‼️BARANDIKA AND BASQUE, THE VICTORY OF CONSTANTIA!
📸Take it!
⚾️BARANDIKA-BASQUE vs ERKIAGA-IBARLUZEA: 15-11, 9-15, 5-2
⚾️Erika-Maddi vs Lur-Arai: 8-15, 8-15
➡️Goikoetxea received a warm tribute and was awarded on behalf of the people of Marcin by "Txino" Bengoa and the city council's delegation
➡️3,500 fans joined this year's Grand Slam. Markina-Xemei has 5,000 inhabitants and a front of almost 1,000 people (including Labrite from Iruñe)
Xabi Barandika and Thibault Basque have won the Markina-Xemein Grand Slam. From the beginning they have been the "silent favourites" of this tournament. They were favorites for many cesta punta fans from the day of presentation, but they have been "lucky" not to carry that label. In the remaining five pairs there has been a player from the town. They have had the honor of playing at home, but also the pressure. Xabi and Thibault, with little pressure, progressed match after match and in the end they were the ones who got the victory.
The match was well designed by the winners. Removing Erkiaga from the game. As much as possible, let the Ispaster pass over it, so that it does not bounce too much. The reds have started well, charging back. Erkiaga reached the break 8-4 without having much chance. On the rebound and very forced, he made the most remarkable drop, thrown to the ground with force. But the match is not broken. Ibarluzea held on, Aritz started to finish from the ribs and they equalized 8-8 and 9-9. Barandika broke the tie, finishing in the rest of the serve (10-9) and from there they went almost directly to fifteen (15-11).
But in the second game things have changed a lot. When the material is heated, Erkiaga's possibilities increase. The blues are now ahead 4-7. The Basques also made quite a few mistakes in the boat race today. He was placed on the right in that position, even if he dominated the rebound well. The reds have gone a little higher, but in the 6th-7th, Ispaster's team has stood up. Out of the eight paintings, he left a delicious treat on the plate. dead The ball has hardly even bounced. Otherwise Barandika was there! 9-15 the set ends with some beautiful walls of Erkiaga. Disappointment
The final round of five points has started with one goal. Then a beautiful goal with Barandika rebounding (2-1). Xabi's rebounding is a huge offensive weapon. Erkiaga tied the match (2-2) in the rib position. The blues have not scored more. 3-2 is also signed by Barandika, in the rest of the serve. 4-2 Basque, behind. And the 5-2 was the finish that Aritz threw out. He had to throw up and almost went out.
To round off the beautiful day, a tribute was paid to Iñaki Osa Goikoetxea. He did not reach the final in the tournament and watched the game as an audience. The great Juan Mari Bengoa and the municipal councilor Mari Eli Ituarte gave him the artwork to express the gratitude of the whole town.
It is a big thing for a town of 5,000 inhabitants to have a stadium where 1,000 people enter. It's the same capacity as Labrite in Pamplona, but in a much smaller town. The Grand Slam was organized for the first time last year and in this year's edition around 3,500 fans gathered at the University. There is something! Let the serum continue!
