Ezkurdia and Tolosa go back ‘in extremis’

The ball has not worked in the carnivals of Tolosa, a date and venue with a tradition in the Manista calendar. Neither on nor off the field. The poor entrance of Monday, 405 spectators, decreased yesterday to 264 faithful balls. The Beotibar has not boiled with people or costumes as we had become accustomed to seeing before the pandemic, surely due to a compendium of factors. The sports offer has lacked attractiveness, mainly due to the lack of competition after Tolosa has put important points at stake in numerous editions of the Couples Championship for years. Send the competition.

A play-off match, for example, would have brought the schedule to life. Names are also missing. Altuna III, originally scheduled, was dropped from the poster. Also his replacement, Irribarria. The proximity of the semi-final league has had a negative impact. The absence due to bad hands of Artola in the opening act -the Alegiarra is a ballplayer with pull at Beotibar- has not helped either.

The delay in knowing if Tolosa would celebrate the carnivals or not, together with the postponement to last weekend of Oinatz Bengoetxea’s farewell, made it difficult for companies to plan with the content and in advance that they would have wanted. In any case, their intention to schedule these days is praiseworthy despite being aware of the obstacles that existed, including a certain reluctance that is still observed among people of a certain age to attend the fronton. Keeping the calendar is essential for the future of the activity.

Outside the sphere of baseball, neither have those of 2022 been typical carnivals. The observation corresponds to a Tolosa: «As the City Council decided at the last minute to go ahead with the party, there are many people who have left Tolosa these days, since they had booked trips in advance. It shows in the composition of the comparsas. They are missing regulars.” In the street, the youth has stood out both on Monday and Tuesday.

This circumstance has also been able to influence attendance at Beotibar. The professional hand is currently fighting against its own problems and against the elements in search of financial solvency compromised by Covid-19 and its aftermath.

Good start and bad end of Jaka

There was excitement yesterday in the outcome of the star, but do not be fooled by the movements on the scoreboard. He disappointed a meeting in which the most notable was the final comeback. Ezkurdia and Tolosa, behind in the electronics from 0-1 except for 4-4, turned the score from 17-21 to 22-21.

Jaka tarnished his promising finisher start with an end without rhyme or reason on his part. Four of the last six goals from the opponents came through his mistakes, including the left foot that fell under the plate in the final 17-21.

Ezkurdia, above all, and Tolosa staged a worrying start full of failures. The defender from Anoeta had enormous difficulties to save Jaka’s shots and sent two service returns upstairs with his left foot. However, they straightened out the course and finished better, although they owe much of their victory to the mistakes of their rivals.

Within a dark gray tone, Albisu kept his cool. He dominated for long periods. Without highlighting, without shining. Waiting for better times. For him and for the ball in carnivals.