IÑAKI GOIKOETXEA AND TXABI INZA QUALIFIED FOR THE FINAL OF THE CESTA ALL STAR BY WINNING IN THREE SETS AGAINST JEAN OLHARAN AND DAVID MINVIELLE.
The first semi-final of the Cesta All Star opposed, this Tuesday evening, jai alai Campos Berri of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Goikoetxea-Inza to Olharan-Minvielle. From the outset, Goikoetxea-Inza dictated the game (5-0) against a French pair who had trouble starting. Quickly, Olharan-Minvielle pulled themselves together to equalize at 5 everywhere. Despite everything, Goikoetxea-Inza were a notch above in this first round and won by a wide margin 15-9.
It must be said that Olharan-Minvielle had had a last complicated group game a few days earlier against Tambourindéguy-Lopez. In the second round, the French managed to avoid Iñaki Goikoetxea and put pressure on Txabi Inza who had to play most of the balls. While leading 13-8, Olharan-Minvielle struggled at the end of the round but thanks to their lead they won 15-12. “From 10, it was difficult to make the points. We made the hole but it cost us. We don't win this second round miraculously but we didn't need three more points. In the last one there was no longer too much fuel,” says Jean Olharan.
Indeed, in the third round, there was no photo finish. Goikoetxea-Inza inflicted a severe 5-0 to Olharan-Minvielle who still fought on each ball. After this victory in three rounds, Txabi Inza, moved, savored the fruit of all the work done: “This is my first and my last participation in the All Star as I will stop at the end of the year. It's a lot of daily investment, people don't realize. It's a pleasure”.
The second men's semi-final will pit defending champions Tambourindéguy-Lopez against Erkiaga-Zabala, this Friday from 7:15 p.m.
As a curtain raiser, women were in the spotlight. The first semi-final was won by Sorozabal-Lejardi 15-6; 10-15; 5-1 against Ortiz-Mercadié. The second semi-final will be played on Friday from 6:15 p.m. between Arakistain-A.Laugié and M.Laugié-Lizardi.
