Jai Alai News Facebook (Basque) The article includes 17 photos. There was no EITB coverage.
XABIER BARANDIKA--THIBAULT BASQUE 2
JEAN OLHARAN--JON ZABALA 1
15-13, 10-15, 5-1 (30-29)
BARANDIKA-BASQUE ADVANCE TO THE FINALS. They will play the winner of the second semi-final, ARITZ ERKIAGA--IBARLUZEA v JOKIN ARBE-UNAI LEKERIKABEASKOA (OR A SUBSTITUTE IF LEKE'S ARM INJURY KEEPS HIM FROM PLAYING)
MATCH ARTICLE (GOOGLE TRANSLATE)
‼️BARANDIKA AND BASQUE, FIRST FINALISTS!
📸We're Jai Alai , Take it!
Eñaut-Atain vs Aaron-Uranga: 15-10, 13-15, 5-4
BARANDIKA-BASQUE vs OLHARAN-ZABALA: 15-13, 10-15, 5-1
A serious, tough and very high level match. Such was the first semi-final of the Markina-Xemein Grand Slam. The four players played a great match and Barandika's three rebounds finally decided the ticket to the final. Three balls came hand to hand in the match and the Gernika player did not forgive with rebounds. A great weekend for him. On Friday, Goiko lost the Masters in Zumaia (to Barandika-Lopez) and today he (Barandika) left Zabala out of the finals in Markina-Xemein. He is playing at a very high level and is showing it match after match.
As I said, today was also serious and hard. We saw few shots, especially in the first half of the game. Lots of shots, lots of difficult balls and few misses. The reds have reached the first break ahead (8-6). Zabala brought the Blues to within a point by throwing the ball into the corner (8-7) and got the equalizer by placing the ball perfectly in the back hole (10-10). (11-11, 12-11, 12-12, 13-13, 15-13). The highlights are a rebound by Barandika (12-11) and another ball that Olharan left smoothly from the rebound (13-13) that raised the public. The fourteenth was scored by Barandika, inside, and the fifteenth was also for the reds, although before that Zabala took an unbelievable ball (15-13).
The second set was as tough as the first. This time the score was in favor of the blues. Olharan does amazing things every game. Today he scored a huge ball, with his legs in the air and in the boot, to finish brilliantly on the plate (2-3). Basque took the Bearno striker prisoner on the opposite court and scored a good goal with a cut on the plate (3-3). After that came Olharan's two walls. Both also thrown from the side. Second, he has also hidden it. Even the defenders did not want to be less. Zabala made a perfect shot and scored (4-6) and the Basques responded by doing the same in the next shot (5-6). The sixth and seventh have also been tied, but from then on the blues dominate the scoreboard and the game (10-15). Disappointment was quick. With the ball alive, Zabala threw it long with a backhand,
In the first match, Eñaut Urreisti from Mutri and Atain from Marquina dominated. The striker from Gipuzkoa is a ball player with great nerves, lively. The reds prevailed in the first set (15-10) and in the second they were ahead 7-1, but it got out of their hands (13-15). Eñaut struggled with the serve but in the end he decided the match (5-4). The day after the match, he will fly to Mexico to participate in the local tournament from the 5th to the 15th. Good luck to everyone going to Mexico!
Next week, the Markina-Xemein festival will take place on SATURDAY. ARBE-LEKERIKA and ERKIAGA-IBARLUZEA will compete in the final. Lekerika was injured in the second matchday and will be tested this week to see if he is fit to play.
Even though it's Sunday, many people have joined the front today. Next Saturday we will be even more.
