Basque pelota blog in english – Dos paredes

The final of the Torneo Lekeitio will be between Bengoetxea VI and Apraiz, and Martinez de Irujo and Barriola. Apologies for the lack of report on the second semi final; I was unable to watch it and have been very pushed for time this weekend! Suffice it to say that Irujo and Barriola totally outclassed Xala and Begino, winning 22-7 to set up today’s clash against the Asegarce pair. Bengoetxea plays in his fourth festival final of the summer, having already won at San Fermin, Zarautz and San Sebastian. He is supported here by the less experienced Apraiz who played a storming semi final, and appears to be gaining in confidence on the highest stage. Barriola is on a monumental roll, having one sixteen matches on the bounce since returning from injury. Manomanista king Irujo, who joins him here, has been in variable form this summer, but will surely come out all guns blazing here. Much will depend on the duel between Barriola and Apraiz; if Apraiz can replicate the cool he has shown in his past two matches, this is anybody’s game.

Sunday 5th September, Lekeitio

17:00 (CEST) OLAIZOLA I – IBAI ZABALA v GONZALEZ – EULATE

18:10 (CEST) MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BARRIOLA v BENGOETXEA VI – APRAIZ Torneo Lekeitio Final

https://www.eitb.eus/etb-sat/en-directo

Photo from Gara, by Juanan Ruiz