JOHAN SOROZABAL--LOPEZ 2
OLHARAN--BASQUE 0
15-13, 15-6 (30-19)
GOOGLE TRANSLATION OF JAI ALIVE
🔥⚾Victories of Goiko-Gorka and Johan-Lopez in Donostia
Yesterday we experienced a new edition of the Donostia Grand Slam 2023, a qualifying tournament for the Jai Alai World Tour, with the first two league games being played.
in group A👉victory of Goiko-Gorka against Erkiaga-Bailo by 0-2 (11-15 and 14-15).
The couple that ended up losing, was clearly winning in the first set, but Bailo had a problem with the basket and after the change of tools that couple went cold, giving rise to Goiko-Gorka's comeback▶In the second set, the winners were ahead, but Erkiaga-Bailo did not lose heart, they came back and even went ahead 14-12, so they were close to forcing the tiebreaker set. However, three goals in a row have come from the blues, the last one with some luck, and the victory in the set, 14-15, and in the match.
The second meeting, group B👉has faced Johan-López with Olharan-Basque, with a 2-0 victory for the former (15-13 and 15-6).
Olharan-Basque have started in tune and commanding the score, but there has been a comeback, 15-13, which has given rise to a second set in which Johan-Lopez have shown themselves to be much superior, without giving themselves an option and winning the second set by a resounding 15-6
🙌⚾An emotional afternoon at Carmelo Balda with a good atmosphere and a good influx of people.
We are waiting for you next Saturday at 6:00 p.m. with two new matches Gorka-Goiko against Barandika-Zabala (Group A) and Johan-López against Erik-Leke (Group B).
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ELOLA MEMORIAL FACEBOOK (CASTILIAN), WILL LINK DIRECTLY BELOW
First day of the GRAND SLAM in Donostia. A troubled afternoon with showers and storms, what better plan to enjoy a good jai alai show. Good entrance in the fronton Carmelo Balda. I am accompanied by my sister Amaia who throughout the game asks some interesting questions and comments that I will tell you about.
New faces on the bill, at least for me. The Sorozabal brothers, from Iparralde, sons of a professional pelotari in the 80s, play in different games. Bailo, from Noain, also participates in this tournament. The controversy about Aaron (Gonzalez de Matauko), who has been left out is still hot. It seems that, for the best, the matter is heading.
Getting into the matter, in the first match Erkiaga-Bailo in red they face Goiko-Gorka.
The game has a before and after marked by the breaking of Bailo's basket. In the first set, Bailo hits a hard ball and has to go into the locker room to reinforce the basket. After a few goals when throwing backhand he opens a hole and he has to withdraw it. He comes out with a new, unused basket, received a day before, according to comments from the public by fans of the Navarrese defender. Noain's school in full with a gang of kids stands out.
Until now the party has a certain red color. Without being a brilliant first set, Erkiaga-Bailo's dominance is based on the couple's experience against the new Gorka Sorozabal. The debutant makes him want and has manners but he still lacks some distance. Wall jumps and a good backhand alternate with sticks at key moments, when you have to hold the ball. Many times it's not about winning the goal, it's about not losing it... Wow, this seems like a tongue twister.
What has been said, the boy physically reaches everything, he is like a wild colt that must be tamed. Time can put you in your place.
Here we return to the usual topic. To progress you have to play games and today the context is what it is. A professional circuit with a limited “quota”. This is not the 70s and 80s with 14 frontons in the United States offering the opportunity to get trained on the court, day goes by, day comes. Patience and a lot of encouragement to all the kids who come from behind and look for a hole.
Returning to the party. Until the basket breaks, the reds carry the rally behind the blues, Goiko doesn't come into play much and Erkiaga-Bailo is ahead by 2-3 goals. We got to the key point. Bailo breaks the basket. I tell my sister, uff it's going to be difficult.
Here comes the first question. Because? If it's a new basket, it will give you more speed, right?
Indeed, new basket = greater speed, but the second part of the formula is, new basket = greater lack of control.
A new basket needs at least a couple of trials so that the center of it softens and a groove is marked where the ball does not slip. Except for some artists who have a special touch, it is normal for it to be more difficult to score, the ball dances. And that's what happened to Bailo, the ball danced for him. The game stopped and performs some tests. First backhand test shot with the new basket from frame 7 and the ball directly to the mattress below…
The first set changes completely. So far there was a certain balance at the rear. I dance, without being a born puncher, he tilts the balance in favor of the reds based on putting. Gorka, as we have said before, spreads the ball but also loses free balls. Up front both strikers have not yet shown their true potential. Erkiaga tries some sides to two walls to which Goiko responds, arriving on time and returning txik-txak. The artist changes tactics and finishes off from the side to the inside but Gorka is a greyhound and comes from behind.
I dance with the new basket, he can't get past frame 10, he delivers the ball and the Zumaitarra striker wakes up. The last goals of the first set are a recital by Goiko, taking advantage of the fact that the ball falls from the red defender, he enters at will and, based on his forehands, breaks the game. The power that he still retains is incredible, right-handed balls two meters high from the plate that go across to frame 10 and there is no human being capable of putting the bucket at the speed they bring.
Amaia tells me, “it looks like a bull charging”. He starts from infields 7-8 forward and doesn't pass a ball. Erkiaga as a mere spectator sees how the first set goes.
11-15
Second set, a similar start, the Blues dominate, I dance uncertainly, unable to lift the ball, Erkiaga powerless. It seems that this is sentenced. However, the reds change their tactics, instead of rallying, Bailo lets the ball pass so it can bounce off. The very lively balls go up to frame 7 and here Erkiaga begins to draw. Goiko as a mere spectator from the width sees his partner Gorka making water. He endures with some spectacular jumps but the bombardment is continuous and he ends up succumbing.
It is curious, the rebound, formerly a defensive throw for most pelotaris, has become an attack weapon. Taking advantage of the current material, authentic Balinese, if you don't hit the cool one, the aforementioned fly to the happy pictures to show off pelotaris like Erkiaga.
And Amaia asks me, why is Goiko in the width and does nothing? There is an unwritten rule that when a striker rebounds from the side, the opposing striker must cover the width. If on the rebound he stays inside he's trapped. The one who rebounds only has to touch the left wall for the ball to go to two walls with no response option for the opponent.
That said, the set was very even on the scoreboard. And in the last few goals, the reds escape. Erkiaga is showing off. To show a rebound from the side that he gently lets die in the txoko and catches Gorka off guard.
14-12 .
With a goal from the reds we are in the tiebreaker. On the contrary, the blues need to resolve a 3-0…
But the punta basket is a game of strategy and intelligence. Goiko has read the game and changes the tactic. He talks to the kid and asks for all the balls that come backhanded behind him. Result, instead of rebounding Erkiaga, he becomes the one who takes the baton. The next two goals are a smash from the striker from Zumaia rebounding from the right.
The 14-14 mark of the house, a rebound from the right that surpasses Bailo and cannot return.
Last goal. Goiko takes out and the ball makes a strange bounce, ending up dead in frame 10 without Bailo being able to reach it. It's not the fairest way to end the game but we've come this far.
2 sets to 0 for Goiko-Gorka.
Second game of the afternoon, Johan-Lopez vs Olharan-Basque.
Johan Sorozabal, a mystery to me. They tell me that he plays a lot. Young, self-confident and puts the ball with intention. Words from Tolosa, Mr. Security, a pelotari from the eighties in Dania-Milford, who comes out to greet us.
Vibrant match, which we thoroughly enjoyed, especially in the first set. López's experience, slow and controlled game, is complemented by the speed with which his teammate Johan covers the court. Also, as Tolosa anticipated, the striker is a complete pelotari, it's not just about getting to the ball but also returning it maliciously. Backhand all his returns are attached to the left wall. On the rebound he also puts the ball inside. And if it is necessary to finish off he does not think twice.
On the part of the reds, Olaharan, the roadrunner, is a proven pelotari, with many battles and his teammate Basque belongs to the new generation but is also seasoned. He highlights the start and the desire that he puts into it.
The very briefly related match has two well differentiated parts. The very even first set ends with a 15-14 in favor of the reds. In the second set, López uncovers the jar of essences, without a single mistake, he despairs the opposing defender, while Johan takes off the initial pressure and overcomes Olharan's opponent.
From 15-14 of the first set we go to a second set that from 3-3 goes to the street for the reds. The marker says it all. 15-6.
Despite the difference in the score, the game is very enjoyable. Especially for the speed of the game. In this second set the blues collapse psychologically. Olharan misses from the side and the shots go wide. This happens many times when the opponent is on your heels. Johan with very fast legs presses him and that makes him have to take risks. Back Basque powerless before López's baskets ends up missing free balls.
We leave Carmelo Balda with a good taste in our mouths. Jai alai is back. New audience and good prospects for this tournament.
We will return next week with the incentive of seeing Erik Mendizabal, a pelotari who overwhelmed Dania in the last decade, winning the triple crown for several seasons. We will see if he is fit and shows his level.
