Monthly Archives: June 2011

Pelota on ETB Sat, 24th-26th June

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Friday 24th June, Eibar

22:10 (CEST) RETEGI BI v IDOATE

Followed by MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – ZABALETA v GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN

Sunday 26th June, Mondragon-Arrasate

17:00 (CEST) ONGAY – MERINO v GORKA – CECILIO

Followed by MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – ZABALETA v ARITZ LASA – ZUBIETA

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

This weekend also sees the debut of new Asegarce player, 18 year old Iker Tainta, who enters the fray on Saturday at Labrit, where he plays with Apraiz against Olaizola I and Mendizabal II. We wish him luck!

‘The most beautiful match of my life’: Xala wins his fight to contest the Manomanista Final

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Yves Salaberry has achieved the seemingly impossible and persuaded the LEP.M  to overturn their controversial decision to hold the Manomanista Final on the original date, with Bengoetxea as a substitute. The board of directors met on 15th June, and agreed overwhelmingly to accept the arguments of Xala, his lawyers and his medical team, who asserted that there was no reason why he would be unable to play a match on 3rd July. The final will now take place on that date, in Bilbao, and in the event that Xala is not fit, Olaizola II will be awarded the title outright.

The pelotrari from Lekuine was jubilant after learning that his struggle had not been in vain, calling it ‘the most beautiful match’ of his life. Quoted in Sud Ouest, he stated:

‘Since this issue started, I have felt very humiliated. They have had no consideration for me….at times I asked to speak and was prevented. I left the competition in a way which was unacceptable. I felt very bad, but fortunately had the support of so many people. I have achieved this because many people love pelota.’

He spoke of his ten year struggle to reach the pinnacle of the sport, and his satisfaction of showing that the few people who make the decisions were unable to deny him his chance for the highest honour of all. He also thanked the people of Iparralde for standing by him.

This has been a damaging week for the sport of pelota, one in which the principle of fair competition between players, who achieve their progression on merit, was put under threat. The possibility of a player who lost in the semi final becoming Manomanista Champion seemed both ludicrous and deeply dangerous for the integrity of the sport. That justice triumphed in the end is due not only to the passionate and articulate pleas of Xala in defence of the sport he loves, but to the fervent support of his playing colleagues and the fans. We now have the final which we all, players and supporters alike, deserve.

Image from Deia

Second Tier Manomanista Final: Olaextea comeback breaks Miguel Merino

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Saturday 11th June, Logrono

OLAETXEA beat MERINO I 22-18

Mikel Olaetxea Balerdi is the second tier Manomanista champion. The 26 year old defeated Miguel Merino 22-18, after a dramatic comeback at Adarraga, recovering from a 9-18 defecit. With the prize at his fingertips, the older Merino brother fell apart. He had swept all before him up until this point, basing his dominance in open play upon the base of a powerful serve, but a short sotomano, ceding the serve at 10-18 proved his undoing. Olaextea never looked back. He attacked fearlessly with both hands, especially his stronger left, and avoided being drawn into lengthy rallies, which he feared may be his undoing. Playing with speed and not a little risk, he reduced Merino to a shadow of his former self, hiding in disbelief behind his towel. The counselling he received from his botillero worked not at all, as the pre match favourite swept all before him.

Olaetxea took the title in 51 minutes and 187 balls, scoring 12 winners to the 8 of his rival. He has now won each of the second tier prizes, having added the Pairs and Manomanista to the Cuatro y Medio he collected in 2008. The top flight awaits.

Scoring sequence: 0-6, 2-6, 2-8, 5-8, 5-12, 8-12, 8-15, 9-15, 9-18, 22-18

Winners/Errors: Olaetxea 12/6, Merino 8/4

Service winners/service errors: Olaetxea 5/0, Merino 4/1

Mikel Olaetxea triumphant

Mikel Olaetxea triumphant

Sources: Diario Vasco, El Correo Image from: La Rioja

Bengoetxea replaces Xala in Manomanista Final, as Anger and Emotion Abound

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On Wednesday, following Xala’s surgery for appendicitis, the League of Empresas took the controversial decision to remove the ailing forward from the Manomanista final, and give his place instead to Oinatz Bengoetxea, one of the losing semi finalists. They cited the danger of Xala returning to training and competition too soon after the procedure, risking further injury as well as making the final worthless and one sided. Many people judge the final to be worthless now anyway however; it is clearly not a satisfactory situation for Aimar Olaizola, there through merit, to have to play the same Bengoetxea whom he defeated in the semis, in the final. It seems, however, that the decision is set in stone, given the backing of Xala’s empresa, Aspe, who ratified the LEP.M’s decision.

Xala and his supporters have not given up hope, despite their bleak predicament. The man himself today gave a press conference, accompanied by his lawyers and medical staff, asserting his right to play in the final which he had reached through toil, sweat and brilliance. As Carlos Zuluaga’s video at manista.com shows, Xala is not afraid to bear his emotions on the issue, and support from the press in the room seemed overwhelming. Fans have jumped to his defence, chanting his name at matches, and setting up Facebook groups in his support. Today, in addition, came the news that a petition has been signed by a whole raft of top pelotaris, demanding that the final be decided on sporting merit, respecting both the professionals involved and everyone who loves the sport. Those who have signed so far include:

Jon Apezetxea,Asier Arruti,Abel Barriola,Cecilio,Miguel Capellan,Aitor ElKoro,Patxi Eugi,Sebastian Gonzalez,Fernando Goñi, Gorka, Mikel Idoate,Aritz Lasa, Oskar Lasa,Aritz Laskurain, Larrinaga,David Merino,Miguel Merino,Peio Mtez. de Eulate, Juan Mtez. de Irujo, Aratz Mendizabal,Alberto Ongay ,Julen Retegi,Julian Retegi,Mikel Olazabal, Jose Javier Zabaleta,Aitor Zubieta and Augusto Ibañez “Titin III.

This story will rumble on, but it seems there is little hope for Xala. Barring a protest to rock the heart of the sport, the final will be contested on Sunday between Aimar Olaizola, the best player of the year, and Oinatz Bengoetxea, a losing semi finalist.

Xala: still determined to play

Xala: still determined to play

Image from Noticias de Navarra, by Oskar Martinez

Pelota on ETB Sat, 10th-12th June

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Friday 10th June, Logrono

22:10 (CEST) APEZETXEA – LARRINAGA v GORKA – CECILIO

Followed by MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – ZUBIETA v TITIN III – MERINO II

Sunday 12th June, Sodupe

17:00 (CEST) APEZETXEA – ARRUTI v JAUNARENA – LARRINAGA

Followed by TITIN III – MERINO II v GONZALEZ – LASKURAIN

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

Also this weekend is the Second Tier Manomanista Final between OLAETXEA and MERINO (Saturday, c18:30 CEST, Logrono). I will report back on this next week!

Xala falls victim to appendicitis, fate of Manomanista final in doubt

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Yves Salaberry, due to play Aimar Olaizola in the Manomanista final on 19th June, was last night admitted to hospital with acute appendicitis, after the onset of severe abdominal pain in the morning. In an operation lasting thrity minutes, without complications, his appendix was removed. He remains in hospital in Bayonne tonight and is expected to be discharged tomorrow.

Given the severity of the affliction, and the typical duration of recovery, it goes without saying that Xala cannot play on 19th June. The authorities must therefore decide on the appropriate course of action. The first and perhaps fairest option is the postponement of the final. However, this would lead to the disruption of the summer calendar, potentially impinging on the San Fermin tournament. The other solution would be to hold the final on the agreed date, but to substitute Xala with Bengoetxea VI, a losing semi finalist. The second option would save the empresas from having to deal with the debacle of ticket refunds and upset, as Bizkaia is already sold out. However, it would be a somewhat contrived spectacle, given that Bengoetxea has already lost to Olaizola, who would be his final opponent, in the semis. It would also be devastating for Xala, who won his way through on pure merit against tough opposition. And quite apart from the issue of fairness, the fans surely wish to see a showpiece between the top two players of the year so far. A decision was expected this afternoon, but will now not be taken until tomorrow morning, when the Comité Deporivo de La Liga de Empresas will meet.

Image from Noticias de Navarra, by Oskar Martinez

New players, new contracts, and departures at Asegarce

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Asegarce have announced the signing of two new pelotaris, Iker Tainta (Barañaian-Navarra) and Alvaro Untoria (Nájera-La Rioja). Tainta plays his first match on 25th June in Pamplona, while Untoria will make his debut on 2nd July in his home town.

Meanwhile, Arretxe II has re-signed with the empresa for the next two years, and Oteiza has renewed for six months. Penagarikano, whose contract is about to run out, is still in talks.

Three players will not have their contracts renewed. Aratz Mendizabal leaves after eight years with the empresa. In that time he won the second tier championships in both Pairs (2005) and 4 1/2 (2006). Inigo Diaz, second tier 4 1/2 champion in 2007, leaves after six years. The Asegarce bosses are reportedly unhappy with his progress since his debut in 2005. Inaki Eskudero also moves on. He made his debut in 2003, and was runner up in the second tier pairs championship in 2005, 2008 and 2010. He will remain active, joining Garfe 11, where he will play alongside the likes of Koka, Capellán, Mikel Goñi, Fernando Goñi, Eugi and Eulate.

Mikel Beroiz to Asegarce for four years

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Mikel Beroiz has agreed terms with Asegarce to make the move from Aspe to the Bilbao based empresa. He has signed a contract for the next four years. The move was mutually agreed between the empresas, primarily for the good of the sport; Aspe has a starry crop of defenders, including Barriola, Zubieta, Merino II, Laskurain, Pascual, and the up and coming Zabaleta, creating an imbalance. At Asegarce, Beroiz will have more room for his talents to shine, and he will bolster a grouping which currently includes Beloki, Patxi Ruiz, Apraiz, Begino and Albisu. Beroiz, who recently celebrated his 22nd birthday, expressed his sadness at leaving friends and colleagues behind at Aspe, and thanked the empresa for giving him his break, but stated his excitement at a new challenge, and the security of a lengthy contract, more lucrative than the one he has left behind.

Beroiz moves on to pastures new

Beroiz moves on to pastures new

Image from Deia, source Diario Vasco

Pelota on ETB Sat, 3rd-5th June: the Return of Zubieta

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On Sunday, Aitor Zubieta makes his highly welcome return to the fronton after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in December. In his comeback game, he will be partnered by Xala, with whom he won the Pairs Championship in 2010. We wish him all the best!

Friday 3rd June, Zestoa

22:10 (CEST) APEZETXEA – LADIS GALARZA v GORKA – CECILIO

Followed by RETEGI BI – LASKURAIN v ARITZ LASA – ZABALETA

Sunday 5th June, Eibar

17:00 (CEST) APEZETXEA – LARRINAGA v GORKA – ARRUTI

Followed by XALA – ZUBIETA v RETEGI BI – PASCUAL

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

Zubieta: back in business

Zubieta: back in business

Photo from ireneritz.blogspot