (match begins at 1 hour, 13 minutes on the video)
MY ARTICLE: Enhanced linescore E IV-EIII v S-I
Monday, January 9, 2017
Remonte--VII Masters Individual Oriamendi Tournament
The 7th Masters Individual Oriamendi Tournament was played at Galarreta, Hernani (1)(2) on December 31, 2016, January 5, and January 7, 2017.
Oriamendi2010 news release announcing the tournament.
January 7, 2017
Final:
Urriza defeated Endika 30-24
Full match video (EITB)
Match preview (Oriamendi2010)
Match article (Oriamendi2010)
Match article, with statistics and linescore (Diario Vasco)
Match linescore source: EITB and Diario Vasco, statistics source: Diario Vasco
Condensed Match linescore (winner always listed 1st).
1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-4, 4-4, 4-5, 6-5, 6-8, 7-8, 7-11, 8-11, 8-12, 9-12, 9-13, 14-13, 14-14, 15-14, 15-15, 15-16, 16-16, 16-18, 19-18, 19-20, 19-21, 20-21, 23-21, 23-22, 26-22, 26-23, 28-23, 28-24, 30-24
Scoring
Urriza +23 (including 6 service aces) -3 Endika +21 (including 2 service aces) -7
Balls in play: 218
Time of the match: 62 minutes 30 seconds
About a year ago (January 9 and 18, 2016), Uterga defeated Urriza in two singles tournaments (last year's Oriamendi VI Master (30-27) and Euskal Jai Berri Navidad Festival (30-15)). Since that time, Urriza has appeared in 3 singles tournaments--2 Galarreta long court (Kutxabank, VII Oriamendi Masters), and 1 short court (Euskal Jai Berri Navidad (Labrit)). His record in those tournaments is 7 wins, 0 losses and he has won all three convincingly. He defeated Urterga 3 times, Ion twice, Barrenetxea IV once, and Endika once. His average margin of victory in the 7 matches was 30-21.
Since December 26, 2016 he has defeated Uterga twice by the same margin (30-22) and now Endika. They are arguably the top front and back court players on the Oriamendi2010 roster. The victory over Endika was the most difficult, as the linescore shows. Halfway through the match Urriza trailed. But then he simply took over, outscoring Endika 11-3. When you watch the match, watch how he goes into a higher gear to make anti-climactic a match that was terrifically competitive. He just does more things better than anyone else. And is a joy to watch. With the win, Urriza has now won this tournament 3 times. Uterga and Ezkurra have won it twice.
December 31, 2016
1st Semi-final:
Endika defeated Ion 30-19.
Match article (Oriamendi2010)
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st).
15-15; 24-15; 28-17; 30-19
Salient scoring statistics. Endika 17 service aces; Ion 1 service ace.
Endika scored over half his points via service aces. In the first half of the match he achieved equality by scoring 8 of his 15 points with aces. His 9 point run to begin the 2nd half of the match was decisive. These two players met in a semi-final of the 2015 tournament, the only other time in the last three years they have played each other in a singles match, Endika won 30-23.
January 5, 2017
2nd Semi-final:
Urriza defeated Uterga 30-22
Preview article
Match article
Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st).
5-6; 11-6; 12-8; 21-10; 22-16; 30-22
Scoring: Urriza +27 (including 7 service aces) -4 (including 1 service fault) Uterga +18 (including 5 service aces) -3 (including 2 service faults).
Urriza followed up his championship victory over Uterga on the short court at Iruna (Pamplona) on December 31, 2016 with this win on the long court. The two victories were by identical scores. In this one a 16-4 run (5-6 to 21-10) gave him a platform to cruise to victory. Uterga fought back with his own 6-1 run at that point but it wasn't enough. At 12-8 a ball from Uterga struck Urriza on the wrist and the match was delayed. Uterga had won the last two editions of this tournament. Uterga, Urriza, and Ezkurra have each won two of the first 6 tournaments.
Note: this tournament was also covered as a series of Galarreta "Star Matches" on the recurring Remonte: Galarreta "STAR" matches page on the right side of the blog. There you can follow such tournaments as these in the larger context of the four match sessions that take place on Thursday's and Saturday's.
Oriamendi2010 news release announcing the tournament.
January 7, 2017
Final:
Urriza defeated Endika 30-24
Full match video (EITB)
Match preview (Oriamendi2010)
Match article (Oriamendi2010)
Match article, with statistics and linescore (Diario Vasco)
Match linescore source: EITB and Diario Vasco, statistics source: Diario Vasco
Condensed Match linescore (winner always listed 1st).
1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-4, 4-4, 4-5, 6-5, 6-8, 7-8, 7-11, 8-11, 8-12, 9-12, 9-13, 14-13, 14-14, 15-14, 15-15, 15-16, 16-16, 16-18, 19-18, 19-20, 19-21, 20-21, 23-21, 23-22, 26-22, 26-23, 28-23, 28-24, 30-24
Scoring
Urriza +23 (including 6 service aces) -3 Endika +21 (including 2 service aces) -7
Balls in play: 218
Time of the match: 62 minutes 30 seconds
About a year ago (January 9 and 18, 2016), Uterga defeated Urriza in two singles tournaments (last year's Oriamendi VI Master (30-27) and Euskal Jai Berri Navidad Festival (30-15)). Since that time, Urriza has appeared in 3 singles tournaments--2 Galarreta long court (Kutxabank, VII Oriamendi Masters), and 1 short court (Euskal Jai Berri Navidad (Labrit)). His record in those tournaments is 7 wins, 0 losses and he has won all three convincingly. He defeated Urterga 3 times, Ion twice, Barrenetxea IV once, and Endika once. His average margin of victory in the 7 matches was 30-21.
Since December 26, 2016 he has defeated Uterga twice by the same margin (30-22) and now Endika. They are arguably the top front and back court players on the Oriamendi2010 roster. The victory over Endika was the most difficult, as the linescore shows. Halfway through the match Urriza trailed. But then he simply took over, outscoring Endika 11-3. When you watch the match, watch how he goes into a higher gear to make anti-climactic a match that was terrifically competitive. He just does more things better than anyone else. And is a joy to watch. With the win, Urriza has now won this tournament 3 times. Uterga and Ezkurra have won it twice.
December 31, 2016
1st Semi-final:
Endika defeated Ion 30-19.
Match article (Oriamendi2010)
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st).
15-15; 24-15; 28-17; 30-19
Salient scoring statistics. Endika 17 service aces; Ion 1 service ace.
Endika scored over half his points via service aces. In the first half of the match he achieved equality by scoring 8 of his 15 points with aces. His 9 point run to begin the 2nd half of the match was decisive. These two players met in a semi-final of the 2015 tournament, the only other time in the last three years they have played each other in a singles match, Endika won 30-23.
January 5, 2017
2nd Semi-final:
Urriza defeated Uterga 30-22
Preview article
Match article
Selected linescore (winners always listed 1st).
5-6; 11-6; 12-8; 21-10; 22-16; 30-22
Scoring: Urriza +27 (including 7 service aces) -4 (including 1 service fault) Uterga +18 (including 5 service aces) -3 (including 2 service faults).
Urriza followed up his championship victory over Uterga on the short court at Iruna (Pamplona) on December 31, 2016 with this win on the long court. The two victories were by identical scores. In this one a 16-4 run (5-6 to 21-10) gave him a platform to cruise to victory. Uterga fought back with his own 6-1 run at that point but it wasn't enough. At 12-8 a ball from Uterga struck Urriza on the wrist and the match was delayed. Uterga had won the last two editions of this tournament. Uterga, Urriza, and Ezkurra have each won two of the first 6 tournaments.
Note: this tournament was also covered as a series of Galarreta "Star Matches" on the recurring Remonte: Galarreta "STAR" matches page on the right side of the blog. There you can follow such tournaments as these in the larger context of the four match sessions that take place on Thursday's and Saturday's.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Main Nue--FFPB Championnat de France Elite Pro Individuel--Results of January 6, 2017
The Main Nue
Individuel Elite Pro Championnat de France A and B competition is sponsored by the Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPB). The competition began on December 23, 2016 and will end on February 20, 2017. You can follow its progress here. Pelotelive.free.fr also provides A and B
coverage. The tournament is a seeded ladder tournament.
* not listed on the Esku Pilota player pages at this time.
The A group consists of Antton Amulet, Philippe Bielle, Bixintxo Bilbao, Pascal de Ezcurra, Baptiste Ducassou, Peio Guichandut, Ximun Lambert, Peio Larralde, Matheiu Ospital, and Agusti Waltary. The seeds, from low to high are: Amulet and Ospital (1/8), Bilbao and Waltary (Quarter-finals), and Larralde and Ducassou ("Liguilla").
The B group consists of Gregory Aguirre, Jean-Philippe Benesse*, Mickael Darmendrail, Vincent Elgart, Julien Etchegaray, Alexis Inchauspe, Laurent Lambert, Cedric Lucu, Alain Migueltorena, Antton Monce, Mattin Olcomendy*, and Mickael Palomes. The seeds, from low to high are: Darmendrail and L. Lambert (1/8), Palomes and Inchauspe (Quarter-finals), and Elgart and Monce ("Liguilla).
The "Liguilla" phase is a round robin among the top 4 finishers (two who win their way in and two who are seeded in) which will determine the finalists.
Article describing the competition (Esku Pilota)
December 23 2016-January 2, 2017 matches
January 6, 2017
Arcangues (1) (2)
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article for both matches along with an audio interview with Peio Guichandut (Esku Pilota)
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
B4: Etchegaray defeated Aguirre 40-23 or 40-24
Both match stories list the final score of this match as 40-24. FFPB and pelotelive.free.fr list the final score as 40-23. In any event, after the 1st quarter of the match (7-7; 11-11) Etchegaray took complete control. Etchegary next plays Laurent Lambert at Villefranque on January 14, 2017.
In the Pilota Ttiki preview article on the Etchegary v Inchauspe match of January 20, 2017, the final score of this match is 40-23. (Added January 21, 2017).
A3: Guichandut defeated Amulet 40-39
Selected linescore (source: both articles above)
0-6; 13-13; 13-20; 17-23; 25-25; 27-27; 29-29; 30-30; 33-33; 33-38; 35-39; 39-39; 40-39
According to both accounts, neither player had a particularly good match. There were 7 equalities and Guichandut came from behind to finally win. Guichandut next plays Bilbao at Villefranque on January 14, 2017.
For cumulative records of Main Nue elite professionals see the "Cumulative records of EP players" on the recurring results page on the right side of the blog.
* not listed on the Esku Pilota player pages at this time.
The A group consists of Antton Amulet, Philippe Bielle, Bixintxo Bilbao, Pascal de Ezcurra, Baptiste Ducassou, Peio Guichandut, Ximun Lambert, Peio Larralde, Matheiu Ospital, and Agusti Waltary. The seeds, from low to high are: Amulet and Ospital (1/8), Bilbao and Waltary (Quarter-finals), and Larralde and Ducassou ("Liguilla").
The B group consists of Gregory Aguirre, Jean-Philippe Benesse*, Mickael Darmendrail, Vincent Elgart, Julien Etchegaray, Alexis Inchauspe, Laurent Lambert, Cedric Lucu, Alain Migueltorena, Antton Monce, Mattin Olcomendy*, and Mickael Palomes. The seeds, from low to high are: Darmendrail and L. Lambert (1/8), Palomes and Inchauspe (Quarter-finals), and Elgart and Monce ("Liguilla).
The "Liguilla" phase is a round robin among the top 4 finishers (two who win their way in and two who are seeded in) which will determine the finalists.
Article describing the competition (Esku Pilota)
December 23 2016-January 2, 2017 matches
January 6, 2017
Arcangues (1) (2)
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article for both matches along with an audio interview with Peio Guichandut (Esku Pilota)
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
B4: Etchegaray defeated Aguirre 40-23 or 40-24
Both match stories list the final score of this match as 40-24. FFPB and pelotelive.free.fr list the final score as 40-23. In any event, after the 1st quarter of the match (7-7; 11-11) Etchegaray took complete control. Etchegary next plays Laurent Lambert at Villefranque on January 14, 2017.
In the Pilota Ttiki preview article on the Etchegary v Inchauspe match of January 20, 2017, the final score of this match is 40-23. (Added January 21, 2017).
A3: Guichandut defeated Amulet 40-39
Selected linescore (source: both articles above)
0-6; 13-13; 13-20; 17-23; 25-25; 27-27; 29-29; 30-30; 33-33; 33-38; 35-39; 39-39; 40-39
According to both accounts, neither player had a particularly good match. There were 7 equalities and Guichandut came from behind to finally win. Guichandut next plays Bilbao at Villefranque on January 14, 2017.
For cumulative records of Main Nue elite professionals see the "Cumulative records of EP players" on the recurring results page on the right side of the blog.
Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Los Templos Chinos de la Pelota
Los Templos Chinos de la Pelota (Diario Vasco (Bilbo (Bilbao)), January 3, 2016. This article gives a short history of Jai Alai Cesta/Punta in China. It also mentions landmark dates for the expansion of the sport into various parts of the globe. (Thanks To Tiger's Chalk Talk discussion forum Jai Alai News Facebook page for discovering it).
Main Nue-South Basque v North Basque
The Arabako Sagardotegien Torneo Kopo was played January 6, 2017 at Tornosolo, Abadino (1) (2)
Gonzalez-Ugarte defeated Inchauspe-Bilbao 40-14
Condensed linescore (winners always listed 1st) (Source: EITB)
1-0; 1-1; 9-1; 9-2; 11-2; 11-3; 15-3; 15-5; 18-5; 18-6; 19-6; 19-7; 20-7; 20-10; 37-10; 37-14; 40-14
Full match video (EITB)
In a match billed as Hegoalde (South Basque) v Ipparalde (North Basque), the Hegoalde team completely dominated with runs of 8-1 and 17-0 in the first and second halves. Mikel Gonzalez continued his excellent play that was featured in the Super Prestige tournament. His partner Inhar Ugarte also played very well in the back court. Ugarte is a small but strong man, who strikes the pelota with surprising power. His rebotes were quite effective and he showed deft touch on several direct points into the side dugout mesh. Together they simply overwhelmed their North Basque opponents. The 61 ball 20-10 point (33:01-35:48 on the video), won by I-B, their 3rd in a row, was the kind of point that might have given them some needed momentum. Instead it was the last point they scored for the next 17. The 26-10 point was another marathon (73 balls--43:04-46:13) that Ugarte won with a beautiful shot. Gonzalez' service game was effective, netting him 11 aces by my count. He also began several points by serving from the right side, something he did not feature in the two Super-prestige matches for which full match videos were available.
The trinquet was interesting in that a) there was no xilo box, and b) the back wall was glass, behind which was a spectator section. This effectively made Tornosolo an "Argentine" trinquet like Cambo les Bains, meaning the defenders played differently than they would have on a conventional trinquet.
I have little knowledge of the organization of Esku Pilota tournaments and even less knowledge of the state of Main Nue in the South Basque. And making any comparisons based on one match is always dangerous. But I would love to see more Hegoalde-Ipparalde matches like this one. I hope Mikel Gonzalez (and perhaps Inhar Ugarte) get more exposure in future EP tournaments as well.
Gonzalez-Ugarte defeated Inchauspe-Bilbao 40-14
Condensed linescore (winners always listed 1st) (Source: EITB)
1-0; 1-1; 9-1; 9-2; 11-2; 11-3; 15-3; 15-5; 18-5; 18-6; 19-6; 19-7; 20-7; 20-10; 37-10; 37-14; 40-14
Full match video (EITB)
In a match billed as Hegoalde (South Basque) v Ipparalde (North Basque), the Hegoalde team completely dominated with runs of 8-1 and 17-0 in the first and second halves. Mikel Gonzalez continued his excellent play that was featured in the Super Prestige tournament. His partner Inhar Ugarte also played very well in the back court. Ugarte is a small but strong man, who strikes the pelota with surprising power. His rebotes were quite effective and he showed deft touch on several direct points into the side dugout mesh. Together they simply overwhelmed their North Basque opponents. The 61 ball 20-10 point (33:01-35:48 on the video), won by I-B, their 3rd in a row, was the kind of point that might have given them some needed momentum. Instead it was the last point they scored for the next 17. The 26-10 point was another marathon (73 balls--43:04-46:13) that Ugarte won with a beautiful shot. Gonzalez' service game was effective, netting him 11 aces by my count. He also began several points by serving from the right side, something he did not feature in the two Super-prestige matches for which full match videos were available.
The trinquet was interesting in that a) there was no xilo box, and b) the back wall was glass, behind which was a spectator section. This effectively made Tornosolo an "Argentine" trinquet like Cambo les Bains, meaning the defenders played differently than they would have on a conventional trinquet.
I have little knowledge of the organization of Esku Pilota tournaments and even less knowledge of the state of Main Nue in the South Basque. And making any comparisons based on one match is always dangerous. But I would love to see more Hegoalde-Ipparalde matches like this one. I hope Mikel Gonzalez (and perhaps Inhar Ugarte) get more exposure in future EP tournaments as well.
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