Donostia Hiria Torneoa (Ciudad de San Sebastian): Atano III (1) (2) (August 27, 28, 31)
This tournament began as a simple 4 team elimination format, but morphed into an incredible marathon. After the first match took 51 minutes, the next 2 were 83 and 76 minutes in length, consuming a total of 1429 balls in play.
For the Tournament (3 matches): Balls in Play: 1852: (avg: 617)
Oliazola II 268; Albisu 303 (2 match avg: 134 & 152)
Artola 355; Imaz 359 (2 match avg. 178 & 180)
Jaka 166; Zabaleta 194
Altuna III 92; Rezusta 115
One can only begin to imagine what I-I's hands felt like after going through a meat grinder of 180 balls in play on consecutive days.
Imaz was named player of the tournament.
The linescores of the last 2 matches will give you some idea of how hard fought these matches were.
August 31
FINAL
Condensed linescore (21Iguales.com) (winners always listed 1st)
0-2; 1-2; 1-3; 9-3; 9-5; 10-5; 10-6; 11-6; 11-9; 14-9; 14-11; 15-11; 15-13; 16-13; 16-15; 18-15; 18-16; 19-16; 19-17; 20-17; 20-18; 22-18
Scoring (21Iguales.com)
Oliazola II +11 -5; Albisu +2 -4
Artola ) +8 (including 1 service ace) -5; Imaz +1 -4
Balls in play: 705; Oliazola II 166; Albisu 189; Artola 175; Imaz 175
Time of the match: 75:58
O-A built a big early lead and then tenaciously held back challenge after challenge. A-I got as close as 1 point but could never get "over the hump."
August 28
2nd Semi-final
Condensed linescore (21Iguales.com) (winners always listed 1st)
0-2; 1-2; 1-3; 6-3; 6-4; 10-4; 10-5; 11-5; 11-7; 12-7; 12-9; 14-9; 14-12; 17-12; 17-13; 18-13; 18-16; 19-16; 19-17; 22-17
Scoring: (EITB)
Artola +8 -4; Imaz +0 -1
Jaka +9 -9; Zabaleta +3 -5
Balls in Play: 724: Artola 180; Imaz 184; Jaka 166; Zabaleta 194
Time of the Match: 83:18
A-I held off J-Z in a long battle of attrition. They had a 6 point lead early but J-Z whittled it down, although they never did catch up. 14 errors did not help their cause.
August 27
1st Semi-final
Condensed linescore (21Iguales.com) (winners always listed first)
1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 7-2; 7-3; 9-3; 9-8; 10-8; 10-10; 17-10; 17-11; 19-11; 19-12; 22-12
Scoring (EITB)
Oliazola II +9 (including 3 service aces) -3 Albisu +5 -5
Altuna III +4 -6 Rezusta +0 -2
Balls in Play: 423: Oliazola II 102; Albisu 114; Altuna III 92; Rezusta 115
Time of the Match: 50:53
5 and 7 point runs led to a fairly easy win for O-A. After A-R whittled a 5 point deficit to equality at 10, O-A scorched them with a 7 point run that was decisive. Altuna III did not have the best of "days at the office."
+++++
Independent Match (Desafio Vino--Wine Challenge)
This was an inter-company "wine challenge" with 600 bottles of wine the trophy for the winning company. It was a match contested by 4 fronts, something rarely seen in this modality, or any other, for that matter. On this occasion, ASPE took home the liquid prize. As far as Baikopilota goes, Laso and Oliazola II got what looked to be 1 bottle apiece.
August 29
Atano III, Donostia (1) (2)
2-0; 8-3; 12-5; 13-8; 17-11; 17-14; 20-14; 22-17
Scoring (EITB)
Altuna III +12 -2; Irribarria +2 -4
Laso +4 -3; Oliazola II +7 -5
Balls in Play: 474: Altuna III 139; Irribarria 101; Laso 139; Oliazola II 95
Time of the Match: 56:50
Oliazola II was playing his 2nd match in 3 days, in what would be a week of 3 matches in 5 days (see above). Only this time he played in the back, mostly. After falling behind 12-5, he switched positions with his younger teammate, who was able to chase down more balls in the back, but not enough too overcome the 12-5 hole their team was in. Irribarria looked comfortable in the back, Oliazola II not so much. But a good time was had by all, and ASPE will certainly enjoy the trophy.
