Monthly Archives: January 2012

Pelota on ETB, 27th-29th January

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Friday 27th January, Hendaia

22:05 (CET) JAUNARENA – CECILIO v MENDIZABAL III – LADIS GALARZA Promocion Pairs

Followed by XALA – LASKURAIN v OLAIZOLA II – BEROIZ Pairs Championship

Sunday 29th January, Bilbao

17:00 (CET) URRUTIKOETXEA – IZA v LEMUNO – ARETXABALETA Promocion Pairs

Followed by TITIN III – MERINO II v BERASALUZE VIII – ALBISU Pairs Championship

To watch, go to http://www.eitb.tv, https://www.eitb.eus/es/television/etb-sat/ or https://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/deporte-en-directo/

The other Pairs matches this week are between MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BARRIOLA and BENGOETXEA VI – APRAIZ (Bilbao, Saturday) and ARITZ LASA – ZUBIETA and ARRETXE II – BEGINO (Tolosa, Monday)

Wins for Xala-Laskurain, Berasaluze VIII-Albisu and Titin III-Merino II

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Friday 20th January, Azpeitia

XALA – LASKURAIN beat SARALEGI – BEGINO 22-6

While Xala and Laskurain continue to improve week to week, matters for Arretxe and Begino get worse. Arretxe’s injury in the previous game meant a match forfeited and his replacement, Saralegi, proved unable to do anything to inspire Begino to the heights of which we know he is capabale. This was an annihilation, in which Xala hit with abandon on his way to eleven winners while the replacement forward appeared totally at a loss. Laskurain was far more potent than Begino and absolutely dominant at the back. It is hard to see where the bottom pair can go from here.

Saturday 21st January, Logrono

TITIN III – MERINO II beat BENGOETXEA VI – APRAIZ 22-14

This was a surprisingly easy win for the home favourites at Adarraga. Titin and Merino’s advantage was comfortable throughout the game but for a small moment of worry at 13-11, with Merino the standout performer, putting immense pressure on Benogetxea who was never able to break free. Titin followed not far behind his apprentice in the quality stakes, making great use of the gantxo. Apraiz gave him far too much room to work with and he accepted every invitation.

Scoring sequence: 2-0, 2-1, 7-1, 7-2, 9-2, 9-5, 12-5, 12-8, 13-8, 13-11, 17-11, 17-13, 20-13, 20-14, 22-14

Monday 23rd January, Tolosa

BERASALUZE VIII – ALBISU beat ARITZ LASA – ZUBIETA 22-17

This was an improvement on the previous week for Lasa and Zubieta, who led for a significant proportion of the match before being outdone at the death by the pair who are proving to be the best of the rest after the clear top two. Berasaluze proved the main instigator in the latter part of the game, where his determination and venom wrestled the initiative from the Aspe pair. Albisu, the young tournament debutante, appeared as comfortable as a veteran, supporting his more experienced partner with a calm grace.

Promocion Championship results were as follows: Olazabal-Larrinaga beat Rico IV-Mendizabal II* 22-18, Gorka-Arruti beat Olaetxea*-Aretxabaleta 22-21, Jaunarena-Merino beat Urrutikoetxea-Otxandorena* 22-10, Tainta-Argote beat Mendizabal III-Ladis Galarza 22-11.

 

A good week for Pablo Berasaluze

A good week for Pablo Berasaluze

Image: mine

First blood to Olaizola II and Beroiz as the stars come out to play

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Sunday 22nd January, Bilbao

OLAIZOLA II – BEROIZ beat MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BARRIOLA 22-15

It is unusual for an early stage round robin match to feel like a final, but from the packed house at Bizkaia, the electric atmosphere and the ruthless desire and intensity inherent in the play, it appeared every bit like one. The Pairs Championship has been craving this match, a head to head between the two pairs who have proved themselves head and shoulders over the opposition. There had been little high octane excitement in the competition up until this point, with too many matches ending in a landslide, so the fans resolved to enjoy this clash of the titans to the hilt. The result will probably mean little in the final analysis, for all these pairs need to do for the moment is make sure they saunter into the semi finals, but Olaizola II and Beroiz took a victory for morale, first blood, and inflicted upon Irujo and Barriola quite a body blow in a match which scintillated from start to finish.

There were two distinct periods in the match, one in which the pairs were so evenly matched that they could not be prised even a centimetre apart, before Aimar opened his shoulders to seize the day, supported by a fabulous Beroiz. As in any match involving Aimar and Irujo, most of the interest focussed on them in the latest round of their rivalry. Last time they met, Aimar rattled Irujo like never before in the Cuatro y Medio final and it seemed that here, his victim was in no mood to concede again, nostrils flaring and eyes glaring as he hurled himself after every ball. The defence of both the forwards was staggering; somehow, they sent spiralling back balls which appeared like sure fire winners and which probably would have been against many professional opponents. Both also induced gasps in attack. Aimar’s service return on 2-1 had to be seen to be believed; Irujo certainly appeared utterly incredulous as he saw the ball rip past him to his right, dipping to the base of the frontis and falling with incredible placement into open space. No less fabulous was Irujo’s dos paredes at 6-8 which found an almost unfeasible angle to dig him and Barriola out of a dreadful hole.

While the stellar forwards fought tooth and nail at the front, there was a no less intriguing battle playing out behind between experience and youth. Barriola is the consummate defender, a seemingly impenetrable wall, impossible to crack. 21 year old Beroiz, however, is not fazed by reputations and threw himself headlong into a war of attrition. Each attempted to grind the other down with patience and nerve and while each was stunningly good, Beroiz held the aces. Not only did he return the long ball with metronomic ease, but he also joined in attack, notably with a txoko winner out of the blue at 12-10. Asegarce must be beaming all over their faces at their signing of Beroiz from Aspe, for he is assuredly the real deal.

From 13-13, the Asegarce pair started to edge ahead and it appeared as if for the first time someone had grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns. On 15-13, Aimar and Beroiz got themselves into an extraordinary mess but somehow pulled themselves out of it to win the point, and it seemed as if this might finally break Irujo and Barriola’s resolve. However, a careless error from each threw the momentum away. For many pairs, this may have been a moment of panic and game changing frustration, but for Aimar it provided all the incentive he needed to seal the deal. Four crosscourt winners from the rampant defending champion, plus two errors forced by tactical mastery won the game as Irujo and Barriola became suddenly impotent in the face of a team both mentally and physically at the height of their powers. True, this win is little more than an early salvo but the confidence it will have given the victors may prove a vital edge when it really matters.

Scoring sequence:  2-0, 2-1, 3-1, 3-3, 5-3, 5-9, 11-9, 11-10, 13-10, 13-13, 16-13, 16-15, 22-15.

Winners/errors: Olaizola 12/5, Beroiz 1/2, Irujo 7/5, Barriola 2/2

Match time: 1:10.15, with 35:38 of actual play

Balls hit: 709

Mikel Beroiz: the real deal

Mikel Beroiz: the real deal

Image: mine

Pelota on ETB, 20th-22nd January

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This weekend sees the eagerly awaited clash between the two outstanding tournament favourites, Olaizola II – Beroiz and Martinez de Irujo – Barriola. So far, the whole competition has pointed towards an eventual final between these two, who seem head and shoulders against the opposition. Both are unbeaten, and the rivalry at the fabulous Bizkaia fronton will be intense.

The non-televised Pairs matches this weekend are between Titin III – Merino II and Bengoetxea VI – Apraiz (Logrono, Saturday) and Berasaluze VIII – Albisu and Aritz Lasa – Zubieta (Tolosa, Monday). In the Promocion competition, Olaetxea* – Aretxabaleta play Gorka and Arruti (Logrono, Saturday), Urrutikoetxea – Otxandorena* play Jaunarena – Merino* (Bilbao, Sunday), and Tainta – Argote play Mendizabal III – Ladis Galarza (Tolosa, Monday).

Injury problems abound. Arretxe II had hoped to play this weekend in the wake of his ball to the head on Friday, but he requires further rest and is replaced by Ekaitz Saralegi. Untoria is replaced by Mendizabal II tonight due to hand problems, which also afflict Iza, who is replaced by Inaki Otxandorena. Also with hand problems are Cecilio, who gives way to Miguel Merino, and Lemuno, replaced by Mikel Olaetxea.

Friday 20th January, Azpeitia

22:05 (CET) OLAZABAL – LARRINAGA v RICO IV – MENDIZABAL II* Promocion Pairs (Mendizabal II replaces Untoria)

Followed by XALA – LASKURAIN v SARALEGI* – BEGINO Pairs Championship (Saralegi replaces Arretxe II)

Sunday 22nd January, Bilbao

17:00 (CET) GONZALEZ – PENAGARIKANO v EZKURDIA – PASCUAL

Followed by OLAIZOLA II – BEROIZ v MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BARRIOLA Pairs Championship

To watch, go to http://www.eitb.tv or https://www.eitb.eus/deoprtes/deporte-en-directo

Pairs Championship Week 4 Round Up

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Friday 13th January, Larrainzar

MATCH ABANDONED for injury to Arretxe II, resulting in heavy ‘win’ for Berasaluze VIII and Albisu

Iker Arretxe and Aritz Begino were already the underdogs here, and the match had barely started before disaster struck. A searing strike from Jon Ander Albisu struck Arretxe in the head. He was forced to leave the fronton in considerable pain and was transferred to Pamplona by ambulance. After staying in overnight for observation, he was released with no lasting damage or complications and is now on the road to recovery, hoping to play this weekend. While Arretxe’s health must obviously be the main consideration here, this stroke of bad luck is a near disaster for he and Begino, who have yet to win a match and now have an effective 1-22 ‘loss’ against their names.

 

Saturday 14th January, Pamplona

Business as usual for Olaizola II and Beroiz at Labrit

Favourites Aimar Olaizola and Mikel Beroiz wasted no time at all in crushing the dangerous pairing of Oinatz Bengoetxea and Alexis Apraiz 22-9. Olaizola was in imperious form, hitting home 12 winners and pulling off some impressive volleys to which Bengoetxea had no reply. Beroiz played with steady assurance, providing an outstanding platform. The favourites went up 13-0 initially and were never troubled, in a game which lasted 48 minutes and took 482 strikes of the ball. This was their fourth win in a row and they remain unbeaten. The vanquished pair have two wins and two losses.

Scoring sequence: 13-1, 14-2, 15-3, 16-4, 18-5, 19-8, 20-9, 22-9

Winners/errors: Olaizola 12/3, Beroiz 1/1, Bengoetxea 5/6, Apraiz 0/3

 

Sunday 15th January, Logrono

Xala and Laskurain open their account at fortress Rioja

Yves Salaberry and Aritz Laskurain had endured a surprisingly bad opening to the championship and needed a result against the home favourites at Adarraga. At first, things seemed to be going against them yet again as they ceded a 105 lead, but in the end pressure told. They played excellently as a team, taking advantage of a slight off day for Titin and Merino II who try as they might could not keep their noses in front. The Riojans have lost on three occasions now and will be looking to improve. For Xala and Laskurain this is an assured step in the right direction but it is they who have the more work to do.

Scoring sequence: 0-3, 1-3, 1-5, 9-5, 9-6, 10-6, 10-7, 14-7, 14-8, 15-8, 15-9, 15-10, 18-10, 18-13, 20-13, 20-15, 21-15, 21-16, 22-16

Winners/errors: Xala 10/3, Laskurain 2/1, Titin 8/6, Merino 3/3

Wednesday 18th January, Mungia 

Martinez de Irujo and Barriola show their class

Juan Martinez de Irujo and Abel Barriola showed no mercy in taking Aritz Lasa and Aitor Zubieta apart on Wednesday, cruising to a 22-7 win. Irujo had no problem at all in controlling the front of the court, leaving a hapless Lasa chasing for scraps. The man from Gipuzkoa was utterly outclassed. Barriola continued to be solidity personified at the back, making only one error to Zubieta’s four, although Zubieta’s cause in defence was hardly helped by the vapidity of his partner. Things have gone steadily downhill for Lasa and Zubieta after their excellent opening win over Xala and Laskurain; they must believe that they can rise to these heights again. For their opponents it was business as usual, but they will undergo a sterner test this weekend against Olaizola II and Beroiz.

Scoring sequence: 6-0, 8-1, 16-2, 16-4, 17-4, 17-5, 17-7, 22-7

In the Promocion Championship, RICO IV – UNTORIA beat LEMUNO – ARRETXABALETA 22-14, GORKA – PENAGRIKANO beat JAUNARENA – CECILIO 22-12, OLAZABAL – LARRINAGA beat MENDIZABAL III – LADIS GALARZA 22-17 and URRUTIKOETXEA – IZA beat TAINTA – ARGOTE 22-20.

Live Pairs Championship on ETB, TONIGHT!

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There is a bonus tonight, as the Pairs match in Mungia is shown online. Aitor Zubieta has recovered sufficiently from his hand injury to take part, but both he and Aritz Lasa will have to be on top of their games to tame the joint tournament favourites.

Wednesday 18th January, Mungia

17:00 (CET) IDOATE – PENAGARIKANO v EZKURDIA – MERINO

Followed by MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BARRIOLA v ARITZ LASA – ZUBIETA Pairs Championship 

To watch, go to http://www.eitb.tv or https://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/deporte-en-directo/

Pelota on ETB, 13th-15th January

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Friday 13th January, Larrainzar

22:00 (CET) OLAZABAL – LARRINAGA v MENDIZABAL III – LADIS GALARZA Promocion Pairs

Followed by BERASALUZE VIII – ALBISU v ARRETXE II – BEGINO Pairs Championship

Sunday 15th January, Logrono

17:00 (CET) RETEGI BI – PASCUAL v EZKURDIA – MERINO 

Followed by XALA – LASKURAIN v TITIN III – MERINO II Pairs Championship

To watch, go to http://www.eitb.tv or https://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/deporte-en-directo/

The others Pairs Championship games this week are between OLAIZOLA II – BEROIZ and BENGOETXEA VI – APRAIZ  (Pamplona, Saturday), and MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – BARRIOLA and ARITZ LASA – ZUBIETA (Wednesday, Mungia).

In the Promocion Championship, PENAGARIKANO replaces Arruti tomorrow and plays with GORKA against JAUNARENA and CECILIO. On Sunday, LEMUNO – ARRETXABALETA play RICO IV – UNTORIA in Logrono while URRUTIKOETXEA – IZA play TAINTA – ARGOTE in Mungia.

Stellar year for Aimar Olaizola nets fourth career Txapela de Oro

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Aimar Olaizola’s lengthy list of successes in 2011 meant that he finished the year ranked number one, and wins the Txapela de Oro for the fourth time in his career after similar success in 2002, 2004 and 2005. The ranking is calculated by manista.com.

The top 20 in the ranking are as follows:

  1. Aimar Olaizola (Asegarce) 2635 points. 72,55% win rate (51 matches, 37 wins, 14 losses); 195 points advantage. Aimar won two of the three major championships, the Pairs and the Cuatro y Medio, and was a narrow runner up in the other, the Manomanista. He also won the Lekeitio and San Mateo tournaments.
  2. Xala (Aspe) 1840 points. 56,82% win rate (44 matches, 25 wins, 19 losses), 75 points advantage. Yves Salaberry crowned a year of great consistency with his first Manomanista crown. He was also runner-up in the Pairs.
  3. Martinez de Irujo (Aspe) 1690 points. 59,02% win rate (61 matches, 36 wins , 25 losses) 70 points advantage. Irujo was Cuatro y Medio runner-up and a Pairs semi finalist, and won the summer tournaments of Zarautz, San Fermin and San Sebastian. He was also San Fermin Cuatro y Medio runner-up.
  4. Begino (Asegarce) 1375 points. 49,06% win rate (53 matches, 26 wins, 27 losses), 17 points disadvantage. The highest ranked defender was Pairs champion and also won the tournaments of La Blanca and Bilbao.
  5. Bengoetxea VI (Asegarce) 1240 points. 49,09% win rate (55 matches, 27 wins, 28 losses), 8 points disadvantage. Bengoetxea was third in the Manomanista and won at La Blanca, Nitro Cuatro y Medio and San Fermin.
  6. Olaetxea
  7. Berasaluze VIII
  8. Laskurain
  9. Barriola
  10. Merino II
  11. Merino
  12. Titin III
  13. Beroiz
  14. Idoate
  15. Albisu
  16. Cecilio
  17. Retegi Bi
  18. Pascual
  19. Lemuno
  20. Apraiz

Debutante of the year was without a doubt Mendizabal III, who came 27th in the ranking despite not playing for the full year and won 67.8% of his matches, including the Promocion Cuatro y Medio final.

Titin III and Berasaluze VIII played the most matches in 2011, walking out onto the fronton 64 times. The honour of ending the year with the most wins is shared between Olaizola II and Cecilio, with 37.

For the full ranking list and for more statistics, look at Carlos Zuluaga’s piece at manista.com.

Aimar Olaizola, on top again

Aimar Olaizola, on top again

Image from Deia

Pelota on ETB: 5th-8th January. 5 1/2, TONIGHT!

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There is extra live pelota this week thanks to the inaugural Bizkaia 5 1/2 Pairs Tournament. The two semi finals take place tonight. Unfortunately Saturday’s final is not on ETB. The main Pairs Championship takes a break this weened but the Promocion Championship kicks off tomorrow in Eibar. Coverage is as follows:

Thursday 5th January, Bilbao: Bizkaia 5/12 semi finals

19:30 (CET) TITIN III – BARRIOLA v MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – MERINO I

Followed by BERASALUZE VIII – BEROIZ v OLAIZOLA II – PATXI RUIZ

Friday 6th January, Eibar

22:05 (CET) OLAZABAL – LARRINAGA v JAUNARENA – CECILIO Promocion Pairs Championship

Followed by: TITIN III or MARTINEZ DE IRUJO – PENAGARIKANO v EZKURDIA – PASCUAL

Sunday 8th January, Eibar

17:00 (CET) APEZETXEA – CECILIO v IDOATE – LADIS GALARZA

Followed by GONZALEZ – MERINO v EZKURDIA – PASCUAL

To watch, go to http://www.eitb.tv or https://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/deporte-en-directo/

Promocion Pairs Championship

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The couples for the Promocion Pairs Championship, the second tier competition, have been announced and are as follows:

For Aspe: Olazabal-Larrinaga, Jaunarena-Cecilio, Gorka-Arruti, Mendizabal III-Ladis Galarza

For Asegarce: Lemuno-Aretxabaleta, Urrutikoetxea-Iza, Tainta-Argote, Rico IV-Untoria

The greatest loser here is the superbly talented Zabaleta who would have been assured of a spot for Aspe, ruled out at the worst time possible with a broken arm. He is expected to be on the sidelines for three months.

The championship begins this Friday in Eibar and the final takes place on Saturday 28th April.

No luck for the injured Zabaleta

No luck for the injured Zabaleta

Photo: mine