The Masters will repeat finalist couples at the Navarra Arena

2023-09-30 00:19:06

There were no surprises. The CaixaBank Masters will repeat the final. Altuna III and Imaz will play their revenge against Ezkurdia and Mariezkurrena II this Sunday after their respective victories yesterday at the fronton of the Navarra Arena. The current holders of the trophy had to defeat Jaka and Martija (22-20), while those from Amezketa and Oiartzun achieved a comfortable victory (22-13).

Last year’s champions worked hard to return to play the summit match against the good game played by Jaka and Martija. They had to overcome a 0-7 start because Lizartza’s forward started unruly, while their defender held down the power of Mariezkurrena II. But at the moment the Colorados changed the ball, Berriozar’s defender began to open more holes and Ezkurdia managed to establish himself to start a comeback that came before the midpoint of the contest.

With Jaka annulled everything was easier, while the work piled up on his bodyguard. They reached the first mandatory break two up (12-10), but by then the balls that had crossed exceeded 380 and the material lost its shine.

Martija began to be less overwhelmed and crossed the ball better, so the blues managed to stay involved in the match until the end. Jaka remained dangerous against a more practical Ezkurdia, and the difference did not exceed four goals (20-16). Lizartza’s player took a chance on the shot because by then his teammate’s fatigue was significant, and with two beautifully crafted hooks they got within one at the right time (21-20). In the next goal they had the situation under control but when it was about to end the ball went down.

The second duel featured a nice give and take between the starting forwards. Altuna III was in his line to entangle, but Peña II knew how to counteract him perfectly. At the back, the security of both defenders was the dominant tone. In this way, the score remained equal until a tie at seven.

But the player from Amezketa was fresh and with clear ideas, and moved the ball and his rivals well to reach the first mandatory break with a four-goal advantage (12-8) after a recital of shots. The advantage gave the Colorados the confidence they needed to stay the same, and they increased the difference progressively. Peña II could not beat his rival in the happy squares, while Imaz had the situation under control quite well at the back. The blues faded little by little.

Four and a Half

This Saturday afternoon the two pelotaris missing from the Cuatro y Medio draw will be announced. Elezkano II and Darío face each other in the Aspe eliminatory at the Beotibar fronton in Tolosa (5:15 p.m.). Baiko celebrates his between Agirre and Zubizarreta IV (6:00 p.m.) in the Guipuzcoan town of Itziar.