Basque pelota blog in english – Dos paredes

Saturday 8th January, Pamplona

OLAIZOLA II – BEGINO beat BENGOETXEA VI – PATXI RUIZ 22-16

In a tough encounter of 72 minutes and 692 balls, Aimar Olaizola and Aritz Begino battled their way past Oinatz Bengoetxea and Patxi Ruiz. On paper, this was a hard match to call, and was indeed close in the opening stages. The difference between the pairs lay in the backs, where Begino was far superior to Ruiz, who left Bengoetxea with little room for attack. Given the disparity behind him, a solid Olaizola was rarely forced into top gear as he and Begino moved beyond their opponents with eventual ease. Next week they face Irujo, assuming he is fit, and Merino II, serving up the always tantilising prospect of a clash between the two greatest forwards of our day.

Begino: pick of the bunch at Labrit

Image from Gara (Imanol OTEGI/ARGAZKI PRESS)

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Firstly, apologies; I’ve been in Belgium ever since Christmas with no chance to watch pelota, let alone write about it, and a lot has happened in that time. It’s time to redress the blogging silence!

Masters Kutxa Final, 25th December, Pamplona

BENGOETXEA VI beat MARTINEZ DE IRUJO 22-8

It took Oinatz Bengoetxea less than half an hour to destroy Juan Martinez de Irujo, and land the 12,000 Euro cheque as Masters champion. The Leitzarra subjected Irujo to a taste of his own medicine, dominating with his serve and volleying with aplomb on his way to a 22-8 victory. Irujo started as the hot favourite, and won the first four points, but from 1-5 down there was little stopping his opponent, who added a further nine points without reply.  Irujo fought back to 8-10 but Bengoetxea surged again, playing at a furious pace, and showing the very human side of the Manomanista champion. Diario Vasco

Oinatz on song

Lift of for the 2011 Pairs Championship

The pelota year begins with the Pairs, an epic contest which runs from early January until April 17th. Each empresa enters four combinations, and each pair plays every other pair twice, the top four advancing to the semi finals, which are also played as a round robin. The 2010 champions are Xala and Aitor Zubieta, but owing to his serious knee injury, the latter will miss the chance to defend his title. Xala plays instead with Abel Barriola, in a combination which oozes class. The most surprising pairing is surely that of Irujo and David Merino, the 20 year old first year pro last seen on the receiving end of a thumping at the hands of Idoate in the second tier Cuatro y Medio final. Merino is an exciting talent, but his promotion to the top flight to partner the number one player must surely raise eyebrows. Is it too much too soon for the man from Rioja? Time will tell. His call up means no repeat performance for Mikel Beroiz, who partnered Irujo last year. Another notable pairing is that of Oinatz Bengoetxea and Patxi Ruiz, who lit up the summer festivals in 2010. Ruiz has experienced resurgence in past months and has his chance with a partner who could accompany him deep into the spring. Aimar Olaizola, who won the 2009 title, is back for more, but his then partner Oier Mendizabal is left out, making way in the elite eight for Alexis Apraiz, who has clearly been groomed for this by Asegarce. The full line-up is as follows:

For Asegarce: Olaizola II – Begino, Bengoetxea VI – Patxi Ruiz, Olaizola I – Beloki, Berasaluze VIII – Apraiz

For Aspe: Xala – Barriola, Martinez de Irujo – Merino II, Gonzalez – Laskurain, Titin III – Pascual

The championship commenced last weekend with the first rotation of matches, and the results were as follows:

• XALA – BARRIOLA beat OLAIZOLA I – BELOKI 22-6
• BENGOETXEA VI – PATXI RUIZ beat MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – MERINO II 22-4
• OLAIZOLA II – BEGINO beat GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN 22-19
• TITIN III – PASCUAL beat BERASALUZE VIII – APRAIZ 22-18

In as far as we can glean anything from the first week of matches, it seems the Irujo – Merino experiment may not be working. The pair was thrashed by the tested combination of Bengoetxea and Ruiz, and by all accounts looked all at sea. They may of course settle, but the omens are not good. Xala and Barriola did all that was expected of them and more, putting Asier Olaizola and Beloki to the sword with clinical efficiency, and confirming their status as likely favourites. The closeness of the other two matches suggests absorbing times ahead. For a full fixture list, see Asegarce’s website. I will post broadcast schedules for this weekend in due course.

Barriola and Xala made a storming start

 Aitor Zubieta goes under the knife

As his colleagues got down to business in the championship he won last year, Aitor Zubieta was preparing for surgery to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament, acquired in his Masters semi final against Bengoetxea. The operation took place yesterday at the Clínica Ubarmin near Pamplona, and was deemed a success by surgeons. The procedure lasted for a hour and a half, and carries a recovery time of around six months.

Zubieta: the long road back

Images: Bengoetxa, Pilotazale; Barriola/Xala, Gara (Imanol OTEGI/ARGAZKI PRESS); Zubieta, Noticias de Navarra (Inaki Porto)

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Both Masters semi-finals took place this weekend and we now know the identity of the two pelotaris who will battle for the prestigious prize on Christmas day at Labrit. OINATZ BENGOETXEA progressed thanks AITOR ZUBIETA’s serious knee injury, which occurred during their match in Pamplona on Saturday. The Asegarce forward was 9-4 to the good when the accident happened, and had dominated the early stages, despite some expert defensive efforts from Zubieta, who was in the process of working his way into the game when his effort was cut short.

Scoring sequence: 6-0, 6-2, 9-2, 9-4. Service winners: Bengoetxea 0, Zubieta 2. Service faults: Bengoetxea 0, Zubieta 1. Winners: Bengoetxea 4, Zubieta 2. Errors: Bengoetxea 0, Zubieta 4. Match time: 22:12, with 6:21 of actual play.

Newly crowned Cuatro y Medio champion JUAN MARTINEZ DE IRUJO beat PATXI RUIZ 22-15 in Eibar on Sunday. Ruiz made by far the better start, going ahead 5-0 before his rival had had a chance to breathe. However, Irujo was unfazed, and staged the sort of comeback to which we have become used, taking the next five points to draw level. From this juncture, he never allowed himself to be headed, outdoing Ruiz for speed and invention. It was an uninspiring encounter, but Irujo met his objective with ease, and advances to another final.

Scoring sequence: 0-5, 7-5, 7-6, 13-6, 13-10, 20-10, 20-15, 22-15. Service winners: Irujo 7, Patxi Ruiz 3. Service faults: Irujo 0, Patxi Ruiz 0. Winners: Irujo 10, Patxi Ruiz 7. Errors: Irujo 5, Patxi Ruiz 4. Match time: 35:18, with 7:00 of actual play.

Bengoetxea and Irujo meet on Christmas Day

Image from Noticias de Navarra

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This weekend sees the semi finals of the year ending Masters Kutxa manomanista tournament, which invoves four of the top players from the last twelve months, two from each empresa. Aspe held a play-off last week, in which Aitor Zubieta beat Sebastien Gonzalez, so the Pairs champion takes his place in tomorrow’s semi final at Labrit against Oinatz Bengoetxea. This first semi will not be shown on ETB Sat, but you can follow live updates here. On Sunday, newly crowned Cuatro y Medio king Juan Martinez de Irujo plays Patxi Ruiz, who along with his regular partner Bengoetxea, had a stellar run in the summer festivals. Sunday also sees multiple Pairs champion Fernando Goñi’s last match for Aspe.

Friday 17th December, Zarautz

22:25 (CET) CABRERIZO II – LARRINAGA v ONGAY – MERINO

Followed by TITIN III – MERINO II v ARITZ LASA – LASKURAIN

Sunday 19th December, Eibar

17:00 (CET) RETEGI BI – GONI III v APEZETXEA – BEROIZ

Followed by MARTINEZ DE IRUJO v PATXI RUIZ Masters Kutxa Semi Final

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

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Friday 5^th November, Estella: MARTINEZ DE IRUJO beat PATXI RUIZ 22-12

Home advantage was not enough for the game Patxi Ruiz in Estella. Irujo proved unstoppable, his volleying especially stunning. Ruiz showed flashes of great class, hooking well, and using the wide court to his advantage, but he was unable to eat into his illustrious opponent’s early lead. It is with some inevitability that Irujo marches on, laying down a formidable challenge.

Friday 5^th November, Larrainzar: GONZALEZ beat URRUTIKOETXEA 22-9

This match saw the reigning champion face the reigning second tier champion, in a clash of experience versus youth. Gonzalez prevailed, deploying more firepower than his talented young opponent could counter, especially in the long game. Urrutikoetxea lacked his usual spark and the fight which has brought him thus far, but he will will be back for more in future years.

Saturday 6^th November, Pamplona: TITIN III beat BERASALUZE VIII 22-11

Pablo Berasaluze was despatched at Labrit by a Titin in brutal mood. The veteran Riojan put nine points on the board without answer early on, aided by some excellent serving which netted him four aces. Berasaluze looked stiff and helpless in the face of the onslaught. The man from Berriz came back well, displaying some impressive shot making, but he needed to take risks and too often they did not come off.

Sunday 7^th November, Eibar: BARRIOLA beat RETEGI BI 22-14

An upset looked to be very much on when Julen Retegi seized the early advantage at Astelena, but the cool and unflappable Abel Barriola hit his stride, turning 1-6 into 6-6, before surging ahead to a ten point lead at 20-10. There was no route back for Retegi, last year’s surprise package, as Barriola asserted his dominance with some ease in the final analysis.

The semi-final line up is now complete, and four pelotaris, all from Aspe, proceed to the elite league. Each will play the other three in a round robin which runs until November 28^th. Proceedings get underway on saturday when BARRIOLA and GONZALEZ play in Pamplona. On Sunday, TITIN II plays MARTINEZ DE IRUJO in Logrono.

No sweat for Titin

Image from Kiroldegi

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Friday 29^th October, Balmaseda: URRUTIKOETXEA beat DIAZ 22-21

In a game full of emotion and excitement in Balmaseda, 21 year old rising star Mikel Urrutikoetxea came back from a 17-20 deficit to defeat Inigo Diaz. The match rested on a knife edge almost throughout, with the players tied on eight occasions. As both tired of the lengthy rallies, mistakes crept in towards the conclusion of the encounter, but this did not detract from a stunning game. Urrutikoetxea showed iron resolve to come through, and a maturity which belied his age.

Saturday 30^th October, Pamplona: BARRIOLA beat BENGOETXEA VI 22-15

Abel Barriola overturned the odds at Labrit on Saturday to defeat the much fancied Oinatz Bengoetxea by a margin which defied the attritional nature of the match. Bengoetxea appeared to lack confidence in himself, a surprise for one who has been in blinding form of late. The former Manomanista champion often hurried his shots, and paid in errors. Barriola served up a potent array of shots, outgunning his local rival to set up a meeting with Retegi Bi in the last eight.

Sunday 31^st October, Urretxu: PATXI RUIZ beat ARITZ LASA 22-18

In a frenetic game in Urretxu, Patxi Ruiz undid local boy Aritz Lasa with his greater power and accuracy. Lasa made eleven mistakes in the match and these, in the face of an in-form rival, proved his downfall. Patxi was undaunted by the partisan crowd, and held his form to reach the next round, where he will face the formidable challenge of a match against Irujo.

Monday 1^st November, Eibar: BERASALUZE VIII beat ARRETXE II 22-17

Pablo Berasaluze became the final pelotari to qualify for the quarter finals, in a match of variable quality. There was much to please the eye at Astelena, but there were also many mistakes, especially from Arretxe, who proverbially took his eye off the ball at crucial moments, gifting points to Pablito. The man from Berriz played the game at a high pace, and showed impressive strength; although never far behind, Arretxe could not wear him down.

The draw for the last eight is as follows:

Friday 5^th November, Estella: MARTINEZ DE IRUJO v PATXI RUIZ

Friday 5^th November, Larrainzar: GONZALEZ v URRUTIKOETXEA

Saturday 6^th November, Pamplona: TITIN III v BERASALUZE VIII

Sunday 7^th November, Eibar: BARRIOLA v RETEGI BI

Source: Asegarce

The impressive young Urrutikoetxea is through to the last eight

Image from El Correo

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Sunday 26th September, Logrono

BENGOETXEA VI – PATXI RUIZ beat MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – PASCUAL 22-20

In front of a large, enthusiastic audience at Adarraga, San Mateo’s two best pairs put on a show to remember on Sunday night. In a match full of drama, tension and emotion, the brilliant Oinatz Bengoetxea and his perfect foil Patxi Ruiz seized the prestigious tournament from favourites Irujo and Pascual to put the finishing touches to a wonderful summer. The Asegarce pair had already won at San Fermin and Zarautz (Oinatz also took the San Sebastian title with Barriola) but this was possibly their most satisfying win of all, coming as it did over Irujo, who battled like the champion that he is. Both forwards put on a show, striking eleven winners apiece, and attacking each other all out from the gun, each determined to impose his will on the match. The pace was feverish and there was nothing to chose between them. Despite the focus on the battle up front, it was the rejuvinated Patxi Ruiz, with his three winners from the back, who made the difference. Fittingly, it was he who sealed the win with a glorious forehand. The pair leapt with jubilation as Irujo and Pascual were left to rue their missed chances.

Oinatz and Patxi have been the partnership of the summer, but next time they meet on a fronton they will be opponents. The two have been drawn against each other in the second semi final of the Nitro Cuatro y Medio tournament in Zalla. The other semi involves Martinez de Irujo and Barriola, setting up the mouthwatering prospect of a possible rematch between Oinatz and Irujo in another final. Both games take place on Saturday with the final scheduled for 9th October.

Scoring sequence: 1-0, 1-2, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 4-4, 4-6, 5-6, 5-8, 6-8, 6-9, 9-9, 9-12, 10-12, 10-13, 11-13, 11-14, 15-14, 15-16, 17-16, 17-19, 19-19, 19-21, 20-21, 20-22.

Winners: Bengoetxea VI 11 (plus 1 service winner), Irujo 11, Ruiz 3, Pascual 0

Errors: Bengoetxea VI 4, Irujo 2, Ruiz 5, Pascual 5

Balls hit: 776

Match time: 76 minutes, with 35:39 minutes of actual playing time

Source Diario Vasco

Oinatz on fire

Image from Deia

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The San Mateo tournament got underway in Logrono, Rioja, on Sunday and the first two matches have gone rather against the expected. On Sunday, reigning pairs champions XALA and ZUBIETA lost to SARALEGI and BEGINO, 22-16. Ekaitz Saralegi was the undoubted star of the show, notching up 17 winners to Xala’s 5. Whereas Xala was below par, the 31 year old from Amezketa was inspired, displaying dogged defence as well as lethal attack. The defenders were more evenly matched. Xala broke free in an extent in the second part of the match the champions came between three points of their rivals at 16-19, but despite a minor strain to Begino’s arm, the Asegarce pair finished the job.

On Monday, BENGOETXEA VI and PATXI RUIZ scraped through 22-21 against TITIN III and BARRIOLA. In a game full of emotion, the Asegarce pair held sway for the majority of the encounter, leading 13-8, 16-12 and 20-13, with Bengoetxea rampant and Ruiz his perfect foil. However, to rapturous approval from the Logrono faithful, Titin and Barriola scrapped their way back to 17-20, before saving four match points to reach 21-21. The fifth proved one too far though, as a txoko from Ruiz won the day.

The battle continues tonight, as MARTINEZ DE IRUJO and PASCUAL take on XALA and LASKURAIN, who stands in for Zubieta. Tomorrow, Wednesday, TITIN III and BARRIOLA take on BERASALUZE VIII and APRAIZ. There will, sadly, be no coverage on ETB Sat.

The impressive Saralegi

 Image from: Noticias de Gipuzkoa, by Jose Sampedro

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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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Sunday 15^th August, Zarautz

BENGOETXEA VI – PATXI RUIZ beat BERASALUZE VIII – APRAIZ

Torneo de Villa de Zarautz Semi Final

On Sunday night, recent San Fermin winners Oinatz Bengoetxea and Patxi Ruiz confirmed their fine form by taking the second semi final in Zarautz. They will now meet Xala and Beroiz in the final, which takes place tomorrow. The game was tight and fluctuating, with neither side asserting full dominance until the blue team’s final push for the line.

In the early part of the encounter, Berasaluze and Apraiz set the pace as the eventual victors played a game of catch up. An error apiece from the red pair gave Bengoetxea and Patxi their first two points, but they soon found themselves trailing 2-5, courtesy of three winners from Berasaluze and a golden but rather fluky shot from Apraiz, who was also tactically instrumental in his partner’s successes. They clawed their way back to 5-5 however as Apraiz temporarily lost his mojo, going wide and then long, and Bengoetxea, conversely, found his touch. In reaction, Berasaluze and Apraiz surged forwards once more, aided by the latter’s excellent use of the long ball against Patxi. At 5-9 down, Bengoetxea and Patxi gathered themselves again and once more achieved parity, this time at 10-10. Bengoetxea showed his class here, probing the gaps, serving with verve and dominating his forward opponent. He almost took the next point with an opportunist flick into space out wide, but it missed the line, and Berasaluze hit home his newfound advantage with a gantxo winner.

At this juncture, the balance of power turned; Bengoetxea and Patxi again reacted to the points deficit but this time drew level and kept going, turning 10-12 into 16-12. Bengoetxea followed his third service winner with a gantxo, and also wrong footed Berasaluze with a tap into the corner, showing the full range of his skill. The difference between the defenders became more apparent in this second phase of the game, with Patxi ever more secure and Apraiz leaking more points than was ideal. The latter boosted his flagging spirit with an excellent rebote to bring the gap back down to two, and when Patxi struck high in the next point there was renewed hope for the reds, now only 16-17 down. A miscued service return from Bengoetxea brought the match back to level pegging once again however, and this time, when the blue couple seized control there was no looking back. Bengoetxea raised his game to a new level, with two uncompromising winners into the corner, followed by a service winner, before Berasaluze, perhaps sensing that the die was cast, misjudged a ball from close range.

Neither pair looked wholly comfortable, and although there were myriad long rallies, neither forward looked to have the flow of which they are capable. Bengoetxea and Berasaluze managed eleven winners apiece, but the former was the more consistent, and the more astute. Apraiz was at times impressive, and often played the long ball with aplomb, but he lacked the dogged consistency of Patxi, making six errors to his opponent’s two. The victors can and will up their game in tomorrow’s final, where Xala and Beroiz will present a significantly greater challenge.

Scoring sequence: 1-0, 1-1, 3-1, 3-2, 5-2, 5-5, 9-5, 9-6, 10-6, 10-10, 12-10, 12-16, 13-16, 15-16, 15-17, 16-17, 17-18, 18-18, 18-22.

Winners: Bengoetxea VI 11, Berasaluze VIII 11, Patxi Ruiz 1, Apraiz 3

Errors: Bengoetxea VI 2, Berasaluze VIII 4, Patxi Ruiz 2, Apriz 6

Bengoetxea VI: job done

Image from: Diario Vasco, Jose Mari Lopez

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