Basque pelota blog in english – Dos paredes

Friday 12th November, Soraluze

Soraluze sees the first semi final in the Campeonato BBK Promoción 4 y 1/2, the second tier cuatro y medio competition which runs alongside the elite championship. It gives talented young players, the stars of the future, a chance to shine, and tonight sees two bright new prospects go head to head, when Riojan David Merino takes on Mikel Idoate from Pamplona. Just as in the main championship, this tournament has a semi final league, with each pelotari playing each of the other three. Joining Merino and Idoate in the last four will be Rico IV, who defeated Apezetxea in the quarter finals, and Cabrerizo II, who overcame Albisu.

22:25 (CET) IDOATE v MERINO II 2nd Tier Cuatro y Medio Semi Final

Followed by SARALEGI – ZUBIETA v ARITZ LASA – LASKURAIN

Sunday 14th November, Logrono

Augustin Ibanez, aka Titin III, has home advantage in this first Cuatro y Medio semi final, taking on Martinez de Irujo in front of his home Rioja fans. He faces a tall order in the Manomanista Champion, who was extremely impressive in his defeat of Patxi Ruiz, who did not play badly, last week. Titin was, however, brutal in his manner of victory over Pablo Berasaluze in the quarters, and sheer willpower coupled with a groundswell of support may lift him to the required degree.

17:15 (CET) ARITZ LASA – L. GALARZA v GORKA – PASCUAL

Followed by MARTINEZ DE IRUJO v TITIN III Cuatro y Medio Semi Final

The other Cuatro y Medio semi final of the weekend takes place on Saturday in Pamplona, where defending champion Sebastien Gonzalez takes on Abel Barriola. The signs are that this could be a tight encounter, but Barriola, who showed a clinical elegance and an ability to come through under pressure in his quarter final defeat of Retegi Bi, may just have the edge. Gonzalez, though was far too hot for Urrutikoetxea to handle last week, and will fight for every scrap.

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

Image from Noticias de Navarra