Goikoetxea and Gorka win the Grand Slam of basket tip in San Sebastián
Erik and Del Río, a last-minute substitute for Lekerika after the muscular problem he suffered in his right arm on Friday night in Markina, prevailed (2-0)
John Paul Martin
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 10:00 p.m.
Goikoetxea and Gorka are the new champions of the San Sebastián basket-tipping Grand Slam, the first event on the Jai Alai World Tour circuit. The player from Zumaia and the French Basque defeated Erik and Del Río, a last-minute substitute for Lekerika, who on Friday night suffered a muscle problem on his right arm in the game that He played in Markina.
The winners have dominated both sets with authority. They have taken the first (15-9) after a much more solid start than their rivals. They have had the situation under control against a combination that was playing together for the first time. They have commanded in the luminous 11-2 and, although their opponents have tried to react, their efforts have fallen on deaf ears. In the second they have also immediately opened an important gap that has allowed them to remain calm and win the tournament (15-8).
in Markina
The Gernika defender was injured at the Universidad de la Pelota, but got a ticket to the semifinals of the Markina Grand Slam along with a toned Arbe. They beat Goikoetxea and Atain (2-1). The Markina striker is in a good moment and took advantage of his opportunity. He made the most of his defender's dominance to be the protagonist against a rival combination in which the striker from Zumaia was somewhat deactivated in the first set and his defender paid for the stress of playing his first major tournament (11-15).
However, in the second set the rapport of the defeated improved and they managed to change the dynamics of the match. The Gipuzkoan gained prominence and made the most of his quality, while Atain was much more solid. Lekerika's injury came in the last part of the game that the Colorados won (15-10). In the final, the Gernika defender shot backhanded to hold out on the field and his teammate put the magic to take the game (4-5) and secure the pass to the semifinals.
Alex Goitia and Imanol López won the first duel of the festival against Barandika and Basque. It was competitive and with alternatives on the scoreboard. The Colorados started ahead (5-8) with a solid version, but at the first break the Zumaia defender reassured his young striker, who gained confidence and turned the situation around. López commanded and Alex Goitia was able to express himself as he knows how on the court to sign a good match in which they won both sets (15-12, 15-13).
