Basque pelota blog in english – Dos paredes

Tuesday 17^th August, Zarautz

BENGOETXEA VI – PATXI RUIZ beat XALA – BEROIZ 22-12

Torneo de Villa de Zarautz Final

The healthy crowd which forwent the various other pleasures of Zarautz in summer must have left Aritzbatalde with more than a twinge of disappointment last night. The performances of the two pairs in their respective semi finals hinted at a close match, with San Fermin winners Oinatz Bengoetxea and Patxi Ruiz pitted against the continuing phenomenon that is Xala in 2010. However, the reality turned out to be somewhat different, with Xala and Beroiz barely extending their opponents due a great deal of streaky and haphazard play, especially from the former. Bengoetxea and Ruiz left as deserved winners, putting barely a foot wrong, but in reality we had hoped for so much more.

The tone for the performance of the pair in red was set from the very outset, with three errors in the first three points from Beroiz, who looked on edge and ill at ease. Xala restored some semblance of calm with a txoko in the fourth point, but the rot continued as miscommunication between him and Beroiz handed Oinatz a winner he perhaps did not deserve, before the forward missed the front wall on the rebound of a high ball. At 5-1 to the blue pair, the die was already cast.

Xala and Beroiz picked up points in ones and twos as the match went on, only stringing together a sequence of four late in the game when there was no hope of reprieve. Xala, for all his faults, scored seven winners, offering several reminders of his dizzying reputation, notably a fizzing gantxo at 11-19, but eight errors is beyond the pail for a forward of his calibre. Beroiz steadied somewhat after his opening debacle and defended solidly, showing nerve under the high ball and an astute sense of positioning, but he could not rescue the sinking ship. The second key passage of play came with the score at 8-4 to Oinatz and Patxi. At this juncture the gap was bridgeable; the red pair had settled a little and had exerted some good pressure on Patxi Ruiz, but five errors in a row put the nail in the coffin of any proposed comeback. Bengoetxea kick started this particular rot with a dos paredes at full stretch, which Xala prodded wide. Beroiz then his carelessly high, before three misdirected shots in a row from Xala, the first of which was unforgivably tame. At 4-13, they needed a miracle. They rallied a little, closing to 8-14, with Xala showing signs of life, but there was no way back.

While Xala and Beroiz increased their score in small steps, Oinatz and Patxi kept the scoreboard ticking relentlessly. In truth, Oinatz was never put to much of a test but he handled the job in hand with superb ease, registering seven winners and no errors. He mixed his shots well, displaying his sharp cross court game as well his defter touch, and as is his wont, he defended like a terrier, frequently turning apparently hopeless positions into ones of strength. Patxi was as solid as one could hope from a first class defender, and he was also pleasingly inventive, pulling off three winners which showed excellent spatial awareness. He also acted as the perfect cover for his partner when Xala managed to manoeuvre Oinatz out wide. 

Oinatz and Patxi, both of whom have struggled for form at various times this year, deserved this victory, their second in the round of summer festivals, and they looked justly delighted. Xala, who has conversely been excellent for most of the year, will put this behind him as a bad day and march on, ever the dangerous opponent. San Sebastian will offer new challenges for both he and Oinatz, both of whom play with partners from the opposite empresa. This is an enticing prospect, and we live in hope that the play will match the promise.

Scoring sequence: 0-3, 1-3, 1-5, 2-5, 2-6, 3-6, 3-8, 4-8, 4-13, 6-13, 6-14, 8-14, 8-19, 12-19, 12-22.

Winners/errors: Bengoetxea VI 7/0, Xala 7/8, Patxi Ruiz 3/3, Beroiz 2/4

No sweat for Patxi Ruiz

Image from Manista, by Carlos Zuluaga

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Friday 13th August, Zarautz

XALA – BEROIZ beat ARITZ LASA – ZUBIETA 22-19

Torneo de Villa de Zarautz Semi Final

Yves Salaberry, it seems, cannot stop winning. He and Mikel Beroiz were the probable favourites here, Xala having been paired with the young defender after injury ruled Martinez de Irujo out of the tournament. He would have played with fellow pairs champion Aitor Zubieta, which would have been the more enticing prospect, but such was the potency of Xala that his play was too much for Aritz Lasa regardless of the identity of his partner. His eighth consecutive victory carried his pair to the final, where they will be hard to brush aside.

Xala was the clear difference between the sides. His game was not without blemish, to which is seven errors attest, but when a whopping seventeen winners are thrown into the mix, such a mistake count seems insignificant. Beroiz supported him ably, but in reality everything hinged on the star from Lekuine. Aritz Lasa, the second tier Manomanista champion, is not a regular visitor to the summer festivals, the stamping ground of the elite, but he held his own, making only two outright errors. He was, however, far less incisive that his opposite number. Zubieta played with his customary fluidity and presented problems for the eventual winners, but he was powerless to stop the march of Xala, who was in no mood for compromise.

Scoring sequence: 0-1, 1-1, 4-1, 4-3, 9-3, 9-5, 11-5, 11-9, 12-9, 12-10, 14-10, 14-11, 15-12, 15-14, 19-14, 19-16, 20-16, 20-19, 22-19

Winners: Xala 17, Aritz Lasa 6, Beroiz 0, Zubieta 3

Errors: Xala 7, Aritz Lasa 2, Beroiz 3, Zubieta 2

Source: Diario de Navarra

Yves Salaberry: on fire

Image from: Noticias de Alava

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It is all change at the Torneo de Villa de Zarautz, owing to a hand injury to Manomanista Champion Juan Martinez de Irujo, who will now not play. The pain, sited in the third finger and base of the fourth finger of his left hand, manifested itself on Sunday in Vitoria-Gasteiz. He is undergoing physiotherapy and massage, but a test on the fronton yesterday confirmed that he would be unable to play in Zarautz. He is expected to be out of action for five days.

This means that the Aspe line up for the Zarautz tournament will now look very different. Xala and Zubieta, the Pairs Champions, were to have played together but Xala now moves to partner Beroiz in place of Irujo. Aritz Lasa comes in to play with Zubieta.

The broadcast schedules for the weekend are as follows:

Friday 13^th August, Zarautz

22:20 (CEST) LEIZA – IBAI ZABALA v RETEGI BI – EULATE

23:30 (CEST) XALA – BEROIZ v ARITZ LASA – ZUBIETA

Sunday 15^th August, Zarautz

17:00 (CEST) OLAIZOLA I – MENDIZABAL II v ARITZ LASA – LASKURAIN

18:05 (CEST) BERASALUZE VIII – APRAIZ v BENGOETXEA VI – PATXI RUIZ

To watch, go to http://www.eitb.com/television/etb-sat/en-directo/

The beautiful coastline of Zarautz

Image from: kortazar.com

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Saturday 12^th June, Tolosa

ARITZ LASA beat BEROIZ 22-15

Second Tier Manomanista Final

It was no simple matter to pick a winner ahead of Saturday’s final. Mikel Beroiz had the pedigree in the competition, coming into this year’s tournament as defending champion, but Aritz Lasa had had the better championship thus far. The Tolosa faithful turned out with enthusiasm, and the atmosphere at Beotibar was fitting for a final which promised so much. In the ultimate analysis, Aritz Lasa proved the stronger, rendering the younger player powerless to act by means of a rip roaring serve. Lasa’s victory ended a seven year drought in this competition for pelotaris from Gipuzkoa, the last winner from that province being Kepa Penagarikano, in 2003.

The opening spell of the game appeared to signal great things to come for Beroiz, as the defending champion powered to a 4-1 lead, clearly dominant. However, when he allowed his rival into the game by striking too high, taking the score to 4-2, there was a sharp about turn in the colour of the match. Aritz Lasa, perhaps realising his inferiority in the long rally, used his own chosen balls to the maximum of their potential, winning eleven of his twenty two points with service winners. Beroiz resisted manfully, his best spell coming between 4-7 and 8-7, when he defended like a demon, deploying his powerful left arm when possible. He pushed the score on to 10-8, and once again looked to be in a strong position. However, Lasa had much more to give, and in the ensuing whirlwind, turned an 8-10 deficit into a 20-10 lead. The light had been snuffed out for Beroiz, with permanence. In the face of the Lasa serve, Beroiz was never comfortable and was at times utterly swamped. A top defender should have done rather better.

Aritz Lasa’s txapela is the culmination of a superb sustained effort throughout this tournament, for which he had to qualify through a preliminary round. Beroiz, being the 2009 winner, was granted a bye through the early stages but this year failed to live up to his reputation, squeezing through the quarter finals with the help of Retegi Bi’s defection to the main championship, and edging Urrutikoetxea in the semis by the narrowest of margins. He remains, however, a player of the greatest promise for the future, at the age of only 21. But this was Lasa’s day, the biggest sporting triumph of his 26 years, and one that all of Urretxu should savour.

Scoring sequence: 0-1, 4-1, 4-7, 8-7, 8-8, 10-8, 10-20, 13-20, 13-21, 15-21, 15-22.

Duration: 51 minutes

Strikes of the ball: 179

Service winners: Beroiz 3, Aritz Lasa 11

Winners in open play: Beroiz 11 Aritz Lasa 9

Errors: Beroiz 2, Aritz Lasa 1

Aritz Lasa triumphant

Image from: Gara, Sources: Diario de Navarra, Diario Vasco

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After over two months of competition, the Second Tier Manomanista is down to the last two, and the final takes place at Beotibar on Saturday. Of the finalists, defending champion Mikel Beroiz has had the less protracted run to the final, although he has been far from invincible on the way. As last year’s winner, he was granted a bye in the first stage and entered at the point of the quarter final league. He lost his first match heavily, 13-22 to Retegi Bi, who was to leave the tournament to replace Gonzalez in the Manomanista shortly. He then won a tough fight against Oier Mendizabal by 22 points to 18, before losing again in his last group match, to Inigo Leiza, 17-22. He was therefore very lucky to make it through the semis; if Retegi Bi, who won both his games had remained, he would have been out. However, given his chance, he stepped up to the plate, triumphing in a tense match against Mikel Urrutikoetxea, 22-20, to reach the final.

Aritz Lasa had to work much harder to arrive at the final. He was put, my Aspe, through a pre-qualifying round before he could even take his place in the main competition, and came through this my the proverbial skin of his teeth, 22-21 against Merino. In the first stage proper, he found his form and came through easily against Cabrerizo, 22-13. He then won two of his three matches in the quarter final league, against Asier Berasaluze 22-12, and the second narrowly over exciting debutant Lemuno, 22-21. Not for the first time, Lasa sailed close to the wind here. He lost his third game 18-22 to Urrutikoetxea, who topped the group, but this was of no matter. His semi final was against Leiza, who he despatched without too much fuss, by 22 points to 16.

It is no easy task to pick the winner here. Beroiz, being the defending champion and a confirmed top young talent, is the natural favourite, but he has looked far from totally secure in the past few weeks. Aritz Lasa meanwhile has more experience and appears to be building nicely. He is a consistent performer who would be a richly deserving winner. Tune in on Saturday to see the drama played out.

Friday 11^th June, Logrono

22:25 (CEST) BERASALUZE IX – CECILIO v CABRERIZO II – MERINO

23:30 (CEST) TITIN III – PASCUAL v GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN

Saturday 12^th June, Tolosa

17:25 (CEST) ARRETXE II – MENDIZABAL II v IDOATE – BARRIOLA

Followed by BEROIZ v ARITZ LASA Second Tier Manomanista Final

These matches can be seen at http://www.eitb.com/television/etb-sat

Can Aritz Lasa upset Beroiz?

Image from: Noticias de Gipuzkoa, by Jose Sampedro

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After a week’s reverie, the Manomanista returns this weekend. We are now at the semi final stage and there is nowhere to hide for the final four, for whom victory is now imperative. On paper, the games look fairly clear cut. In the first, Asier Olaizola plays Xala, and while Olaizola has battled royally to reach the last four, Xala is the form player of the year and has reached this stage with imperious ease. An upset is very much on if Olaizola can come out all guns blazing, but it is hard to bet against Xala breezing into the final.

In the second semi final, defending champion Juan Martinez de Irujo takes on Patxi Ruiz. Irujo is hard to stop under any circumstances, but like Xala, he has arrived in the last four undefeated and full of confidence. Patxi Ruiz, often an enigma, cannot be entirely written off, but he will have to play the game of his life. He was perhaps a little lucky to come through the group stages, benefitting as he did from Aimar Olaizola’s untimely injury, but he looked in fine fettle against Retegi Bi, whom he out powered impressively. Irujo, though, is an entirely different prospect.

As an aside, last week the second tier Manomanista competition saw its semi final stage and we now know that the final will be played between defending champion Mikel Beroiz (who beat Urrutikoetxea 22-20) and Aritz Lasa (who beat Leiza 22-16). The final will take place on Saturday 12^th June at Beotibar in Tolosa.

Friday 4^th June, Sodupe

22:25 (CEST) CABRERIZO II – LARRINAGA v IBAI PEREZ – GALARZA VI

23:30 (CEST) TITIN III – LASKURAIN v ARITZ LASA – BARRIOLA

Saturday 5^th June, Pamplona

17:35 (CEST) BERASALUZE VIII – IBAI ZABALA v SARALEGI – BEGINO

Followed by OLAIZOLA I v XALA Manomanista Semi Final

Sunday 6^th June, Eibar

16:55 (CEST) OLAZABAL – ZUBIETA v IDOATE – PASCUAL

Followed by MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – PATXI RUIZ Manomanista Semi Final

All these matches can be viewed online at http://www.eitb.com/television/etb-sat

Xala and Olaizola I lock horns on Saturday

Image from Gara (Juanan RUIZ/ARGAZKI PRESS)

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There is a break in the Manomanista Championship this weekend before the blue riband tournament resumes with the semi finals next week. The focus therefore turns to the 2nd Tier Manomanista, a chance for young talent to show itself off. Tonight, Inigo Leiza plays Aritz Lasa for a place in the final, while tomorrow, defending champion Mikel Beroiz takes on young 2nd Tier 4 1/2 Champion Mikel Urrutikoetxea, one of Asegarce’s brightest hopes for the future.

Meanwhile, Juan Martinez de Irujo aims to keep himself ticking over ahead of next weekend’s Manomanista semi final against Patxi Ruiz, with a doubles game in Beasain tonight. He will line up against Pairs Champion Aitor Zubieta, just returned from knee surgery.

Friday 28th May, Beasain

22:25 (CEST) MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – L. GALARZA v BERASALUZE IX – ZUBIETA

Followed by LEIZA v ARITZ LASA 2nd Tier Manomanista Semi Final

Saturday 29th May, Zalla

18:05 (CEST) BERASALUZE VIII – APRAIZ v BENGOEXTEA VI – BEGINO

Followed by BEROIZ v URRUTIKOETXEA 2nd Tier Manomanista Semi Final

All these matches can be viewed online at http://www.eitb.com/television/etb-sat

21 year old Urrutikoetxea

Image from Deia

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The fifteen pelotaris who will take to the fronton in the Second Tier Manomanista Championship were presented to the media in Bilbao today, at the headquarters of sponsor, Ipar Kutxa. Nine are from Asegarce and Six are from Aspe. They are as follows:

For Asegarce: Argote, Arretxe II, Ibai Zabala, Iza, Leiza, Mendizabal II, Olaetxea, Penagarikano and Urrutikoetxea

For Aspe: Aritz Lasa, Beroiz, Cabrerizo, Merino, Retegi Bi and Zubieta

See here for dates and fixtures

Mikel Beroiz returns to defend his title

Image from: Deia

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Saturday 20th March, Pamplona

XALA – ZUBIETA beat MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BEROIZ 22-21

Pairs Championship Semi Final

On many levels, this match did not matter in the slightest; Xala and Zubieta had already qualified for the final and pre tournament favourites Irujo and Beroiz were already out. Such dead rubbers can be hard to predict, with one side potentially taking a breather and the other perhaps having given up the ghost, but to their great credit, Saturday’s protagonists made quite a match of it. Irujo spoke in the press before the game about showing respect to the paying public, eager to see a contest and in truth, the man from Ibero is never one to lie down and surrender his pride. Xala and Zubieta clearly saw this as a confidence building exercise ahead of the final, which they now enter unbeaten in the semi final stage, the undisputed form pairing.

In fact, the finalists may be considered lucky in their win, for they were chasing the game right up until the final point, when they edged ahead for the first and only time. Irujo and Beroiz came out fighting, perhaps seeking to show that their semi final disintegration had not been total. They put eight points on the board without answer, and as Irujo loosened his arm, the red lead extended to 13-2. However, Xala, for many the player of the tournament, settled into the match and never allowed himself to be overawed by Irujo, who has proved himself fallible in recent weeks. He orchestrated a comeback which turned the match on its head and displayed for all to see the fighting spirit of his duo. This attitude to the game can only serve them well come the final showdown.

So, Irujo and Beroiz did indeed put on the show they promised and only the cold hearted could have left Labrit disappointed. If nothing else, this was a useful guide to form for us, the public, and a high octane workout for Xala and Zubieta, who will now seek to hone their skills and their senses to perfection ahead of their big day out in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The losers bow out with their heads held high, and will certainly be back for more come next year.

Scoring sequence: 8-0, 8-2, 13-2, 13-4, 14-4, 14-7, 15-7, 15-10, 16-10, 16-11, 17-11, 17-13, 18-13, 18-14, 19-14, 19-18, 21-18, 21-22.

Xala: never say die

Image from: Aspe

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Saturday 13^th March, Pamplona

TITIN III – PASCUAL beat MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BEROIZ 22-21

Pairs Semi Finals

The equation was simple: victory would mean a chance to fight again, and loss the end of the road. Juan Martinez de Irujo and Mikel Beroiz, and Augusto Ibanez and Inigo Pascual both arrived in Pamplona on Saturday with a defeat in the bag in the semi final league and each fought to swim rather than sink as if their lives were at stake. The great cauldron that is Labrit was again bursting at the seams with enthusiasts who had debated the outcome of this match all week long, and they brought the house down with the fervour of their support. It is a given that any contest between Irujo and Titin will be a scorcher, and with the peculiar circumstance of this meeting factored in, the intensity doubled. It seemed therefore an inevitable twist of fate that the scoreboard showed 21-21, with one rally left to win it all.

The four players were inevitably wracked with tension as play got underway. Irujo, as is his wont, attempted to blow his nerves out of the water and came out like a raging bull, desperate to reach 22 as quickly as possible. Despite his attacking mode, Titin took the first advantage, and a lead of 2-0. Irujo then pulled his pair level with a sotamano after Pascual had gifted them their first point. 2-2 became 3-3 and nothing and nobody seemed ready to crack. However, Irujo and Beroiz surged forward by means of some excellent shot play and solid defence, to a lead of 7-3, and then 15-7. The favourites looked set, but not so, for it was now the turn of Titin and Pascual to show their colours. Pascual grew into the game in impressive fashion, becoming more assured with every play, and he gradually gained the upper hand over young Beroiz, who had scarcely shown any sign of nerves the tournament long. Titin imposed himself with determination and fight and they worked as a well oiled machine to draw level at 18-18. Once again it was game on. Irujo and Beroiz looked to have restored some semblance of calm, advancing to 20-18, but once again their rivals fought back, and when parity at 21 arrived, the roof of Labrit seemed ready to lift off its walls. Irujo, the player of the tournament up until this point, it was who sealed the deal for Titin and Pascual with a missed gantxo. The favourites were out and joy reigned supreme for the Riojan giant and his Navarrese partner.

In the midst of the quarter final rounds, few would have put money on Irujo and Beroiz failing to reach the final. Last year’s winning forward and his young brother in arms looked untouchable at one stage, but began in the later weeks to show their fallibility, with a loss to Berasaluze and Begino. Gonzalez and Laskurain exploited their few weaknesses to win last week and Titin and Pascual have now completed the kill. They will move forward to a winner takes all showdown for a place in the final next weekend, and if force of will were enough to win, they would be odds on. Three couples now fight for two places; who will be next to bite the dust?

Scoring sequence: 0-2, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3, 7-3, 7-5, 9-5, 9-6, 10-7, 15-7, 15-13, 17-13, 17-15, 18-15, 18-18, 18-20, 20-20, 20-21, 21-21, 21-22

Titin III: guts and determination

Source: El Correo. Image from: La Rioja

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