‼️BASQUE AND ZESTA-PUNTA, BOTH WINNER!
📸Take it to Jai Alai
⚾️MAITE-MAIALEN vs ERIKA-ARAI: 10-15, 15-14, 3-5
⚾️GOIKOETXEA-DEL RIO vs BARANDIKA-LEKERIKA: 15-13, 14-15, 2-5
We experienced a great atmosphere at the Olabe stadium in Gasteiz. The best entry in recent years. More than 1,200 people at the zesta-punta festival in support of Araba Basques. The professional Jai Alai rarely hits Vitoria-Gasteiz and, as there is little custom, the crowd that gathered today was huge. 700 people enter in Durango, 1,000 in Markina-Xemein or Labrit. Today Olaben passed 1,200. The militancy in favor of the Basque language and the zesta punta have attracted many fans. The public has been rewarded. Both matches were close and competitive, and both were decided in the third and final set.
The first match was for women. Rematch of the Winter Series final. The people of Mugartegi and Lejardi have held on to what they won in Durango. They are getting used to playing in front of a lot of people and that was evident on the court today. The four players have taken a step up in the level of the game. The match started a bit evenly, but Erika and Arai took a step forward after the three-way match. The forwards threw in from the ribs and they were four points ahead, 4 and 7. The difference also went to six points in favor of the blues, 4-10 and 5-11. Maite cut on the plate and ate a little bit of the lead but the blue pair played very safe and won 10-15 in the first game. Erika dominated and that was the key.
In the second set, we saw a brave game, which also led to goals and the reds reached the break 8-7 ahead. In any case, the blues took the lead again making it 12-14 but they could not close the game. Maite and Maialen turned the situation around, winning 15-14 and forcing the third set. The crowd is enjoying themselves, the reds are ahead 2-1 but when the Marquis have equalized, they have no more forgiveness. They won the last set 3-5 and therefore the match, putting Durango's title back in value.
The second match was for men. The people of Gasteiz gave a warm welcome to Del Rio. The people stood up in the stands and entered Julen's court among the crowd. The players had a hard time adjusting to the court at the beginning of the game. Most of those who have not played there for a long time, have spent their first few drops learning the dimensions and effects of the front. Gipuzkoa and Arabar arrived at the break 8-4. However, the people of Bizkaia have managed to tie the score at ten, but Del Rio has scored a double, Goikoetxea has scored another good goal wide and the reds are ahead. Barandika took two difficult balls against the net at the end of the set, of great merit, but one of them was questionable. In any case, the judges approved and Xabi finished the goal well by throwing a double wall. It wasn't enough. Iñaki and Julen won the first game 15-13.
In the second game, the ball came to life and the players got used to the court. Xabi and Unai from Guernica have started well, leading 3-8 at the break. The ball bounced up to seven and the four played a lively game. After the break, Goiko played a slower ball and they took the lead. Lekerika scored a beautiful double wall and tied the score at 12. The Reds went ahead again, Del Rio scored with a shot (14-12) but the Guernicas tied it again at 14. Losing 14 and 13, Leke put the ball in really badly, but with one hand. Then he finishes the shot with his right hand against the wall. In the last point of the second set, Iñaki didn't know the ball well and hit the hoop when making the basket, 14-15 for Gernica and the loss.
In the last set, Del Rio lost 0-1. 1-1 Del Rio with a right hand. 1-2 blue ahead. 1-3 wall-mounted Lekerika from eleven paintings. 1-4, above the sheet Railings. 2-4 reds shorten the gap. And 2-5 finally Xabi Barandika again, scored two goals on the opposite court and ended the game with a double goal. The Blues have achieved their goal, avoiding Goikoetxea and winning the last set. The public is happy, the fans are cheering. Great success today in Gasteiz, at the zesta-punta festival jointly organized by the Araba Euskaraz organization and Eraman Jai Alai. Two (or more) entertaining matchups... and more to come!
Thank you Gasteiz!
Araba in Basque Gasteiz Jai Alai FEDERACION ALAVESA DE PELOTA VASCA - ARABA BASQUE PILOTA ASSOCIATION
