Basque pelota blog in english – Dos paredes

Friday 7^th October, Antzuola

ARITZ LASA beat URRUTIKOETXEA 22-5

The task of opening the 2011 Cuatro y Medio Championship fell to Aritz Lasa and Mikel Urrutikoetxea, in a match which on paper at least looked evenly matched and very hard to call. A straw poll of observers before the game seemed to come down on the side of Urrutikoetxea, who had pulled off an impressive run in 2010, but in the end it was Aritz Lasa who stormed through. Lasa has blown hot and cold of late, but proved that when he is on song he can be very classy indeed.

The first four points set the tone for the match and Urrutikoetxea never recovered. Lasa signalled his intent with an opening salvo crowned by a searing gantxo winner. This was followed by a service winner, the first of seven, another gantxo and a well worked point in which he tapped the ball gently to the corner before passing Urrutikoetxea powerfully on his right. The younger player inspired confidence of a comeback in his fans with a winner down the wall, but it was not to be as Lasa marched onwards with further force. Urrutikoetxea managed only once to string a pair of points together, at 2-7 and 3-7. His second winner came from a volley close to the frontis and his third from an excellent cross court volley from a diving lunge, but for his remaining points he had to rely on rare moments of carelessness from Lasa. Those aside, Lasa was utterly dominant. 21 of his points came from outright winners, a staggering statistic even in Cuatro y Medio, where winner counts can be on the higher side. Not only were his winners numerous, they were varied, showing off the whole range of the pelotari’s armoury, from volleys, drops and hooks to steepling balls over his opponent’s head.

Urrutikoetxea looked utterly hapless, without a hope tactically and without any potent weapons. This was a surprise given his proven talent and promise, but he has many years ahead to fulfil his potential. Lasa, for his part, proceeds to the quarter finals where he will face Retegi Bi. It remains to be seen whether he can pull off back to back matches of such excellence, but he will have the home advantage; the encounter will take place in his own town of Urretxu.

Scoring sequence: 4-0, 4-1, 7-1, 7-3, 11-3, 11-4, 17-4, 17-5,  22-5.

Lasa barely broke a sweat

Photo: mine

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I was in Galdakao on Saturday night for the farewell match of local pelotari Oier Zearra, who has retired after fourteen years as a professional. The 34 year old made his debut in Eibar in 1997 and his greatest achievement came in 2006 when he finished as runner up in the Pairs Championship alongside Olaizola II. In addition, he triumphed in the second tier Pairs and second tier Manomanista, both in 1998.

Oier Zearra’s swansong coincided with Galdakao’s fiesta and the streets of the Bizkaian town were awash with people, many bedecked in local dress, celebrating under ikurriña bunting. I had arrived by train directly from Durango, to which I had walked from the summit of the Urkiola climb having watched the Vuelta a España pass through a sea of orange. The party atmosphere I had witnessed on the mountain appeared set to continue into the night. Almost as soon as I entered the main street from the station, I was passed by groups of people wearing stickers which bore Zearra’s portrait; it seemed the whole community had pulled together to celebrate the career of their famous son, while also still revelling in the glow of fellow local Igor Antón’s Vuelta triumph the previous day.

The jubilant atmosphere extended from the street into the fronton, which was nigh on sold out for the big game. I had secured my ticket in the standing section of the balcony by calling past the box office two days before, desperate not to miss out. As the first match got underway there were still some empty seats below me but as the start of the second  drew closer, the throng of people on the street migrated to their positions for the big event, with the strains of a traditional band, who were perhaps somewhat incongruously playing Yellow Submarine, growing louder. The curtain raiser appeared as if it would expire with the whimper of a routine win for Olaetxea and Iza, but the crowd was whipped into fervour by a near miraculous comeback from Urrutikoetxea, only for he and Ibai Zabala to fall three points shy of victory. But this was a mere amuse bouche and a respectful and almost religious hush descended as Oier Zearra took to the fronton, a warrior about to play his last.

Zearra stood alone, facing his friends, family and fellow citizens, backed by his sporting colleagues. Two dancers, clad in white with traditional red belts faced him and bowed. Accompanied by a single musician in command of both a txistu and a drum, they performed for his honour, a touchingly intimate tribute in the midst of something far larger. There followed a procession of gifts, presented one by one, culminating in the granting of that most evocative Basque prize, the txapela. From the mass of players, well-wishers, and young boys dreaming that someday such honours might be afforded to them, stepped a lone singer. His haunting melody made the spine shiver, and his swirling notes rose and met with the rafters as if another chapter in the history of the sport was being soaked up by their all-seeing beams before our very eyes.

As the ceremony ended and its various characters left the playing area to the slap of ball on stone, we awoke to the reality that Zearra had one more war to wage. He took to the fronton alongside the great Aimar Olaizola, with whom he had journeyed to the Pairs final in 2006, the best possible partner to assist him to a fitting final victory. In their way stood Pablo Berasaluze and Oier Mendizabal, in the unenviable position of potential party wreckers, knowing they must play their match despite the baying crowd’s fervent support of their retiring friend. In the emotion of the circumstances one might have forgiven Zearra for blowing it, but he and Olaizola were a steady and serene ship, long delivery feeding winners at the frontis. They held their nerve despite the typically dogged efforts of Berasaluze, who grew in stature and venom but could not stand in the way of a 22-20 win at the last. We applauded Zearra as he stood alone and applauded us, before leaving the fronton behind, we to the continuing fiesta, Zearra to the next chapter of his life.

 All the photographs are mine

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Friday 29^th April, Ascain

IDOATE beat GONZALEZ 22-19

The Manomanista Championship moved to the home town of Sebastien Gonzalez for this second round match, and the local fans expected nothing less than a win for their man, playing under the glowering presence of a gigantic picture of himself. The match was a great spectacle, with strings of marathon rallies, each player aiming to fight the other into the ground. Gonzelez played excellently, but thanks to the skill of the classy and ever improving young Mikel Idoate, the victory eluded him.

The older player, much to the delight of his supporters, started the better of the two. The first point was long and involved, a taste of what was to come, but Gonzalez delivered a statement of intent, seizing it with a brutal gantxo. He proceeded to 3-1 and 4-2 thanks to some solid serving and an error from Idoate, but errors of his own, plus and service winner and a txoko gave his opponent the lead at 4-5. Idoate almost moved two ahead with a near inspired shot into the corner, which he seemed amazed had missed, and perhaps rejoicing in his let off, Gonzalez forged ahead once again, to 9-5. At this point, Gonzalez looked fully in charge. He showed his ability to get past his rival almost any way he pleased, whether to the left, to the right, or over his head.

However, Idoate, sensing the game might be slipping from his grasp, showed his mettle with some stunning play, winning eight points in a row to turn the match on its head. In the point on 9-5, Gonzalez appeared to have him where he wanted him, pinned back and open to the drop. Idoate though, replied with a staggering dos paredes to grab the point for himself. The next point, which he won with an inspired drive to the corner from deep, was no less virtuosic. He proceeded with a service winner and a drop, before running rings round Gonzalez with a txoko followed by a long ball when he was still sprawling by the frontis. When Gonzalez hit low, it was 9-13 and he was visibly demoralised.

Again, however, the momentum swung, as Gonzalez kick started his recovery with an airez, breaking Idoate’s sustained and impressive defence. Thanks in the most part to the strength of his serve and the resulting easy winners, he pegged the scoreboard back to 13-13. The protagonists could not be separated and found themselves tied again at 14 and 15 apiece. Once again, Gonzalez appeared to have broken the resolve of his young opponent, going ahead with a winner from a txoko he barely managed to scrape off the floor. He opened up a three point gap after a long scrap at 18-15, but Idoate would not be bowed. Showing incredible determination and no fear of Gonzalez’s greater experience he stormed back, winning six of the next seven points, and demonstrating the full gamut of winners in the process, to take the tie 22-19. He now plays Asier Olaizola, who is returning from a knee injury, on Saturday, and on this showing, may have the measure of him.

Scoring sequence: 1-0/ 2-1/ 3-1/ 3-2/ 4-2/ 4/ 5/ 6-5/ 7-5/ 8-5/ 9-6/ 9-8/ 9/ 9-10/ 9-11/ 9-12/ 9-13/ 10-13/ 13/ 13-14/ 14/ 15/ 16-15/ 18-15/ 18/ 18-19/ 19/ 19-22

Match time: 55 minutes, with 13 minutes of actual play.

Balls hit: 307

Winners: Idoate 15, Gonzalez 11

Service winners: Idoate 4, Gonzalez 1

Errors: Idoate 3, Gonzalez 7

Talented and determined: Mikel Idoate

The other Manomanista second round results, in brief, were as follows:

OLAIZOLA II beat MERINO II 22-5 (Saturday 30th April, Labrit) This was a demolition job by Aimar Olaizola, the rampant pairs champion, and David Merino looked resigned from an early stage. There was nothing Merino could do about the dominance of the Olaizola serve, and when he did manage to enter into a rally, he was more often than not sunk by the best gantxo in the game. Olaizola now plays Irujo, in a match up many would perhaps rather see in the final.

RETEGI BI beat URRUTIKOETXEA 22-15 (Saturday 30th April, Amorebieta) Asegarce’s young charge Urrutikoetxea is known for his fighting qualities, and he took the game to the more fancied Retegi Bi in some well contested rallies. However, the Aspe player showed the greater imagination, and proved the better able to deal with the pressure, moving relatively easily into the quarter finals, where he meets Xala.

BENGOETXEA VI beat ARITZ LASA 22-10 (Sunday 1st May, Eibar)This match was a harder fight than the scoreline might indicate. The first part of the encounter saw Lasa holding on gamely to Bengoetxea’s onslaught, but the latter showed himself to be in a different class thereafter, moving unimpeded from 9-8 to 17-8. There was no way back for the underdog, but he gave his many fans, who had made the trip from his home town of Urretxu, much to cheer about with his refusal to throw in the towel.

The quarter final line up now looks like this: OLAIZOLA I v IDOATE (Saturday 7^th May, Pamplona), XALA v RETEGI BI (Sunday 8^th May, Eibar), PATXI RUIZ v BENGOETXEA VI (Sunday 15^th May, TBC), MARTINEZ DE IRUJO v OLAIZOLA II (Sunday 15^th May, TBC).

In the Promocion Championship, JAUNARENA beat LADIS GALARZA 22-18, and OLAETXEA beat LEIZA 22-2. ARGOTE  proceeds by default following an injury to OLAZABAL. PENAGARIKANO and RICO IV play today in Legazpi.

Image from Noticias de Navarra

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As reported previously, MERINO II beat ALBISU 22-21 on Sunday. Alas I do not have time to write on every match of the weekend, so here is a round up of the other Manomanista first round results in brief.

22/4/11, Pamplona: IDOATE beat BELOKI 22-4 Many pundits believed the young and supremely promising Idoate would beat Beloki, but few would have predicted the scale of the thrashing he handed out to the 36 year old four time champion. Idoate, who is all of 21, dominated the veteran in every facet of the game, suggesting that his time might soon be upon us. However, to progress further, he will need to defeat Gonzalez in Ascain on Friday.

23/4/11, Haro: URRUTIKOETXEA beat BEROIZ 22-18 This must rank as an upset. 21 year old Beroiz has been regarded as Aspe’s champion in waiting for over a year now, so strong and assured is he for his age. However, Asegarce’s Mikel Urrutikoetxea, who is also 21, put paid to any ambitions for this year with a battling performance to fell him at the opening stage. He will now play Retegi Bi in Amorebieta on Saturday, and he must rate his chances.

25/4/11, Eibar: ARITZ LASA beat ARRETXE II 22-16 This was a close match in which there were several ties on the scoreboard. Both played quality pelota, but in the end, Lasa’s strength won the day and Arretxe was forced to concede after a marvellous fight. Lasa will now play Bengoetxea VI in Eibar on Sunday for a place in the last four.

 In the Promocion championship, Ladis Galarza beat Iza 22-10, Argote beat Gorka 22-10, Rico IV beat Cecilio 22-13, and Olaetxea beat Zabaleta 22-18. In the second round, Ladis Galarza plays Jaunarena, Argote plays Olazabal, Rico IV plays Pengarikano, and Olaetxea plays Leiza.

Urrutikoetxea did for the fancied Beroiz

Image from Asegarce

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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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There were five matches in the Cuatro y Medio first round this weekend, and they served up some memorable pelota, notably from Iker Arretxe, who upset the odds, and a white hot Pablo Berasaluze.

Friday 22^nd October, Sodupe: ARRETXE II beat XALA 22-14

Iker Arretxe pulled off the coup of the first round on Friday, condemning big name Yves Salaberry to an early exit in Sodupe. The 25 year old from Valcarlos in Navarre moved his more illustrious opponent around the court with ease, and nailed him wide with expert assurance. He managed 12 winners to 2 errors, while Xala’s 11 winners were tempered by 6 mistakes. It was a night to erase from the memory for the Manomanista runner up.

Saturday 23^rd October, Pamplona: PATXI RUIZ beat OLAETXEA 22-20

In form Patxi Ruiz made the quarters in a tight encounter against Mikel Olaetxea, through hard graft and toil. He dominated the early exchanges but a mid-match wobble allowed Olaetxea a life line, which he took with both hands. However, Patxi showed the nerve and steel which have made him a winner this summer to come through unscathed, by a two point margin.

Saturday 23^rd October, Gernika: BERASALUZE VIII beat OLAZABAL 22-3

Pablo Berasaluze was the most emphatic winner of the week, thrashing Mikel Olazabal with no recourse to mercy. The forward from Berriz was superior in all areas to his younger opponent, and sealed another win for Asegarce in a weekend when Barriola was Aspe’s only success story.

Sunday 24^th October, Eibar: URRUTIKOETXEA beat ZUBIETA 22-12

First year pro Mikel Urrutikoetxea took the considerable scalp of Pairs Champion Aitor Zubieta in the first game of the Cuatro y Medio double header at Astelena. The 21 year old looked at ease against his more experienced opponent, hitting many apparently easy winners and finding excellent lines and angles. Zubieta was forced to work hard for everything he could get, and the young talent deserves his place in the quarter finals on merit.

Sunday 24^th October, Eibar: BARRIOLA beat SARALEGI 22-13

Abel Barriola, the favourite for this match, was made to battle for half of the encounter by Ekaitz Saralegi. Barriola found himself down to the Asegarce forward at 11-13 but from that juncture hit the afterburners, flying to 22 and a place in the last eight against local rival Oinatz Bengoetxea, so devastating in his first round demolition of Beroiz last week. That will be a tie to savour.

The draw for the quarter finals is now complete and is as follows:

Friday 29^th October, Balmaseda: DIAZ v URRUTIKOETXEA

Saturday 30^th October, Pamplona: BARRIOLA v BENGOETXEA VI

Sunday 31^st October, Urretxu: PATXI RUIZ v ARITZ LASA

Monday 1^st November, Eibar: BERASALUZE VIII v ARRETXE II

Berasaluze made short work of Olazabal

Image from El Correo

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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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Saturday 5th December, Beotibar, Tolosa

URRUTIKOETXEA beat ARGOTE 22-10

The young Asegarce forward Mikel Urrutikoetxea last night became the 2nd Division Cuatro y Medio Champion, annihilating in form Jokin Argote 22-10 at Beotibar. The 20 year old has been a professional for all of six months but his confidence and the quality of his play utterly belied his meagre experience. The match was all but over for Argote as he found himself 0-10 down to his youthful opponent after 13 minutes. Urrutikoetxea was devastatingly strong off both arms and worked the angles deftly, making Argote appear one dimensional. He also served excellently, putting Argote on the back foot from the start of the rally. Argote lacked the dynamism and punch to stem the current, and although he persevered gamely, he was never able to come within seven points of his rival. Urrutikoetxea, who has handled himself with maturity and poise throughout this tournament, is now a champion at the first attempt. Next year, he will play in the main competition, against the modern legends of the game. All signs suggest he may, before too many years have passed, reach their exalted status.

Scoring sequence: 0-10, 3-10, 3-13, 4-13, 4-18, 6-18, 6-20, 9-20, 9-21, 10-21 and 10-22.

Source: Diario Vasco

Urrutikoetxea: dominant

 Image from: El Correo Digital

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Tonight’s second match on ETB Sat sees the debut of new ASPE pro Ibai Perez. The young forward will be paired with the experienced head of Inigo Pascual, as they take on Aritz Lasa and Eulate. The preceeding match is an appetising singles encounter between two young talents.

Friday 12th June
Sestao
22:20 (CEST) BERASLAUZE IX v OLAZABAL
23:35 (CEST) ARITZ LASA – EULATE v IBAI PEREZ – PASCUAL

Live on ETB-Sat http://www.eitb.com/television/etb-sat

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees a second young player make his debut, this time for Asegarce. 20 year old forward Mikel Urrutikoetxea makes his first appearance alongside Oier Mendizabal at the Arrigorriaga Festival, where they will take on Arretxe II and Begino.

We wish them both the best of luck!

Mikel Urrutikoetxea

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