Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--2018-2019--Semi Final League--Round 1

Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas, the premier doubles competition of the 2018-2019 Mano season, began November 23, 2018. 8 teams will compete for the title. The first (league) phase is a double round robin (14 matches). The top 4 finishers will face off in a single round robin (3 matches). The two winners will play in a final on April 7, 2019.

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.

This table is the most up to date of any I've found.

Match linescores will be provided from match articles when available. Full match linescores can be found at 21iguales.com Twitter feed.  Track back to the date and match and follow from beginning to end. The feed is also available at the Main site of 21iguales.com while the matches are in progress.
Source for all highlights and full match videos, unless otherwise specifically stated, is EITB.

At present, EITB is providing all highlights, in chronological order:

We begin at Week 7 as that was when the 2019 calendar year began. Coverage of the first six weeks is available at 21Iguales.com, and the Baiko Pilota  (formerly Asegarce) and ASPE websites. Full match video coverage of all available matches can be found at EITB.

For all available full match videos

"buscar" (search--top right side of page): "binakako" (without the quotes). Look for "2019 Binakako Txapelketa." Matches are usually the second or first match on the video.

Full match videos of earlier finals going back to 2000:

 "buscar" "Binakako Txapelketako finalak" (without the quotes)

Selected full match videos before 2000:

"buscar" "Gure bideoteka" (without the quotes) and scroll until you find them.

For complete print and video coverage of the 2016-17 competition 

Links to all matches available (by week).

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Week 7; Week 8; Week 9; Week 10; Week 11; Week 12; Week 13; Week 14; Semi-final Round 1; Semi-final Round 2; Semi-final Round 3;

Final

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Semi-Final League Round 1

Injury report:

February 4: Oliazola II suffers serious left quadriceps tendon injury in a practice session--out 4 months,  will be replaced by Victor for the duration of the Competition

March 10, 2019

Astelena, Eibar (1) (2) (3)

Irribarria-Zabaleta (#2) (1-0 +6) 22

Altuna III-Martija (#4) (0-1 -6) 16 (EITB--match begins at 54:53)

Highlights (EITB)

Linescore (EITB and 21iguales Twitter) (winners always listed first)

2-0; 2-2; 5-2; 5-4; 8-4; 8-7; 10-7; 10-9; 14-9; 14-11; 20-11; 20-12; 21-12; 21-16; 22-16

Scoring (EITB)

Irribarria +8 -1 Zabaleta +2 -3

Altuna III +11 -7 Martija +1 -5

Balls in play: 515; Irribarria 124; Zabaleta 136; Altuna III 125; Martija 130

Time of match: 67:17

Match article 

Match articles (aspepelota.eus) links to articles from El Correo, Deia, Gara, Diario Vasco, and Mundo Deportivo (Note: some of these may be subscription based)

Match articles (baikopilota.eus) also links to several newspaper articles. It's organization is a bit easier to follow than aspepelota's. Included are Diario de Navarra, Navarra.com, and Radio Haro (SER).

Altuna III-Martija rode a wave of momentum (created by a 5 match winning streak) into the Semi-Final league. The first of those wins was against Irribaria-Zabaleta on January 27, 2019 (22-20). One of the other wins was a crushing victory over League phase winners Elezkano II-Rezusta on February 9 (22-8). On February 17 they won a crucial match over Artola-Mariezkurrena II to save their season (22-15). So when they came into historic Astelena to face I-Z in the first Semi-final round, they were brimming with confidence. 

The 5 match winning streak came crashing down as they were dominated by I-Z in this match. Domination takes many forms. The 22-16 final score seems to indicate a fairly close match. But look closely at the linescore above. 5 times A-M fought back from deficits (2-0; 5-2; 8-4; 10-7; and 14-9) to close the gap, but they could never (except from 2-0) even equalize the score, much less take the lead. Each time, I-Z cut them off and re-established a small lead. After A-M fought back from 14-9 to 14-11,  I-Z met the challenge with a crushing 6-0 run. At 21-12 A-M tried to mount one last challenge, scoring 4 consecutive points and raising the excitement level among the fans. However, at this point, Zabaleta made the defensive play of the match, and perhaps the season, charging in and saving a sure Altuna III winner. Altuna III retrieved and tried for another winner--but was too low with the shot. He was furious with himself and frustrated with the outcome. Even though it was in short increments, I-Z clearly showed their superiority on this day. Irribarria played a very steady match, and his +8 -1 anchored his team's offense. Zabaleta is an excellent defender who has tremendous range on the court. No left wall winner is "safe" with him charging in. As far as A-M are concerned, Altuna III had his share of great winners and excellent saves, but he also made 7 errors and that, combined with Martija's 5, gave I-Z more than half their points. I-Z need no help to win matches. When they get that kind of help, the other team has no chance. 

Next week at Pamplona I-Z will face the other winner from this weekend, League phase winners Elezkano II-Rezusta. The winner will book a place in the final. The loser will have to win the following week. On the opening day of this competition back on November 25, 2018, I-Z got off to a great start by defeating E-R 22-15. At the beginning of the second half, on January 13, E-R returned the favor 22-19. Arguably these teams have fronts and backs who are among the best in Mano. The matchups should be superb and this should be one of the best matches of the competition. It also might be a prelude to a rematch in the Final. 

March 9, 2019

Labrit, Iruna (Pamplona) (1) (2) (3)

Elezkano II-Rezusta (#1) (1-0 +10) 22

Victor (substituting for Olaizola II)-Albisu (#3) (0-1 -10) 12 (EITB--match begins at 38:34)

Fronton TV Youtube (Castilian) (full match video)

Highlights (EITB)

Linescore (EITB and 21iguales Twitter) (winners always listed first)

2-0; 2-5; 6-5; 6-6; 10-6; 10-7; 12-7; 12-8; 14-8; 14-10; 21-10; 21-12; 22-12

Scoring (EITB):

Elezkano II +12 -1; Rezusta +1 -1

Victor +6 -5; Albisu +4 -4

Balls in play: 528; Elezkano II 131; Rezusta 138; Victor 123; Albisu 136

Time of match: 62:57

Match article 

Match articles (aspepelota.eus links to articles from El Correo, Berria, Diario de Navarra, and Noticias de Gipuzkoa)

Match article (baikopilota.eus)

Victor substituted in 4 matches this season, two for Urrutikoetxea on the foot of the table Urrutikoetxea-Arretxabaleta team (1-1) and then 3 with Albisu after Oliazola II's leg injury sidelined him for the season. When he joined Albisu, the once Semi-final bound O-A were in free fall, having lost 3 consecutive matches, 2 with Oliazola II and one with a different substitute (while Victor was substituting). In Victor's first match with Albisu, they stunned Elezkano-Rezusta (22-17 on February 16) to pretty much clinch a Semi-final place. Victor was +13 -4 (he had been +13 -3 the week before in contributing to one of the three victories the U-A team had during the season). In the final match of the season, he was +8 -5 in a loss to Irribarria-Zabaleta. Victor was the "wild card" of the Semi-finals. Fans wondered how he would do under the bright lights on this stage. The answer was decidedly mixed. The first point of this match was a 19 ball point that E-R won on a Victor error. However, with the help of three Victor winners, V(O)-A took a 6-3 early lead. At 6-6 they were still in the match, but from that point it was a case of too much Elezkano II as E-R outscored V(O)-A 16-6 the rest of the way for an easy win. An easy win but not a particularly easy match. There were 528 balls in play in a 34 point match that lasted over an hour. V(O)-A were able to tax E-R, but were never a real threat. Elezkano II's offense (+12 -1) and Rezusta's staunch defense (1 error) were more than enough. This weekend V(O)-A face Altuna III-Martija at Bilbo (Bilbao) in what is essentially an elimination match. It should be an interesting match, but it appears that the top two finishers in the League phase are destined to play in the final. Of course... but that's why they play the matches.

Semi-Final Table

Elezkano II-Rezusta (#1) (1-0 +10)

Irribarria-Zabaleta (#2) (1-0 +6)

Altuna II-Martija (#4) (0-1 -6)

Victor-Albisu (#3) (0-1 -10)

-----------------------------

Final League phase table

(1) Elezkano II-Rezusta (10-4 +55)

(2) Irribarria-Zabaleta (9-5 +64)

(3) Oliazola II-Albisu (8-6 +10)

(4) Altuna III-Martija (8-6 +4)

5 Artola-Mariezkurrena (7-7 +5)

6 Ezkurdia-L. Galarza (7-7 -4)

7 Bengoetxea VI-Imaz (4-10 -55)

8 Urrutikoetxea-Aretxabaleta (3-11 -79)

Pala/Pala Larga--Mundo Parejas--Jornada 2--March 8, 2019

Mundial Parejas, the premier long court Pala Tournament, began  February 22-23, 2019. The tournament, sponsored by Munduko Pilota Batzarra (Basque Pelota and Associated Sports World Council), is set up in a unique way. In each round the partnerships change. It features 8 InnPala professionals, 4 front court (delanteros) and 4 back (zagueros). The tournament will be played as a partial double round robin, with each player pairing with 3 others in each round, for a total of 6 matches. The partners who will not be playing together in the League phase are listed at the bottom of this post. On April 13 the top two delanteros pair up with the top two zagueros and play in a final. There is also a 3rd place match. The scoring for the tournament is based completely on joko (set) scores: 3-0=100pts, 3-1=80pts, 3-2=60pts, 2-3=40pts, 1-3=20pts, 0-3=0pts. The scoring system emphasizes the importance of every joko, no matter what the situation in any match.

All matches will be played at Mungia, (1)(2) the "Cathedral" of long court Pala (Pala Larga (1)(2)).

Complete tournament information (.pdf format, 12p), including match schedule and partnerships, rules of the tournament, and a listing of past winners going back to 2007. (Source: Munduko Pilota Batzarra).

The players:

Delanteros (Front): Pablo Fusto; Ibon Garate; Esteban Gaubeka; Dan Necol
Zagueros (Back): Iker Gordon; Xabier Ibargarai; Ibai Perez; Inaki Urrutia

Note: Garate won a 2 match play-in v Ander Landeta for the 4th front court position.

InnPala Player pages

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Previous Tournament Winners (since 2007)

2007: Urkia-Imanol 45 Gaubeka-Velilla 33 Match article (Naiz)

2008: Fusto-Larrinaga 45 Ziskar II-Galan 35 Match article (Naiz)

2009: Gaubeka-Beldarrain 45 Urkia-Lujan 33 Match article (Naiz)

2010: Ziskar II-Imanol 40 Fusto-Ayerbe 24 Match article (EITB)

2011: No Competition

2012: Gaubeka-Ayerbe 3 Altadill-Lujan 1 (12-8, 6-12, 12-11, 12-8) (42-39)
Match article (InnPala)

2013: Fusto-Larrinaga 3 Gaubeka-Ayerbe 0 (10-8, 10-7, 10-6) Match article (Diario Vasco) Complete Results (InnPala)

2014: Zubiri-Imanol 3 Fusto-Urkijo 2 (3-10, 6-10, 10-6, 10-8, 10-7) (39-41) Match article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra) video of final point (EITB) Complete Results (InnPala)

2015: Fusto-Ibargarai 3 Gaubeka-Ibai Perez 1 (10-8, 10-9, 2-10, 10-8) (32-35) Match article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra)

2016: Fusto-Brefel 3 Gaubeka-Imanol 2 (10-8, 8-10, 10-6, 7-10, 10-7) (45-41) Match article (Deia) BLOG POST (scroll to Pala) (unfortunately, EITB has removed the full match video)

2017: Fusto-Ibai Perez 3 Gaubeka-Imanol 2 (4-10, 9-10, 10-8, 10-8, 10-8) (43-44) BLOG POSTS THAT COVER ENTIRE TOURNAMENT; Munduko Pilota Batzarra Tournament coverage; video of final point and closing ceremony (EITB); (unfortunately, EITB has removed the full match video).

2018: Fusto-Ibargarai 3 Landeta-Gordon 1 (10-9, 9-10, 10-5, 10-8) Munduko Pilota Batzarra Tournament coverage; Full match video (EITB)

Since 2007 in Finals

Fusto (d front) 6-2 (4 in a row from 2015-2018, and 5 of the last 6)

Gaubeka (d front) 2-5

Imanol (z back) 3-2

Ayerbe (z back) 1-2

Larrinaga (z back) 2-0
Ibargarai (z back) 2-0
Urkia (d front) 1-1
Ziskar II (d front) 1-1
Ibai Perez (z back) 1-1
Lujan (z back) 0-2

Belderain (d front) 1-0
Zubiri (d front) 1-0
Brefel (z back) 1-0
Velilla (z back) 0-1
Galan (z back) 0-1
Urkijo (z back) 0-1
Altadill (d front) 0-1
Landeta (d front) 0-1
Gordon (z back) 0-1

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

Pre-Tournament qualifying round--February 22-23 and Jornada (Day) 1, March 1, 2019 ; Jornada 2, March 8 ; Jornada 3, March 15 ; Jornada 4, March 22 ; Jornada 5,  March 29;  Jornada 6, April 5 

Final and 3rd Place Match: April 13

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

Tournament preview article (Deia). Also has a feature on Ibon Garate.

Preview article (El Correo)

March 8, 2019

Jornada (Day) 2

Fusto(d) (1-1, 5-5, 100)-Urrutia (z)(2-0, 6-4, 120) 3

Garate(d) (1-1, 5-5, 100)-Ibargarai(z) (0-2, 4-6, 80) 2

(10-5, 9-10, 10-8, 4-10, 10-6) (43-39) (Innpala Twitter)

InnPala Twitter photo

Gaubeka(d) (1-1, 5-4, 120)-Ibai Perez(z) (2-0, 6-3, 140) 3

Necol(d) (1-1, 4-5, 80)-Gordon (0-2, 3-6, 60) 1

(9-10, 10-5, 10-5, 10-3) (39-23) (Innpala Twitter)

InnPala Twitter photo

Match preview article (Munduko Pilota Batzarra)
Match article (Mundo Pilota Batzarra)

Match articles for both matches, with 8 photos (InnPala Fronton Facebook)

InnPala Clasificacion (Microsoft Excel format) basic joko table
Mundo Batzarra Puntuaciones (.pdf format, 1p). Includes match records, joko records points for and against.

We don't have very much information about these matches, as there are no videos or newspaper match articles that I could find. We do know that the first match was a hard fought 75 minute match.  It was the third consecutive match to go 5 jokos, but this time the final joko wasn't won by the minimum. In fact there were no joko lead changes, F-U always being 1 joko ahead. What is impressive is how they responded after losing the most one sided joko of the match. Once again, Urrutia was on the winning side, his 4th consecutive win in this competition, including the two play-in matches he won. He is 12-5 in jokos in those matches. More importantly, this win kept him in touch with Ibai Perez, who, after playing ordinary Pala in the play-ins (1-6 joko record), has begun the competition 6-3. Next week he will pair with Fusto against Gaubeka-Urrutia in what shapes up to be a battle for top of the table for all four palistas. Whoever wins will move toward the Final. And an emphatic win will put whoever achieves it firmly in the drivers seat. 

The 2nd match was the first to go less than the maximum number of jokos. After a very competitive 10-9 win, G-I outscored N-G 30-13. Necol summed the loss up very succinctly on his Facebook page. Translated loosely by Google: "We made too many mistakes to disturb Ibai and Esteban." He also mentioned that the one joko N-G won was important. The short comment provides an insight into the mind of the professional athlete. In any sport, the professional must have a very short memory. That was yesterday. All that now counts is the next match. Also, a quality professional will always find something to be positive about. While it may not seem like much to be positive about, that one Joko that Necol spoke of IS important. In certain scenarios, it could be the difference between a chance for a championship and a third place match. Every joko counts. Every point counts. Play until the match is over and see what happens.

In a competition this close, the two joko loss might indeed be fatal for Necol and Gordon. But it is still early days at Mungia. While one match next week will be for the top of the table, the other (Necol-Ibargarai v Garate-Gordon) will be a battle for survival for the back court men. Necol also needs a win, although his position is not as precarious as that of Ibargarai and Gordon. Of course, an emphatic win would be just the tonic for each team. A big win for Garate would put him in an excellent position (as well as helping Gordon immensely). All these permutations, which change every week, are one of the factors that make this competition so fascinating to watch. It must also be fascinating to play, having to adjust to a new partner every week and having to worry about an always changing competition context. Of course the players don't have time to be cerebral about it. For them the formula is easy. Win or go home.

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Table:

Player-(match wins-losses: joko w-l, points)

Delantero (front)

Gaubeka (1-1; 5-4; 120)

Fusto   (1-1; 5-5; 100)

Garate  (1-1; 5-5; 100)

Necol   (1-1; 4-5; 80)

Zaguero (back)

Ibai Perez (2-0; 6-3; 140)

Urrutia    (2-0; 6-4; 120)

Ibargarai  (0-2; 4-6; 80)

Gordon     (0-2; 3-6; 60)

--------

Cumulative Table

Player-(match wins-losses: joko w-l, points)

Delantero (front)

Gaubeka(1-1; (2-3,3-1); 120)

Fusto  (1-1; (2-3,3-2); 100)

Garate (1-1; (3-2,2-3); 100)

Necol  (1-1; (3-2,1-3); 80)

Zaguero (back)

Ibai Perez (2-0; (3-2,3-1);140)

Urrutia    (2-0; (3-2,3-2);120)

Ibargarai  (0-2; (2-3,2-3);80)

Gordon     (0-2; (2-3,1-3);60)

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

SCHEDULE FOR THE 6 WEEK ROUND ROBIN LEAGUE PHASE 

March 1, 2019:

Gaubeka-Gordon v Garate-Urrutia

Fusto-Ibargarai v Necol-Ibai Perez

March 8:

Garate-Ibargarai v Fusto Urrutia

Gaubeka-Ibai Perez v Necol-Gordon

March 15:

Necol-Ibargarai v Garate-Gordon

Gaubeka-Urrutia v Fusto-Ibai Perez

March 22:

Garate-Gordon v Gaubeka-Urrutia

Fusto-Ibai Perez v Necol-Ibargari

March 29:

Garate-Urrutia v Fusto-Ibargarai

Gaubeka-Gordon v Necol-Ibai Perez

April 5:

Garate-Ibargarai v Necol-Gordon

Gaubeka-Ibai Perez v Fusto-Urrutia

League pairs that will not play together:

Fusto-Gordon

Garate-Ibai Perez

Gaubeka-Ibargarai

Necol-Urrutia

April 13: Final

#1 delantero (front)-#1 zaguero (back) v #2 (d)-#2 (z)

Source: Munduko Pilota Batzarra "dossier"

For an up to date accounting of the win-loss records of the InnPala players, and a cumulative accounting of their rankings, see the "InnPala Players win-loss records and independent matches" Page on the right side of the blog.

Cesta Punta/Jai Alai--How Much Fun is This?--18 Matches in One Day

On March 2, 2019 the FFPB (Federation Francaise de Pelota Basque) held the Finals of its Senior Cesta Punta Tournament in one day. I have been unable to ascertain how these 8 finalists got to this day. They each came from "Poule Play" according to the FFPB news release, but I have found no record of that play. No matter.

March 2, 2019

Biarritz (1) (2)

The players:

Poule 1

Laurent Garcia (substituting for the forfeiting Christophe Olha (Fronton Mexico, Internationaux Cesta Punta, Jai Alai World Tour), who actually finished ahead of him) (2nd place preliminary Poule 1)

Thibault Basque (winner Poule 4) (Internationaux Cesta Punta)

Alexis Zabaleta (winner Poule 5)

Andoni Laloo (winner Poule 8)

Poule 2

Patxi Tambourindeguy (winner Poule 2) (Fronton Mexico, Internatonaux Cesta Punta)

Christophe Dubourg (winner Poule 3)

Mickael Lesbats (winner Poule 6)

Ludovic Laduche (winner Poule 7) (Fronton Mexico, Internationaux Cesta Punta)

The tournament started at 10:00 am. There were 8 qualification matches until 12:20. One every 20 minutes, to 15 points. Then 4 more qualification matches starting at 2:30 and going until 3:30.

The 7th-8th place match (10 points) took place at 4:00.

Then the semi-finals (15 points) at 4:20 and 4:50. 

Then the 5th-6th place match (10 points) at 5:20.

Then the 3rd-4th place match (10 points) at 5:40.

So the two finalists got a nice hour and 10 and hour and 40 minute break respectively.

Then the final (15 points) at 6:00

Final: Laduche 15 P. Tambourindeguy 12.

414 total points were scored during the day.

Here is the "scorecard" (FFPB, .pdf format, 1p.)

There is no video, but there are 20 photos from the final (FFPB).

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

Final records for the day:

1. Laduche: 5-0 TXAPELDUN

2. Tambourindeguy: 3-2 (Runner-up) (both losses to Laduche)

3. Andoni: 4-1 (including a win over Basque--lost to Tambourindeguy in semi-finals)

4. Garcia: 2-3 (a win over Basque, lost to Laduche in semi-finals, and to Andoni in preliminaries and 3rd place match)

5. Zabaleta: 2-2 (a win over Basque and Lesbats)

6. Lesbats: 1-3 (tough losses to Tambourindeguy and Laduche by 15-12).

7. Basque 1-3 (poor day at the office).

8. Dubourg: 0-4

How's that for a day at the fronton? :)

Remonte--Sagardoaren Txapelketa (Tourneo Sidra) Round 1-Week 2-March 7, 9, 2019

The Sagardoaren Txapelketa/El Torneo de la Sidra/Cider Tournament began February 28, 2019 and will end with a final on May 4, 2019. 

The  Sagardoaren Txapelketa IX features 8 Oriamendi2010 roster pairs (7 players from the A Group and 9 from the B Group). The tournament will be contested in two 4 team groups (A and B). Each team corresponds to a cider house sponsor. Letters following the players' names correspond to their Oriamendi2010 groups.

Remonte Player Pages at Oriamendi2010

Group A

Bereziartua (Uterga-Labaka) (A-B)
Gaztañaga (Urriza-Zaldua) (A-B)
Larre-Gain (Juanenea-Azpiroz) (B-B)
Petritegi (Segurola-Endika) (B-A)

Group B

Altzueta (Etxarri-Ion) (A-A)
Gurutzeta (Ezkurra II-Garces) (B-B)
Oialume Zar (Goikoetxea V-Barrenetxea IV) (B-A)
Setien (Ansa II-Agirrezabala) (B-A)

Of these pairs, only Segurola-Endika have ever won the Tournament. There are five players who did not play (except as substitutes) last year. They are Ansa II, Etxarri, and Goikoetxea V in the front; Labaka and Zaldua in the back.

The tournament will consist of a League phase, a single round robin in each group. There will be a change in how the Semi-finals are contested this year. The first and second place teams in each group will advance to a Semi-final League, a single round robin. At the end of the Semi-final League the top two teams will play in the Final on May 4. This format makes the League play more important. Under the old format, all teams advanced, but were seeded so that the teams that finished lower had to play more matches to get to the Final.

Scoring for the League phase will be as follows.

Match winner (40 point matches): 4pts.
36-39: 2pts.
31-35: 1pt
26-30: 0pts.
0-25: -1pt

--------------------------

Previous winners (Source: Oriamendi 2010 Emaitzak/Resultados database)

Note: for all results and match articles for all previous tournaments, I will link to the results. Finals match articles will be linked to directly. To match the results to the match articles for all other matches, I will link to all match articles for that year. Simply match the articles to the result dates. It is a bit cumbersome, but, I think, the easiest way to find non-Final Tournament match stories given the structure of the Oriamendi2010 databases. All match articles, unless otherwise specifically stated, are from Oriamendi2010 or the Viva El Remonte blog via Oriamendi2010. I have yet to find any tournament history in any modality covered as well and as powerfully from the standpoint of easy retrieval of information from one place, as the Oriamendi2010 website. High Cestas to all involved. Esterrik Asko.

2011--Juaristi-Olazar 40 Endika-Urrutia I 36 (match article) (complete match results)--(individual match articles)

2012--Onatz-San Miguel 40 Juaristi-Olazar 31 (match article) (video highlights 35-31--40-31) (complete tournament match results)--(individual match articles)

2013--Matxin III-Etxeberria III 40 Jauristi-Agirrezabala 33 (match article) (video highlights 36-28--40-33) (complete  tournament match results)--(individual match articles)

2014--Etxeberria IV-Ion 40 Matxin III-Etxeberria III 34 (match article)(video highlights 36-24--39-34) (full tournament match results)--(individual match articles)

2015--Zeberio II-Endika 40 Uterga-Olazar 27 (match article) (Full match video--EITB) (complete tournament match results)--(individual match articles)

2016--Segurola-Endika 40 Uterga-Aizpuru III 38 (match article) (Full match video--EITB) (complete tournament match results)--(individual match articles) (BLOG POST--scroll to the Remonte section))

2017--Otaegi-Ion 40 Urriza-Azpiroz 37  (match article)  (Full match video--EITB)  (complete tournament match results)--(individual match articles)

2018--Urriza-Garces 40 Uterga-Zubiri 31 (match article) (Full match video--EITB)  (complete tournament match by match results)--(individual match articles)

Endika is the only player to have won 2 STs. Juaristi, Olazar, Endika and Uterga have played in 3 finals. Matxin III, Etxteberria III, and Urriza  have played in 2 finals.

--------------------------

Preview article (Oriamendi 2010)
Preview article (Diario Vasco)
Preview article (Kronika) (Basque)

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

Round 1--Week 1: February 28-March 2, 2019 ; Round 1--Week 2: March 7, 9, 2019 ; Round 2--Week 1: March 14, 16 ; Round 2--Week 2: March 21, 23 ; Round 3--Week 1: March 28, 30, 2019 ; Round 3--Week 3: April 4, 6, 2019

Semi-final League
Round 1 ; Round 2 ; Round 3

Final

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

2019 full tournament match results

End of the League Round 1 (February 28-March 9)

March 9, 2019

Group A

Segurola-Endika (B-A) (Petritegi) 40

Urriza-Zaldua (A-B) (Gaztanaga) 24

Selected linescore (winners always listed first)

11-11; 21-12; 26-17; 30-20; 37-22; 40-24

Scoring:

Segurola +18 (including 3 two wall shots) -0 Endika +13 -1;

Urriza +17 -5 Zaldua +6 (including 3 service aces) -4

Match preview

Match article

Match photo (Oriamendi2010 Facebook) Segurola: Perfection (for one day) in action)

Group A continued to confound the experts as it wrapped up its first round. The two teams who were heavy favorites to easily advance to the Semi-final League are mired at the bottom of the table. Last week Uterga-Labaka (Bereziartua) were crushed by Juanenea-Azpiroz (Larre Gain), barely scoring the 26 points that yielded them 0 Tournament points. Today Segurola-Endika (Petritegi) (the only team in this field that has won this tournament) obliterated Urriza-Zaldua (Gaztanaga). U-Z couldn't get to 26 and so they have  -1 Tournament points. What was expected to be a battle for top of the table honors will instead be a battle for survival when U-L and U-Z meet in the March 14 Round 2 match. Both not only need to win, but they also need to hold their opponents to less than 26 points, a very large order. While there are still two rounds to go, and two emphatic victories will revive either of their flagging hopes, there is no margin for error for Gaztanaga or Bereziartua. It is difficult to imagine the possibility of such a scenario for these two teams, which have all three Oriamendi2010 "Best Players" (Urriza, Uterga, and Labaka) of 2018.

So much for the context. S-E's victory was no fluke. Look at the scoring. 1 error. 1!!! And Segurola was perfect, leading the scoring with + 18 while playing flawlessly. The first quarter of the match was even, but then S-E finished with a 29-13 flourish. Segurola followed up an excellent January (4-1, 157-134) with an ordinary February (1-4, 121-130) and won his first match in March. It was unclear which Segurola would show up for this match. He dominated the best player on the roster. Very seldom does one see the words "was overwhelmed" referring to Urriza. Yet that is what the match article said. The 9-1 run that put S-E in command 21-12, was followed by a longer period that increased their lead to 10, 15, and finally 16. They continually stretched the lead as U-Z desperately tried to reach 31 (1 point) and then 26 (0).

And let's not forget Endika's contribution. He did make 1 error. He was also +13, more than doubling the output of his back court opponent. Endika returned to action on March 7 for the first time since January 24. And he wasn't "eased" back into the rotation. An Uterga-Endika 40-37 win against Zeberio II-Barrenetxea IV (A-A v A-A), a "Star Match" if ever there was one, a match in which U-E rallied from a 30-35 deficit, was his return. There are many very good back court players on the roster (Barrenetxea IV and Ion to name two), but when Endika is on his game, he plays like a front court player, that is, aggressively and all over the concha (court) (in fact he began his career as a front court player--he was runner up in this Tournament's first edition as a front court player--see above). Fans were wondering if he might be a little "rusty." That does not seem to be the case. Which should make Petritegi fans very happy.

Table: 

Expanation of League phase points, League Round 1 (video table and match scores, to music: 1 minute 31 seconds (Oriamendi2010 Facebook) (added March 15, 2019)

Group A

Larre Gain (Juanenea-Apiroz B-B) (1-0 +4)

Petritegi (Segurola-Endika B-A) (1-0 +4)

Bereziartua (Uterga-Labaka A-B) (0-1 0)

Gaztanaga (Urriza- Zaldua A-B) (0-1 -1)

--------------------

March 7, 2019

Group B

Etxarri-Ion (A-A) (Altzueta) 40

Ezkurra II-Garces (B-B) Gurutzeta) 39 (A-A 1-0); B-B (0-1)

Selected linescore (winners always listed first)

28-18; 38-39; 40-39

Partial scoring

Etxarri +19 -4

Ezkurra II +17 -2

Match preview

Match article

Group B continued to be very competitive in its second week. Round 1 of  League play ended as it began last week. When the round was over the two matches were decided by 4 total points. This means that the losers in Round 1 are by no means out of contention, having achieved 2 points to the winners' 4. This match very much "pleased the spectators," according to the match article. It was a triptych, the first part belonging to E-I 28-18. Though it is very difficult to come back from such a deficit so late in a match, E-G, led by Ezkurra II, went on a 21-10 run to come within a point of victory. That point never came, as E-I won the last two points, going upstream against the tremendous momentum E-G had built.  As can be seen from the scoring we have, Ezukurra II and Etxarri were both excellent, their net +15s cancelling each other out. Garces had trouble getting off the starting line, making errors in the first part of the match that helped E-I build their lead. Ultimately, it was enough, by the minimum, to win.

Table

Expanation of League phase points, League Round 1 (video table and match scores, to music: 1 minute 31 seconds (Oriamendi2010 Facebook) (added March 15, 2019)

Group B 

Altzueta (Extarri-Ion A-A) (1-0 +4)

Setien (Ansa II-Agirrezabala B-A)(1-0 +4)

Oialume Zar (Goikoetxea V-Barrenetxea IV B-A) (0-1 +2)

Gurutzeta (Ezkurra II-Garces B-B) (0-1 +2)

Note: This Tournament can also be followed in its larger context of the twice weekly 4 match sessions (on Thursdays and Saturdays) at Galarreta. There, in addition to following this tournament, you can see how the participants in the ST are doing in their other weekly matches, what their monthly win-loss records are, and other information on the comings and goings of Oriamendi2010 Remonte. See the "Galarreta Star Match" recurring Page on the right side of the blog.

Also, these professional Remonte players don't play all their matches at Galarreta. They also play in an annual set of mostly short court (36-38 meters, as opposed to Galarreta's 56 meter court) tournaments sponsored by Fundacion Remonte Euskal Jai (Euskal Jai Berri). Those competitions are covered on a separate Page on the right side of the blog: Euskal Jai Berri Match results. Match scores, articles, and separate player win-loss records are available. 

Main Nue--FFPB Championnat de France Pro Individuel--Group A Final--March 3, 2019

The 2019 FFPB (Federation Francais de Pelote Basque) Championnat de France Pro Individuel Tournament began on January 4, and ended on March 3, 2019. For the third consecutive year, there were two competitions,  Group A and Group B. 21 players were involved. FFPB provided a "dossier" (.pdf format, 7p.) explaining how the tournament worked and who the players in each group were. This is a seeded ladder knock out tournament with qualification and league rounds, leading to the final.

The Players:

Player profiles at Esku Pilota

Group A: Peio Larralde (front); Matthieu Ospital (front); Baptiste Ducassou (back); Bixinto Bilbao (back); Augusti Waltery (front); Ximun Lambert (back); Peio Guichandut (back); Vincent Elgart (front); Julien Etchegary (front); Ion Iturbe (back); and Anton Monce (front)

Last year's finalists: Larralde and Ospital were directly seeded into the League phase (1st and 2nd seeds)

Group B: Pascal de Ezcurra (back); Laurent Lambert (front); Alexis Inchauspe (front); Mickael Palomes (back); Gregory Aguirre (front); Cedric Lucu (back); Bixente (Vincent) Cubiat (back); Mattin Olcomendy (front); Mickael Darmendrail (front)

de Ezcurra and Lambert were directly seeded into the League phase (1st and 2nd seeds)
-------------------------------------

Previous Championships:

Complete coverage of the 2018 Championship was provided by FFPB:

Results
Brief Match Articles and Photos

More detailed articles and selected match videos were provided by Pilota Ttiki. When videos are available they are linked at the bottom of the article.

Beginning January 9 and "suivant" at the bottom of the article until you reach other tournament articles. The tournament ended on February 25 (A) and February 27 (B) (Note that not all articles you will link to are articles about this tournament).

Twenty 2018 FFPB Championnat de France Elite Pro condensed full match videos are available via Pilota Ttiki Youtube. Scroll to or find "Championnat Individuel" or "Liguilla" (without the quotes).

Finals:
Group A: Larralde 40 Ospital 18
Match article and link to full match video

Group B: Iturbe 40 L. Lambert 27
Match article and link to full match video

2017 Tournament complete coverage (match articles and available videos)

Finals:
Group A: Ducassou 40 Ospital 27
Group B: Etchegaray 40 Elgart 21

2016 Full Tournament Results: Final: Larralde 40 Ducassou 22
2015 Full Tournament Results: Final Ducassou 40 Larralde 21 (pelotelive.free.fr)
2013: Full Tournament Results: Waltary 40 De Ezcurra 33; Final match article (FFPB) (Added this and 2008-2012 on March 13, 2019) (full coverage from Manista.com)
2012: Waltary 40 Ocafrain 28 (Match article--Sud Ouest via manista.com) Full tournament coverge (via manista.com)
2011: Waltary 
2010: Waltary
2009: Waltary
2008: Waltary Source for 2008-2013: FFPB 2013 Final match article above

-------------------------------------

Play in Round (January 4-7, 2019) Qualification Round Seeded Matches (January 12-14); January 19; January 26

Liguilla: February 2; February 3; February 9; February 11; February 15, February 17

Finals: February 25--Group B; March 3--Group A

-------------------------------------

March 3, 2019

FINAL

Group A

Trinquet Berria, Hasparren--Trinquet (old and new) (1) (2) Hasparren

Ducassou (#3) (front) 40 Ospital (#2) Front 28 (Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed full match video)

Selected linescore (winner always listed first) Sources: Naiz, Pilota Ttiki, and FFPB

1-6; 7-7; 9-9; 10-10; 12-12; 13-12; 14-12; 17-16; 18-16; 18-18; 19-19; 40-28

For full, enhanced linescore (server, balls in play, score, winner or error, comments) see below. 

Decades: 3-7; 10-10; 16-14; 21-19; 27-23; 35-25

Equal scores: 1; 7; 9; 10; 12; 18; 19 (7)

Lead changes: 4

Full scoring: (My judgments, yours may be different--my scoring is subjective and I am no expert at Main Nue scoring, but I will leave it for you to judge below--any feedback will be gladly accepted, since I know there are observers with far more experience than I have, and I can learn much from that experience. I will say this. I tend to favor winners, partly because  a + makes 2 players happy, a - makes 2 players angry :) ). 

Ducassou (arriere-back) +35 (including 9 service aces) -3 (including 1 service fault)
Ospital (avant-front +25 (6a) -5

Direct points (xare, pumpa xare, balls hit into the back dugout)

Ducassou 9; Ospital 4

Balls in play: 401. Time of match: about 1 hour and 7 minutes (Trinquet Barria Clock) Actual playing time: about 25 minutes 5 seconds (length of the video)

Balls in play--Number of points

1-9--55

10-19--10

20+ 3

Longest point: 24 (7-7--8-7)

Match article (Naiz--Basque)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

Match article (FFPB)

35 photos (FFPB)

Baptiste Ducassou cemented his place (for now, anyway), in my opinion, as the best Main Nue player in the world. This was his 3rd CdF Individuel Championship. It was also his 3rd consecutive singles championship: He won the (World Championship Gold Medal (Barcelona)--Toute sur la Pelote Basque Youtube) in October 2018. He also won the Super Prestige (Pilota Ttiki Youtube) Tournament in December, against Ospital. None of these matches were remotely close, although this latest victory was close for a while.

Ducassou is a back court player with a front court mentality. He is everywhere, all the time. He is fast, powerful, accurate with direct points, the best defensive player off the back foot I have seen, and has a burning desire to play the game as well as it can be played. I have been watching him for 4 years and he keeps improving. He can, of course, be beaten, as the competition on the Professional Main Nue circuit is fierce. But other players know they must bring their "A" game to the trinquet in order to do so. If you want to see what makes Ducassou so good, watch the final point of this match. First he saves Ospital's serve with a rebote (rebound shot) off the low right back wall. Then he runs all the way to the front, diving to save the dejada (short, soft shot) that Ospital wanted to put in the xilo box in order to get an unpredictable ricochet. He missed the box, a fatal mistake.  Not only did Ducassou save the point, but he won the point with an overhead pass to the left.

The first half of the match was very competitive. In the first decade, Ospital made three beautiful direct points, a service ace, and a bevel shot. He made the shots from deep on the court, long accurate "touch" shots that show Ospital at his best. When he is on, he makes these very difficult shots look easy. At 1-6 he had his biggest lead and was brimming with confidence. By the end of the second decade the score was tied at 10. It stayed close until the end of the 4th decade (21-19). Then Ducassou began to dominate. The 5th decade added 2 points to his lead (27-23). In the 6th decade he won the match, with 7 winners (including 3 aces and 3 direct points). At 35-25 Ospital was finished. A few minutes later, Ducassou had the championship he was unable to defend last year because of an injury.

Interestingly, these two players will now join forces in the upcoming CdF Pro par Equipes (pairs) Championship. Their first match is March 11 at Le Garate. It will be interesting to see how they fare. I, for one, wouldn't bet against them.

My accounting of the match is presented below, point by point, for your entertainment. Hopefully I have gotten it right. Again, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Key: Server, number of balls in play, score (winner always listed first), player name + (winner) or - (error) (+a=service ace, -f=service fault), commentary.

For American readers who may not be familiar with the terminology

Dejada=soft and usually short shot

Cortada=hard sidearm shot

Pass=passing shot

Xare=shot which goes into the side dugout mesh on the fly--Direct Point
Pumpa Xare=shot which goes into the side mesh on the bounce--Direct Point
Back Dugout--Direct Point

Buruzgain=overhead shot.

Quads=demarcations made by the posts that hold the mesh in front of the side dugout

Bevel=front right corner is beveled rather than a 90 degree angle. Hitting the bevel causes unpredictable ricochets

Chapa=(metal line on the front wall that the pelota must hit above, It makes a very distinct sound when hit, precluding any difficult judgement call as to whether the shot was good or not
Rebote=rebound shot off the back wall (Partial Source (Pilota Ttiki))

Ducassou (red); Ospital (black)

Ducassou wins the coin toss and serves

Decade 1:

D, 1, 1-0; D+a (left side)
D, 6, 1-1; O+ (Pumpa Xare from far back left)
O, 3, 1-2; O+ (Pumpa Xare 2 wall--right-front--from behind the fault line)
O, 1, 1-3; O+a (deep right)
O, 13, 1-4; O+ (Pumpa Xare 2 wall--right-front--from the 5th quad, left side)
O, 1, 1-5; O+a (low left)
O, 9, 1-6; O+ (Bevel 90 degrees to the low left from the fault line (red post)
D, 4, 2-6; D+ (Dugout roof pass)
D, 7, 3-6; D+ (3 wall--right-front-low left--from the fault line)
D, 4, 3-7; O+ (left wall, D swings and misses)

49 balls in play; D+3 -0; O +7 (including 2 aces) -0 Direct points D 0; O 3 


Decade 2

O, 6, 4-7; D+ (Pumpa Xare 2nd quad, from the fault line)
D, 1, 5-7; D+a (high deep 2 wall--front-right)
D, 13, 6-7; O- (low right, hits chapa) 
D, 3, 7-7; D+ (Dugout roof pass)
D, 24, 7-8; O+ (3 wall--right-front-low left--from fault line)
O, 3, 7-9; O+ (3 wall from fault line)
O, 12, 8-9; D+ (Pumpa Xare, from 3rd quad left to 4th quad)
D, 3, 9-9; O- (misses two wall)
D, 6, 9-10; O+ overhead left pass (Buruzgain?) after a great save by D)
O, 2, 10-10; D+ (deep left wall return of service)

73 bip; D +5 (1a) -0; O +3 -2 DP: D 2; O 0 

Decade 3

D, 6, 10-11; O+ (underhand dejada along left wall--from 3rd quad)
O, 3, 10-12; O+ (Pumpa Xare 2 walls--right-front from 5th quad left to 1st quad)
O, 4, 11-12; D+ (hard straight pass, O gets to it on the back foot, but can't return)
D, 7, 12-12;  D+ (Bevel 2 wall--low left wall)
D, 1, 13-12; D+a (low left off the back wall)
D, 15, 14-12; D+ (high and deep, O can't return)
D, 10, 14-13; O+ (returns a great Bevel carom--left side pass)
O, 4, 15-13; D+ (?)
D, 7, 16-13; O- (missed low left)
D, 20, 16-14; O+ (2 wall--right-front or Bevel)

77 bip; D +5 (1a) -0; O +4 -1; DP D 0; O 1

Decade 4

O, 8, 17-14; D+ (Xare, 2nd quad left to 2nd quad)
D, 4, 17-15; O+ (Xilo or Bevel, difficult to tell as Juge Arbitre blocks view)
O, 1, 17-16; O+a (High carom off glass, turns D around)
O, 8, 18-16; D+ (D great save then right pass)
D, 6, 18-17; D- (misses high bounce return)
O, 3, 18-18; O+ (O great diving save and low 2 wall--right-front)
O, 1, 18-19; O+a (action replay of 17-16 above--not sure if it went in back dugout)
O, 6, 19-19; D+ (Xare--3rd quad right to 3rd quad)
D, 3, 20-19; D+ (2 wall--front-low left-from 5th quad left)
D, 1, 21-19; D+a (low left)

41 bip; D +5 (2a) -1; O +4 (2a) -0; DP: D 2 O 0 (? on 18-19)

Decade 5

D, 1, 21-20; (D-f) (low into the inside of fault post--EITB counts faults as 1 bip)
O, 16, 22-20; D+ (Xare--2nd quad left to 1st quad)
D, 1, 23-20; D+a (right back wall, O can't reach wall with rebote)
D, 3, 24-20; D+ (overhead pass (Buruzgain?) into the back dugout)
D, 8, 24-21; O+ (left wall, D slips)
O, 4, 25-21; D+ (roof pass)
D, 5, 26-21; D+ (Bevel, 90 degrees into low left wall)
D, 1, 27-21; D+a (low carom off the right side)
D, 2, 27-22; D- (overhand too low)
O, 15, 27-23; O+ (after making great save earlier, 3 wall--right-front-low left)

56 bip; D +6 (2a) -2 (1f); O +2 -0); DP D 2; O 0

Decade 6

O, 2, 28-23; O- (mis-hits cortada)
D, 9, 29-23; D+ (Pumpa Xare--quad 3 center to quad 5, O swings and misses)
D, 1, 30-23; D+a (low right, O returns left--too high)
D, 6, 30-24; O+ (low right pass)
O, 20, 31-24; D+ (high overhead, O returns too high)
D, 11, 32-24; D+ (low cortada to the outside (right))
D, 3, 33-24; D+ (Xare--3rd quad left to 2nd quad)
D, 1, 34-24; D+a (hard right into the back dugout)
D, 1, 35-24; D+a (low left, O returns too high)
D, 4, 35-25; O+ (high overhead left pass (Buruzgain?)
58 bip; D+7 (3a) -0; O+2 -1; DP D 3; O 0
Decade 7

O, 3, 35-26; O+ (2 wall--front-right)
O, 4, 36-26; D+ (high left--O can't reach wall with return)
D, 10, 36-27; O+ (roof pass)
O, 12, 37-27; D+ (two great saves, 2nd is diving to a straight pass)
D, 3, 38-27; D+ (roof pass that O gets to but hits left too high)
D, 3, 39-27; O- (misses 2 wall--right-front)
D, 10, 39-28; O+ (high Bevel two wall--front-low left)
O, 4, 40-28; O+ (D low rebote return of serve then runs all the way to front court, gets to O right dejada that misses xilo, diving left pass)

49 bip; D+4 -0; O+3 -1 DP D 0; O 0

--------------------------------

Final Summary of Group A Tournament: For full scores and match stories see the dates linked to above, or for just match scores see the "dossier" linked to above.

Player--position (avant-front or arriere-back)--Tournament wins-losses

Ducassou (ar) 4-0 TXAPELDUN
Ospital 2-1 (av) (including 2 forfeits) Sub-Campion

Note: Ducassou-Ospital Liguilla match was cancelled because the other 2 players were injured and out of the competition. D and O automatically advanced to finals.

Monce (av) 1-1
Guichandut (ar) 1-1
Etchegaray (av) 1-1 (including 1 forfeit win)
Waltary (av) 1-1
X. Lambert (ar) 1-1
Larralde (av) 1-2 (including 1 forfeit loss)
Bilbao (ar) 1-3 (including 2 forfeit losses)
Iturbe (ar) 0-1
Elgart (av) 0-1 (including 1 forfeit loss)

In matches where front court players played back court players:

B 3-2; F 2-3