For the basics about the four modalities of Basque pelota (ball) and the context of the professional sports in these modalities see the report for March 13-20 on this blog
Part 1: (General introduction and Mano)
Part 2: (Pala, Remonte, and Jai Alai)
For information about Northern Basque modalities, see the report of April 6-12, 2016 under "Mano"
An index to all full match video links is also provided for easy access. Each of these matches is also discussed and linked to in the report.
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Index to this week's match videos (sources given below, in the text):
Mano:
1. Championnat de France Elite Pro Trinquet Main Nue:
A. Group A Second Semifinal match video: Bielle-Ducassou v Etchegaray-Lazcano (Apr. 15, 2016) B-D 40 E-L 39
B. Previous meeting of Group A Finalists match video: Bielle-Ducassou v Waltery-Bilbao (February 22, 2016) in two versions:
Condensed version: all points, clearly visible scoreboard and crowd, camera further away from players: running time: 44 minutes, 12 seconds
Full version: all points in real time, camera angles closer to players, no visible scoreboard or crowd: running time: 1 hour, 12 minutes, 20 seconds
W-B 40 B-D 28
C. Group B Final match video: Inchauspe-Amulet v L. Lambert-De Ezcurra (Apr. 17, 2016)
I-A 40 L-E 23
A. Ezkurdia 22 v Merino II 2 (April 15, 2016)
Match Highlights:
Full Match Video: (Match begins at 30minutes on the recording)
B. Artola 22 v Untoria 8 (April 16, 2016)
Match Highlights:
Full Match Video: (Scroll to "Untoria vs Artola (San Sebastian, 16/04/2016)
C. Irrabaria 22 v Arretxe II 14
Match Highlights:
Note: A link to the full match video of this match was added on April 22, 2016, as soon as I discovered its availability on demand at EITB.
Full Match Video: (Match begins at 55 minutes 38 seconds on the recording)
Pala:
For information about Northern Basque modalities, see the report of April 6-12, 2016 under "Mano"
An index to all full match video links is also provided for easy access. Each of these matches is also discussed and linked to in the report.
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Index to this week's match videos (sources given below, in the text):
Mano:
1. Championnat de France Elite Pro Trinquet Main Nue:
A. Group A Second Semifinal match video: Bielle-Ducassou v Etchegaray-Lazcano (Apr. 15, 2016) B-D 40 E-L 39
B. Previous meeting of Group A Finalists match video: Bielle-Ducassou v Waltery-Bilbao (February 22, 2016) in two versions:
Condensed version: all points, clearly visible scoreboard and crowd, camera further away from players: running time: 44 minutes, 12 seconds
Full version: all points in real time, camera angles closer to players, no visible scoreboard or crowd: running time: 1 hour, 12 minutes, 20 seconds
W-B 40 B-D 28
C. Group B Final match video: Inchauspe-Amulet v L. Lambert-De Ezcurra (Apr. 17, 2016)
I-A 40 L-E 23
2. The Campionato Manonista 1a (Singles Tournament)
A. Ezkurdia 22 v Merino II 2 (April 15, 2016)
Match Highlights:
Full Match Video: (Match begins at 30minutes on the recording)
B. Artola 22 v Untoria 8 (April 16, 2016)
Match Highlights:
Full Match Video: (Scroll to "Untoria vs Artola (San Sebastian, 16/04/2016)
C. Irrabaria 22 v Arretxe II 14
Match Highlights:
Note: A link to the full match video of this match was added on April 22, 2016, as soon as I discovered its availability on demand at EITB.
Full Match Video: (Match begins at 55 minutes 38 seconds on the recording)
Pala:
2016 Mundial Parejas (World Doubles) final and third place match, played at Udala (City) Fronton, Mungia, on April 16, 2016. Championship: Fusto-Brefel 3, Gaubeka-Imanol 2. Third place match: Necol--Ibai-Perez 3, Landeta-Ibargari- 2
Full match video of both matches
Remonte:
2013 final del Campionato Remonte Individual (singles final) Urriza v San Miguel, played September 7, 2013 at Galaretta, Hernani.
U30-S24
Full Final match.
Extensive Match Highlights from the Championnat de France Pro/Am 2016 Cesta Punta--National A Competition
A. Poul 2 Match Pau: (Egiguren-Alliez) v Guethary (Laduche-Etcheto) Jan. 29, 2016
E-A won 10-15; 15-6; 10-7
B. Poul Playoff A: St. Jean de Luz (J. Tambourindeguy-Inza) v Pau (Olharan-Itoiz) Mar. 26, 2016
T-I won 12-15; 15-12; 10;7
C. Poul Playoff B: St. Jean de Luz ( P. Tambourindeguy-Maya) v Pau (Egiguren-Alliez) Apr. 1, 2016
E-A won 15-13; 15-14
D. Semi-Final: No 1a v No 2b: Pau 2 (Olharan-Portet (subsituting for Itoiz) v St. Jean de Luz 1 (Sallabery (substituting for Ohla)-Ihitsague) Apr. 15, 2016
O-P won 15-10; 15-5
Live TV matches this weekend:
Mano:
Three matches from he Campionato Manonista 1a (Singles Tournament). See below under Mano for details.
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Mano (Hand): 
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Update:
North Basque:
Main Neu (Trinquet):
In the second Semi-Final of the A Group of the Championnat de France 2016: Main Nue Par Equipe (doubles) - Trinquet - Elite Pro FFPB competition. At Trinquet Gantxiki, (Saint Pee sur Nivelle (Senpere)) Bielle-Ducassout defeated Etchegaray-Lazcano 40-39 on April 15, 2016.
Note that all player profiles are at one Internet address of the site for much information about Main Neu, Esku Pilota. Simply use the arrows at the top right side of the page to move through the roster, alphabetically, three players at a time.
Match Story: Scroll to the story by Stephane Oliazola, April 16, 2016. Note that the full video of the match is embedded in the story. However, if that doesn't work there will be another address provided below.
This was, quite simply, a match for the ages. I counted 767 shots. There were 13 ties (equal scores) and the lead changed hands nine times over the course of the match. One team seemed to be in control for long stretches and then the other team would come back. The match linescore reveals what an incredibly hard fought match it was. (Winning team is listed 1st).
0-1; 2-1; 2-6; 4-6; 4-9; 8-9; 8-10; 11-10; 11-13; 15-13; 15-15; 16-15; 16-18; 18-18; 18-19; 20-19; 20-20; 22-20; 22-21; 26-21; 26-29; 27-29; 27-32; 32-32; 32-36; 34-36; 34-37; 36-37; 36-39; 40-39.
It was even more exciting than it reads. The 36-39 point came after a rally that lasted 31 shots (including the serve) and was won by a perfect shot by Lazcano that hit the indented square on the low right hand side of the front wall and took an unexpected direction, impossible to return. Surely at this point... But that was the point that Bielle came to the party. After a fairly slow start in the first half of the match where Ducassout's shots from the back (I counted what I thought were 8 winners) stole much of the thunder, B-D found themselves on the back foot much of the second half of the match. Bielle played his best Main Neu in this part of the match, never losing his composure even as Ducassout seemed at times to be in doubt. If you look at Bielle's player information, you will see a listing of over 25 "important victories." At 36-39, with their backs firmly plastered to the wall, Bielle quite calmly made brilliant shots to take the next two points, the second of which came after a rally of 15 shots, the match riding on half of them. And then Ducassout came back and won the last two points, the winning point with a shot that pinned Etchegary against the trinquet roof wall, a bit too high for him to get a clean shot away. Etchegary's body language showed he thought he'd made an error, but it was a great shot that beat him. Ducassout was so elated with the victory that he lay down on the floor and had to be coaxed up by Bielle. Bielle, "cool as a cucumber," took it all in stride, just another day at the office. The next day at the office will be a match with Waltery-Bilbao for the Championnat.
Since there were no statistics given (my only access to these matches is through video that is unencumbered with announcers, except for the announcer who tells the score), I tried to keep my own. I have little experience with Main Nue, but I think I know a winner from an error. I tend to assign points as winners if I have any doubt, and look to the body language of the players for help when I need it. So these statistics are completely subjective, and you might see things differently.
Front Court:
Bielle: 5 service aces; 11 winners, 1 error.
Etchegary: 6 service aces: 2 service faults; 15 winners, 3 errors.
Back Court:
Ducassout: 15 winners; 5 errors
Lazcano: 12 winners; 4 errors
Back courters score much more freely in Main Neu than the Southern Basque back courters do in Mano, it seems. I assume it has something to do with the fact that the court is smaller and enclosed on all four sides.
If you want to see Main Neu at its most exciting, do not miss this epic.
Full Match Video:
Source: Esku Pilota Youtube channel.
Note that both the Waltery-Bilbao and Bielle-Ducassout semi finals were against the top two teams in the B division.
This will be the second meeting of W-B v B-D in this competition. They met on February 22, 2016 at Trinquet Garat (St. Jean Pied de Port (Donibane Garazi)). W-B won that match 40-28. The full match video is available in two versions:
Condensed version: all points, clearly visible scoreboard and crowd, camera further away from players: running time: 44 minutes, 12 seconds. (Source: Bixintxo Bilbao Youtube site).
Full version: all points in real time, camera angles closer to players, no visible scoreboard or crowd: running time: 1 hour, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Source: Esku Pilota Youtube site.
The Championnat A final will be played on April 24, 2016 at Trinquet Moderne, (Bayonne (Baiona)) at 11:00 am local time. You can follow it in real time at pelotelive.free.fr Scroll to the bottom of the page. Hopefully it will also be available for viewing on demand later.
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In the Championnat Group B Final, at Trinquet Ramuntxo (Ascain) Inchause-Amulet easily defeated L.Lambert-De Ezcurra 40-23 on April 17, 2016.
Match Story:
After the amazing semi-final A match two days before, this match was somewhat anti-climatic, as I-A wore down L-E over the course of the match.
Group B Final match video
Source: Esku Pilota Youtube site
South Basque:
The Campionato Manonista 1a (singles championship--Urrutikotxea, defending champion) began with 4 matches:
A. At Labrit (Pamplona (Iruna)), Ezkurdia defeated Merino II 22-2 on April 15, 2016.
Basic Statistics of the Match: (Source: ASPE).
The opening match of the tournament was an interesting contrast of styles and sizes. Merino II, a back courter, scored the first point of the match. 20 points later he scored again. He had no answers to front courter Ezkurdia from beginning to end. Ezkurdia is a much bigger man (6 foot 3 inch, 205 pounds--and another example of a big man in the front court) than his back court opponent. Ezkurdia used a whole textbook worth of shots in this very short game. He now moves on to face Retegi BI April 23, 2016 at Labrit (Pamplona (Iruna)).
Match Highlights:
Full Match Video: (Match begins at 30 minutes on the recording). Source: EITB
B. At Atano III (San Sebastian (Donostia)), Artola defeated Untoria 22-8 on April 16, 2016.
Match Story: (Source: Asgarce).
A strategy of keeping the back courter Untoria as far in the back court as possible paid rich dividends to front courter Artola as he won easily. Untoria's last point of the match made the score 10-8. He spent much of the rest of the match running miles and miles without ever catching up to Artola's winners. Artola now moves on to meet Rezusta April 22, 2016 at Municipal Fronton (Bergara).
Match Highlights:
Full Match Video: (Scroll to "Untoria vs Artola" (San Sebastian, 16/04/2016). Source: Fronton.tv
C. At Addaraga (Logrono), Victor defeated Elezkano II 22-19, on April 16, 2016, in a match that I had no video access to.
Basic Statistics of the Match: (Source: ASPE).
The beautifully done thumbnail sketch of the match provided by ASPE allows interested fans to replay it almost in the detail that they would have seen it. The graph and running linescore show that Victor was in "the drivers seat" through much of the first half of the match, leading 9-3. Elezkano II then fought back (most likely with the help of some of Victor's 9 galduaks (errors)) to take a lead of his own at 13-11. Victor, to his credit, kept his poise and re-captured the lead. Then he had to withstand another Elizkano II rally that tied the match at 19. Victor then won the last three points for a very hard fought victory. In the space of half a page, the ASPE summary has painted a beautiful picture of how exciting (if not perfectly played) this match must have been for the fans who were fortunate enough to watch it. An interesting aside is that this was the first match in this tournament where two front courters played against each other. Victor now moves on to play Altuna III on April 25, 2016 at Beotibar Fronton (Tolosa)
D. At Astelena (Eibar) Irribarria defeated Arretxe II 22-14 on April 17, 2016.
Basic Statistics of the Match: (statistics, linescore, and match graph)
Match story Deia (Bilbao (Bilbo)), also with match statistics
In another match between two front courters, Irribaria used his power to great effect in driving Arretxe II to the deepest reaches of the court, neutralizing any short game hopes that he might have had. While he stayed in the game until 9-8, Arretxe II was passed behind 6 times among Irribaria's 11 or 12 total winners (depending on which summary you read) and this was a leading factor in the match. Irrabaria now moves on to play Juanarena on April 24, 2016 at Polideportiva de Lajuventad (Soria).
Match Highlights:
Note: A link to the full match video of this match was added on April 22, 2016, as soon as I discovered its availability on demand at EITB.
Full Match Video: (Match begins at 55 minutes 38 seconds on the recording)
Source: EITB.
Three of next weekend's matches will be available on EITB
http://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/deporte-en-directo/
Check Viernes, Sabado, Domingo (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Times are local times. Later the matches will be available on demand.
This championship is in a single elimination tournament format, seeded with four players receiving byes to the round of 8, and four other players receiving byes to the quarter-finals. For the structure see the ASPE Campionato Manonista page. Note that Rezusta has a bye to the round of 8, and the other three doubles championship finals players have byes to the quarter-finals. It will be interesting to see if Mtz. de Irujo will be ready to play by his first scheduled match, May 1. If he has not recovered from his fractured finger, suffered in the recently played doubles final, he will be replaced by a substitute. The tournament ends with a final on May 29.
Check Viernes, Sabado, Domingo (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Times are local times. Later the matches will be available on demand.
This championship is in a single elimination tournament format, seeded with four players receiving byes to the round of 8, and four other players receiving byes to the quarter-finals. For the structure see the ASPE Campionato Manonista page. Note that Rezusta has a bye to the round of 8, and the other three doubles championship finals players have byes to the quarter-finals. It will be interesting to see if Mtz. de Irujo will be ready to play by his first scheduled match, May 1. If he has not recovered from his fractured finger, suffered in the recently played doubles final, he will be replaced by a substitute. The tournament ends with a final on May 29.
Pala (bat): 
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo - Invitación a un Juego de Argolla (ca: 1665-1670).
(Dulwich Picture Gallery via Wikimedia Commons)
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Update:
Note: I discovered that I made an error in attributing the format of the Mundial de Parejas 2016 to Innpala. The format was designed by the Munduko Pilota Batzarra (World Pilota Council).
The final and third place match of the 2016 Mundial Parejas were played at Udala (City) Fronton, Mungia on April 16, 2016. In the championship final,
Fusto-Brefel defeated Gaubeka-Imanol 3-2 (10-8, 8-10, 10-6, 7-10, 10-7). In the third place match that followed, Necol--Ibai-Perez defeated Landeta-Ibargari 3-2 (8-10, 10-5, 4-10, 10-6, 10-9).
Note: linking from any name will lead to the players page. At present there are only 10,so they all fit on one page. Click on any picture for more information about that player.
Note: linking from any name will lead to the players page. At present there are only 10,so they all fit on one page. Click on any picture for more information about that player.
Match Story (Deia (Bilbao (Bilbo)):
For me, one of the most fascinating things about Pala is the sound of the game. It is the only modality where the sound of the striking of the ball is as loud or louder than the sound of the ball hitting the wall and floor. It develops a compelling rhythm, almost like a heart beat. When I first watched Pala, the "crack" of the bat immediately resonated with me, as I am a lifelong baseball fan. And when I found out that the weight of the Pala larga "bat" can be up to 950 grams (about 32 ounces), a common weight of bats used by US major league baseball players, I was astounded. A major league player uses both hands and stands still, waiting for a "pitch" that comes every 20 to 30 seconds. Pala players are constantly moving, carrying that weight in one hand, switching it from one hand to the other, and swinging it as if it were a tennis raquet, easily over 100 times in these matches. It can take a baseball player up to one month to put the ball into fair play as many times as any of the players did on Saturday in the course of 60-90 minutes. The strength, touch, and accuracy needed to do that is quietly astonishing.
The heart beat was strong and intense on Saturday at Mungia Udala, a long court where the entire competition was played over the last month and a half. A large, enthusiastic crowd was on hand to see if the experimental format created by Pilota Munduko Batzarra to reveal the best two teams (switching partners every match, with a scoring system that rewarded dominant victories as well as close fought defeats) would be vindicated. It was, without doubt, by the close, intensely competitive match finally won in 5 sets by Fusto-Brefel over Gaubeka-Imanol.
The heart beat 564 times. In a maximum length 5 set match (10-9 every set), there are 95 points. This match had 86. Fusto-Brefel won 45.
The length of the points was another indicator of quality. There were 35 points that lasted 0-4 shots. 32 points that lasted 5-9 shots, and 19 points that lasted 10 shots or more (3 of those lasted over 20 shots). The longest point of the match was the second point of the third set, 27 shots.
The match linescores also demonstrate the quality and competitiveness of this match. (Winners are listed 1st).
Set 1: 0-1, 1-1, 1-3, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4, 5-5, 7-5, 7-7, 8-7, 8-8, 10-8 (F-B)
Set 2: 1-0, 1-2, 3-2, 3-3, 4-3, 4-5, 7-5, 7-8, 10-8 (G-I)
Set 3: 0-4, 2-4, 2-5, 9-5, 9-6, 10-6 (F-B)
Set 4: 0-2, 2-2, 2-4, 3-4, 3-7, 10-7 (G-I)
Set 5: 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-3, 5-3, 5-4, 7-4, 7-5, 8-5, 8-7, 10-7 (F-B)
It was a long, intense, incredibly entertaining struggle to watch. EITB is excellent at catching subtle and not so subtle body language and that only added to the suspense. If there was a "turning point" it probably came in the middle of the 3rd set. G-I were "on fire," with a 4-0 lead, having won the last 7 straight points going back to Set 2. Then Imanol, a very reliable server (6 service aces in this match) faulted. This was followed by a 19 shot point finally won by a terrific, low smash by Fusto to make the score 4-2. After G-I got the next point, Imanol faulted again. By the time G-I scored again the were down 9-5. The seven point run put F-B back in the lead 2-1.
In some cases, a crushing setback like that would finish the team that suffered it. Not so with G-I. On life support at 3-7, Imanol led G-I back with 3 service aces in their own run of 7 straight points to send the match to its final set. In the end, it wasn't quite enough. After yet another brilliant ace by Imanol brought the 5th set to 8-7, the last two points consumed 12 and 15 shots respectively. When they were finished, Fusto and Brefel were champions.
Fusto's signature was all over this match. He had 19 winners, more than twice as many as anyone else. Two stood out for me. After beginning the match with an error, he was looking down the barrel of a 0-2 deficit when Gaubeka launched a terrific "dos paredes" (side wall to front wall) winner... only it wasn't. Fusto went onto the apron and answered with a perfect dos paredes of his own, to win the point. Early in the 5th set, he had another dos paredes, this time completely different. A high, soft shot, perfectly placed to bounce too high for anyone to retrieve. He also had 6 ezker horman (left wall--hard shots that hug the left wall, cramping the opponents for room to return).
Final eginak galduak (winner-error) breakdown:
Fusto 19-8; Gaubeka 8-4;
Brefel 9-16; Imanol 9-12
The second match, for third place in the tournament, was also a hotly contested 5 set match won by Necol--Ibai Perez over Landeta-Ibargari 3-2 (8-10, 10-5, 4-10, 10-6, 10-9). The heart beat in this match 427 times. Individual totals:
Necol 16-7; Landeta 9-7
Ibai-Perez 5-13; Ibargari 11-14
In the end, the heart did not want to stop beating. Line score of the last set (winner listed first).
0-1; 6-1; 6-3; 7-3; 7-4; 8-4; 8-5; 9-5; 9-9; 10-9. The point at 8-5 consumed 34 shots, the most of any point all day.
A wonderful end to a wonderful competition.
Full match video of both matches
Source: EITB
Final records, matches and sets:
Front Court:
Fusto: 7-0: 21-8
Gaubeka: 4-3; 17-14
Necol: 3-4; 15-15
Landeta: 0-7; 5-21
Back Court:
Brefel: 4-3; 15-12
Imanol: 3-4: 14-14
Ibai--Perez: 4-3: 14-15
Ibargari: 3-4; 15-17
The heart beat was strong and intense on Saturday at Mungia Udala, a long court where the entire competition was played over the last month and a half. A large, enthusiastic crowd was on hand to see if the experimental format created by Pilota Munduko Batzarra to reveal the best two teams (switching partners every match, with a scoring system that rewarded dominant victories as well as close fought defeats) would be vindicated. It was, without doubt, by the close, intensely competitive match finally won in 5 sets by Fusto-Brefel over Gaubeka-Imanol.
The heart beat 564 times. In a maximum length 5 set match (10-9 every set), there are 95 points. This match had 86. Fusto-Brefel won 45.
The length of the points was another indicator of quality. There were 35 points that lasted 0-4 shots. 32 points that lasted 5-9 shots, and 19 points that lasted 10 shots or more (3 of those lasted over 20 shots). The longest point of the match was the second point of the third set, 27 shots.
The match linescores also demonstrate the quality and competitiveness of this match. (Winners are listed 1st).
Set 1: 0-1, 1-1, 1-3, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4, 5-5, 7-5, 7-7, 8-7, 8-8, 10-8 (F-B)
Set 2: 1-0, 1-2, 3-2, 3-3, 4-3, 4-5, 7-5, 7-8, 10-8 (G-I)
Set 3: 0-4, 2-4, 2-5, 9-5, 9-6, 10-6 (F-B)
Set 4: 0-2, 2-2, 2-4, 3-4, 3-7, 10-7 (G-I)
Set 5: 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-3, 5-3, 5-4, 7-4, 7-5, 8-5, 8-7, 10-7 (F-B)
It was a long, intense, incredibly entertaining struggle to watch. EITB is excellent at catching subtle and not so subtle body language and that only added to the suspense. If there was a "turning point" it probably came in the middle of the 3rd set. G-I were "on fire," with a 4-0 lead, having won the last 7 straight points going back to Set 2. Then Imanol, a very reliable server (6 service aces in this match) faulted. This was followed by a 19 shot point finally won by a terrific, low smash by Fusto to make the score 4-2. After G-I got the next point, Imanol faulted again. By the time G-I scored again the were down 9-5. The seven point run put F-B back in the lead 2-1.
In some cases, a crushing setback like that would finish the team that suffered it. Not so with G-I. On life support at 3-7, Imanol led G-I back with 3 service aces in their own run of 7 straight points to send the match to its final set. In the end, it wasn't quite enough. After yet another brilliant ace by Imanol brought the 5th set to 8-7, the last two points consumed 12 and 15 shots respectively. When they were finished, Fusto and Brefel were champions.
Fusto's signature was all over this match. He had 19 winners, more than twice as many as anyone else. Two stood out for me. After beginning the match with an error, he was looking down the barrel of a 0-2 deficit when Gaubeka launched a terrific "dos paredes" (side wall to front wall) winner... only it wasn't. Fusto went onto the apron and answered with a perfect dos paredes of his own, to win the point. Early in the 5th set, he had another dos paredes, this time completely different. A high, soft shot, perfectly placed to bounce too high for anyone to retrieve. He also had 6 ezker horman (left wall--hard shots that hug the left wall, cramping the opponents for room to return).
Final eginak galduak (winner-error) breakdown:
Fusto 19-8; Gaubeka 8-4;
Brefel 9-16; Imanol 9-12
The second match, for third place in the tournament, was also a hotly contested 5 set match won by Necol--Ibai Perez over Landeta-Ibargari 3-2 (8-10, 10-5, 4-10, 10-6, 10-9). The heart beat in this match 427 times. Individual totals:
Necol 16-7; Landeta 9-7
Ibai-Perez 5-13; Ibargari 11-14
In the end, the heart did not want to stop beating. Line score of the last set (winner listed first).
0-1; 6-1; 6-3; 7-3; 7-4; 8-4; 8-5; 9-5; 9-9; 10-9. The point at 8-5 consumed 34 shots, the most of any point all day.
A wonderful end to a wonderful competition.
Full match video of both matches
Source: EITB
Final records, matches and sets:
Front Court:
Fusto: 7-0: 21-8
Gaubeka: 4-3; 17-14
Necol: 3-4; 15-15
Landeta: 0-7; 5-21
Back Court:
Brefel: 4-3; 15-12
Imanol: 3-4: 14-14
Ibai--Perez: 4-3: 14-15
Ibargari: 3-4; 15-17
The next matches for these players will be the Bizkaia Open, beginning next week in Bilbao (Bilbo).
Remonte: (racquet) 
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Update:
Latest results In the VI Sagardoaren Txapleketa (Tourneo Sidra) Tournament played at Galaretta Fronton, (Hernani)
Quarter-finals:
April 14:
Uterga-Aizpuru III (Bereziartua) defeated Ansa II-Ion (Setien) 40-26.
Match Story: Source Oriamendi 2010
This was a match in three parts. The first and third part were identical. The second part won the match for the Bereziartua team. Selected match linescore (winner listed first):
11-12; 29-14; 40-26
The first and third sections were closely fought. There was only one team on the court in the 18-2 run that won for U-A. Again, as has happened on more than one occasion in this tournament, the back courter was a key scorer. Aizpuru III had 11 service aces. While he was doing that, Uterga was chewing up the Setien team to the tune of 20 winners while committing only 3 errors (all at the beginning of the match, according to the match story). By the time A-I regained their footing to put in at least a semblance of resistance, winning 12 of the last 23 points, exactly as they had done to begin the match, the outcome had long before been determined. The Bereziartua team is now 3-2 and moves on this week to a semi-final with the winner of Group A Ezkurra II (substituting for the injured Ezkurra)-Larranaga (sponsored by Gurutzeta), who are 2-1. The match will take place on April 23. Ansa II-Ion finish at 2-2.
April 16:
Matxin III-Endika (Petritegi) defeated Etxeberria IV-Exteberria III (substituting for the injured Agirrezabala) (Gaztañaga) 40-17.
Match Story: Source: Oriamendi 2010
Not much can be said about a match this one sided, and the match story says...not much. But says it perfectly. The story leads with the score, says that there was only one team on the court, and also says that no matter how poor the opponent, the winning team has to take care of business, which the Petritgi team emphatically did. There are no individual statistics or any score line in the story.
Maxtin III-Endika are now, like the Bereziautua team above, 3-2, having won two elimination matches. They move on to face the winner of Group B, Urriza-Labaka (sponsored by Altzueta), the only undefeated team in the tournament (3-0). This match will also take place on April 23. The Gaztanaga team finishes 2-2.
On April 30, the winners of these two matches will meet in the final.
Match Story: Source Oriamendi 2010
This was a match in three parts. The first and third part were identical. The second part won the match for the Bereziartua team. Selected match linescore (winner listed first):
11-12; 29-14; 40-26
The first and third sections were closely fought. There was only one team on the court in the 18-2 run that won for U-A. Again, as has happened on more than one occasion in this tournament, the back courter was a key scorer. Aizpuru III had 11 service aces. While he was doing that, Uterga was chewing up the Setien team to the tune of 20 winners while committing only 3 errors (all at the beginning of the match, according to the match story). By the time A-I regained their footing to put in at least a semblance of resistance, winning 12 of the last 23 points, exactly as they had done to begin the match, the outcome had long before been determined. The Bereziartua team is now 3-2 and moves on this week to a semi-final with the winner of Group A Ezkurra II (substituting for the injured Ezkurra)-Larranaga (sponsored by Gurutzeta), who are 2-1. The match will take place on April 23. Ansa II-Ion finish at 2-2.
Match Story: Source: Oriamendi 2010
Not much can be said about a match this one sided, and the match story says...not much. But says it perfectly. The story leads with the score, says that there was only one team on the court, and also says that no matter how poor the opponent, the winning team has to take care of business, which the Petritgi team emphatically did. There are no individual statistics or any score line in the story.
Maxtin III-Endika are now, like the Bereziautua team above, 3-2, having won two elimination matches. They move on to face the winner of Group B, Urriza-Labaka (sponsored by Altzueta), the only undefeated team in the tournament (3-0). This match will also take place on April 23. The Gaztanaga team finishes 2-2.
On April 30, the winners of these two matches will meet in the final.
===================================================
Final Standings, first phase, along with the schedule and results of the rest of the tournament can be found at the Oriamendi 2010 site story linked to here.
Live scoring on a match by match basis is available at the Oriamendi 2010 Twitter site.
Full explanation of how the tournament works, as well as how to navigate the Oriamendi 2010 site, is available in Part 2 of the March 13-20 report, linked to at the top of this report. Names in parenthesis are cider related sponsors of the teams.
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Since there were no matches televised on EITB this week, we will look at:
2013 final del Campionato Remonte Individual (singles final) between Urriza (one of the Altzueta team in next week's tournament semi-final) and San Miguel. A couple of weeks ago we watched the latest final singles match that Urriza played in, a hard fought defeat at the hands of Uterga. Today's match was held September 7, 2013. The opponent was San Miguel, a perennial top of the roster player at the time. The outcome, for Urriza, was a happy one. When players like this have a match, there is always excellent remonte to be watched. Enjoy.
Full Final match.
Source: Galaretta Jai Alai Remonte Youtube site.
2013 final del Campionato Remonte Individual (singles final) between Urriza (one of the Altzueta team in next week's tournament semi-final) and San Miguel. A couple of weeks ago we watched the latest final singles match that Urriza played in, a hard fought defeat at the hands of Uterga. Today's match was held September 7, 2013. The opponent was San Miguel, a perennial top of the roster player at the time. The outcome, for Urriza, was a happy one. When players like this have a match, there is always excellent remonte to be watched. Enjoy.
Full Final match.
Source: Galaretta Jai Alai Remonte Youtube site.
Jai Alai: (basket) 
==================================
Update
The players with the best records for the winter season are available for Miami and Dania. Click on Stats for Miami and View Info for Dania. The game pages have each player’s record in his last ten games.
The top winner at Miami for the week ending April 18, 2016 was Irastorza, with 9 wins in 30 games played. He was "in the money" (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) 16 times, an amazing .533 percentage.
At Dania, for the week ending April 16, 2016, Eric was the leading winner with 12 wins in 45 games played, and 25 times in the money, an also amazing .556 percentage. For those interested, you can watch Eric at the Dania link directly below. He is a late game player (usually games 5-8). He's been playing great Jai Alai for some time.
The top winner at Miami for the week ending April 18, 2016 was Irastorza, with 9 wins in 30 games played. He was "in the money" (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) 16 times, an amazing .533 percentage.
At Dania, for the week ending April 16, 2016, Eric was the leading winner with 12 wins in 45 games played, and 25 times in the money, an also amazing .556 percentage. For those interested, you can watch Eric at the Dania link directly below. He is a late game player (usually games 5-8). He's been playing great Jai Alai for some time.
Dania Jai Alai has live online telecasts of all its matches here.
The best way to watch the Dania season unfold is to watch the online telecasts. There are no replays or on demand games.
This week in the North Basque, the Championnat de France Pro/Am 2016 Cesta Punta--National A Competition will finish with the final between B Group Winner Pau 1 (Egiguren-Alliez) and A Group Winner Pau 2 (Olharan-Itoiz) on April 21, 2016 at Euskal Jai (Biarritz). The above link (Championnat) will take you through the entire Competition, which began January 7. Extensive match highlights (20-30 minutes each) are available for four of the matches in this competition:
A. Poul 2 Match Pau: (Egiguren-Alliez) v Guethary (Laduche-Etcheto) at Pau Fronton (Pau) Jan. 29, 2016
E-A won 10-15; 15-6; 10-7
B. Poul Playoff A: St. Jean de Luz (J. Tambourindeguy-Inza) v Pau (Olharan-Itoiz) at Pau Fronton, Mar. 26, 2016
T-I won 12-15; 15-12; 10-7
C. Poul Playoff B: St. Jean de Luz ( P. Tambourindeguy-Maya) v Pau (Egiguren-Alliez) at Pau Fronton, Apr. 1, 2016
E-A won 15-13; 15-14
D. Semi-Final: No. 1a v No. 2b: Pau 2 (Olharan-Portet (subsituting for Itoiz) v St. Jean de Luz 1 (Sallabery (substituting for Ohla)-Ihitsague) at Pau Fronton, Apr. 15, 2016
Olharen-Portet won 15-10; 15-5
Source: Tout sur la Pelote Basque Youtube site.
These highlights will give you a good look at all four players in the final. Egiguren-Alliez are excellent long time professionals. However, I got a "tip" recently from one of my correspondents that Olharen is a young and very talented front courter. You'll be able to pick him out pretty easily in the D. match above. For Egiguren, watch for a thick elbow pad, to protect the elbow when he shoots his great falling rebote (rebound) shot.
If the final match highlights or the whole match are available, we will link to them.
The best way to watch the Dania season unfold is to watch the online telecasts. There are no replays or on demand games.
This week in the North Basque, the Championnat de France Pro/Am 2016 Cesta Punta--National A Competition will finish with the final between B Group Winner Pau 1 (Egiguren-Alliez) and A Group Winner Pau 2 (Olharan-Itoiz) on April 21, 2016 at Euskal Jai (Biarritz). The above link (Championnat) will take you through the entire Competition, which began January 7. Extensive match highlights (20-30 minutes each) are available for four of the matches in this competition:
A. Poul 2 Match Pau: (Egiguren-Alliez) v Guethary (Laduche-Etcheto) at Pau Fronton (Pau) Jan. 29, 2016
E-A won 10-15; 15-6; 10-7
B. Poul Playoff A: St. Jean de Luz (J. Tambourindeguy-Inza) v Pau (Olharan-Itoiz) at Pau Fronton, Mar. 26, 2016
T-I won 12-15; 15-12; 10-7
C. Poul Playoff B: St. Jean de Luz ( P. Tambourindeguy-Maya) v Pau (Egiguren-Alliez) at Pau Fronton, Apr. 1, 2016
E-A won 15-13; 15-14
D. Semi-Final: No. 1a v No. 2b: Pau 2 (Olharan-Portet (subsituting for Itoiz) v St. Jean de Luz 1 (Sallabery (substituting for Ohla)-Ihitsague) at Pau Fronton, Apr. 15, 2016
Olharen-Portet won 15-10; 15-5
Source: Tout sur la Pelote Basque Youtube site.
These highlights will give you a good look at all four players in the final. Egiguren-Alliez are excellent long time professionals. However, I got a "tip" recently from one of my correspondents that Olharen is a young and very talented front courter. You'll be able to pick him out pretty easily in the D. match above. For Egiguren, watch for a thick elbow pad, to protect the elbow when he shoots his great falling rebote (rebound) shot.
If the final match highlights or the whole match are available, we will link to them.
================================================
Sources: Most sources are available in Spanish and/or Basque and French only. I use Google translate. It is clumsy but workable.
Sources: Most sources are available in Spanish and/or Basque and French only. I use Google translate. It is clumsy but workable.
Mano:
Asegarce Entertainment Company --Player, match, and Fronton information.
Aspe Entertainment Company--Player, match, and League table information
EITB Television Network--Matches and highlights.
Fronton TV (click on "Videos" then "Programmas").--Matches
Wikipedia article on Basque Pelota--basics and dimensions of the sport.
For Mano, Pala and Remonte, to access on demand matches from EITB TV:
Search either “Erremontea 2016 (or 2015)” or “Pala 2016 (or 2015).” At present, there are no links to Jai Alai matches.
Pala:
Player and selected match information. Latest scores. Upcoming matches.
Match scores by set in real time.
Professional Pala at the Munduko Pilota Batzarra (World Pilota Council)
Player information, match stories, excellent source of real time happenings in the world of professional Pala.
Remonte:
Match stories, standings, player statistics, match database, upcoming matches.
Quick access to the latest.
Oriamendi 2010 Twitter site
Live scoring of matches (full score at the end of the match only at this time).
Selected short clips.
Jai Alai:
A. Pari-mutuel:
Miami Jai-Alai
Schedules, game results, statistics, roster, see game pages for results of last ten games for each player.
Simulcasts (fee based):
Dania Jai Alai
Schedules, game results, statistics, roster, see game pages for results of last ten games for each player.
Simulcasts (free of charge):
B. Partido:
Internationeaux Cesta Punta-St. Jean de Luz
Exhaustive information about the annual festival (in French)
Official sources of video for Jai Alai full games:
Internationaux de Cesta Punta
Excellent quality videos.
International Jai Alai Players Association (I Ja Pa)
Northern Basque Pelota Modalities:
FFPV Federation Francaise de Pelota Basque
Organization, competitions, results, regulations, history
Pelotelive.free.fr
A gigantic database, easily queried, of all of North Basque pelota (live scores, pictures, commentary, videos).
Esku Pilota
Central Information site for all things Main Neu. Results, match stories (in French), player information (use the arrows to scroll up and down the player page, only three players at a time are visible), player rankings, etc.
Esku Pilota Youtube site
Selected Main Neu matches.
Toute sur la Pelote Basque Youtube site.
Quickest, easiest, and most reliable way to watch French Basque Pelota.
