There will be three domestic puntistas in the Mutriku final
Mutriku
sport
The pairs Ekaitz Mendizabal "Goixerri"-Mikel Mantzisidor and Eñaut Urreisti-Unai Lekerika will play next week [July 28], the final of the Jai Alai Master Series in Mutriku.
2023/07/24
Photo Danak Bat.
Alex Uriarte Atxikallende
Yesterday [July 23], during Male's day, they competed in the semi-finals of the Mutriku Jai Alai Master Series , at the Miruaitz fronton. All tickets had been sold out beforehand, the stands were filled to the brim with spectators, and a unique festive atmosphere prevailed in the front hall. After opting for Mutricuar, the pairs made up by the organizers did not disappoint and showed their top level on the court.
Photo: Danok Bat.
In the first semi-final, Aaron Gonzalez de Matau from Arava and Jon "Bullet" Zabala from Markina-Xemin played against Ekaitz Mendizabal (Goixerri) and Mikel Mantzisidor. Equality was the main protagonist from the first rounds: neither pair managed to widen a significant gap on the scoreboard. With a difference of a couple of points, the match was in the hands of either of the two at all times. After the 8-9, the couple from Mutriku took a step forward, and pocketed the first set with a score of 12-15 .
Gonzalez de Matauko and Zabala could not change the score in the second set
The second set played along the same lines as the first. In fact, Gonzalez de Matauko and Zabala, despite trying hard, could not direct the match to the situations they were interested in and, accordingly, they were sent off in their attempt to overturn the score. That's right, they didn't make it easy for the puntistas of the house. Goixerri and Manzi won the second with the same score as the first set . With that result, the home team got a ticket to the final in front of the home team.
Photo: Danok Bat.
Urreisti and Lekerika, reliably. The second match made it clear from the start that it was going to be a huge fight. The organizers highlighted the "nice and close" competition: "To win the match, it was necessary to play a lot; both couples held each other tight, giving the audience a great match".
Urreisti was brave in attacks, while Lekerika was reliable in defense
In his retirement year, Iñaki Osa Goikoetxea from Zuma and Ruben Bailo from Noain played against Eñaut Urreisti from Mutriku and Unai Lekerika from Gernika-Lumota. Despite playing against opponents in the division, Urreisti did not flinch and was the protagonist of the match. Against two walls, at the finish and with serve, the young striker played bravely, from time to time taking the veteran Goikoetxea under control. His defender Lekerika, once again at an extraordinary physical level, worked in defense without any cracks, and took possession of the back boxes. With great reliability and strength, the Urreisti-Lekerika pair won both sets 12-15 and 10-15. qualifying for the final.
Photo: Danok Bat.
Equality is the main feature that the organizers anticipate on the eve of the final in Bari [July 28]: "There are no clean candidates; probably the one who makes the fewest mistakes will win. Urreisti and Lekerika, if they confirm their place in the semi-finals, form a pair that can face anyone. In any case, Goixerri and Manzi have been playing together since childhood; so if they can do something, it's to understand each other and work as a team".
World champions Eneritz Lizardi and Maite Ortiz de Mendibil were also honored
Top and quarry, honored. Goikoetxea received a tribute from the Danok Bat team in Miruaitz. They stated that he received it "excitedly", being "a court he has always known". In addition, they also honored the Mutriku players who won the international . Along with them, also the World Champions: Eneritz Lizardi from Mutri and Maite Ortiz de Mendibil from Gasteiz.
