The third major championship of 2011, the Cuatro y Medio, begins tonight in Antzuola. The opening game of the night is a first round tie in the second tier competition, before the big guns take to the floor with Aritz Lasa playing young talent Urrutikoetxea, who reached the quarter finals last year before falling to Gonzalez. Aritz Lasa made only the second round, beaten by Patxi Ruiz, and will be looking to go further this time around. On Saturday, Patxi Ruiz plays in-form Olaetxea and Berasaluze VIII takes on Arretxe II. On Sunday, ETB will broadcast the tie in Eibar between Idoate and Saralegi.

Friday 7th October, Antzuola

22:10 (CEST) ZABALETA  v MENDIZABAL III 2nd Tier Cuatro y Medio

Followed by ARITZ LASA v URRUTIKOETXEA Cuatro y Medio

Sunday 9th October, Eibar

17:00 (CEST) MERINO v OLAZABAL 2nd Tier Cuatro y Medio

Followed by SARALEGI v IDOATE Cuatro y Medio

To watch, go to http://www.eitb.tv. For the full championship schedule, see Asegarce.

Last year, Irujo defeated Barriola to take the txapela

To watch last year’s final, go to Jorge Elipe’s YouTube channel, here.

Image by Javier Etxezarreta, from Noticias de Alava