Innpala has published a new ranking table as of February 15, 2017. It is the first ranking table of the year that is correctly dated. I assume it includes the results of the Mundial Individual competition. It is unknown at this time if this is a correction of the February 10, 2017 ranking below or is an update of that table. This is assumed to be the most up to date InnPala ranking table: (added February 16, 2017.
February 15, 2017
Delanteros (front) Zagueros (back)
Gaubeka 102 Ibai 132
Necol 84 Ibargarai108
Fusto 84 Gordon 63
Zubiri 66 Brefel 60
Landeta 51 Imanol 54
Rankings, along with explanation
Mundial Individual was a 3 diamond (***) tournament.
InnPala has published a new ranking table including the results of the Mundial Individual competition. Rankings are by player position: They are:
February 10, 2017
Delanteros Zagueros
(Front) (Back)
Gaubeka 96 Ibai 132
Necol 68 Ibargarai 88
Fusto 66 Brefel 56
Zubiri 60 Gordon 50
Landeta 44 Imanol 44
Rankings, along with explanation
Mundial Individual was a 3 diamond (***) tournament.
Note that the InnPala ranking date has not yet been changed as of February 13, 2017
====================================
Previous ranking table (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
Friday, February 17, 2017
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--Week 11
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 en 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; Week 7; Week 8 ; Week 9 ; Week 10
Week 11
February 10, 2017
A. Urduliz (1)(2): Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe defeated Olaizola II-Untoria 22-20
Match article with statistics and linescore
In a very long (76 minutes) and hard fought (687 balls in play) match where there were 4 lead changes and 8 tie scores (the teams were never separated by more than 4 points), B-L made the last comeback to defeat O-U. Bengoetxea VI was the star of the match (+15 -4 according to 21igaules.com). The point beginning at 19-16 O-U (2:00:45--2:01:58 on the video) was a very controversial one. Oliazola II appeared to win the point with a cross court shot. However the ball was ruled to have hit below the line on the wall. 20-16 became 19-17. Watch the video and judge for yourself. The 3rd consecutive win for B-L moved them into the top 4 and dropped O-U out of the top 4, for the moment.
B-L 6-5- +1 (+3) O-U 5-6- -1 (-1)
I was unable to find match highlights for this match.
Full match video (EITB) (match begins at 57 minutes 59 seconds on the video)
February 11, 2017
B. Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2): Irribarria-Rezusta defeated Elezkano II-Zabaleta 22-18
After a slow start, I-R used an 8-0 run to establish a 12-7 lead. E-Z fought back and were able to equalize at 16 and 18, but then Irribarria took matters into his own hands, scoring 3 of the last 4 points, 2 on cross court shots and 1 on a cross court shot that set up his winning shot. The other point came on a Zabaleta error that ended the 21-18 point, which consumed 43 balls in play. The win guaranteed I-R a place in the Semi-final League. E-Z are still among the top 4, but only because of their point differential.
I-R 9-2 +51 (+2)* E-Z 5-6 +24 (-2)
* guaranteed place in Semi-final League
Match highlights (highlights for this match from 0:00-0:51)
Full match video (EITB--Basque) (match begins at 16:28 on the video).
Full match video (fronton.tv--Castilian) (scroll to "Labrit-Pamplona - 11/02/2017".) Final 4 points begin at 51:31 on the video.
C. Ereta, Tafalla (1) (2): Ezkurdia-Merino II defeated Victor (substituting for Artola)-Albisu 22-12
E-M 5-6 +13 (+1) A-A 6-5- -2 (-1)
Match highlights
Full match video (match begins at 56:33 on the video)
February 12, 2017
D. La Universidad de la Pelota, Markina-Xemein (1)(2): Urrutikoetxea-Imaz defeated Altuna III-Barriola 22-21
Match article with statistics and linescore
The two teams at the bottom of the table switched places based on point differential after U-I won an exciting match by the minimum. An 8-0 run gave U-I a seemingly safe 16-9 lead. But A-B fought back from 19-13 to equalize to equalize at 21. Urrutikoetxea won it with a perfect left wall dejada, sending A-B to their 4th consecutive defeat. Both teams still have chances at Semi-final League places, but there is little room for error with their point differentials. And they will need a lot of other match results to go their way.
U-I 4-7- -35 (+1) A-B 4-7 -51 (-4)
Match highlights (highlights for this match from 0:51-end of the video)
There was no full match video for this match.
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 en 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; Week 7; Week 8 ; Week 9 ; Week 10
Week 11
February 10, 2017
A. Urduliz (1)(2): Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe defeated Olaizola II-Untoria 22-20
Match article with statistics and linescore
In a very long (76 minutes) and hard fought (687 balls in play) match where there were 4 lead changes and 8 tie scores (the teams were never separated by more than 4 points), B-L made the last comeback to defeat O-U. Bengoetxea VI was the star of the match (+15 -4 according to 21igaules.com). The point beginning at 19-16 O-U (2:00:45--2:01:58 on the video) was a very controversial one. Oliazola II appeared to win the point with a cross court shot. However the ball was ruled to have hit below the line on the wall. 20-16 became 19-17. Watch the video and judge for yourself. The 3rd consecutive win for B-L moved them into the top 4 and dropped O-U out of the top 4, for the moment.
B-L 6-5- +1 (+3) O-U 5-6- -1 (-1)
I was unable to find match highlights for this match.
Full match video (EITB) (match begins at 57 minutes 59 seconds on the video)
February 11, 2017
B. Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2): Irribarria-Rezusta defeated Elezkano II-Zabaleta 22-18
After a slow start, I-R used an 8-0 run to establish a 12-7 lead. E-Z fought back and were able to equalize at 16 and 18, but then Irribarria took matters into his own hands, scoring 3 of the last 4 points, 2 on cross court shots and 1 on a cross court shot that set up his winning shot. The other point came on a Zabaleta error that ended the 21-18 point, which consumed 43 balls in play. The win guaranteed I-R a place in the Semi-final League. E-Z are still among the top 4, but only because of their point differential.
I-R 9-2 +51 (+2)* E-Z 5-6 +24 (-2)
* guaranteed place in Semi-final League
Match highlights (highlights for this match from 0:00-0:51)
Full match video (EITB--Basque) (match begins at 16:28 on the video).
Full match video (fronton.tv--Castilian) (scroll to "Labrit-Pamplona - 11/02/2017".) Final 4 points begin at 51:31 on the video.
C. Ereta, Tafalla (1) (2): Ezkurdia-Merino II defeated Victor (substituting for Artola)-Albisu 22-12
Match article with statistics and linescore
E-M's desperately needed victory broke their 3 match losing streak and stopped A-A's 3 match winning streak. It also helped their Semi-final League chances. At the heart of their victory was a 10-0 run that gave them a 15-6 lead. A-A's 16 errors (according to 21iguales.com), equally split, hurt their cause and denied them a chance to move into uncontested possession of 2nd place in the competition.
E-M's desperately needed victory broke their 3 match losing streak and stopped A-A's 3 match winning streak. It also helped their Semi-final League chances. At the heart of their victory was a 10-0 run that gave them a 15-6 lead. A-A's 16 errors (according to 21iguales.com), equally split, hurt their cause and denied them a chance to move into uncontested possession of 2nd place in the competition.
E-M 5-6 +13 (+1) A-A 6-5- -2 (-1)
Match highlights
Full match video (match begins at 56:33 on the video)
February 12, 2017
D. La Universidad de la Pelota, Markina-Xemein (1)(2): Urrutikoetxea-Imaz defeated Altuna III-Barriola 22-21
Match article with statistics and linescore
The two teams at the bottom of the table switched places based on point differential after U-I won an exciting match by the minimum. An 8-0 run gave U-I a seemingly safe 16-9 lead. But A-B fought back from 19-13 to equalize to equalize at 21. Urrutikoetxea won it with a perfect left wall dejada, sending A-B to their 4th consecutive defeat. Both teams still have chances at Semi-final League places, but there is little room for error with their point differentials. And they will need a lot of other match results to go their way.
U-I 4-7- -35 (+1) A-B 4-7 -51 (-4)
Match highlights (highlights for this match from 0:51-end of the video)
There was no full match video for this match.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Main Nue--FFPB Championnat de France Elite Pro Individuel--Semi-final Liguilla Round 3, February 11-12, 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"). Note: Benesse was added to the Esku Pilota player pages sometime in January 2017.
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; January 6, 2017; January 9, 2017; January 14, 2017; January 16, 2017 ; January 20, 2017 ; January 21, 2017 ; January 23, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 1-January 29-30, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 2--February 3-6, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 3--February 11-12, 2017
The Semi-final Liguilla finished with two matches (one of which was cancelled) that had no bearing on the finals, and two matches that had all to play for. On Saturday at Villefranque the match between Ducassou and Bilbao (A) was cancelled due to Bilbao's broken finger. Elgart (B) completed a perfect Liguilla but had punched his ticket to the final a week before. Both Sunday matches at Irissarry were for finals berths. Etchegaray (B) won his match easily and Ospital (A), in perhaps the surprise of the tournament, eliminated last year's champion and will now face the champion from 2 years ago in the final.
Final Liguilla table:
Groupe A.
Ducassou.2-0...(+35)
Ospital.....2-1...(-6)
Larralde...1-2...(-7)
Bilbao......0-2...(-22)
Groupe B
Elgart..............3-0....(+37)
Etchegaray......2-1....(+14)
Monce.............1-2....(-17)
Benesse...........0-3....(-34)
February 11, 2017
Villefranque (1)(2)(3)
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
1. Groupe B: Elgart defeated Benesse 40-29
2. The Groupe A match was replaced by "une partie amicale" between Amulet and Waltary. Amulet defeated Waltary 40-31
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article for Groupe B Match (Esku Pilota)
1. Elgart v Benesse
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: both match articles)
7 equalities to 10-10; 16-10; 20-12; 40-29
The match was a tuneup for the final for Elgart. He broke open a close contest in the 3rd decade and won easily. He now faces Etchegaray (whom he defeated 40-26 in Round 1) in the Final at Le Garat (Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port) on February 20.
2. Amulet v Waltary
Partial linescore (winner always listed first) (source: Pilota Ttiki)
17-3; 19-12; 40-31
Amulet took control early and, though Waltary cut the lead in half, he never really threatened.
February 12, 2017
Irissarri (1)(2)
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
1. Groupe B: Etchegaray defeated Monce 40-23
2. Groupe A: Ospital defeated Larralde 40-35
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article for both matches, along with an audio interview with Mathieu Ospital and links to both full match videos (Esku Pilota) Note that both match videos are also available at the Esku Pilota Youtube site (see links below).
Match statistics (spreadsheet format, Esku Pilota) (added February 16, 2017)
1. Etchegaray v Monce
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: Pilota Ttiki and Esku Pilota Youtube full match video)
9-16; 18-18; 28-19; 33-22; 33-23; 40-23
For the second consecutive round, Etchegaray came back from a large early deficit to win convincingly. Against Elgart in the final such a start may be disastrous. The strength of Etchegaray's game can be seen in the last 7 points of the match, which he totally dominated with a filet winner, a high, deep winner, a left roof winner, a two wall (right to left) winner, and 3 terrific service aces (off the left roof, deep left, and short left).
Full match video (Esku Pilota Youtube)
33-23--40-23 (45:15-50:53 if your device doesn't parse this segment)
2. Ospital v Larralde
Partial linescore and match chart (pelotelive.free.fr)
From the nadir of 1-20 and 4-30 on his way to a devastating Liguilla Round 1 match defeat by Ducassou, Ospital came all the way back, defeating first Bilbao, and then, in the surprise of the tournament so far, Larralde. He broke open an even match (22-22) with 11 consecutive points, and then held off a couple of Larralde rallies to earn a rematch with Ducassou in the final at Trinquet Moderne, Bayonne on February 19.
Ospital is fascinating to watch. He has a very deliberate style. He takes an age to serve, sometimes pulling out his handkerchief and mopping his face, other times bouncing the ball 15-20 times. He ponders the front wall (which at Irissarry looks like a matte painting of interstellar space from a 1950s sci-fi film). Then he looks back at his opponent and moves languidly to his serve. The slowness of his approach belies the terrific athletic ability he has. He is also a shot maker extraordinaire. In this match he made filet shots. All Elite Pros make filet shots. But Ospital doesn't use the filet. That is too large a target, too easy for a great defender like Larralde to pull out of the filet and save before it lands. No. No. Ospital uses the wooden frames(!) that hold the filet up, landing his shots on the top of the bottom frame (on the fly) or on the bottom of the top frame (on the bounce). He deals in millimeters. They are really unstoppable shots. I am fairly new to Main Nue and so perhaps these shots are not as amazing as I think. But when other players make them, they seem accidental. With Ospital (in this match anyway), they seemed deadly deliberate. If you watch the segment that basically won him the match, you will see some of these.
I wouldn't care to predict who will win the final (my prediction on this match, which I thought was a "sure thing", cost me 5 points at pelotelive.free.fr). I will say this. I don't think anyone is going to win 40-17.
Full match video (Esku Pilota Youtube)
22-22--33-22 (45:31-55:33 if your device doesn't parse this segment)
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.
For other match videos in other FFPB 2017 Championnat de France competitions see the FFPB CDF 2016-2017 National A and B match videos 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"). Note: Benesse was added to the Esku Pilota player pages sometime in January 2017.
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; January 6, 2017; January 9, 2017; January 14, 2017; January 16, 2017 ; January 20, 2017 ; January 21, 2017 ; January 23, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 1-January 29-30, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 2--February 3-6, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 3--February 11-12, 2017
The Semi-final Liguilla finished with two matches (one of which was cancelled) that had no bearing on the finals, and two matches that had all to play for. On Saturday at Villefranque the match between Ducassou and Bilbao (A) was cancelled due to Bilbao's broken finger. Elgart (B) completed a perfect Liguilla but had punched his ticket to the final a week before. Both Sunday matches at Irissarry were for finals berths. Etchegaray (B) won his match easily and Ospital (A), in perhaps the surprise of the tournament, eliminated last year's champion and will now face the champion from 2 years ago in the final.
Final Liguilla table:
Groupe A.
Ducassou.2-0...(+35)
Ospital.....2-1...(-6)
Larralde...1-2...(-7)
Bilbao......0-2...(-22)
Groupe B
Elgart..............3-0....(+37)
Etchegaray......2-1....(+14)
Monce.............1-2....(-17)
Benesse...........0-3....(-34)
February 11, 2017
Villefranque (1)(2)(3)
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
1. Groupe B: Elgart defeated Benesse 40-29
2. The Groupe A match was replaced by "une partie amicale" between Amulet and Waltary. Amulet defeated Waltary 40-31
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article for Groupe B Match (Esku Pilota)
1. Elgart v Benesse
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: both match articles)
7 equalities to 10-10; 16-10; 20-12; 40-29
The match was a tuneup for the final for Elgart. He broke open a close contest in the 3rd decade and won easily. He now faces Etchegaray (whom he defeated 40-26 in Round 1) in the Final at Le Garat (Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port) on February 20.
2. Amulet v Waltary
Partial linescore (winner always listed first) (source: Pilota Ttiki)
17-3; 19-12; 40-31
Amulet took control early and, though Waltary cut the lead in half, he never really threatened.
February 12, 2017
Irissarri (1)(2)
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
1. Groupe B: Etchegaray defeated Monce 40-23
2. Groupe A: Ospital defeated Larralde 40-35
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article for both matches, along with an audio interview with Mathieu Ospital and links to both full match videos (Esku Pilota) Note that both match videos are also available at the Esku Pilota Youtube site (see links below).
Match statistics (spreadsheet format, Esku Pilota) (added February 16, 2017)
1. Etchegaray v Monce
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: Pilota Ttiki and Esku Pilota Youtube full match video)
9-16; 18-18; 28-19; 33-22; 33-23; 40-23
For the second consecutive round, Etchegaray came back from a large early deficit to win convincingly. Against Elgart in the final such a start may be disastrous. The strength of Etchegaray's game can be seen in the last 7 points of the match, which he totally dominated with a filet winner, a high, deep winner, a left roof winner, a two wall (right to left) winner, and 3 terrific service aces (off the left roof, deep left, and short left).
Full match video (Esku Pilota Youtube)
33-23--40-23 (45:15-50:53 if your device doesn't parse this segment)
2. Ospital v Larralde
Partial linescore and match chart (pelotelive.free.fr)
From the nadir of 1-20 and 4-30 on his way to a devastating Liguilla Round 1 match defeat by Ducassou, Ospital came all the way back, defeating first Bilbao, and then, in the surprise of the tournament so far, Larralde. He broke open an even match (22-22) with 11 consecutive points, and then held off a couple of Larralde rallies to earn a rematch with Ducassou in the final at Trinquet Moderne, Bayonne on February 19.
Ospital is fascinating to watch. He has a very deliberate style. He takes an age to serve, sometimes pulling out his handkerchief and mopping his face, other times bouncing the ball 15-20 times. He ponders the front wall (which at Irissarry looks like a matte painting of interstellar space from a 1950s sci-fi film). Then he looks back at his opponent and moves languidly to his serve. The slowness of his approach belies the terrific athletic ability he has. He is also a shot maker extraordinaire. In this match he made filet shots. All Elite Pros make filet shots. But Ospital doesn't use the filet. That is too large a target, too easy for a great defender like Larralde to pull out of the filet and save before it lands. No. No. Ospital uses the wooden frames(!) that hold the filet up, landing his shots on the top of the bottom frame (on the fly) or on the bottom of the top frame (on the bounce). He deals in millimeters. They are really unstoppable shots. I am fairly new to Main Nue and so perhaps these shots are not as amazing as I think. But when other players make them, they seem accidental. With Ospital (in this match anyway), they seemed deadly deliberate. If you watch the segment that basically won him the match, you will see some of these.
I wouldn't care to predict who will win the final (my prediction on this match, which I thought was a "sure thing", cost me 5 points at pelotelive.free.fr). I will say this. I don't think anyone is going to win 40-17.
Full match video (Esku Pilota Youtube)
22-22--33-22 (45:31-55:33 if your device doesn't parse this segment)
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.
For other match videos in other FFPB 2017 Championnat de France competitions see the FFPB CDF 2016-2017 National A and B match videos page on the right side of the blog.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Pala--Mundial Individual--Final and 3rd place match--February 10, 2017
Mundial Individual 2017, the premier InnPala singles tournament, began January 14, 2017. It was a single elimination, seeded ladder tournament that involved the entire InnPala roster. The short court tournament was played at Bizkaia Fronton, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1)(2). Two matches were played every weekend. Seeding, from low to high: Brefel and Imanol; Ibai-Perez and Ibargarai (quarter finals); Fusto and Gaubeka (semi-finals). For more on the tournament see the tournament page at InnPala. The final was played on February 10.
Preview article (mundodeportivo.com)
Preview article (Naiz)
The articles note that Fusto is the favorite, seeded in at the semi-final level, having won all 5 of the finals played at Bizkaia (2012-16). He also won in 2009. If he wins this tournament, he will equal Oscar Insausti's record of 7 singles championships. The articles also note that Esteban Gaubeka, last year's runner up, is suffering from shoulder tendinitis, but hopes to be ready to play his first match (seeded in at the semi-final level) on February 4.
Play in Round--January 14, 2014
Second Round--January 21, 2017
Quarter-final Round--January 27, 2017
Semi-final Round--February 3, 2017
Final and 3rd place match--February 10, 2017
Joko (set) score sources: EITB
Final:
1. Ibai Perez defeated Ibargarai 3-0 (10-3, 10-8, 10-6) (30-17)
Match preview article (mundodeportivo.com)
Match article (Deia)
Match article (cardenaser.com)
Full match video (EITB) (match begins at 33 minutes 24 seconds on the video). Note: the 3rd place match (see below) is at the beginning of the video.
Individual joko linescores (winner always listed 1st)
Joko 1: 1-0; 2-0; 3-0; 4-0; 5-0; 5-1; 5-2; 6-2; 7-2; 8-2; 8-3; 9-3; 10-3 (1-0)
Joko 2: 1-0; 1-1; 1-2; 1-3; 1-4; 2-4; 2-5; 3-5; 4-5; 4-6; 4-7; 5-7; 5-8; 6-8; 7-8; 8-8-8; 9-8; 10-8 (2-0)
Joko 3: 0-1; 0-2; 1-2; 2-2; 3-2; 4-2; 5-2; 5-3; 5-4; 6-4; 6-5; 7-5; 8-5; 9-5; 9-6; 10-6 (3-0)
Scoring (EITB:
Ibai Perez +13 -8
Ibargarai +9 -17
Balls in Play: 268; Ibai Perez 139, Ibargarai 129
Time of the match: 45:16
Ibai Perez won his second major championship in a month by dominating Ibargarai. In this tournament IP won his last 8 consecutive jokos and 9 of the 10 he played to sweep through the last 3 rounds. He has won 15 of his last 17 jokos in tournament play this year. He outplayed Ibargarai in all facets of the match. After an Ibargarai error to open the match, IP announced his intentions by winning the next 3 points with 2 two wall shots and 1 left wall winner. When he is playing as he has in La Liga (full match video of La Liga final available at the link), IP needs little help. Ibargarai helped quite a bit with -17. However he did play some stellar pala in the second joko, which he had completely in hand after winning the 5-8 point (59:30--1:00:46 on the video), the longest and most exciting point of the entire match. It consumed 24 balls in play and featured several great saves by each player, including one seemingly impossible rebote by both. Unfortunately, Ibargarai immediately dissipated the momentum such a point should have provided with a service fault. IP ran out the joko and then the match. An interesting aside. At 50:34 on the video (1-2, 2nd joko) IP broke his bat cleanly in two along the vertical. With half a bat he was able to make one successful return before missing a second.
3rd place match:
Fusto defeated Gaubeka 3-0 (10-4, 10-6, Gaubeka retired with an injured shoulder). (20-10).
Individual joko linescores (winner always listed 1st).
Joko 1: 0-1; 1-1; 2-1; 3-1; 3-2; 4-2; 5-2; 5-3; 6-3; 7-3; 7-4; 8-4; 9-4; 10-4 (1-0)
Joko 2: 0-1; 0-2; 1-2; 1-3; 2-3; 3-3; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4; 6-4; 6-5; 7-5; 8-5; 9-5; 9-6; 10-6. (2-0).
Scoring (EITB):
Fusto +14 -1
Gaubeka +9 -6
===============================
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.
February 10, 2017 (end of Mundial Individual)
Championships: L=La Liga; MI-Mundial Individual
Gaubeka(d)......7-4.....25-21...-2*....1(L)
Zubiri(d)..........8-6.....30-23...-1*
Fusto(d)............6-6.....23-24..+1
Necol(d)............6-8.....27-31...-1
Landeta(d).......3-7.....17-25....-1
Ibai-Perez(z).....10-3...34-19..+4*....2(L, MI)
Ibargari(z).........7-7....29-27...-1
Brefel(z).............5-5....20-19...-1
Gordon(z)...........5-7....21-27...-3
Imanol(z)............3-7...15-25....-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.
Preview article (mundodeportivo.com)
Preview article (Naiz)
The articles note that Fusto is the favorite, seeded in at the semi-final level, having won all 5 of the finals played at Bizkaia (2012-16). He also won in 2009. If he wins this tournament, he will equal Oscar Insausti's record of 7 singles championships. The articles also note that Esteban Gaubeka, last year's runner up, is suffering from shoulder tendinitis, but hopes to be ready to play his first match (seeded in at the semi-final level) on February 4.
Play in Round--January 14, 2014
Second Round--January 21, 2017
Quarter-final Round--January 27, 2017
Semi-final Round--February 3, 2017
Final and 3rd place match--February 10, 2017
Joko (set) score sources: EITB
Final:
1. Ibai Perez defeated Ibargarai 3-0 (10-3, 10-8, 10-6) (30-17)
Match preview article (mundodeportivo.com)
Match article (Deia)
Match article (cardenaser.com)
Full match video (EITB) (match begins at 33 minutes 24 seconds on the video). Note: the 3rd place match (see below) is at the beginning of the video.
Individual joko linescores (winner always listed 1st)
Joko 1: 1-0; 2-0; 3-0; 4-0; 5-0; 5-1; 5-2; 6-2; 7-2; 8-2; 8-3; 9-3; 10-3 (1-0)
Joko 2: 1-0; 1-1; 1-2; 1-3; 1-4; 2-4; 2-5; 3-5; 4-5; 4-6; 4-7; 5-7; 5-8; 6-8; 7-8; 8-8-8; 9-8; 10-8 (2-0)
Joko 3: 0-1; 0-2; 1-2; 2-2; 3-2; 4-2; 5-2; 5-3; 5-4; 6-4; 6-5; 7-5; 8-5; 9-5; 9-6; 10-6 (3-0)
Scoring (EITB:
Ibai Perez +13 -8
Ibargarai +9 -17
Balls in Play: 268; Ibai Perez 139, Ibargarai 129
Time of the match: 45:16
Ibai Perez won his second major championship in a month by dominating Ibargarai. In this tournament IP won his last 8 consecutive jokos and 9 of the 10 he played to sweep through the last 3 rounds. He has won 15 of his last 17 jokos in tournament play this year. He outplayed Ibargarai in all facets of the match. After an Ibargarai error to open the match, IP announced his intentions by winning the next 3 points with 2 two wall shots and 1 left wall winner. When he is playing as he has in La Liga (full match video of La Liga final available at the link), IP needs little help. Ibargarai helped quite a bit with -17. However he did play some stellar pala in the second joko, which he had completely in hand after winning the 5-8 point (59:30--1:00:46 on the video), the longest and most exciting point of the entire match. It consumed 24 balls in play and featured several great saves by each player, including one seemingly impossible rebote by both. Unfortunately, Ibargarai immediately dissipated the momentum such a point should have provided with a service fault. IP ran out the joko and then the match. An interesting aside. At 50:34 on the video (1-2, 2nd joko) IP broke his bat cleanly in two along the vertical. With half a bat he was able to make one successful return before missing a second.
3rd place match:
Fusto defeated Gaubeka 3-0 (10-4, 10-6, Gaubeka retired with an injured shoulder). (20-10).
Individual joko linescores (winner always listed 1st).
Joko 1: 0-1; 1-1; 2-1; 3-1; 3-2; 4-2; 5-2; 5-3; 6-3; 7-3; 7-4; 8-4; 9-4; 10-4 (1-0)
Joko 2: 0-1; 0-2; 1-2; 1-3; 2-3; 3-3; 4-3; 4-4; 5-4; 6-4; 6-5; 7-5; 8-5; 9-5; 9-6; 10-6. (2-0).
Scoring (EITB):
Fusto +14 -1
Gaubeka +9 -6
===============================
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.
February 10, 2017 (end of Mundial Individual)
Championships: L=La Liga; MI-Mundial Individual
Gaubeka(d)......7-4.....25-21...-2*....1(L)
Zubiri(d)..........8-6.....30-23...-1*
Fusto(d)............6-6.....23-24..+1
Necol(d)............6-8.....27-31...-1
Landeta(d).......3-7.....17-25....-1
Ibai-Perez(z).....10-3...34-19..+4*....2(L, MI)
Ibargari(z).........7-7....29-27...-1
Brefel(z).............5-5....20-19...-1
Gordon(z)...........5-7....21-27...-3
Imanol(z)............3-7...15-25....-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.
Jai Alai/Cesta Punta--Gran Fiesta de la Cesta Punta Alavesa
On February 10, 2017 a "Gran Fiesta de la Cesta Punta," sponsored by the Federación Alavesa de Pelota Vasca, was held at Olave, Vitoria-Gasteiz (1)(2). In part it was a "send off" for three young players from Alava (Julien del Rio, Aaron Gonzalez, and Ekhi Martinez), who are turning professional and joining the roster for the new season at Fronton Mexico, scheduled to begin in early March, The festival consisted of three quiniela matches. The first was a junior match featuring some of the younger boys and girls of the "escuela de Gasteiz Jai Alai." The second featured senior members from the Club Gasteiz Jai Alai, including the ex-professional Zarandona. The third was a 25 point match that featured Mikel Egiguren-Ekhi, Christophe Olha-del Rio, and Aaron-Gotzon Enbil.
Egiguren-Ekhi (blue) won the match: 25
Olha-del Rio (white) 17
Aaron-Enbil (red) 16
Match article with 9 photos (Jai Alai News Facebook page)
Full match video (periscope.tv) Click on the right arrow inside the circle for the video.
Full match video of the two earlier matches (periscope.tv)
Gasteiz Jai Alai periscope.tv channel
Note that these are not commercial quality videos. There is no scoreboard and it is difficult to follow the scoring of the major match. But the video is of fairly high quality and gives you a chance to see the 3 new professionals that will be debuting at Fronton Mexico.
Egiguren-Ekhi (blue) won the match: 25
Olha-del Rio (white) 17
Aaron-Enbil (red) 16
Match article with 9 photos (Jai Alai News Facebook page)
Full match video (periscope.tv) Click on the right arrow inside the circle for the video.
Full match video of the two earlier matches (periscope.tv)
Gasteiz Jai Alai periscope.tv channel
Note that these are not commercial quality videos. There is no scoreboard and it is difficult to follow the scoring of the major match. But the video is of fairly high quality and gives you a chance to see the 3 new professionals that will be debuting at Fronton Mexico.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Jai Alai/Cesta Punta News Article--"The Conquest of El Dorado"
Noticias de Gipuzkoa has published an article titled "La Conquista de Eldorado," by Igor G. Vico. It describes the preparation of 18 young players who are in training in Hondarribia and will go to Mexico City for the beginning of Fronton Mexico's 4 month season scheduled for March 4. They will join long time professionals Imanol Lopez, Eric Irastorza, and Mikel Egiguren, as well as younger pros Jean Olharan, Xabi Inza, Jon Tambourindeguy, Nicolas Etcheto, and Chrstophe Olha. New players, among whom are Julien del Rio, Aaron Gonzalez, Jerome Portet, Julien Ihitsague, and Ludovic Laduche will also play. Portet and Laduche may be of particular interest as players with great potential.
The article also discusses the manner of how the season will be played (3 matches on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays). The second match will be the "Star" match. It also provides background information about the financing of the remodel of the classic fronton.
La Conquista de Eldorado (Castilian). Note that this is a long article. Translate.google.com will give non-Castilian speakers the gist of the story. Simply cut and paste the article into the translate box
The article also discusses the manner of how the season will be played (3 matches on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays). The second match will be the "Star" match. It also provides background information about the financing of the remodel of the classic fronton.
La Conquista de Eldorado (Castilian). Note that this is a long article. Translate.google.com will give non-Castilian speakers the gist of the story. Simply cut and paste the article into the translate box
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Main Nue--FFPB Championnat de France Elite Pro Individuel--Semi-final Liguilla Round 2, February 3-6, 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 (link to "resultats" from the FFPB home page). 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"). Note: Benesse was added to the Esku Pilota player pages sometime in January 2017.
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; January 6, 2017; January 9, 2017; January 14, 2017; January 16, 2017 ; January 20, 2017 ; January 21, 2017 ; January 23, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 1-January 29-30, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 2--February 3-6, 2017
The finals of the tournament began to come into focus after a long weekend of Round 2 Liguilla action. The matches were supposed to take place at Arcangues on February 3 and Armendaritz on February 5. The second Armendaritz match, a Liguilla Group A match between Ospital and Bilbao, had to be postponed due to condensation on the trinquet floor after a heavy storm. It was played on Monday, February 6 at Le Garat.
Ducassou (Group A) and Elgart (Group B) won matches that guaranteed them places in the final. Bilbao (Group A) and Benesse (Group B) suffered losses that eliminated them from the competition. The two remaining final places will be decided this Sunday at Irissarry between Etchegaray and Monce in Group B, followed by the Group A match between Larralde and Ospital.
Table after Round 2:
Groupe A.
Ducassou.2-0...(+35)
Larralde...1-1...(-2)
Ospital.....1-1...(-11)
Bilbao......0-2...(-22)
Groupe B
Elgart..............2-0....(+26)
Monce.............1-1....(0)
Etchegaray......1-1.....(-3)
Benesse...........0-2....(-23)
February 3, 2017
Arcangues (1) (2)
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
1. Groupe B: Etchegaray defeated Benesse 40-29
2. Groupe A: Ducassou defeated Larralde 40-28
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article for both matches, along with an audio interview with Baptiste Ducassou (Esku Pilota).
1. Etchegaray v Benesse
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: both match articles)
0-7; 7-16; 18-16; 40-29
After getting off to a terrible start, Etchegary pulled the match back in his favor with an 11 point run, negating Benesse's 7 point run to start the match. Benesse never recovered and Etchegaray pulled away to win the match easily.
2. Ducassou v Larralde
Partial linescore (winner always listed first) (source: both match articles)
10-10, 17-10, 20-16, 25-19, 29-19, 40-28
In the marquee match of the tournament so far, Ducassou broke through with a 7 point run in the 3rd decade of the match and slowly expanded his lead to cruise to victory.
February 5, 2017
Elhina, Amindaritz (1) (2)
Preview articles for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
1. Groupe B: Elgart defeated Monce 40-28
2. Groupe A: Ospital v Bilbao was postponed.
Match article (Pilota Ttiki)
The article also explains (in words and a photo) the circumstances surrounding the postponement.
Match article (Esku Pilota)
Match statistics (Esku Pilota, Spreadsheet format) (added February 10, 2017).
Elgart v Monce
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: both match articles)
14-14; 20-15; 20-16; 25-19; 30-19; 37-24; 37-28; 40-28
Note: the 20-15 point ended with Elgart falling on the wet floor and losing the point. The match was delayed 45 minutes at that point.
A 16-5 run in the middle of the match put Elgart in command. From there he stumbled slightly, but then recovered to win.
February 6, 2017
Le Garat, St. Jean-Pied-de-Port (1) (2)
Ospital defeated Bilbao 40-28
Match article (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article (Esku Pilota)
Match statistics (Esku Pilota, Spreadsheet format) (added February 10, 2017).
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: both match articles)
12-12; 40-28
Ospital got up off the floor after a massive defeat at the hands of Ducassou last weekend at Le Garat and, after a competitive start, took the match over and won easily.
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"). Note: Benesse was added to the Esku Pilota player pages sometime in January 2017.
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; January 6, 2017; January 9, 2017; January 14, 2017; January 16, 2017 ; January 20, 2017 ; January 21, 2017 ; January 23, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 1-January 29-30, 2017
Liguilla Semi-final Round 2--February 3-6, 2017
The finals of the tournament began to come into focus after a long weekend of Round 2 Liguilla action. The matches were supposed to take place at Arcangues on February 3 and Armendaritz on February 5. The second Armendaritz match, a Liguilla Group A match between Ospital and Bilbao, had to be postponed due to condensation on the trinquet floor after a heavy storm. It was played on Monday, February 6 at Le Garat.
Ducassou (Group A) and Elgart (Group B) won matches that guaranteed them places in the final. Bilbao (Group A) and Benesse (Group B) suffered losses that eliminated them from the competition. The two remaining final places will be decided this Sunday at Irissarry between Etchegaray and Monce in Group B, followed by the Group A match between Larralde and Ospital.
Table after Round 2:
Groupe A.
Ducassou.2-0...(+35)
Larralde...1-1...(-2)
Ospital.....1-1...(-11)
Bilbao......0-2...(-22)
Groupe B
Elgart..............2-0....(+26)
Monce.............1-1....(0)
Etchegaray......1-1.....(-3)
Benesse...........0-2....(-23)
February 3, 2017
Arcangues (1) (2)
Preview article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
1. Groupe B: Etchegaray defeated Benesse 40-29
2. Groupe A: Ducassou defeated Larralde 40-28
Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article for both matches, along with an audio interview with Baptiste Ducassou (Esku Pilota).
1. Etchegaray v Benesse
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: both match articles)
0-7; 7-16; 18-16; 40-29
After getting off to a terrible start, Etchegary pulled the match back in his favor with an 11 point run, negating Benesse's 7 point run to start the match. Benesse never recovered and Etchegaray pulled away to win the match easily.
2. Ducassou v Larralde
Partial linescore (winner always listed first) (source: both match articles)
10-10, 17-10, 20-16, 25-19, 29-19, 40-28
In the marquee match of the tournament so far, Ducassou broke through with a 7 point run in the 3rd decade of the match and slowly expanded his lead to cruise to victory.
February 5, 2017
Elhina, Amindaritz (1) (2)
Preview articles for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)
1. Groupe B: Elgart defeated Monce 40-28
2. Groupe A: Ospital v Bilbao was postponed.
Match article (Pilota Ttiki)
The article also explains (in words and a photo) the circumstances surrounding the postponement.
Match article (Esku Pilota)
Match statistics (Esku Pilota, Spreadsheet format) (added February 10, 2017).
Elgart v Monce
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: both match articles)
14-14; 20-15; 20-16; 25-19; 30-19; 37-24; 37-28; 40-28
Note: the 20-15 point ended with Elgart falling on the wet floor and losing the point. The match was delayed 45 minutes at that point.
A 16-5 run in the middle of the match put Elgart in command. From there he stumbled slightly, but then recovered to win.
February 6, 2017
Le Garat, St. Jean-Pied-de-Port (1) (2)
Ospital defeated Bilbao 40-28
Match article (Pilota Ttiki)
Match article (Esku Pilota)
Match statistics (Esku Pilota, Spreadsheet format) (added February 10, 2017).
Partial linescore (winner always listed 1st) (source: both match articles)
12-12; 40-28
Ospital got up off the floor after a massive defeat at the hands of Ducassou last weekend at Le Garat and, after a competitive start, took the match over and won easily.
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, February 7, 2017
Multiple Modalities--NEW RECURRING PAGE ADDED ON RIGHT SIDE OF THE BLOG--FFPB Championnat de France MATCH VIDEOS
I have added a page to the recurring results pages on the on the right side of the blog. The page will track match videos for the various Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPP) National A and B championships going on this winter. The videos come from various sources and I thought it would be interesting to compile them together in one place for ease of access. These are not commercial TV videos a la EITB or Canal+, but they are of high quality. The more serious fan can follow closely and keep track of the score (competition contexts are linked to as well as videos), but these are mostly for you to enjoy the action and variety of these sports. Some of these competitions may be covered in the blog itself.
FFPB CDF 2016-2017 National A and B match videos
FFPB CDF 2016-2017 National A and B match videos
Monday, February 6, 2017
Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--Week 10
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 en 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; Week 7; Week 8 ; Week 9
Week 10
February 3, 2017
A. Atano III, Donostia (San Sebastian) (1)(2): Irribarria-Rezusta defeated Ezkurdia-Merino II 22-18
Match article with statistics and linescore
A. Two shutout runs by I-R (the first, a 7 point run that broke a 7-7 tie, the second, a 4 point run at 14-10) gave them enough to hold off a late E-M comeback 4 point shutout run of their own (21-14--21-18). The win guaranteed I-R a winning record in the Quarter-final League and all but punched their ticket to the Semi-final League. The individual +/- (according to 21iguales.com) showed Irribarria with a 2 point advantage over Ezkurdia and Rezusta with the same advantage over Merino II. This was the third consecutive close and hard fought defeat for E-M and dropped them to the lower half of the table.
I-R 8-2 +47 (+1) E-M 4-6 +3 (-3)
Match highlights
Full match video (EITB) (Basque) (match begins at 1 hour, 10 minutes, 45 seconds on the video).
Full match video (fronton.tv) (Castilian) Scroll to "San Sebastián - 03/02/2017"
(Added February 10, 2017).
February 4, 2017
B. Igarondo, Idiazabal (1) (2): Victor (substituting for Artola)-Albisu defeated Altuna III-Barriola 22-8
Two teams going in opposite directions continued on their paths as V-A easily defeated A-B. Runs of 6-1, 8-0, and 5-0 at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the match allowed them to cruise to victory. Victor continues to improve his game. Always a threat to be a big scorer, he has been whittling away the errors in his game. The result is a much better +/- ratio. In this match, according to 21iguales.com, that ratio was +11 (+14 -3). Those types of ratios will help his team continue to improve. They moved into 2nd place in the table with this win. In theory, A-B are still only 1 win out of a playoff spot, but in reality their point differential (which has lost 24 points in the last two matches), makes their road much more difficult to travel.
A-A 6-4 +8 (+3) A-B 4-6- -50 (-3)
Match highlights (highlights for this match from 0:36-end of the video)
Match highlights (21iguales.com Youtube) (parts or all of 10 points)
There was no full match video for this match.
C. Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2): Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe defeated Urrutikoetxea-Imaz 22-9
One of the indications of how much B-L dominated this match was that U-I were limited to +2, according to 21iguales.com (both winners by Urrutikoetxea). A 6-0 run at the beginning (3-2--9-2) and another one at the end (16-9--22-9) led to an easy victory. Imaz' 8 errors didn't help his team's cause. The win moved B-L closer to a place in the Semi-final League. U-I were mathematically eliminated from 1st place in the Quarter-final League and are now 2 wins from a semi-final league place with 4 matches to play. Their poor point differential means they must "run the table" with dominating wins, and have a lot of other matches go their way in order to get there.
B-L 5-5- -1 (+2) U-I 3-7- -36 (-2)
Match highlights (highlights for this match from 0;00-0:35) on the video)
Full match video (match begins at 1:03:45 on the video)
February 5, 2017
D. Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1)(2):Olaizola II-Untoria defeated Elezkano II-Zabaleta 22-15
Match article with statistics and linescore
O-U controlled the match from beginning to end. Only a belated rally by E-Z made the final score look closer than the match was. O-U led 8-3, 12-6, and 19-9. Olaizola II had a vintage match (1 dejada, 1 two wall, and 5 cross court winners are featured in the match highlights below). Untoria, who was shredded by the bombs of Irribarria and Rezusta two weeks ago, has been much improved since then. This victory got O-U back to the .500 mark for the first time in 4 weeks. They also moved into a the last Semi-final League playoff spot. Their position is tenuous now, but they are "trending up."
O-U 5-5- +1 (+2) E-Z 5-5 +28 (-1)
Match highlights
Full match video (match begins at 1:00:12 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 en 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; Week 7; Week 8 ; Week 9
Week 10
February 3, 2017
A. Atano III, Donostia (San Sebastian) (1)(2): Irribarria-Rezusta defeated Ezkurdia-Merino II 22-18
Match article with statistics and linescore
A. Two shutout runs by I-R (the first, a 7 point run that broke a 7-7 tie, the second, a 4 point run at 14-10) gave them enough to hold off a late E-M comeback 4 point shutout run of their own (21-14--21-18). The win guaranteed I-R a winning record in the Quarter-final League and all but punched their ticket to the Semi-final League. The individual +/- (according to 21iguales.com) showed Irribarria with a 2 point advantage over Ezkurdia and Rezusta with the same advantage over Merino II. This was the third consecutive close and hard fought defeat for E-M and dropped them to the lower half of the table.
I-R 8-2 +47 (+1) E-M 4-6 +3 (-3)
Match highlights
Full match video (EITB) (Basque) (match begins at 1 hour, 10 minutes, 45 seconds on the video).
Full match video (fronton.tv) (Castilian) Scroll to "San Sebastián - 03/02/2017"
(Added February 10, 2017).
February 4, 2017
B. Igarondo, Idiazabal (1) (2): Victor (substituting for Artola)-Albisu defeated Altuna III-Barriola 22-8
Two teams going in opposite directions continued on their paths as V-A easily defeated A-B. Runs of 6-1, 8-0, and 5-0 at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the match allowed them to cruise to victory. Victor continues to improve his game. Always a threat to be a big scorer, he has been whittling away the errors in his game. The result is a much better +/- ratio. In this match, according to 21iguales.com, that ratio was +11 (+14 -3). Those types of ratios will help his team continue to improve. They moved into 2nd place in the table with this win. In theory, A-B are still only 1 win out of a playoff spot, but in reality their point differential (which has lost 24 points in the last two matches), makes their road much more difficult to travel.
A-A 6-4 +8 (+3) A-B 4-6- -50 (-3)
Match highlights (highlights for this match from 0:36-end of the video)
Match highlights (21iguales.com Youtube) (parts or all of 10 points)
There was no full match video for this match.
C. Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2): Bengoetxea VI-Larunbe defeated Urrutikoetxea-Imaz 22-9
One of the indications of how much B-L dominated this match was that U-I were limited to +2, according to 21iguales.com (both winners by Urrutikoetxea). A 6-0 run at the beginning (3-2--9-2) and another one at the end (16-9--22-9) led to an easy victory. Imaz' 8 errors didn't help his team's cause. The win moved B-L closer to a place in the Semi-final League. U-I were mathematically eliminated from 1st place in the Quarter-final League and are now 2 wins from a semi-final league place with 4 matches to play. Their poor point differential means they must "run the table" with dominating wins, and have a lot of other matches go their way in order to get there.
B-L 5-5- -1 (+2) U-I 3-7- -36 (-2)
Match highlights (highlights for this match from 0;00-0:35) on the video)
Full match video (match begins at 1:03:45 on the video)
February 5, 2017
D. Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1)(2):Olaizola II-Untoria defeated Elezkano II-Zabaleta 22-15
Match article with statistics and linescore
O-U controlled the match from beginning to end. Only a belated rally by E-Z made the final score look closer than the match was. O-U led 8-3, 12-6, and 19-9. Olaizola II had a vintage match (1 dejada, 1 two wall, and 5 cross court winners are featured in the match highlights below). Untoria, who was shredded by the bombs of Irribarria and Rezusta two weeks ago, has been much improved since then. This victory got O-U back to the .500 mark for the first time in 4 weeks. They also moved into a the last Semi-final League playoff spot. Their position is tenuous now, but they are "trending up."
O-U 5-5- +1 (+2) E-Z 5-5 +28 (-1)
Match highlights
Full match video (match begins at 1:00:12 on the video)
Pala--Mundial Individual--Semi-finals--February 3, 2017
Mundial Individual 2017, the premier InnPala singles tournament, began January 14, 2017. It is a single elimination, seeded ladder tournament that involves the entire InnPala roster. The short court tournament will be played Bizkaia Fronton, Bilbo (Bilbao) (1)(2). Two matches will be played every weekend. Seeding, from low to high: Brefel and Imanol; Ibai-Perez and Ibargarai (quarter finals); Fusto and Gaubeka (semi-finals). For more on the tournament see the tournament page at InnPala. The final will be played February 10.
Preview article (mundodeportivo.com)
Preview article (Naiz)
The articles note that Fusto is the favorite, seeded in at the semi-final level, having won all 5 of the finals played at Bizkaia (2012-16). He also won in 2009. If he wins this tournament, he will equal Oscar Insausti's record of 7 singles championships. The articles also note that Esteban Gaubeka, last year's runner up, is suffering from shoulder tendinitis, but hopes to be ready to play his first match (seeded in at the semi-final level) on February 4.
Play in Round--January 14, 2014
Second Round--January 21, 2017
Quarter-final Round--January 27, 2017
Semi-final Round--February 3, 2017
Joko (set) score sources: Innpala Twitter feed (track back to date), Innpala Fronton Facebook page, and Deia.
1. Ibargarai defeated Gaubeka 3-1 (6-10, 10-6, 10-6, 10-5 or 10-9) (36-27 or 36-31). Note: a post to Innpala Fronton Facebook by Gaubeka said he lost the final joko 10-9, rather than the 10-5 published at InnPala twitter feed. The Deia article listed the final joko score as 10-5.
2. Ibai-Perez defeated Fusto 3-0 (10-8, 10-7, 10-6) (30-21)
Match article for both matches (Deia)
Match article for both matches, along with 9 photos (InnPala Fronton Facebook page)
At the time this was posted, there was no available "on demand" match video of these matches. If video becomes available I will link to it and add a listing ror it in the "update to published posts" on the right side of the blog
Instead, for now, it might be interesting (though of course in no way predictive) to watch a replay of last year's (2016) Ibargarai-Ibai Perez match (source: EITB), which was for 3rd place in this tournament (see below for more information). The match begins at 1 hour and 8 minutes on the video.
What happened at Bizkaia on Friday night was...an earthquake...a changing of the guard..., not what most people expected. Both seeded semi-finalists, who had played against each other in last year's final, were defeated decisively. For the first time (at Bizkaia, at any rate), the final of this competition will be played by back court players.
Gaubeka, returning from a shoulder injury, won the first joko, but then Ibargarai took command, although the final joko score is in some doubt for those of us who didn't see it.
The brief InnPala website artcle about the Ibai-Perez Fusto match said:
"Gran sorpresa la acontecida en el fronton Bizkaia en la segunda de las semifinales del individual de pala, el zaguero de Sestao gano por 0-3 al pentacampeona de la modalidad, la principal arma de Ibai fue el saque con el que hizo muchísimo daño. Pablo pese a jugar un buen partido se vio superado por un adversario al que le salía todo y que supo sufrir mucho para llevarse el encuentro."
Loosely (Google) translated:
"A big surprise happened in the Biscay fronton in the second of the semifinals of the World Individual Championship. The defender of Sestao won by 0-3 to the 5 time champion of the modality. The main weapon of Ibai was the service with which he did a lot of damage. Pablo, despite playing a good game was surpassed by an opponent who went all out and knew how to suffer a lot to get the match."
Ibai-Perez and Ibargarai will meet in the final on February 10. Fusto will play Gaubecka for 3rd place. A point of interest. These are the same 4 pelotaris who played in last year's final and semi-final. The prize they are playing for has reversed. Last year's semi final was won by Ibargarai 3-1 (6-10, 10-4, 10-5, 10-5) (36-24).
===============================
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.
February 3, 2017
Gaubeka(d)..7-3.....25-18...-1*....1(La Liga)
Zubiri(d).......8-6....30-23...-1*
Fusto(d)........5-6.....20-24..-3
Necol(d)........6-8....27-31...-1
Landeta(d)....3-7.....17-25..-1
Ibai-Perez(z)..9-3....31-19..+3*....1(La Liga)
Ibargari(z)......7-6....29-24..+2
Brefel(z)........5-5....20-19...-1
Gordon(z)......5-7....21-27...-3
Imanol(z).......3-7...15-25....-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.
Preview article (mundodeportivo.com)
Preview article (Naiz)
The articles note that Fusto is the favorite, seeded in at the semi-final level, having won all 5 of the finals played at Bizkaia (2012-16). He also won in 2009. If he wins this tournament, he will equal Oscar Insausti's record of 7 singles championships. The articles also note that Esteban Gaubeka, last year's runner up, is suffering from shoulder tendinitis, but hopes to be ready to play his first match (seeded in at the semi-final level) on February 4.
Play in Round--January 14, 2014
Second Round--January 21, 2017
Quarter-final Round--January 27, 2017
Semi-final Round--February 3, 2017
Joko (set) score sources: Innpala Twitter feed (track back to date), Innpala Fronton Facebook page, and Deia.
1. Ibargarai defeated Gaubeka 3-1 (6-10, 10-6, 10-6, 10-5 or 10-9) (36-27 or 36-31). Note: a post to Innpala Fronton Facebook by Gaubeka said he lost the final joko 10-9, rather than the 10-5 published at InnPala twitter feed. The Deia article listed the final joko score as 10-5.
2. Ibai-Perez defeated Fusto 3-0 (10-8, 10-7, 10-6) (30-21)
Match article for both matches (Deia)
Match article for both matches, along with 9 photos (InnPala Fronton Facebook page)
At the time this was posted, there was no available "on demand" match video of these matches. If video becomes available I will link to it and add a listing ror it in the "update to published posts" on the right side of the blog
Instead, for now, it might be interesting (though of course in no way predictive) to watch a replay of last year's (2016) Ibargarai-Ibai Perez match (source: EITB), which was for 3rd place in this tournament (see below for more information). The match begins at 1 hour and 8 minutes on the video.
What happened at Bizkaia on Friday night was...an earthquake...a changing of the guard..., not what most people expected. Both seeded semi-finalists, who had played against each other in last year's final, were defeated decisively. For the first time (at Bizkaia, at any rate), the final of this competition will be played by back court players.
Gaubeka, returning from a shoulder injury, won the first joko, but then Ibargarai took command, although the final joko score is in some doubt for those of us who didn't see it.
The brief InnPala website artcle about the Ibai-Perez Fusto match said:
"Gran sorpresa la acontecida en el fronton Bizkaia en la segunda de las semifinales del individual de pala, el zaguero de Sestao gano por 0-3 al pentacampeona de la modalidad, la principal arma de Ibai fue el saque con el que hizo muchísimo daño. Pablo pese a jugar un buen partido se vio superado por un adversario al que le salía todo y que supo sufrir mucho para llevarse el encuentro."
Loosely (Google) translated:
"A big surprise happened in the Biscay fronton in the second of the semifinals of the World Individual Championship. The defender of Sestao won by 0-3 to the 5 time champion of the modality. The main weapon of Ibai was the service with which he did a lot of damage. Pablo, despite playing a good game was surpassed by an opponent who went all out and knew how to suffer a lot to get the match."
Ibai-Perez and Ibargarai will meet in the final on February 10. Fusto will play Gaubecka for 3rd place. A point of interest. These are the same 4 pelotaris who played in last year's final and semi-final. The prize they are playing for has reversed. Last year's semi final was won by Ibargarai 3-1 (6-10, 10-4, 10-5, 10-5) (36-24).
===============================
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.
February 3, 2017
Gaubeka(d)..7-3.....25-18...-1*....1(La Liga)
Zubiri(d).......8-6....30-23...-1*
Fusto(d)........5-6.....20-24..-3
Necol(d)........6-8....27-31...-1
Landeta(d)....3-7.....17-25..-1
Ibai-Perez(z)..9-3....31-19..+3*....1(La Liga)
Ibargari(z)......7-6....29-24..+2
Brefel(z)........5-5....20-19...-1
Gordon(z)......5-7....21-27...-3
Imanol(z).......3-7...15-25....-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.
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