North Basque--FFPP 2018 Annual Report--a Hidden Result Archive Treasure Chest

On March 30, 2019, the Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque (FFPB) released its 2018 ASSEMBLEE GENERALE ORDINAIRE EXERCICE (.PDF FORMAT, 145P.) It is the standard "annual report" of the Federation, the oldest Basque Pelota Federation in the world (1921). For more on the Federation's history click here. Among its many responsibilities is the organization of the North Basque Country's many national competitions in various modalities (Main Nue, various forms of Paleta Pelote and Pala, Cesta Punta/Grand Chistera, Joko Garbi, Pasaka, Rebote, Frontenis, and Frontball). These sports are played on Trinquets; 30, 36, and 54 meter Frontons Mur a Gauche  (1) (2); and outside on Frontons Place Libre. The non-crash helmet Paleta sports and Frontenis are played by men and women). Most of the sports are amateur but FFPB also organizes Cesta Punta and Main Nue competitions that are played by professionals. 

Most of these competitions are split into age groups from "Poussins" (the youngest) to National A and B. It is a large responsibility to organize all these things and the AGOE is the annual summary of FFPB's activities.

Within this report is a hidden treasure for fans of the sports who want to keep up with the results. This can be done by consulting the FFPB's competition databases, which track back to 2016-17 and have complete results of the competitions. But it takes a little work and it is easy to retrieve much more information than needed.

On P. 8-24 of the 2018 Exercice is a simple listing of the championship final results in the national competitions the FFPB sponsors. I wish I would have found out about this sooner. It would have saved me hours of research. 

The 2018 Exercice was published in 2019. The FFPB, on a single page (scroll to "Assemblee Generale" for any of the years 2018-2012--covering the years 2017-2011), click on the "Assemblee Generale" links, and presto, you have an archive (all .pdf format) of championship results for the past 7 years. It is a magnificent, easily accessible archive. And one I plan on using, constantly, from now on. 

Remonte--March 2019 Rankings and Leading Monthly Leaders along with Win-Loss Records

Oriamendi2010 Roster

Full March 2019 Rankings with ranking explanation

Historical monthly rankings back to July 2011

Group A: Barrenetxea IV(z--back) 35.71 : Group B: Segurola(d--front) 40

Leading monthly Winners 

Group A: Etxarri(d) 1; Matxin III(d) 1; Barrenetxea IV(z) 1 
Group B: Larranaga(z) 1; Arruarte(z) 1; Segurola(d) 1

Highest Monthly Rating for the Year

Group A: Matxin III(d) 40 (perfect score) (February) 
Group B: Segurola(d) 40 (March)

The race for monthly honors in both groups came down to the last day this month. Both races ended in a "photo finish." Going into the matches the rankings were:

Group A. Barrenetxea IV 36.67; Endika 34.5

Group B: Segurola 40; Ansa II 38,80

All four players were in action, but none against each other.  All but Barrenetxea IV won. He lost 40-37 and Endika won 40-35, but it wasn't enough to win the month for him as he ended at at 35.29 (5-2) to Barrenetxea's 35.71 (4-3). Segurola won 30-17 while Ansa II won 40-35. Segurola ended at 6-0 for the month, the second month in a row that a player had a perfect month (last month Matxin III (A-d) was perfect at 4-0 for ratings purposes, but he actually lost a 3 on 2 match on February 23). Ansa II finished the month at 7-1. Heavy workloads were in evidence as Goikoetxea V (B-d) led the way with 9 matches, and Ansa II played 8.

Sagardoeren Txapelketa matches were all of the Star Matches for the month. The Tournament will finish its League phase in early April. In Group A the two favorites were beaten heavily in their first match. Urriza-Zaldua (Gaztenaga) came back with two impressive victories to advance to the next round. The news wasn't as good for Uterga-Labaka (Bereziartua) as they were knocked out of contention. Group B was and is still undetermined as only Gurutzeta (Ezkurra II-Garces) has advanced so far. All matches but one in Group B have been decided by 3 points or less. We won't know who the "final four" will be until the last League match is played in both groups, which is just what most fans were hoping for.

The uneven matchups were fascinating this month, particularly the A-As v A-Bs. (Sagardoeren matches are included in the totals). The A-B's shut out the A-A's 8-0. The A's who won were Barrenetxea IV(z) (4), Ion(z), Urriza(d), Endika(z), and Agirrezabala(z). The B's who won were Ezkurra II(d) (3), Ansa II(d) (2) Azpiroz(z), Goikoetxea V(d), and Segurola(d). The B-B's also had success against the A-B's, winning 7 of the 12 matchups.

Finally, Segurola's 6-0 month gave him a 7 match winning streak, tied for the longest of 2019 with Ion(A-z) and Larranaga (B-z), who both won 7 in a row in January-February. 

Remonte: (Galarreta matches only) monthly tables (wins-losses, points for and against, winning or losing streaks) (d-Delantro--Front z-Zaguero--Back *-d+z)--record will be kept by position). Tables are ordered by winning percentage. First tie-breaker is wins. Second tie breaker is point differential. Third tie breaker is point winning percentage.

Group A:

Tournament Championships:

Urriza: 1: Buruz Buruko (January 10-26, 2019 2-0) (BLOG POST--THIS BLOG) 

Longest Winning Streak

Segurola (B-d)+7 (February 23, 2019--)
Ion +7 (A-z) (January 26, 2019-February 16, 2019)
Larranaga (B-z) +7 (January 10-February 9, 2019

ST=Sagardoaren Txapelketa

Urriza(d)...........3-3..206-212..+2 ST Group A (2-1)

Uterga(d)...........2-3..160-193..-3 ST Group A (0-2) 
Urtasun(d)..........1-2....69-69..-1
Azpiroz(d)..........1-2....83-99..-2
Etxarri(d)..........2-3..166-178..+1 ST Group B (1-1)

Zeberio II(d).......1-4..167-188..-2

Endika(z)...........5-2..259-242..+1 ST Group A (2-0)
Agirrezabala(z).....3-2..147-150..+1 ST Group B (1-1)
Barrenetxea IV(z)...4-3..271-225..-1 ST Group B (1-2)
Ion(z)..............2-4..195-233..-4 ST Group B (1-1)

Exteberria III(z)...1-3..119-146..-2

Group B

Segurola(d).........6-0..205-160...+7 ST Group A (2-0)

Ansa II(d)..........7-1..283-216...+1 ST Group B (1-1)

Ezkurra II(d).......5-2..275-244...+4 ST Group B (2-1)
Aldabe(d)...........2-3..132-150...-1
Goikoetxea V(d).....3-6..287-291...-3 ST Group B (1-2)

Juanenea(d).........1-6..170-225...-5 ST Group A (1-2)

Arruarte(z).........3-1..114-84....-1

Zaldua(z)...........5-2..218-214...+2 ST Group A (2-1)
Larranaga(z)........4-2..177-142...+1
Garces(z)...........4-2..173-149...+4 ST Group B (2-1)
Aizpuru III(z)......2-2..119-120...+2
Labaka(z)...........1-3...93-132...-1 ST Group A (0-2)
Azpiroz(z)..........1-4..179-189...-1 ST Group A (1-2) 
Zubiri(z)...........1-5..151-189...-3

In uneven pairings (Note: uneven parings include Sagardoeren Txapelketa results.

A-B 8-0; A-A 0-8
A-A 2-0; B-B 0-2
B-B 7-5; A-B 5-7

March  heaviest Load: Goikoetxea V (B-d) (3-6--287-291=578 points; 3-6, 64.22 points per match

For full coverage of Oramendi2010 Galarreta Thursday and Saturday matches, see the Remonte: Galarreta "STAR" matches page on the right side of the blog.

Main Nue--FFPB Championnat de France Par Equipes (Pairs)--Info About Competition--List of Winners Back to 2007--Qualification Week 3

The 2019 FFPB (Federation Francaise de Pelote Basque) Championnat de France par Equipes (pairs) Tournament began on March 10, 2019 and will end with a final on May 5. There will be two competitions, Group A and Group B. 20 players are  involved. FFPB has provided a "dossier" (.pdf format, 9p.) explaining how the tournament works and who the players in each group are.
The competition begins with a round robin League in both groups. The fifth place finishers in each group are eliminated. Then the 1st place finisher in Group B plays against the 4th place finisher in Group A. The winner plays in the Group A Semi-finals as the #4 team. The loser plays in the Group B Semi-finals as the #2 team. This is a twist that makes the competition very interesting. A Group B team has a chance to be promoted within the space of one competition. The semi-finals will be #1-#4 and #2-#3 in each group. The winners meet in Finals on April 28 (Group A) and May 5 (Group B).

Player profiles at Esku Pilota
Player profiles at Pilota Ttiki

Group A:

Augusti Waltary-Peio Guichandut (defending Champions)

Peio Larralde-Bixintxo Bilbao

Mathieu Ospital-Baptiste Ducassou (runner up and Champion respectively of recently concluded FFPB Main Nue Individuel Competition)

Julien Etchegaray-Ximun Lambert

Antton Monce-Thierry Harismendy

Group B:

Phillipe Bielle-Bixentxe Cubiat

Alexis Inchauspe (winner of Group B Main Nue Individuel)-Antton Amulet

Laurent Lambert (runner up of Group B Main Nue Individuel)-Cedric Lucu

Vincent Elgart-Mickael Palomes

Mattin-Olcomendy-Ion Iturbe

Note: Elgart and Iturbe were Group A players in the Individuel competition. Harismendy and Amulet did not play in the Individuel competition. Pascal de Ezcurra, Gregory Aguirre, and Mikael Darmendrail (all Group B Indviduel) are not playing in this championship.

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

NOTE: RECORD OF PREVIOUS CHAMPIONSHIPS (2007-2018) IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST.

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

Qualification Round: Week 1; Week 2; Week 3; Week 4; Week 5 and Barrage: April 13, 2019: Group B #1 v Group A #4

Semi-Finals

Finals: Group A; Group B

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

Competition preview article (Pilota Ttiki)

Qualification Round 3

INJURY REPORT: Mathieu Ospital (avant-front court) missed the March 24 Group A qualification match between Ospital-Ducassou and Larralde-Bilbao. He was replaced by Mattin Olcomendy. He has, according to Pilota Ttiki, "mal aux mains" (sore hands). When he will return is unknown at this time.

March 24, 2019

Trinquet Gantxiki, Saint-Pee-Sur-Nivelle (1) (2)

Group A

Larralde-Bilbao (2-0 +41) 40

Olcomendy (substituting for Ospital)-Ducassou (2-1 -5) 20

(Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed match video)

Selected linescore (winners always listed first) (Pilota Ttiki and FFPB)

2-2; 3-3; 6-6; 7-7; 9-9; 17-9; 20-10; 22-11; 23-14; 40-20

Partial scoring (Pilota Ttiki and FFPB)

Larralde 2 service aces, Olcomendy 3

This was the greatest disappointment of the weekend. The much anticipated duel between L-B and Ospital-Ducassou never materialized. Ospital was unable to play due to sore hands. When he will return is unknown at this time. He was replaced by Mattin Olcomendy, who is playing in Group B (see below). According to the Pilota Ttiki match article, Olcomendy took a while to get acclimated to the speed of the game at the top of the A level, but did fairly well when he did. But he is still a B player. O-D were able to stay in the match for the first decade but then an 8-0 run by L-B put them on the back foot to stay. At the halfway mark it was 20-10. The match ended 40-20. Larralde did not have his best match, as he admitted in the PT article.  Ducassou did what he could, he was literally all over the court, trying to play offense and defense, but it was, in the end, a bridge too far. It is unfortunate, because with a healthy Ospital, this could have been a foreshadow of the final. Hopefully he will recover quickly. 

Group B

Inchauspe-Amulet (1-1 +4) 40

L. Lambert-Lucu (0-3 -30) 31

(Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed match video)

Selected linescore (winners always listed first)

0-2; 3-8; 9-9; 11-11; 12-12; 15-12; 25-14; 27-23; 33-29; 40-31

Partial scoring (FFPB)

Inchauspe 10 service aces, L. Lambert 6

Match article for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)

Match article for both matches (FFPB)

Led by 10 service aces from Inchauspe, I-A got into the win column after their close loss last week, beating foot of the table L-L. L-L got off to a fast start, leading 8-3 before being outscored 22-6. From there they stayed in touch with the leaders but couldn't get the lead under 4. A 7-2 run finished things off. According to the PT match article, Lucu had a poor day. After their devastating 40-39 loss to Bielle-Cubiat two weeks ago, L-L have yet to recover and have been outscored in their last two matches 80-51. They have one match left (with  Olcomendy-Iturbe) to try to get into the win column.

March 23, 2019

Mauleon (1) (2)

Group A

Waltary-Guichandut (1-1 +25) 40

Etchegaray-X. Lambert (0-3 -56) 13

(Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed match video)

Selected linescore (winners always listed first)

0-3; 10-3; 18-8; 20-9; 22-10; 25-10; 25-11; 26-11; 26-12; 27-12; 27-13 28-13 (48 balls, 2 minutes 7 seconds) 40-13

Partial scoring (FFPB)

Waltary 9 service aces, Etchegaray 1

Time of the match: about 50 minutes

The defending champions were too much and then some for struggling E-L. But the match, well into the second half, was more difficult than the final score indicated. After E-L got off to a quick 3-0 lead, W-G quickly passed them with a 10 point run. From there W-G built the lead to 15, but in the middle of the third decade E-L showed some resilience and from 25-10--27-13 they played very well. Then came the backbreaking point, a 48 ball point won by W-G. At that point E-L completely collapsed and didn't score again. With one match to go, E-L are pretty much out of contention for any post League play. Their League campaign has been a disaster, with Etchegaray missing the first game with the flu, and still wobbly after recovering in the second match. W-G then put the hammer down on them, and they are hoping, in their final match to at least increase their point differential, above the average 40-22 score they are losing by at present. Group A is a very talented and competitive grouping and does not need any help. It is unfortunate that E-L were, for all practical purposes, knocked out of this championship before it even began. 

Group B

Bielle-Cubiat (2-0 +4) 40

Elgart-Palomes (2-1 +24) 37

(Pilota Ttiki Youtube condensed match video)

Selected linescore (winners always listed first) (all match statistics, Pilota Ttiki and FFPB)

3-3; 15-7; 16-13; 25-17; 25-28; 28-28; 29-29; 36-36; 37-37; 40-37

Partial scoring

Bielle 9 service aces, Elgart 3

Time of the match: about 1 hour 40 minutes.

Match articles for both matches (Pilota Ttiki)

Match articles for both matches (FFPB)

This was the best and most competitive match of the weekend. B-C have so far shown a knack for winning close matches, with a +4 point differential that has yielded two wins. E-P brought a gaudy 2-0 record and +27 point differential (average wins of 40-26) into the match but B-C pounced with a 22-14 run. They seemed to be cruising to an easy victory. However, an 11-0 run by E-P gave them a short run lead. B-C immediately came back to equality and the late part of the match featured 3 more equal scores before B-C finished out the scoring to win. Bielle's +9 service aces helped the cause. The fact that B-C held the prolific Elgart (21 service aces in his first two matches) to three in this match was also a factor. The prize for winning the B Group is a "barrage" match against the 4th place A team, with the winner moving into the Group A Semi-finals. B-C are in the driver's seat for that position at present, with control over their own fate. E-P must win out and get help. B-C have a tough encounter with Inchauspe-Amulet this week. Both teams are playing well. It should be an interesting encounter. 

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

Table as of March 24, 2019

Group A:

Larralde-Bilbao (2-0 +41)

Ospital-Ducassou (2-1 -5)

Waltary-Guichandut (1-1 +25)

Monce-Harrismendy (1-1 -5)

Etchegaray-X. Lambert (0-3 -56)

Group B:

Bielle-Cubiat (2-0 +4)

Elgart-Palomes (2-1 +25)

Inchauspe-Amulet (1-1 +4)

Olcomendy-Iturbe (1-1 -3)

L. Lambert-Lucu (0-3 -30)

Available cumulative scoring. Partial data is available for service aces. Service aces for Olcomendy and Inchauspe are provided for both A and B as they were substitutes in the A group. Source is FFPB match articles.

Group A:

Waltary: 8; 9= 17

Larralde: 10; 2= 12

Ospital: 8; 4; Did Not Play= 12

Etchegaray: DNP; 2; 1= 3

Olcomendy (sub for Ospital): 3

Monce: Not Available; 2= 2

Inchauspe: (sub for Etchegaray) NA

Group B:

Elgart: 12, 9, 3= 24

Inchauspe: 8, 10= 18

Olcomendy: 5, 6= 11

Bielle: NA, 9= 9

L.Lambert: 1, 6= 7

UPCOMING:

WEEK 4

MARCH 30, 2019

HASPARREN

GROUP A:

LARRALDE-BILBAO (2-0 +41) v WALTERY-GUICHANDUT (1-1 +25)

GROUP B:

BIELLE-CUBIAT (2-0 +4) v (INCHAUSPE-AMULET (1-1 +4)

MARCH 31, 2019

GARINDEIN

GROUP A

OSPITAL-DUCASSOU (2-1 -5) v MONCE-HARISMENDY (1-1 -5)

GROUP B

OLCOMENDY-ITURBE (1-1 -3) v L. LAMBERT-LUCU (0-3 -30)

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

Previous Championships:

2018:

Group A:

Waltary-Guichandut 40 Larralde-Iturbe 36

Full match video (Audiense Audiovisuel via FFPB)

Match article (FFPB)

"Dossier" (FFPB--.pdf format, 9p., which contains all competition match scores).

Pilota Ttiki also covered the entire competition, with match articles and condensed match videos Their coverage begins March 19. At the bottom of the article click on "precedent" and page through articles about the competition, using the "dossier" as your guide to dates of matches. When there are match videos, Pilota Ttiki links to them from the bottom of the match articles. They are also available at Pilota Ttiki Youtube (CTRL-F Championnat elite pro par equipes 2018).

Group B:

Bielle-Palomes 40 Elgart-Cubiat 22

Full match video (condensed) (Pilota Ttiki)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

2017: 

Group A: Larralde-Bilbao 40 Waltary-Guichandut 38

Full match video (Audiense Audiovisuel via FFPB)

Match article (FFPB)

"Dossier" (FFPB--.pdf format, 12p. ,which contains all competition match scores)

Full competition context, with final linescore graph and linescore (pelotelive.free.fr)

Group B: Inchauspe-Amulet 40 L. Lambert-Palomes 29

Competition context  (pelotelive.free.fr) (no match video available)

Match article (Pilota Ttiki)

2016: 

Group A: Waltary-Bilbao 40 Bielle-Ducassou 23

Full match video (Audiense Indivduel)

Match article (FFPB)

Competition context (pelotelive.free.fr)

Annotated linescore: (pelotelive.free.fr)

Group B: Inchauspe-Amulet 40 L. Lambert-de Ezcurra 23

Full match video (Esku Pilota)

Match article (FFPB)

Competition context: (pelotelive.free.fr)

2015:

Group A: Larralde-Bilbao 40 Etcheverry-Ducassou 10

Full match video (Bixintxo Bilbao Youtube)

Match article (FFPB)

Competition Context (pelotelive.free.fr)

Group B: Inchauspe-Saldubehere 40 Elgart-Bonetbelche 37 (no match video)

Match article (FFPB)

Competition context (pelotelive.free.fr)

2014: Larrechea-Harismendy 40 Sorhuet-Ducassou (substituting for T. Etxeto) 19 (no match video)

Match article (FFPB)

Dossier--results of all matches (FFPB)

2013: Waltary-Harismendy 40 Larrechea-X. Lambert 25 (no match video)

Match article (FFPB)

Dossier--results of all matches (FFPB)

2012: Ibarola-Harismendy 40 Bielle-Ocafrain 37 (no match video) Source: FFPB 2013 Assemblee Generale Ordinaire Exercice 2012 (P. 9)

2011: Waltary-X. Lambert 40 Ibarola-Jeannots 21 (no match video) Source: FFPB 2012 Assemblee Generale Ordinaire Exercice 2011 (P. 9) Match article (Naiz--Basque--note: Naiz has score 40-20.

2010: Ibarola-Ocafrain 40 Waltary-Etxeto 39 (no match video) Match article (Naiz--Basque)

2009: Ibarola-Ocafrain 40 Sorhuet-Etxeto 34 (no match video) Match article (Naiz--Basque)

2008: Ibarola-Ocafrain 40 Sorhuet-Ezkurra 32 (no match video) Match article (Naiz--Basque)

2007: Waltary-Etxeto 40 Sorhuet-Ocafrain 19 (no match video) Match article (Naiz--Basque). Agusti Waltary becomes the first non-native Basque to win this competition.

Since 2007: (avant-front; arriere-back)

Waltary (av) has played in 7 Finals and has won 5. 

Ibarola (av) played in 5 finals and won 4 (3 consecutive wins from 2008-2010). Ocafrain (ar) played in 5 Finals and won 3. 

Sorhuet (av) played in 4 Finals without a win. 

Harismendy (ar) won 3 consecutive Finals (2012-2014).

Larralde (av) has played in 3 Finals and won 2.

Etxeto (ar) played in 3 Finals and won 1.  

Ducassou (ar) has played in 3 Finals without a win.     

Bilbao (ar) has won 2 Finals. 

Larrechea (av) played in 2 Finals and won 1.
X. Lambert (ar) has played in 2 Finals and won 1. 

Guichandut (ar) has played in 2 Finals and won 1

Bielle (av) has played in 2 Finals without a win.

Iturbe (av), Etcheverry (av), and Jeannots (ar) have all played in 1 Final without a win. 

Mano--Binakako Txapelketako/Campionato Parejas--2018-2019--Semi Final League--Round 3

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).

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

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

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

Semi-Final League Round 3

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 24, 2019

Atano III, Donostia (San Sebastian) (1) (2)

Elezkano II-Rezusta (#1) (2-1 +12) 22

Altuna III-Martija (#4) (1-2 -15) 10 (EITB full match video--match begins at: 59:09)

Highlights (EITB)

Linescore: (winners always listed first)

6-0; 6-3; 8-3; 8-4; 13-4; 13-7; 16-7; 16-8; 19-8; 19-10; 22-10

Scoring (EITB)

Elezkano II +13 -1 Rezusta +4 -4

Altuna III +4 -4 Martija +1 -1

Balls in play: 449

Elezkano II 140; Rezusta 91

Altuna III 122; Martija 96

Time of match: 55:09

Match article (Noticias de Gipuzkoa)

Match article (21iguales)

Match article (Naiz)

Match article (Berria)
Match article (Noticias de Navarra)

Match article (El Correo)

This was the match for "all the marbles," the winner going to the Final against Irribarria-Zabaleta, the loser going home. When E-R lost to I-Z last week, there were rumblings of doubt not only about whether E-R were as good as their 10-4 1st place finish in the League indicated. There were also rumblings that Rezusta, the resolute back man who had been to three consecutive Finals, was out of sorts, that if you moved him to the right side, he could be "handled." Elezkano III was mercurial, he could have an almost perfect match, like he did during Week 14, when he was +16 -0 as his team clinched the League championship. But he could also be a non-factor, as he was (+3 -6) in the the Semi-final loss and was completely outplayed by Irribarria. Altuna III was dangerous, the pundits said, and just maybe...

From the first ball to the last, there was no question of who the winner was going to be. About 1/2 hour into the match it was clear. E-R took a 6-0 lead and at 8-4, had another run (5-0) to put the match out of reach. And at the heart of the victory was Danel Elezkano. His sparkling offense (+13 -1) was there for all to see. But what might not have been as obvious, unless you actually watched the match, was the superb defense he played. There was a reason Altuna III was +4 -4. Yes, he did not have his best game, but Elezkano had a lot to do with that. By my count he made 17 excellent saves (either going far onto the apron, diving on the apron, or on his knees on the left side (twice), or crashing his shoulder into the left wall (twice). He made 9 of these on the right side and 8 on the left. On the 11-4--12-4 point, a 21 ball point, he saved the point 3 times, twice on the right side diving, once on the left side. He made 2 saves on 3 different points (two of which his team lost). Overall, by my count, he made great saves on 10 of his team's points, and 4 more on points that they lost. Rezusta also had an excellent match, helping to set up many of Elezkano's winners (in spite of the fact that he made 4 errors, high by his standards). A-M had no answers. They were beaten by a far better team on the day, and by a performance for the ages by Elezkano. 

And so the final most people wanted to see, the number 1 and 2 League finishers, who split two matches during the League phase, will take place before a packed house at Bizkaia, Bilbo (Bilbao) on April 7. To make it through the brutal 17 match marathon and get to this Final once is a fabulous achievement. Rezusta will be playing in his 4th consecutive Final. Elezkano II and Zabaleta will be playing in their second consecutive Final. Irribarria will be playing in his second in the last 3 years. Elezkano II-Rezusta will be playing in their second consecutive Final as a team. It's hard to say who might be favored. It looks like a great matchup. I'm hoping for 21 iguales. :)

March 23, 2019

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

Irribarria-Zabaleta (#2) (3-0 +26) 22

Victor (substituting for Oliazola II)-Albisu (#3) (0-3 -23) 12 (EITB--full match video begins at 33:49)

Fronton TV (Castilian) (full match video)

Highlights (EITB)

Partial linescore (winners always listed first) (Mundo Deportivo, Diario Vasco)

6-0; 9-5; 10-8; 12-8; 13-8; 22-12

Scoring (EITB):

Irribarria +9 -3 Zabaleta +5 -3

Victor +5 -5 Albisu +1 -3

Balls in play: 329

Irribarria 90 Zabaleta 79 Victor 61 Albisu 99

Time of match: 44:39

Match article (baikopilota)

Match article (Mundo Deportivo)

Match article (Diario Vasco)

There isn't much to say about this match, which meant nothing, as I-Z were already in the Final and V-A were already eliminated. But it was a good "tune up" for I-Z as they won easily. Irribarria hit the pelota 90 times. 10 percent of his hits were winners. Zabaleta looked ready to go in the final, with +5. I kept looking for signs that I-Z were just going through the motions, trying to make sure they stayed healthy for the Final to come. I saw none of that. They look like a very good team that is peaking at exactly the right time, going undefeated through the Semi-final League. When they are going well it is difficult to see how anyone can stop them. We'll find out on April 7. 

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

SEMI-FINAL LEAGUE FINAL TABLE

Irribarria-Zabaleta (#2) (3-0 +26)

Elezkano II-Rezusta (#1) (2-1 +12)

Altuna II-Martija (#4) (1-2 -15)

Victor (substituting for Oliazola II)-Albisu (#3) (0-3 -23)

FINAL INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM STATISTICS FOR SEMI-FINAL LEAGUE (SOURCE FOR ALL: EITB)

Delanteros (Front Court)

Irribarria +29 -7=+22

Elezkano II +28 -8=+20

Altuna III +26 -14=+12

Victor +23 -15=+8

Zagueros (Back Court)

Martija +4 -2=+2

Rezusta +8 -9= -1

Zabaleta +7 -9=-2

Albisu +9 -11=-2

Teams:

Irribarria-Zabaleta +36 -16=+20

Elezkano-Rezusta +36 -17=+19

Altuna III-Martija +30 -16=+14

Victor-Albisu +32 -26=+6

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

Final League 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 4--March 22, 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

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

NOTE: PREVIOUS WINNERS SINCE 2007 LISTING HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST

=========================
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)

END OF DAY 4 OF LEAGUE PHASE

Cumulative Table

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

Delantero (front)

Fusto  (3-1; (2-3,3-2,3-2,3-1); 240)

Gaubeka(2-2; (2-3,3-1,2-3,3-1); 240)
Necol  (2-2; (3-2,1-3,3-1,1-3); 180)

Garate (1-3; (3-2,2-3,1-3,1-3); 140)

Zaguero (back)

Ibai Perez (4-0; (3-2,3-1,3-2,3-1); 280)

Urrutia    (3-1; (3-2,3-2,2-3,3-1); 240)

Ibargarai  (1-3; (2-3,2-3,3-1,1-3); 180)

Gordon     (0-4; (2-3,1-3,1-3,1-3); 100)

Both matches this week were won by 3-1 scores (see below), finally providing a bit of separation in the two races. Among the delanteros (fronts) Fusto won his 3rd in a row in his first non-5 joko match. Gaubeka equaled his match record at 2-2, but the two wins were major (80 point) wins, allowing him to remain tied with Fusto for the top spot, even though he has one less match victory. Necol has been on a roller coaster ride, down two weeks ago, up last week, and then down again this week. This is due to the fact that his last 3 matches have yielded 20, 80, and 20 points. But he now has less margin for error, with only two matches left. He needs big wins in both of them. He plays against Gaubeka-Gordon with Ibai Perez this week. A 3-1 or 3-0 win would put him right back into contention. A 3-2 win or a loss would make things much more difficult. Next week he closes the League phase with Gordon against Garate-Ibargarai. The final week Fusto-Urrutia close against Gaubeka-Ibai Perez in a match that will almost certainly have implications for who will be playing who in the Final. For Necol, a big win by one of those teams would be most helpful, assuming he also wins big. Garate, to have any chance, almost certainly needs to "pitch" 2 shutouts with Urrutia and Ibargarai and hope for the best. Fusto closes with Ibargarai and Urrutia against Garate and Gaubeka. Gaubeka closes with Gordon and Ibai Perez against Necol and Fusto.

Among the zagueros (backs) Ibai Perez, by virtue of his perfect record, has a little breathing space in first place. While he and Urrutia have a fairly comfortable lead in the race for a berth in the Final, Ibargarai's equation is similar to Necol's among the fronts. He needs two big wins and some help. He plays his last two games against Urrutia and Gordon. Gordon needs 2 shutouts and a lot of help.

Because the League phase started out with so many close matches, the last two matches still have a lot of meaning. No one will be "cruising." It should be great to watch.

March 22, 2019

Jornada 4

Jornada 4 Promotion Poster (InnPala Twitter)

Gaubeka (2-2, 10-8, 240)-Urrutia (3-1, 11-8, 240) 3

Garate (1-3, 7-11, 140)-Gordon (0-4, 5-12, 100) 1

(10-2, 9-10, 10-6, 10-5) (39-23)

(InnPala Twitter, with 1 photo)

Fusto (3-1, 11-8, 240)-Ibai Perez (4-0, 12-6, 280) 3

Necol (2-2, 8-9, 180)-Ibargarai (1-3, 8-10, 180) 1

(4-10, 10-8, 10-4, 10-4) (34-26)

(InnPala Twitter)

We know almost no details about these matches, as neither of the main sources for match articles, InnPala Fronton Facebook or Munduko Pilota Batzarra, have filed articles as this post is published. I was unable to find any newspaper accounts. MPB did provide a very helpful table (which contains win-loss, records, joko (set) records, points for and against, and League points cumulatively through Jornada 4 (see below). What we do know from the linescores is that Garate-Gordon, for the second consecutive week, faced a pivotal second joko after losing the 1st by a big score. This time they won 10-9 but that didn't phase their opponents at all. G-U won the last two jokos by 20-11 and the match by 39-23. In the other match, it appears that N-I came out with all "guns blazing" to win a dominant first joko. But then F-IP won a close second joko that broke the resistance of their opponents. F-IP won the 3rd and 4th jokos by a combined score of 20-8.

------

4th Jornada Table:

Munduko Pilota Batzarra table (.pdf format, 1p.)

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

Delantero (front)

Fusto (3-1; 11-8; 240)

Gaubeka (2-2; 10-8; 240)

Necol (2-2; 8-9; 180)

Garate (1-3; 7-11; 140)

Zaguero (back)

Ibai Perez (4-0; 12-6; 280)

Urrutia (3-1; 11-8; 240)

Ibargarai (1-3; 8-10; 180)

Gordon (0-4; 5-12; 100)

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

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.

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

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