Aspe report that Pairs Champion Aitor Zubieta will not be able to start the Second Tier Manomanista Championship. The 26 year old finished the Pairs final with severe pain in his right hand and a medical examination revealed two areas of concern. After a fitness test it was decided to pull him from the championship. His first game would have been tonight, against Aritz Lasa; he has been replaced by Asier Berasaluze.
Source: Aspe
The luckless Zubieta
Image from: El Correo
Amid much excitement, the 2010 Manomanista Championship commences this weekend with two matches in Group A. The highlight of the weekend promises to be the game on Sunday between defending champion Juan Martinez de Irujo and Abel Barriola, who won in 2002 and has twice been runner up since. Irujo will be the clear favourite; Barriola’s form is unclear given his recent return from long term injury. At his best though, the man from Leitza is a match for anyone in the game. On Saturday, Asier Olaizola plays 2008 winner Oinatz Bengoetxea. This one is harder to call; Bengoetxea should logically be the pick but his form in the Pairs Championship left much to be desired. There is also a televised match in the Second Tier Manomanista, where Asier Beraslauze (the replacement for the injured Pairs Champion Aitor Zubieta) takes on Aritz Lasa.
Friday 16th April, Urretxu
22:25 (CET) APEZETXEA – EULATE v OLAZABAL – ARRUTI
23:30 (CET) BERASALUZE IX v ARITZ LASA Second Tier Manomanista
Saturday 17th April, Pamplona
17:30 (CET) BERASALUZE VIII – APRAIZ v SARALEGI – BEGINO
Followed by: OLAIZOLA I v BENGOETXEA VI Manomanista
Sunday 18th April, Eibar
16:50 (CET) MARTINEZ DE IRUJO v BARRIOLA Manomanista
All matches can be viewed at https://www.eitb.eus/television/etb-sat
Barriola is back on the biggest stage
Image from: Noticias de Alava
