Basque Pelota Updates (June 2016-April 2017); 2019-

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--IPARRALDE (NORTH BASQUE--FRANCE) CESTA PUNTA SUMMER TOUR SLAM RESULTS--SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ (DONIBANE LOHIZUNE)--NO SPOILER AND SPOILER

SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ (DONIBANE LOHIZUNE) SLAM

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This post will keep you up to date on links to full match video scores, scoring, statistics, and match articles (when available). It will run with a no spoiler section at the top, with only the match-ups and video links. Following those, there will be a multiple === barrier. Below that will be the match score, line scores, statistics, and match articles (if and when available). For facebook videos, I will provide complete scoring (my own). For Youtube videos, which are commercial quality I will copy out statistics provided by Canal +, EITB, or CPPT sources.

NO SPOILER SECTION

THURSDAY, 8/24/23: SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ SLAM 2ND SEMI-FINAL

INAKI GOIKOETXEA--DAVID MINVIELLE v ARITZ ERKIAGA--GORKA SOROZABAL

FULL MATCH VIDEO (CANAL + via SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ CESTA PUNTA YOUTUBE)

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TUESDAY, 8/22/23: SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ SLAM 1ST SEMI-FINAL

JOHAN SOROZABAL--IMANOL LOPEZ v LUDOVIC LADUCHE--JULEN DEL RIO

FULL MATCH VIDEO (CANAL + via SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ CESTA PUNTA YOUTUBE)

FINAL, ON TUESDAY, 8/29/23

THAT MATCH WILL BE STREAMED, LIVE, BEGINNING AT 8:45 PM LOCAL TIME, AT THE SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ CESTA PUNTA YOUTUBE SITE

SPOILER SECTION BELOW

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

SPOILERS

THURSDAY, 8/24/23: SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ SLAM 2ND SEMI-FINAL

ARITZ ERKIAGA--GORKA SOROZABAL 2

INAKI GOIKOETXEA--DAVID MINVIELLE 0

15-11, 15-10 (30-21)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (CANAL + via SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ CESTA PUNTA YOUTUBE)

Note: This match seemed slightly less sharp than the other matches this week. Gorka was playing in his 3rd match in 4 days, Aritz, Goiko, and Minvielle were playing in their 2nd matches in 4 days. Goiko and Gorka were playing back to back matches, and following up a prestigious Final with a Semi-Final.

In Set 1 Goiko began with a serve intercept--immediate kill to take a 1-0 lead. The 2nd point, again, as has been the case all week, in enervating heat, was a mammoth 43 ball point, finally won by GM (43 and 38 years old respectively). But it seemed to take more out of them than their opponents. 0-2 became 6-2 in the space of 41 balls. During this passage two more Goiko serve intercepts came to nothing. He scored with an immediate kill after a serve intercept to stanch the bleeding (7-3--7-4), and then Aritz tried his hand at serve intercepts on the next two points. All he got for his trouble was 2 errors in the space of 2 balls. (7-5 and 7-6). He would try one more intercept but erred with it as well (11-8--11-9) and then there would be no more Aritz serve intercepts for the rest of the match. It was about the only chink in his armor for the whole match. GM reached equality at 7, but then a 4 point run (11-7) turned into an 8-4 route the finished the set. 2 of GM's points in that span came on Aritz' 3rd error trying to intercept the serve and Goiko's third serve intercept/immediate kill that delayed the end by one point. Minvielle played a poor set by his standards, with 4 errors, and Gorka, inspite of his +1 -3, seemed to have the most energy of anybody, playing some excellent defense.

The second set saw the winners assert themselves from the beginning, (4-0, 7-2, 10-4) before GM slowed them down, but by then it was far too late. Goiko intercepted 6 Aritz' serves in this set, and immediately converted 3, but it was too little to late, as Aritz, playing more within himself, and Gorka, making some superb leaping saves, won going away.

Line Scores (winning team always listed 1st)

SET 1

0-2; 6-2; 6-3; 7-3; 7-7; 11-7; 11-9; 13-9; 13-10; 14-10; 14-11; 15-11

-2; +4; +3; +4; =; +4; +2; +4; +3; +4; +3; +4

2 EQUAL SCORES, 1 LEAD CHANGE

SET 2

4-0; 4-1; 6-1; 6-2; 7-2; 7-4; 10-4; 10-5; 12-5; 12-9; 14-9; 14-10; 15-10

+4; +3; +5; +4; +5; +3; +6; +5; +7; +3; +5; +4; +5

0 EQUAL SCORES, 0 LEAD CHANGES

SCORING (Canal + for the first set and partial scoring for the 2nd set--fronts only)

Set 1

ERKIAGA +6 -3; G SOROZABAL +1 -3

GOIKOETXEA +4 -4; MINVIELLE +1 -4

Set 1+2 Cumulative

Last score given for ERKIAGA was +10 -4 (10-5--11-5)

Last score given for GOIKOETXEA was +6 -7 (7-2--7-3)

FOR THE MATCH:

PASAS (1ST SERVE OVER SERVES, 5 ALLOWED BEFORE PENALTY):

GOIKOETXEA 0; ERKIAGA 4

SERVE INTERCEPTS:

GOKOETXEA 11 (6 immediate kills, 0 errors, 1 was returned for an immediate kill by Erkiaga, 4 had no immediate effect)

ERKIAGA 3 (3 errors)

BALL IN PLAY: 326

AVERAGE BALLS PER POINT: 6.4

BIP / POINTS

0-4 / 24

5-9 / 18

10-14 / 6

15-19 / 2

43 / 1

TIME OUTS: 1

BALL CHANGES: EG 1; GM 1

MATCH ARTICLE (CESTA PUNTA PRO TOUR--FRENCH)

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Bitterness for Goiko

We will no longer see the immense Iñaki Goikoetxea on the Luzian cancha, at least during the Internationals or other official competition. Having become one of the darlings of jai alai over the years, he decided to retire. But no doubt thought to celebrate his exit during the final of this Slam 2023. No, it will therefore be during the semi-final disputed this Thursday. And through the back door. Accompanied by David Minvielle, he succumbed dryly to Erkiaga and Gorka Sorozabal. Worse he was a shadow of himself.

Undoubtedly his suddenly “old” legs did not take the chain with the final of the Gant d'Or which was difficult to win the day before in Biarritz. From the first race he displayed his difficulties of the day without Minvielle being able to compensate. Despite a few flashes he could not prevent Erikiaga and G.Sorozabal, impeccable without genius, from quietly leading their boat to win 15-11.

Bis repeated in the second act with a carefree success 15-10 and therefore the key to the final at the end. A game that will not date if not marked with a bit of bitterness for Goiko who deserved a more brilliant exit even if he was acclaimed at the end.

The only interest of this result is that we will see face to face in a final the two Sorozabal brothers.

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

TUESDAY, 8/22/23: SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ 1ST SEMI-FINAL

JOHAN SOROZABAL--IMANOL LOPEZ 2

LUDOVIC LADUCHE--JULEN DEL RIO 1

13-15, 15-7, 5-2 (33-24)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (CANAL + via SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ CESTA PUNTA YOUTUBE)

Note: this match, like the Biarritz semi-final yesterday, included two controversial calls. But unlike Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz had a judges review system in place. Both calls were reviewed and upheld.

Line Scores (winning team always listed 1st)

SET 1

0-1; 1-1; 1-4; 2-4; 2-5; 5-5; 5-6; 7-6; 7-7; 8-7; 8-10; 11-10; 11-12; 13-12; 13-15

-1; =; -3; -2; -3; =; -1; +1; =; +1; -2; +1; -1; +1, -2

9 EQUAL SCORES, 6 LEAD CHANGES

SET 2

2-0; 2-1; 6-1; 6-3; 8-3; 8-6; 9-6; 9-7; 15-7

+2; +1; +5; +3; +5; +2; +3; +2; +8

0 EQUAL SCORES, 0 LEAD CHANGES

TIE BREAKER

3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-2; 5-2

+3; +2; +3; +2; +3

0 EQUAL SCORES, 0 LEAD CHANGES

SCORING (Canal + for the first and cumulative 1st and 2nd sets); my scoring (yours may be different for the tie breaker

SET 1

SOROZABAL +4 -3; LOPEZ +1 -3

LADUCHE +6 -4; DEL RIO +3 -4

SET 1+2 (CUMULATIVE)

SOROZABAL +11 -4; LOPEZ +2 -4

LADUCHE +9 -10; DEL RIO +5 -5

TIE BREAKER

(c)=catching error; (t)= throwing error

*=confirmed after a judges' review

f=fault (underserve)

**=shot of the match (IMH), two wall winner from the right side at 14 line

POINT #; SERVER; BALLS IN PLAY; SCORE; +/-

1 La 4 1-0 La - (c)

2 S 3 2-0 D - (t)

3 S 3 3-0 S + *

4 S 0 3-1 S - (f)

5 La 4 4-1 La - (c)

6 S 2 4-2 D + **

7 La 16 5-2 S +

SOROZABAL +2 -1(fault); LOPEZ +0 -0

LADUCHE +0 -2 (2 catching); DEL RIO +1 -1 (1 throwing)

FOR THE MATCH:

PASAS: LADUCHE 4; SOROZABAL 0

SERVE INTERCEPTS:

LADUCHE 7 (3 immediate kills, 3 errors, 1 had no immediate effect)

SOROZABAL 2 (0 immediate kills, 1 error, 1 had no immediate effect)

TOTAL MATCH SCORING: (Earned points---[+]winners) Unearned points--[-] opponents errors)

SL +15 -18=33

LD +15 - 9=24

TOTAL MATCH SCORE: +30 -27 (.526)

BALLS IN PLAY: 382

NON-ERROR PERCENT (BALLS IN PLAY - ERRORS) / BALLS IN PLAY

(382 - 27) / 382 (.940)

AVERAGE BALLS PER POINT: 6.7

BIP / POINTS

0-4 / 24

5-9 / 18

10-14 / 7

15-19 / 5

20-24 / 2

25 / 1

Time outs: 3 (2 judges reviews, LD 1)

MATCH ARTICLE (CESTA PUNTA PRO TOUR--FRENCH)

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Johan Sorozabal and Imanol Lopez first finalists

On this Tuesday evening, the first semi-final of the Slam was disputed, leading to the crowning of the season. For the occasion, were face to face Johan Sorozabal and Imanol Lopez against Ludo Laduche and Julen Del Rio. The former were logically favorites on paper. Quite the opposite of what happened in the first round. Julen, who has just arrived in competitions in the Basque Country from Mexico, was attractive during his first outings. There he drove the point home. Physically impressive he was also subtle in his defensive placements and effective in his offensive interventions. In front of him Ludo Laduche confirmed the clear progress shown throughout this season. Without complex he stood up to his prestigious opponents. And the two men won the first round (15-13) against Sorozabal and Lopez who did not disappoint, quite the contrary. A dazzling round and a treat for the spectators.

The beginning of the second act was of the same ilk. With a confrontation still as brilliant and undecided. Until a 9-7 for Sorozabal-Lopez which marked the turning point of the set and, we can say it now, of the game. Because Laduche and Del Rio experienced a real slump, especially physical. A sore leg followed by a big headache when the opponent threaded the points like pearls. Laduche and Del Rio remained at 7 while Sorozabal and Lopez reached the fateful bar of 15.

A dynamic that marked the beautiful reaped without trembling (5-2) by J.Sorozabal and Lopez who will therefore play the grand final in a week. ; Their opponents will be known this Thursday.

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SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ (DONIBANE LOHIZUNE) SLAM

BIARRITZ SLAM (GANT D'OR)

PAU CUP SLAM

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

JAI ALAI/CESTA PUNTA--IPARRALDE (NORTH BASQUE--FRANCE) CESTA PUNTA SUMMER TOUR SLAM RESULTS--BIARRITZ (GANT D'OR)--NO SPOILER AND SPOILER

BIARRITZ SLAM (GANT D'OR)

SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ (DONIBANE LOHIZUNE) SLAM

PAU CUP SLAM

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NO SPOILER SECTION

WEDNESDAY, 8/23/23: BIARRITZ (GANT D'OR)--FINAL

INAKI GOIKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ v JOHAN SOROZABAL--GORKA SOROZABAL

FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB--BASQUE)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (CESTA PUNTA PRO TOUR YOUTUBE--FRENCH)

ADDED 2ND MATCH VIDEO 8/25/23
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MONDAY, 8/21/23: BIARRITZ (GANT D'OR)--ONLY SEMI FINAL

ARITZ ERKIAGA--DAVID MINVIELLE (RED) v JOHAN SOROZABAL--GORKA SOROZABAL (GREEN)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (GANT D'OR CESTA PUNTA FACEBOOK)

Note: You do not have to be a Facebook user to watch this match. Simply x out the request for your Facebook information. This is not a commercial video, but is a good quality video.

SPOILER SECTION BELOW

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

SPOILERS

WEDNESDAY: 8/23/23: BIARRITZ (GANT D'OR FINAL)

INAKI GOIKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ 2

JOHAN SOROZABAL--GORKA SOROZABAL 1

10-15, 15-5, 5-4 (30-24)

INAKI GOIKOETXEA--IMANOL LOPEZ WIN THE 47TH GANT D'OR (GOLDEN GLOVE)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (EITB)

Note: a crowd of around 1,700 watched this match, played in blistering heat (note the extensive fanning in the crowd). The crowd was backing the Sorozabal brothers, who played their club cesta punta at Biarritz. The brothers were, in total, 43 years old. As old as Goikoetxea, who is making his farewell tour before retiring at the end of the year. Lopez, at 39, who dominated the backs in the Summer League--scoring 27 points in league play, 7 more than his nearest competitor--gave this match the look and feel of a possible "changing of the guard." But it didn't change, not on this night.

After looking quite rusty in a first set 10-15 loss, the two veterans came out in the second set and opened with a 36 ball point, by far the longest of the match. They had to dig deep to keep the point going, and when they finally won it, the complexion of the match changed. They led 4-1, 8-3, 9-4, and finished it off 15-5. Johan tried to stem the tide, intercepting Goiko's serve 5 times. He had one immediate kill to show for it, but twice (3-1--4-1) and 7-3--8-3), Goiko picked off the two wall winner attempt and replied with a winner of his own. The veterans took advantage of their opponents' inexperience and struck quickly, with 6 of their last 14 points lasting less than 5 balls, and 7 lasting 5-9.

The tie breaker crackled with excitement from beginning to end. While there were no equal scores or lead changes in the first two sets, it featured 4 equal scores and 1 lead change. When Johan produced a winner with his team down 4-3 (Goiko had uncharacteristically fouled at 3-2, letting the youngsters back in the match), the Sorozabals had forced the old veterans into a one point partido. 6 balls later it was over, as Gorka couldn't handle a difficult catch along the left wall.

The all time "Hall of Famers" had survived, just barely. But the youngsters (21 and 22 years old and set to represent the United States in the upcoming Basque Pelota World Cup) gave them all they could handle and then some.

Line Scores (winning team always listed 1st)

SET 1

0-2; 1-2; 1-5; 3-5; 3-8; 6-8; 6-10; 8-10; 8-13; 10-13; 10-15

-2; -1; -4; -2; -5; -2; -4; -2; -5; -3; -5

0 EQUAL SCORES, 0 LEAD CHANGES

SET 2

2-0; 2-1; 4-1; 4-3; 8-3; 8-4; 14-4; 14-5; 15-5

+2; +1; +3; +1; +5; +4; +10; +9; +10

0 EQUAL SCORES, 0 LEAD CHANGES

TIE BREAKER

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 3-2; 3-3; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4

-1; =; -1; +1; =; +1; =; +1

4 EQUAL SCORES, 1 LEAD CHANGE

SCORING (1ST 2 SETS CUMULATIVE--FRANCE TV)

GOIKOETXEA +9 -4; LOPEZ +2 -6

J SOROZABAL +5 -7; G SOROZABAL +3 -6

NOTE: FTV scoring adds to +24 -18. The actual score after 2 sets was 25-20.

TIE BREAKER--MY SCORING, YOURS MAY BE DIFFERENT

t=throwing error

c=catching error

f=service fault (under serve)

Point #; Server; Balls in Play; GL JG; +/-

1 J 11 0 1 J +

2 J 4 1 1 Lo +

3 Goi 4 1 2 Lo - (t)

4 J 6 2 2 Gor - (c)

5 Goi 5 3 2 Goi +

6 Goi 0 3 3 Goi - (f)

7 J 20 4 3 Gor - (t)

8 Goi 4 4 4 J +

9 J 6 5 4 Gor - (c)

GOIKOTXEA +1 -1(fault); LOPEZ +1 -1(throwing)

J SOROZABAL +2 -0; G SOROZABAL +0 -3 (2 catching, 1 throwing)

FOR THE MATCH:

PASAS (OVER SERVES, 5 ALLOWED WITHOUT PENALTY):

GOIKOETXEA 2; J SOROZABAL 5

SERVE INTERCEPTS:

J SOROZABAL 7 (1 immediate kill, 1 error, 3 had no immediate effect, 2 were caught and the point immediately killed)

GOIKOETXEA 3(0 immediate kills, 0 errors, 3 had no immediate effect)

TOTAL MATCH SCORING: (Earned points---[+]winners) Unearned points--[-] opponents errors) (note: this is total match scoreing for 51 known points. The match had 54 points (see above).

GL +13 -16=29

JG +10 -12=22

Total Match Score (51 points)

+23 -28 (.451)

BALLS IN PLAY: 391

NON-ERROR PERCENT (BALLS IN PLAY - KNOWN ERRORS) / BALLS IN PLAY

(391 - 28) / 391 (.928)

AVERAGE BALLS PER POINT: 7.2

BIP / POINTS

0-4 / 22

5-9 / 19

10-14 / 8

15-19 / 2

20-24 / 2

36 / 1

KNOWN TIME OUTS: 3

KNOWN BALL CHANGES: GL 1, JG 1

MATCH ARTICLE (JAI ALAI NEWS FACEBOOK--BASQUE)

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

TOP HOUSE AND LOPEZ...FOR A DROP!
Golden Glove Tip Basket

GOIKOETXEA-LOPEZ vs SOROZABAL BROTHERS: 10-15, 15-5, 5-4

In the second tournament of the JAI ALAI LEAGUE, the people of Zumaia are victorious.
The Winter Series was won by Beaskoetxea and Lopez.
The St. John's International and the Pau Cup are missing before going to the final stage.

We said that this year's Golden Xistera final (the 47th in its history) was full of symbolism, in the pre-match analyses. It was the final that symbolizes the change of generation and era. Also, at the tip of the basket, an example of the new balance between North and South. An unusual finale, because none of the four protagonists are at their "best". Goikoetxea and Lopez belong to the generation that has started to give up the ball (Imanol still has it and has no opponent), and the Sorozabal brothers are still there to do it. With such a difference in age (21-22 years for the Lapur people, 43-39 for the Gipuzkoans) it is a miracle that these four players have coincided in a grand final. Luck, and the quality of the players, have made it possible for these two generations to meet in a grand final. For Goikoetxea, it will be his third and last Golden Xistera. Imanol has a wider track record in Biarritz and would like to continue to increase it. Young people have just started playing ball. This is Johan's second season and Gorka's first.

Before the game, Goiko and Lopez were the main favorites. The youngsters still lack experience, but they played at home, with all the public on their side, and the characteristics of the court could change with the high heat and humidity. Young people have started better. It's colder in the mountains. At the time they were 3-8 behind the scoreboard. After the break, they tried to turn the situation around, they went even to 6 and 8, but Johan and Gorka controlled the set at all times. 15-10 first for the thieves.

In the second game we saw the reds more intense. Goikoetxea started the set by finishing and were ahead 5-1 and 8-3. The first two points after the break were also for Zumaia, and against this, Johan and Gorka measured their strength and efforts, thinking about the third set. Gorka has tried to shorten the points, Johan has also entered some difficult serves and Iñaki and Imanol have dominated the second game with a score of 15-5.

In the tie breaker, Johan scored the first goal. Then 1-1. In the next shot, Lopez pumped the ball up and threw it to the top of the rebound (1-2). They then tied the two, 3-2 in front of Zuma, 3-3 in Biarritz, 4-3 in front of Gipuzkoa, 4-4 and in the last point Imanol Lopez took control. From the rest of the serve, he started playing with his right hand, he gave all the balls a great speed and also the right direction, positioning himself in the middle of the two opponents with great intent, until he made the ball impossible for Gorka. 5-4 and the hat goes to Zumaira.

You may never see this match (Goiko-Lopez vs Sorozabal brothers) again, but at least it was played once. This was witnessed by the 1,700 fans of the Euskal Jai stadium. Everyone stood up and started clapping as soon as the game ended. It was a farewell game because Goikoetxea is going. And also the most welcome. If things go normally, because we will see the ball players, the niece of the painter Ana Mari Sorozabal from Donostia, play and win several finals in the coming years.

JAI ALAI LEAGUE

This was the second tournament in the Jai Alai League circuit.

Gernika Winter Series: 

Beaskoetxea-Lopez wins

Biarritz Golden Xistera:

Goikoetxea-Lopez wins

St. John's International:

Johan-Lopez in the final.

Second semi-final today: Erkiaga-Gorka vs Goikoetxea-Minvielle

Final: next Tuesday

Pau Cup:

Finals to play. Johan-Minvielle vs Laduche Gorka (tomorrow)

Erkiaga-Del Rio vs Goikoetxea-Lopez (September 1)
Final: September 7

 Durango:

The final stage of the Jai Alai League, in October.

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

MONDAY: 8/21/23: BIARRITZ (GANT D'OR ONLY SEMI-FINAL)

JOHAN SOROZABAL--GORKA SOROZABAL 2

ARITZ ERKIAGA--DAVID MINVIELLE 1

12-15, 15-8, 5-2 (32-25)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (GANT D'OR CESTA PUNTA FACEBOOK)

Note: the match turned on two controversial calls in the 2nd set. At 6-7, Aritz Erkiaga was charged with juggling (pumpa) on a short kill shot. As Biarritz has no replay review, the call stood. Instead of 6-8 the score was 7-7. The decision effected Aritz' play for the rest of the match. At 10-8, there was a no call on a Gorka Sorozabal touch that broke David Minvielle's concentration, with EM losing the point. Instead of a possible 10-9, the score was 11-8 and JG then ran the table including another juggle called on Erkiaga as he attempted a serve intercept at 13-8 (this time a clear juggle). Erkiaga then threw away an intercept kill shot to end the set as JG won the final 8 points. If you watch the match, notice Erkiaga discussing the issue with the judges after the teams returned from the 10-8 time out.

Line Scores (winning team always listed 1st)

SET 1

1-0; 1-2; 2-2; 2-3; 3-3; 3-4; 4-4; 4-6; 7-6; 7-7; 10-7; 10-10; 11-10; 11-13; 12-13; 12-15

+1; -1; =; -1; =; -2; +1; =; +3; =; +1; -2; -1; -3

7 EQUAL SCORES, 3 LEAD CHANGES

SET 2

0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 3-2; 3-3; 5-3; 5-4; 6-4; 6-7; 8-7; 8-8; 15-8

-1; =; -1; +1; =; +2; +1; +2; -1; +1; =;+7

6 EQUAL SCORES, 3 LEAD CHANGES

TIE BREAKER

3-0; 3-1; 4-1; 4-2; 5-2

+3; +2; +3; +2; +3

0 EQUAL SCORES, 0 LEAD CHANGES

SCORING (MINE--YOURS MAY BE DIFFERENT)

JOHAN SOROZABAL: +15 -6(1 FAULT, 4 THROWING, 1 CATCHING); 1 PASA (OVER SERVE, 5 ALLOWED BEFORE LOSING A POINT), 6 SERVE INTERCEPTS, 1 IMMEDIATE KILL

GORKA SOROZABAL: +3 -7 (5 CATCHING, 2 THROWING)

ARITZ ERKIAGA: +9(1 ACE) -5 (2 JUGGLES, 2 CATCHING, 1 THROWING); 3 PASAS, 4 SERVE INTERCEPTS, 0 IMMEDIATE KILLS

DAVID MINVIELLE +3 -9 (6 CATCHING, 2 THROWING, 1 JUGGLE)

TOTAL MATCH SCORE: +30 -27 (.526)

BALLS IN PLAY: 497

AVERAGE BALLS PER POINT: 8.7

LONGEST POINT: 31 BIP (SET 2: 4-3--5-3)

SHORTEST POINT: 0 BIP (SET 2 FAULT): 8-7--8-8

BIP / POINTS

0-4 / 18

5-9 / 18

10-14 / 7

15-19 / 12

20-24 / 1

31 / 1

NON-ERROR PERCENT (BIP - ERRORS) / BIP (497-27 / 497): .946

Time outs: Set 1: 10-10; Set 2: 10-8

Ball Changes: EM 5; JG 3

PRE-FINAL MATCH ARTICLE (JAI ALAI NEWS FACEBOOK--BASQUE)

GOOGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

THE GOLDEN SHIELD: THE FINAL FULL OF SYMBOLS!
Wednesday, at 20:00, at the Euskal Jai Fronton in Biarritz
ETB 1en 23:30tan

SOROZABAL BROTHERS (Johan-Gorka) vs GOIKOETXEA-LOPEZ

I don't know if it will be a big finale, but without a doubt it will be a very symbolic one. In the Euskal Jai stadium, which will be full to the brim tomorrow, we will have brothers Johan and Gorka Sorozabal on one side, and Goikoetxea and Lopez on the other. The Zumaians are the best footballers of the last 20 years. They are a symbol of a generation that is starting to retire. The two young brothers from Biarritz are new shoots coming their way. It will still take at least a couple of years for Johan and Gorka to reach the top, but they are examples of the new generation that is on the way. The brothers from Lapu-Lapu who won the semi-final against Bart Erkiaga and Minviel (15-12, 8-15, 2-5), even though their surname comes from Donostia. Their grandmother was the painter Ana Mari Sorozabal.

In addition to the change of generations, tomorrow's final will also represent a change of era. Johan and Gorka are the "last ballplayers" who made their debut in America. Under the contract of the whole year and under the working conditions of living from the bottom of the basket. Goikoetxea and Lopez, on the other hand, are the last great figures who ended the historical era of the United States. When they were young, there was a future and prestige in America for Iñaki and Imanol. Johan and Gorka have set their goals in the Basque Country, just like the sport itself. The new "Jai Alai League" has built the first bridge between the North and South of the Basque Country and there are tournaments on the same circuit, the Gold Xistera that ends tomorrow or the Gernika Winter Series.

The cameras of Canal Plus and Euskal Telebista will witness this change of generation and era. We will continue the game from the sofa at home through the professionals of both channels, in Basque or French. There is still work to be done, so that the great sporting championships of the North can be known in the South, and just as much in the opposite direction.

For me personally, Biarritz is the location of many memories. Not so long ago, there were very few of us young people who followed the Zesta tipa. Even the fronts were empty, be it in Gernika, Markina-Xemein or Durango. I liked a sport, I loved it, but I couldn't enjoy it because of the landscape. I felt like a loser among the decadent facades and the last nostalgic ones anchored in the past.

We had to go to the North to see a full front. I often made this plan with my friend Ibon Aldazabal and, still unknown, Aritz Erkiaga also came with us to watch the finals of the Gold Xister. We adapted the southern look a bit but we couldn't figure out how to properly adapt to the Northern dress code. At the entrance to the front, to our surprise, we discovered the sculpture "Seme Euskalduna" by the newly born artist Mikel Lertxundi. A huge stone scythe, the ball is close to coming out of the tip of the basket.

The crowd to enter the front. The facade of the building, decorated with international flags. French speaking here and there. Once inside, take all the seats and at least the small joy of listening to the scoreboard in Basque. "Reds four, blues hope". Bereikua and Lopez won that 2008 final. Lopez is now fifteen years older, but no one can take away the position of the best defender. Goiko and he will share the court tomorrow with the two young brothers from Biarritz. Two generations and two historical eras, hand in hand. After the sports level of the Northern and Southern players, much more balanced than 15 years ago.

People will be watching what happens on the court tomorrow but I will have my eyes on the stands. Fortunately, no young person from the South will have to go to Biarritz to see a fronton full of people.

Enjoy the game and may the best win!

Golden Glove Tip Basket
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BIARRITZ SLAM (GANT D'OR)
SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ (DONIBANE LOHIZUNE) SLAM
PAU CUP SLAM