Daily Archives: 21 September, 2010

Aimar Olaizola Trains on the Fronton

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The Gaztedi Alai de Legutiano fronton in Alava was the scene for Aimar Olaizola’s first training session since he seriously injured his knee on 24th April. Yesterday’s session began at 3.30 in the afternoon and lasted for an hour. Aimar was accompanied by Iñigo Simón, doctor at Asegarce, physiotherapist Itxaso Sánchez and player turned trainer Iñigo Abad. he exhibited a promising range of movement and even played a short game against Abad, winning 8-7. He reportedly felt good after the session, and will now train on the fronton three times per week.

Source: Asegarce

Aimar Olaizola: on the mend

Aimar Olaizola: on the mend

Image from: Noticias de Navarra

San Mateo Round Up

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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

The impressive Saralegi

 Image from: Noticias de Gipuzkoa, by Jose Sampedro

Gorka makes a splash on debut

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Friday 17th September, Logrono

RICO IV – BEGINO beat GORKA – LASKURAIN 22-21

Despite ending the evening  on the losing side, new Aspe pelotari Gorka Esteban had a night to remember on Friday, as he made his professional debut at Adarraga. Gorka, born in Galdakao but raised in Rioja, was visibly nervous from the outset, despite the sterling encouragement of his partner Aritz Laskurain. He admitted after the match that his legs were ‘trembling’, and his opposing forward, Rico, pounced with venom, instrumental in stretching the lead for his pair to 12-5, 17-9 and 20-15. However, when Gorka hit his stride he was an almost unquenchable force, taking the game to Rico and surpassing him. The Aspe pair were clearly now on top, and had it not been for the excellent defence of Begino, the game might have been theirs. The debutant lost by the narrowest of margins, but sent out a clear signal of intent; he looks like the real deal.

Scoring sequence: 3-0, 3-2, 5-2, 5-3, 6-3, 6-4, 8-4, 8-5, 12-5, 12-6, 13-6, 13-8, 16-8, 6-9, 17-9, 17-14, 18-14, 18-15, 20-15, 20-19, 21-19, 21-21, 22-21.

Winners: Rico IV, 12. Begino, 1. Gorka, 13. Laskurain, 1.

Errors: Rico IV, 4. Begino, 0. Gorka, 5. Laskurain, 1.

Source: Diario Vasco

Gorka overcame his nerves impressively

Gorka overcame his nerves impressively

Image from: La Rioja, by E. Del Rio.