Basque pelota blog in english – Dos paredes

Saturday 5th June, Pamplona

XALA beat OLAIZOLA I 22-14

Manomanista Semi Final

Labrit was all of a buzz for this, the first of the 2010 Manomanista Semi Finals. A large and vociferous crowd gathered to cheer to show their support, and most, including a grown man in a pink tutu, sided with the underdog, Asier Olaizola, whose fans appeared to have commandeered the majority of the upper tier. It was conceivable that their man could cause an upset here. He had given Martinez de Irujo an almighty scare in the group stages, and shown indomitable fighting spirit in his two wins, against Bengoetxea VI and Barriola. However, he now faced Yves Salaberry, the pairs champion, who is experiencing a true purple patch this year. ‘Xala’ breezed through the preliminary rounds with barely a wobble, dispatching Patxi Ruiz, Retegi Bi and Arretxe II to reach this stage. Olaizola would in all likelihood pose a stiffer challenge than these three, but he was the overwhelming favourite. The match that ensued was every bit as enthralling as the fans must have hoped, an exhibition of pelota played at the highest level by two men who wanted it so very badly. In the end, polish trumped passion.

If anyone assumed Xala would hit Asier from the start, they were very wrong. The first part of the match was as close and as hard fought as anything we have seen in the championship thus far. Both men showed signs of nerves in the early exchanges, with two errors apiece in the first four points. Asier took the first real blood of the match with two winners, a cross court and a drop, to take the score to 4-2. The signs looked good for the Goizuetan, who demonstrated his power to force his opponent out of position. However, his error making returned as he hit high and then fell low to a high ball from Xala, to allow the latter to draw level at 4-4. Xala now built some momentum, kick started by a powerful long serve and drop routine and two further errors from Asier, but in keeping with the topsy turvy nature of the first half of the game, Asier wrenched the advantage back. He levelled at 7-7 by way of a Xala miscue and two outright winners, based on a serve which was now firing on all cylinders. Asier appeared once again to throw the initiative aside as Xala fired, but the pair could seemingly not be separated, as an impressive sotomano from the former brought the score to 10-10 deadlock.

The brilliance to which Xala has become used this year had thus far been contained by a man who had played with inspiration, determination, and the never-say-die attitude for which is has become known. However, the match now moved into a new phase. Xala must have sensed it was time to find a new gear, and so he did, although stutteringly at first. The three rallies which followed the 10-10 stalemate were all about the favourite. In the first, Asier managed to reach a dos paredes but in the effort found himself out of position for the resulting shot down the wall from Xala. The next two points were won by Xala’s serve, which now reached its apogee. Asier took two points back with some impressive defence turned to attack, but Xala surged again; it was the points on 12-13 and 12-14 which really turned the game. In the first of these two watershed moments, a smash from Xala appeared to have won it, but Asier dug the ball out. Xala then got one almost over his rival’s head and though Asier got to it, his reply fell just short. The underdog tried everything and was found wanting. The next point saw an exhibition of the sotomano from both players, followed by some stunning defence under the high ball from Asier. Xala eventually wore him down, winning the point with a drop. He now had a two point lead, but for Asier, that must have seemed like a chasm, for the man from Iparralde was giving no gifts.

Asier never ceased to fight, but managed only two more points in the match, one of which was the result of an extremely careless drop attempt by his opponent who must have sensed the prize was in sight. Even in points where Asier appeared on top, such as that on 13-16 in which he subjected Xala to an aerial bombardment, the eventual winner managed to escape, which must have been highly demoralizing. Points rarely came easily for Xala but one sensed that there was no way through for the brave older Olaizola. When Xala seized his 22nd point with a push into the corner, the game was up.

The scoreline, which seemingly suggests an easy victory for the favourite, fails to tell the true tale of a match where nothing came easily. Xala was put under huge pressure for the first half an hour from a man who strained every sinew to be as good as he could be. Even when he was on top, Asier refused to let him run away with the win. Xala, though, has the ability to employ an extra gear like few others, and it was this which saw him through. A hard fought match will have done him no harm in his preparation for the final, where he will have probably the biggest chance of his life to do something truly special.

Scoring sequence: 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 4-2, 4-3, 4-7, 5-7, 7-7, 7-8, 7-9, 8-9, 9-9, 9-10, 10-10, 10-11, 10-13, 11-13, 12-13, 12-16, 13-16, 13-20, 14-20, 14-22.

The final awaits for pairs champion Xala

 Image from: Noticias de Gipuzkoa

Share on Facebook

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)

Share on Facebook

Saturday 15th May, Pamplona

OLAIZOLA I beat BARRIOLA 22-18

Manomanista Group A

In a game of high intensity and great excitement at the cathedral of Labrit, Asier Olaizola overcame the staunch challenge of Abel Barriola to all but claim a place in the semi finals of the 2010 Manomanista. Had he lost here, he would have been forced to wait for the result of the match on Sunday between Martinez de Irujo and Bengoetxea VI, where a win for Bengoetxea would mean elimination for the Goizuetarra. As it was, this sterling victory meant qualification, unless Bengoetxea could beat Irujo by more than eight points.

The game was one of sporadic quality. Both pelotaris displayed stunning skill at times but both also lapsed. However, the real quality of the evening came in the form of its scintillating atmosphere, stirred up by the knowledge of all concerned that this encounter truly mattered. The large crowd roared and rippled like the sea. At first, Olaizola rode the crest of the wave, moving to a 4-1 lead with some authority. It was not to last though, as a lapse in his early intensity opened the door for Barriola, who at 9-4 to the good found himself in a position of some strength. He was able to control points, pushing Olaizola back relentlessly, and it appeared that his pre-injury verve had returned, albeit too late for him to qualify. However, Olaizola took his chance to regain the serve with both hands, and astonished all concerned with a run of fifteen straight points. He served excellently, and displayed the killer punch that Barriola increasingly lacked, on his way to registering a total of thirteen clean winners in the match. It is to be expected that after nearly a year off with a serious knee injury, Barriola will take time to return to the boil, but he looked slow here and lacked spark. Sharp movement is obviously not yet easy. However, having arrived a mere three points short of the prize, Olaizola stuttered, and his errors allowed Barriola back into the game. In his last match, against Irujo, Olaizola had allowed a massive lead to slip; surely it would not happen again? Thankfully for him, he regained his composure, not without some necessary risk taking, and moved with relief from 20-18 to 22-18.

The relief was palpable on the face of the older Olaizola; he had done all he could, and could return home to await his fate in the knowledge that he had left everything on the fronton. Barriola was below his very high par, as he has been all tournament, and one can only hope that the real pelotari will step forward very soon. The loser was, as ever, gracious in defeat, and congratulated Olaizola with warmth. As he retired to leave his brother in the limelight, botillero Aimar granted Asier a firm pat on the back; job well done.

Scoring sequence: 2-0, 2-1, 4-1, 4-9, 19-9, 19-13, 20-13, 20-18, 22-18

Share on Facebook

Saturday 1st May, Pamplona

MARTINEZ DE IRUJO beat OLAIZOLA I 22-17

Manomanista Group A

Poor Asier Olaizola. Only the hard hearted could have watched his utter disintegration from a position of such rampant strength and felt nothing for the man. Rarely is Juan Martinez de Irujo put under such searing pressure, made to look like a captive hunting vainly for a way out, as that placed on him by Asier last night. The Olaizola clan must have thought that they had pulled off the biggest coup of the championship so far, some family consolation for the loss of Aimar to injury, but to the amazement of all, the champion did what only champions can do. In a staggering display of strength and sheer willpower, Irujo stormed the match, turning a 4-17 deficit into a 22-17 victory, sealing a night to remember at Labrit along with a near certain place in the semi finals.

The match started as normally as one might have expected, as Irujo made his immediate mark with a txoko winner. Matters proceeded innocuously enough, until with the score at 2-2, something clicked in the mind of Olaizola. When Irujo skied his return of serve and roared in disgust, the man from Goizueta grabbed the initiative full on. In this first phase of the game, Irujo managed two more points, courtesy of a strike over Asier’s head and an error from his opponent, but those aside, it was an utter rout. From 9-4 up, the underdog roared to 17-4 like a man possessed. Key to his success was his serve, which was both powerful and intelligent. He served to all parts of the fronton, which kept Irujo guessing. He used the wide service to excellent effect, as well as the dipping long serve towards the side wall, and his illustrious opponent was in the process bamboozled and outwitted. Olaizola racked up seven service winners, but many of his other points were set up by the strength of this service. There were for example some engaging and lengthy rallies such as that on 4-9, where Olaizola, due to the power of his serve put Irujo on the defensive from the off. Here, he was able to push him back and bombarded him with high balls before striking a txoko into an empty front court. Earlier he had employed the same tactic until Irujo cracked under the salvo. Irujo, ever expressive with his body and his face, let all know exactly what he was thinking with every gesture, from apoplectic scream to dejected slump. Surely it was all over?

What happened next defied belief and flummoxed the laws of probability. When Asier hit high on the side wall, nobody in their right mind would have predicted that Irujo would take the match without conceding another point, but the champion from Ibero is a force of nature, as unpredictable as he is brilliant. Seeing was believing. Irujo, like Asier before him, based much of his dominance on serve. He also finished the game with seven service winners and Asier simply had no answer to his speed and precision. In open play too, the lights went out as error after error afflicted him, mostly the direct results of Irujo’s dominance. Asier defended manfully, subjected to the same aerial bombardment which he had dished up previously, but had no answers. As panic set in, Asier turned increasingly to his botillero, injured brother Aimar. Their discussions in the first half of the game reminded one of a triumphant war cabinet, but now they searched in vain for a way to overturn their retreat. Aimar has so often found a way through Irujo’s armory over the years but there was nothing he could do for Asier here. Irujo’s march was savage and relentless. He was in what psychologists refer to as ‘the zone’, and only an act of God could stop him. Battered and exhausted, Asier could do nothing but bow to his mastery.

This must surely be one of the most astonishing turnarounds of the recent era and must have struck terror into the hearts of all Irujo’s future opponents in this championship. Asier Olaizola demonstrated that the champion is fallible, taking him apart in the early stages. However, Irujo sent a warning to all that he is a dangerous beast when down, and a fearsome one when the momentum is his. Asier Olaizola can still qualify for the semi finals, and must find a way of rising from the ashes, but it seems that for the defending champion, the sky is the limit.

Scoring sequence: 2-0, 2-6, 3-6, 3-9, 4-9, 4-17, 22-17.

Delight for Irujo

Image from Noticias de Gipuzkoa, by Ruben Plaza

Share on Facebook

Saturday 17th April, Pamplona

OLAIZOLA I beat BENGOETXEA VI 22-20

Pairs Championship Group A

Asier Olaiziola’s heart must have sunk a little when he perused the draw for the group stages of the 2010 Manomanista, for he found himself in a group containing three previous winners with five editions of the title in their collective pocket. At least he was spared the trial of having to play his little brother, who finds himself in Group B. The first in the string of former champions to stand in his way was Oinatz Bengoetxea, who won in 2008, beating another group member, Abel Barriola in the final. However, the man from Goizueta proved far from overawed and in the defeat of the theoretically more illustrious, he showed himself to be a force to be feared.

Asier started in a whirlwind of calculated determination, putting four straight points past Oinatz with some simple, unostentatious pelota. Oinatz risked more, and lost more, breaking his duck only when his opponent miscued on the fifth point. Asier strolled casually to a margin of 8-1 and it seemed that the die was cast; there was no sign of a fight from Bengoetxea. However, the younger man slowly regained his touch; a txoko gave him the serve and with it the use of his own selected balls, which were lighter and livelier than those chosen by Olaizola. Bengoetxea successfully altered the pace of the contest and worked his opponent well, pushing him from side to side as he gradually closed the deficit. He took six points in a row to snatch the lead, for the first time in the game, at 10-11. However, this storming comeback spurred Olaizola into action again, and regained the initiative at 16-12. Once more Bengoetxea, who is never wont to lie down, clawed his way back to the lead at 16-18, but Olaizola, playing one of his best games of recent years, pulled off four winners to secure the first point of the championship.

After 65 minutes and 314 strikes of the ball, little separated the two protagonists, either in terms of final score or statistics. Asier scored two winners on serve to Oinatz’s three. Oinatz also came out one to the good in the overall winner count, in which he shaded his rival eleven to ten, but it was his nine errors which cost him dear; Asier committed seven and won by two points. Despite his loss, Bengoetxea can take much from this performance. His fighting spirit, so often lacking in the Pairs Championship, is plainly back and with a slice or two of luck, the result could have been very different. For Olaizola, this early victory will be a huge boost as he aims to set out his credentials in a group where he is the theoretical minnow.

Scoring sequence: 4-0, 4-1, 8-1, 8-5, 10-5, 10-11, 13-11, 13-12, 16-12, 16-18, 18-18, 18-20, 22-20.

Source: Deia

Asier Olaizola opens his account

Image from: Gara

Share on Facebook

Asier Olaizola suffered an injury to his right side in the doubles match at Labrit on Saturday which preceded the championship game between Martinez de Irujo-Beroiz and Xala-Zubieta. The game had to be abandoned with the score at 2-0. According to Asegarce, the forward from Goizueta underwent an MRI scan in Tolosa, which revealed an oedema in his right abdominal oblique muscle. The required treatment involves physiotherapy and approximately twelve days of rest before exercise can recommence. His injury raised immediate worries over his participation in the Manomanista Championship, the presentation for which takes place on Tuesday 6^th April, but it now seems that his chances are better than initially feared.

Sources: eitb, Asegarce

Image from: Noticias de Navarra

Share on Facebook

The final week of the Pairs Quarter Finals sees Asegarce down and out as none of their four couples qualify

The seemingly endless, and endlessly fascinating, Pairs Championship quarter finals came to an end this week as the semi final berths were allocated to the top four partnerships out of the starting total of eight. Two of the matches which took place over the weekend were dead rubbers, meaning that all eyes were on the encounters in Eibar and Covaleda, where Olaizola II-Mendizabal II, Berasaluze VIII-Begino, and Gonzalez-Laskurain fought for the one remaining place in the last four. We take a look below at how things played out.

On Friday in Covaleda, the slim hopes of Berasaluze VIII and Begino were dashed as they were beaten 22-10 by Titin III and Pascual. In order to progress, the Asegarce pair needed a big win, and then would have had to wait on the result of Sunday’s game in Eibar. In reality though, their hope proved a pipe dream as the Aspe pair took them apart. The atmosphere was electric but the crowd must have felt somewhat let down by the level of the match. With qualification assured, Titin and Pascual came out of the dressing room in relaxed mood and with a license to take risks. Their opponents realised the gravity of their situation and did not rise to the occasion, looking tense and increasingly desperate. There was no way back from a 6-0 deficit, and the Aspe lead was never cut to fewer than four points. The form of Berasaluze and Begino has been a grave disappointment throughout the championship. Although they have they well at times, they have appeared a shadow of the pair who finished top of the quarter final table last year. In contrast, Titin and Pascual have played a blinder and may be the pair to lay down the gauntlet to Irujo and Beroiz in the last four.

In the other crucial match, in Eibar on Sunday, Gonzalez and Laskurain beat Olaizola II and Mendizabal II 22-21. This was an unbearably tense affair, with the final place in the last four going to the winner, and it came down to the very last point of a gripping evening. When an error by Mendizabal gifted the prize to Gonzalez and Laskurain, the huge crowd erupted in appreciation for a match which had lived up to all expectations, despite the errors induced by nerves from all parties. The game was characterised by a near death defying comeback by Aimar and Oier, who at one point found themselves 5-15 adrift. Aimar has anointed himself the comeback kid over the past few weeks but this time it was too little too late for the 2008 winners and 2009 runners up. Their record in this championship of late has been an impressive one but this year they have failed to play as a unit. Aimar, always a formidable opponent, has been among the three best pelotaris in the competition but Oier has been erratic and has ranked as the worst of the players who have seen all the quarter final matches through. While there was heartbreak for them, Gonzalez and Laskurain leapt in jubilation. Both are protagonists who could fairly be described as ‘intense’ on the fronton, which made their public outburst of delight seem all the more joyous. Laskurain in particular, has had a splendid tournament thus far and will provide the solid rock in defence needed by his partner as the competition hots up.

In the first of the dead rubbers, table toppers Irujo and Beroiz beat Bengoetxea VI and Otxandorena 22-13 in Pamplona. This was something of a formality for the all conquering pair, who were in a different class to their beleaguered rivals. It is one of the major disappointments of this year’s championship that Oinatz Bengoetxea has failed to light up the stage as he can. The former Manomanista Champion is usually a terrier of the fronton, ferocious in defence and pugnacious in attack, but in recent weeks he has been lacklustre and appeared inhibited by doubt. His supporters, as well as many neutrals, will hope he regains his magic in time for this year’s edition of the Manomanista. He has surely been upset by the loss to injury of Beloki early in the tournament, for Otxandorena has failed to fill the experienced campaigner’s considerable void. Nothing has bothered Irujo and Beroiz however. Juan has marched on in his own inimitable way, the best player of the quarter finals, and Beroiz has defied his age and greenness in the first major tournament of his short career. They are clearly the pair to beat.

Meanwhile in Tolosa, Saralegi and Apraiz managed a 22-17 win over Xala and Arruti. The eventual winners were playing for pride only and they can hold their heads up high as they bid farewell to the competition. They were never meant to be in the fray in the first place, as they form the couple which began as Olaizola I-Patxi Ruiz, who both fell to injury, the latter in somewhat acrimonious circumstances. Their opponents had their semi final berth in the bag, and Asier Arruti replaced the solid but injured Aitor Zubieta for this coda to their quarter final campaign. Xala and Zubieta will head to the last four with confidence, having gelled as an extremely cohesive and efficient unit since the start of January.

Gonzalez and partner Laskurain made it through by the skin of their teeth

The recriminations will continue throughout the coming weeks at Asegarce for despite having teams on paper every bit as strong as those from the rival empresa, their involvement in the championship is over. While Olaizola II played well, as did others at times, key components have failed. Mendizabal II is the most obvious weak link, as with greater form from him, his pair would have made the last four. Injuries have played their part, especially so in the case of Bengoetxea and Beloki’s well established partnership, but the Olaizola I-Patxi Ruiz pairing was not a happy one from the word go. Berasaluze and Begino lacked their usual consistency. All that remains now is for the Asegarce players and staff to sit back and watch their rivals play for the spoils, while hoping for a more positive Manomanista campaign.

For a ranking of the individual players in the Quarter Final stage, see here.

The semi finals commence on Saturday in Pamplona, where Irujo-Beroiz take on Gonzalez-Laskurain. On Sunday, Titin-Pascual play Xala-Zubieta in Logrono. I will publish times and broadcast information later in the week.

Image from: Aspe

Share on Facebook

Friday 5th February, Urduliz

MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – EULATE beat OLAIZOLA I – APRAIZ 22-14

Pairs Championship

The Pairs Championship began its fifth week in the small Bizkaian town of Urduliz, with a match between two pairs whose fortunes have differed wildly. Juan Martinez de Irujo was partnered here by Pedro Martinez de Eulate, standing in for the resting Mikel Beroiz. Eulate, however, was a replacement deluxe, having won this very championship with Irujo four years ago. The two have a clear rapport. The most talked about substitution in the match though, was not that involving Eulate. Alexis Apraiz stood in for Patxi Ruiz for the second match in succession, with the latter now suspended from the tournament until further notice by his empresa in a wrangle over the level of his match fitness. Apraiz played well last weekend and Ruiz was certainly not missed. Another such performance was needed here, but despite the best efforts of the Asegarce pair, Irujo and Eulate had the edge in terms of class and match play.

The early exchanges were extremely tight, and Olaizola and Apraiz easily held their own with the overwhelming favourites. Irujo failed to hit the ground running, with four errors in the first eight points. Indeed, seven of these first eight came from errors, with Olaizola and Apraiz also opening their account in this regard. Irujo had no real excuse for nerves, his pair having a foot in the semi finals before the evening began, but his opponents badly needed a win and showed it in their lack of fluency. From 4-4 however, Irujo and Eulate found their poise and gradually pulled away. Irujo was never at his stunning best, but managed several trademark winners, both into the corner and crosscourt, which made his many fans coo with delight in the stands. Eulate backed him with utter assurance and was solid as a rock, fielding everything with extraordinary calm. The defender played a textbook opening spell with no hint of an error until he failed to field a long, fast serve from Olaizola at 11-7. Eulate’s opposite number, Apraiz, played solidly enough but could not match him.

The gap between the sides never threatened to balloon at this point in the game. Olaizola, despite mistakes, showed great drive to keep his pair in touch, just about holding the coat tails of Irujo in the forward battle. They must have hoped that if they could keep the match tight, a chance may present itself, and such a chance did come, in the form of four successive errors from the Aspe pair, caused partly by their own ambition and partly by the pressure of Olaizola’s excellent serve. They came within one point of parity at 15-14, and one more point would have dealt a serious blow to the moral of their more fancied opponents. It was time for the underdogs to take the game by the scruff of the neck. However, Apraiz blew this golden opportunity in the blink of an eye with two nervy and unnecessary mistakes. Irujo and Eulate, perhaps sensing they had been let off the hook, never looked back, and seized the initiative with a show of class. Eulate managed an implausible crosscourt winner from the midcourt to regain a four point margin before Irujo took the baton and pulled off commanding txoko and crosscourt winners. The deal was sealed with an error apiece from Apraiz and Olaizola, and Irujo, with little heed to the identity of his partner, marched on in his unbeaten vein. Olaizola and Apraiz must surely now be down and out.

Scoring sequence: 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 4-4, 8-4, 8-5, 10-5, 10-6, 11-6, 11-9, 12-9, 13-9, 13-10, 15-10, 15-11, 15-14, 22-14.

Asier Olaizola could not find enough to thwart Irujo

Image from: El Correo Digital

Share on Facebook

I have already reported on Friday’s match (see below); here we take a look at the other three matches from week four of the championship.

Saturday 30th January, Pamplona 

OLAIZOLA II – MENDIZABAL II beat GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN 22-9

Aimar Olaizola pulled off the performance of the week in Labrit to annihilate Sebastien Gonzalez and Aritz Laskurain. The forward from Goizueta treated a full house to an exhibition match of poise and power, unleashing a torrent of crosscourt winners from his brutal left arm. The Asegarce pair, champions two years ago and runners up last year, needed a win here to avoid a slide down the standings, and Olaizola left nothing to chance, seizing the initiative right from the start; the score was 11-2 within fifteen minutes of play. Gonzalez had no answer to his rampant opponent and played at a level well below his best. Laskurain could do little but try and contain his opponents, but with a resurgent Oier Mendizabal alongside him, he struggled even to do that. Mendizabal played badly last week but was a changed man here, showing strength, accuracy and tactical astuteness. The night though, belonged to Olaizola who left with eleven winners against his name to Gonzalez’ one. The statistics tell the story.

Scoring sequence: 7-0, 7-2, 11-3, 12-5, 14-7, 19-8, 20-9, 22-9

Sunday 31st January, Eibar

MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BEROIZ beat BENGOETXEA VI – OTXANDORENA 22-18

Juan Martinez de Irujo and Mikel Beroiz remain unbeaten in the championship after an intense encounter at Astelena. The Aspe duo, which mixes winning experience with supreme young talent, fell behind initially but after going ahead at 8-7 was never again headed. Oinatz Bengoetxea and Inaki Otxandorena stuck manfully to the task and scrapped until the bitter end, but could not close the gap, despite some sterling defence. Beroiz was the standout player of the encounter, showing a maturity which belies his twenty years. Irujo for his part played some excellent points, but like Bengoetxea, also committed errors.The losers are now in deep trouble with one point from four games, and will need determination and luck in abundance to reach the semi finals.

Scoring sequence: 0-1, 1-1, 1-3, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 5-7, 10-7, 10-8, 15-8, 15-11, 16-11, 16-14, 19-14, 19-15, 20-16, 21-18, 22-18.

Monday 1st February, Tolosa

XALA – ZUBIETA beat OLAIZOLA I – APRAIZ 22-18

Yves Salaberry and Aitor Zubieta kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the semi finals with their second win in four matches. Both couples understood the need for a result at this crucial point in the competition where the contenders begin to sort themselves from the also-rans, and the tension this created was evident in the game. Asier Olaizola played with vigour but also made costly errors, and was punished by Xala’s volleying. Alexis Apraiz, replacing the injured Patxi Ruiz, made an solid and promising debut in defence but his efforts were insufficient to bring the Asegarce pair their desired win. They must now fight for all their worth to escape elimination. (source: Asegarce)

Scoring sequence: 5-0, 5-2, 8-2, 8-7, 12-7, 12-12, 13-12, 13-13, 14-13, 14-14, 14-16, 16-16, 16-17, 17-17, 17-20, 18-20, 18-22.

For the full standings after the fourth week of matches, visit the Asegarce homepage and click on the box in the bottom right hand quarter.

Player of the week, Aimar Olaizola

Image from: Astore

Share on Facebook

Sunday 24th January, Logrono

TITIN III – PASCUAL beat BENGOETXEA VI – OTXANDORENA 22-10

This was a comprehensive thrashing by Titin and Pascual, who were superior to their rivals in every department. The fronton in the Riojan capital of Logrono bears a large portrait of Titin, watching down over the players like a patron. When the man himself is on court, his brooding double presence must prey on the minds of his opponents, especially when one factors in the particularly partisan crowd. Perhaps it was the Titin factor which got so badly to Bengoetxea and Otxandorena on Sunday, save for the period at the very beginning, they were never in the game. Naturally, Titin and Pascual focussed much of their attention on Otxandorena, standing in for the experienced but injured Ruben Beloki. In truth, the substitute did not play a wholly bad match despite several costly errors, and at least early on appeared unfazed by the pressure. However, he was up against a metronome of a hitter in Pascual who outplayed him with total aplomb and with no error until the game was all but won. Up front, the story was similarly one sided with home boy Titin full of vim and vigour, and bristling with determination. Bengoetxea, himself usually so full of drive, appeared lacklustre and showed off his enormous talents only sporadically. His timing and precision were both lacking. The result seemed inevitable as the image of Titin looked down approvingly at his own triumph.

Scoring sequence: 0-2, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3, 7-3, 7-4, 8-4, 8-5, 10-5, 10-6, 11-6, 17-6, 17-7, 19-7, 19-10, 22-10.

Monday 25th January, Tolosa

GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN beat OLAIZOLA I – PATXI RUIZ 22-15

The final score at Beotibar fails to tell the full story of a match which could have been a total sporting disaster for the Asegarce pair of Asier Olaizola and Patxi Ruiz. It appeared as if Cuatro y Medio champion Sebastien Gonzalez and his partner in crime Aritz Laskurain were poised to complete the biggest win of the tournament when they stood at 21-6. It is thanks to Olaizola that some face was saved as the trailing pair pulled back nine points, largely thanks to their forward who pulled off some glorious rearguard gantxos. However, it was too little too late for the man from Goizueta as Gonzalez and Laskurain were utterly dominant up until that point. Gonzalez took the first five points to wrest the initiative firmly away from his opponents and they never looked like coming back. The winning pair worked extremely well as a team with Laskurain especially dominant, allowing Patxi no quarter and reducing Olaizola to the role of defender. Gonzalez and Laskurain are warming nicely to the task in this tournament and showed with this their second win that they are a force to be reckoned with. Asier and Patxi will need to improve markedly if they are to be viewed as serious contenders. (source: Gara, via Aspe)

Scoring sequence: 0-5, 1-5, 2-7, 4-10, 5-14, 5-20, 6-21, 15-21, 15-22.

Adarraga fronton in Logrono

Image from: Wikimedia

Share on Facebook