Basque pelota blog in english – Dos paredes

I am back from Belgium and normal service on the blog can now resume! As I was watching the Tour of Flanders on the Muur in Geraardsbergen while the Pairs Final was in progress, I did not see any of it and cannot offer much of a report. Suffice to say that Yves Salaberry and Aitor Zubieta wrapped up their fine competition by clinching the prize over Sebastien Gonzalez and Aritz Laskurain. The winners came to the boil gradually over the weeks of the tournament and were the form pair going into the final; their victory, though unheralded in January, came as no shock in the final analysis. The score, 22-14, belies the fact that Gonzalez and Laskurain fought every inch of the way. The win was, by all accounts, not a walk in the park for Xala and Zubieta. Early in the game, the pairs matched each other blow for blow and were level at 5-5. The most crucial spell of the game followed however, as Xala and Zubieta opened up a six point lead. From there on, the top dogs were never headed, but Gonzalez and Laskurain kept the deficit minor until their rivals opened the floodgates to advance to 20-13. Xala, it seems, made the game, with sterling support from Zubieta, while the pressure told on their opponents.

The statistics were as follows:

Gonzalez – Laskurain: 14
Xala – Zubieta: 22

Duration: 91´
Playing time:30´
Strikes of the ball: 604
Scoring sequence: 0-1/ 1/ 3-1/ 3-2/ 5-2/ 5/ 5-11/ 8-11/ 8-13/ 10-13/ 11-13/ 11-15/ 12-15/ 12-16/ 13-16/ 13-20/ 14-20/ 14-22
Gonzalez: 1 dejada, 6 de aire; 1 perdida en ataque, a perdida
Laskurain: 2 atrás, 5 perdidas
Xala: 1 saque, 4 dejadas, 4 de aire, 1 cortada, 1 al ancho, 1 atrás; 1 perdida en ataque
Zubieta: 3 atrás, 3 perdidas

Triumph for Xala and Zubieta

Image from: Noticias de Navarra, Source: Aspe

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Sunday 21^st March, Logrono

GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN beat TITIN III – PASCUAL 22-16

Pairs Semi Finals

After Saturday’s starter, in which Xala and Zubieta cemented their credentials as txapela contenders, came Sunday’s main course which would decide who would meet them at the top table. The eyes of the pelota world alighted upon Adarraga, in the Riojan town of Logrono, the home fronton of Titin III, and the stage seemed set for the local hero to grasp the last pass to the final. The baying crowd certainly hoped and prayed for such an outcome, and for Gonzalez and Laskurain, this fixture must have felt like running headlong into the jaws of the enemy. However, the ‘away’ couple were not to be overawed, and clinched their ticket to Ogueta in commanding style.

Aritz Laskurain, the unassuming but quietly devastating defender from Soraluze in Gipuzkoa, was the man of the match. He has played this year as if newly invigorated, and can now eye his first major final since 2008, when he along with Titin lost in the final of this very competition to Olaizola II and Mendizabal II. He seems a more consistent player these days, having held his form almost the tournament through, and read the game on Sunday with aplomb. He dominated Pascual, who himself has turned in some stellar performances of late, including that of last weekend, which eliminated Irujo and Beroiz. He and Gonzalez went for the jugular from the drop of the flag, racing to a 14-2 lead, and putting Titin under extraordinary pressure in the process. That the eventual losers pulled the score back to 22-16 by the end could be seen as something of a triumph but in reality their comeback ensued only after Gonzalez and Laskurain had let their foot off the gas. All Rioja was stunned into silence.

Many believed that the insatiable desire of Titin, coupled with the ruthless form of Pascual, would see them through, but they reckoned without the emergence of a rival pair who’s eyes are focussed firmly on the prize. The upshot is that Gonzalez will face Xala in attack on April 4^th in the first all-French-Basque forward battle in the history of championship finals. Xala has been the more consistent across the tournament as a whole but Gonzalez on his day can beat anyone in the world, as he showed in the Cuatro y Medio final against Irujo in December. The defensive battle will be no less fascinating, with a white hot Laskurain fighting Zubieta, who has grown by ten feet since January. After nearly three months of enthralling sport, all is set for the Eastertide showdown in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Scoring sequence: 0-3, 2-6, 2-14, 4-14, 4-15, 5-15, 7-15, 6-16, 10-16, 10-17, 13-17, 13-18, 13-20, 16-20, 16-22.

Aritz Laskurain: in form

Image from: Gara

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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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Sunday 14^th March, Eibar

XALA – ZUBIETA beat GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN 22-10

Pairs Semi Finals

In comparison with Saturday’s extravaganza at Labrit, the second semi final of the weekend was something of a let down, both in excitement and atmosphere.  Given how much was at stake – an automatic place in the final awaited the winners – attendance was disappointing. Perhaps the Eibar faithful sensed the likelihood of a drab affair. This match could have been a tight one, pitting as it did two in-form pairs against each other. The bookmakers had Xala and Zubieta as fairly strong favourites, but with Laskurain, particularly, in stellar shape, the match could have gone either way. But one sided it was, and the excitement was all the favourites’, as they became the first partnership to clinch a spot at Atano III.

Xala and Zubieta gained the initial advantage but their rivals fought back to 7-8; it looked like an open contest which would come to the boil nicely over the next minutes. However, from this point on, the eventual winners imposed themselves in ruthless fashion, and much to the chagrin of the opposition and the neutrals, Gonzalez and Laskurain had very little answer. Gonzalez did not play his best, leaking seven errors and managing only three winners. In contrast, Xala hooked powerfully, only let two balls defeat him and turned in eight winners. Laskurain gave his all but was not as sharp as in previous weeks and could not match the power of Zubieta in defence. Once Xala and Zubieta had bent the game to their will, their lead never fell below four points, with 7-12 giving way to 10-14 and then 10-22. It was not quite a rout but from the mid point, victory was a foregone conclusion.

Xala and Zubieta can now look forward to the final at Easter with bullish confidence. They appear to have risen to the top in this competition at the best possible moment. The outcome of their game this weekend against Irujo and Beroiz is immaterial as they are through and their opponents, much to the surprise of many, are out. The real interest of the coming week will reside in the prospect of Gonzalez and Laskurain playing Titin and Pascual for the last grand final place in what promises to be an encounter of searing intensity. Titin and Pascual will be the likely favourites, and one suspects they are the pair Xala and Zubieta would be least happy about facing in the final, but in such matches form is wont to go out the window. Miss it at your peril.

Scoring sequence: 0-3, 2-3, 3-7, 4-8, 7-8, 7-12, 9-14, 10-14 and 10-22.

Aitor Zubieta: Power

Sources: La Rioja, Aspe. Image from: Diario Vasco

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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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Saturday 6th March, Pamplona

GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN beat MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BEROIZ 22-13

Pairs Semi Finals

After a fascinating two months of quarter final matches, we have arrived at the round of four. The best and most consistent couples have risen to the top and the first of the high octane semi finals took place at Labrit on Saturday. Irujo and Beroiz have been the favourites to take the 2010 Pairs crown almost since day one, when any doubts about the maturity of the young defender’s play were shot out of the water. Irujo has been his usual impassable self, with Beroiz every inch his equal partner. True to form, they started this match as firm favourites against a couple in Gonzalez and Laskurain who have been at times brilliant, but lacking in consistency. However, no doubt buoyed by their nailbiting triumph over Olaizola II and Mendizabal II to make the last four, the underdogs rode the crest of their wave to victory.

Irujo is, under normal circumstances, a lion of the fronton, but here he was Gonzalez’ prey. The champion from Ibero has fallen victim to the man from Iparralde before, most memorably in December’s Cuatro y Medio final which he was odds on to win. Here, Irujo looked anxious and never hit his stride against a rival who was immensely impressive. Gonzalez put on a show for the packed stands, aiding his pair to a 2-9. The favourites managed to close the gap to 8-9, and the game proceeded to parity at10, 11, 12 and 13. The match looked primed for a fight all the way to the line. However, the underdogs stormed to the victory with nine unanswered points. Both Gonzalez and Laskurain played to their full capacity, and Beroiz, who performed well, was unable to save face for the struggling Irujo. The favourites can be beaten, and beaten well. There is much excitement ahead.

Scoring sequence: 1-0, 1-1, 2-2, 2-9, 8-10, 10-10, 11-11, 12-12, 13-13, 13-22

Gonzalez (right) trumped Irujo

Image from: Kiroljokoa

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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

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Apologies for these rather scanty reports; it’s been a very hectic week!

At Eibar on Sunday 21st February, MARTINEZ DE IRUJO-BEROIZ posted their sixth win of the competition, beating OLAIZOLA II-MENDIZABAL II 22-20. Astelena was packed to the rafters with noisy fans, eager to witness another tense encounter between these two great pairs. In terms of the quality of the play alone, many may have left disappointed, for the match was error strewn, but the occasion more than made up for this shortcoming. Although the final scoreline was tight, the Aspe pair held the lead for almost the whole match, with the exception of the point at which they were headed 19-20. The victors dominated the game almost throughout, although Olaizola turned in a healthy run of winners to pose some challenge. Mendizabal, though, has proved the weak link in the Aseagrce partnership and there were again too many mistakes from him. Irujo and Beroiz are of course safely in the semi finals. Olaizola and Mendizabal must beat Gonzalez and Laskurain in the final rotation of matches if they are to join them.

On Monday 22nd February, XALA-ZUBIETA booked their place in the semi finals with a win over BERASALUZE VIII-BEGINO in Tolosa. Thanks largely to the excellent crosscourt and volleying game of Xala and the errors of Begino, the Aspe pair surged ahead 1-7 early on. Their opponents closed in to 8-11 in an extremely tight scrap where each point was contested tooth and nail. However, several mistakes coupled with the greater efficiency of Xala and Zubieta put the game out of their reach. Berasaluze, as usual, fought gamely, but Begino was outplayed by Zubieta. 10-14 became 10-17, and then 12-21, and the game was up for the Asegarce combination, who have seldom played to their potential in this competition.

Source: Aspe, here and here.

Aitor Zubieta in control

Image from: Noticias de Alava

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Saturday 20th February, Pamplona

TITIN III – PASCUAL beat BENGOETXEA VI – OTXANDORENA 22-15

Pairs Championship

Titin and Pascual achieved their fifth victory of the championship on Saturday and while not yet certain of a place in the semi finals, they have one foot over the finishing line. Their triumph came at the expense of Bengoetxea VI and Otxandorena, who have had an unhappy tournament almost throughout, with just one win to show for their efforts. They are now out.

The Asegarce pair knew that this was last chance saloon and took to the court with the correct attitude. Otxandorena confirmed in a post match interview that they had felt positive and were raring to go, but stated that when their opponents imposed their rhythm mid way through the encounter there was little they could do. Bengoetxea and Otxandorena started well, opening up a 1-4 lead, but Titin and Pascual managed to level the contest at 5-5 before opening up to 9-5. They did not waltz to this margin uninhibited for their rivals fought them tooth and nail in some long and involved rallies, but they could not muster the necessary fire power when the cards were on the table. Having secured this lead, they held it with some comfort. Bengoetxea and Otxandorena did close to within one point at 13-14, with the former instrumental, but Titin again took up the reins and the danger was past.

Titin played at his spectacular best, once again defying his 41 years. 15 winners were his reward. Pascual was again solid as a rock, although he admitted to early nerves. Bengoetxea, whose underperformance in this tournament has been a great sadness, played some of the best pelota we have seen from him in some weeks but it was to no avail. His day will surely come again.

Scoring sequence: 1-0, 1-1, 1-4, 3-4, 3-5, 5-5, 9-5, 9-7, 10-7, 10-8, 12-8, 12-9, 14-9, 14-13, 16-13, 16-14, 18-14, 18-15, 22-15.

Source: Noticias de Navarra

Titin managed 15 winners

Image from: Blog Kiroljokoa

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Friday 19th February, St Jean de Luz

GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN beat SARALEGI – APRAIZ 22-16

Pairs Championship

On Friday, the Pairs Championship decamped to Iparralde, and specifically to the charming resort town of St Jean de Luz (or Donibane Lohizune in Basque), famous for its fishing, its architecture and its picturesque sands. The port across the harbour, Ciboure, is best known as the birthplace of composer Maurice Ravel and it is after him that the fronton of St Jean de Luz is named. While Ravel may be better known in the wider world, the town has another famous son in the shape of Sebastien Gonzalez; pelotari, Cuatro y Medio champion, and one of the protagonists here. He and his partner Aritz Laskurain were clear favourites in advance of the encounter, over opponents Ekaitz Saralegi and Alexis Apraiz who are both replacements for players who started the championship. A win for the underdogs would raise Asegarce spirits no end, but the faithful of Lapurdi sat squarely behind their home boy Gonzalez. In the end, the locals went away satisfied. 

All the early signs pointed to a rout for Gonzalez and Laskurain, who went ahead 5-0 without raising a sweat. Both hit winners with which they ran rings around their opponents, who looked ill at ease and error prone, just as they did in their last encounter. There was much relief from all supporters of the blue pair and many neutrals too when Saralegi found his range with a ripping gantxo to make the score 5-1. This was the start of an impressive comeback, in which he and Apraiz levelled the scored on 7-7 before taking a 7-10 lead. Saralegi harnessed all his vim and vigour into some excellent serves, two of which proved clean winners, and Apraiz defended outstandingly, notably in his staggering return of a near rebote. The defender in addition managed two consecutive winners in this period of play. The first was achieved with a large slice of serendipity, but the second, a spiralling long ball right into the back corner, was pure class. The scene looked set for a memorable tussle.

Sadly for Saralegi and Apraiz, this period of the match was to prove their high point, for they would never lead again. Gonzalez restored a modicum of control for the Aspe duo with two winners before two Saralegi errors won them back the lead. From here on, the home boy stamped his authority in impressive style. As Saralegi’s direction deserted him, Gonzalez offered up a crosscourt masterclass with two vicious airez winners. He was not immune to moments of carelessness as he proved in consecutive points at 14-11 and 14-12 but he had Saralegi’s number and controlled the front of the court in open play with an iron fist. Laskurain proved again to be a valued partner. He was not wholly consistent but was easily the better of the defenders, as Apraiz’s play grew increasingly wayward. Apraiz can be a frustrating player. That he has great talent is beyond doubt and early in the match he displayed moments of great inspiration, but these, as is often the case, were mixed with moments of inexplicable laxity. At 12-14 the Asegarce pair was still well in touch, but their strong position was thrown away in an instant when Apraiz played two wild shots, the first wide and the second high. Two rallies later he hit low and looked well and truly resigned to his fate, now six points in arrears. One wonders what he might be capable of if he could remain on top of his game. Saralegi too lost his earlier spark. He continued to pull impressive winners out of the bag in the form of two drops into the corner, but his crosscourt game failed to fire.

All in all, this was a frustrating match. Gonzalez and Laskurain continued their solid form but did not have to produce magic to win. Saralegi and Apraiz had the potential to pull off an upset, but every time they gained a foothold they succumbed to a moment of madness. In their final match of the tournament, against Xala and Zubieta, they will play for pride alone. Gonzalez and Laskurain face the tough proposition of a match up with Olaizola II and Mendizabal II in the last rotation of quarter final matches. Much could hinge on their battle; the 2008 champions annihilated them in week four but both pairs are in the hunt to make the semi finals and big match nerves can play funny tricks. This tournament continues to march with intent, like Ravel’s Bolero, towards its Easter finale, but who will be there at its apotheosis?

Scoring sequence: 5-0, 5-1, 6-1, 6-7, 7-7, 7-10, 14-10, 14-12, 15-12, 18-12, 18-14, 19-14, 19-16, 22-16

Gonzalez won his home match

Image from: Noticias de Navarra

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