Monday, October 21, 2024, 11:03 p.m.
Barandika and López are the new champions of the final four of the Jai Alai League of top basket that this Monday put an end to an intense season. The one from Gernika and the one from Zumaia were faithful to their style, and consistency gave them victory against Johan and Gorka at the Ezkurdi fronton in Durango. The Biarritz brothers stood up and fell with their boots on in an intense and fast-paced match in which they reacted in time, but were left with honey on their lips. Those who wore yellow take over from Erkiaga and Gorka, winners last year. Despite not reaching the final, the Ispaster striker was named best pelota player in the competition.
The winners added a lot. More so, on a field where the veteran Gipuzkoan defender feels comfortable and closes almost all the gaps. In the summit match he was especially inspired because, in addition to growing as he scored difficult balls, he also had the resources to try to tickle his rivals. Barandika was back where he was needed. Effective in defense when helping his teammate and practical in attack with the cut as the main weapon to finish the goal.
Johan was key in the Basque-French reaction because he took risks and things worked out for him, while Gorka withstood the attacks well and had some very worthwhile actions such as a pair of two walls with his right foot from the back of the court.
Viewing the two semifinals, Barandika and López started as favorites but had to put on their work overalls because their rivals were up to the task and played a good game. The excitement on the scoreboard kept the audience that filled the stands hooked, because from the first bars the four came out with the knife between their teeth. The duel was a dog’s face, but the best start of the winners, with López placing the ball well behind, made them go ahead 6-1.
Hilar till
However, Johan and Gorka settled down to grow and claim their prominence. They struck well on the wall and between their rivals to equalize the forces in the first set (10-11). But their rivals held on, charged better from behind and took it (13-15).
In the second, the Sorozabal brothers had to tread very finely. After the tie at seven, a stretch in which the defenders shone, the winners had a three-goal advantage (9-12) that seemed like they could be final, but Johan took a step forward to equalize everything. Their side worked perfectly when push came to shove and they managed to tie the game (15-13).
The match reached the third and final set with their backs high and the Basque-French players grown. But Barandika and López continued doing their thing. They worked tirelessly to reduce the number of errors and made their rivals lack patience at the key moment. After the tie at three, the Gernika striker put a good side through the wall, and Johan played a two-wall from the ninth box that narrowly missed and closed the match after more than an hour and twenty minutes of play ( 3-5).
