Laso and Imaz, just semifinalists

Unai Laso and Ander Imaz had a peaceful afternoon yesterday at the Ogueta in Vitoria against Peña II and Albisu and entered the semi-finals of the Couples Championship. They corroborated the difference between the two during three months of competition with a clear 22-11, the second most comfortable victory of the nine they have reaped since November 20. They didn’t even need to cross the Bizkarreta and Oiartzun ones at a great height, since they found many facilities along the way. Peña II started with a volley miss (1-0) and ended with a hook to the plate (22-10). In between, he accumulated another seven errors to total nine goals lost, including two when it came time to return Laso’s serves from the air.

The start of Tolosa was disconcerting and entered into a negative dynamic from which he did not come out at any time. Albisu started well, safe and dominating. However, his striker did not let him do it to the recommended extent. He entered too fast and wrong. He has succeeded Peña II on several occasions during the current championship. Perhaps Albisu has lacked to punch the table and show stripes within the couple, because the ataundarra started the tournament with doubts, but right now he gives the impression of being well. It has not been enough to transfer it to the results.

Unai Laso once again exhibited the club on his right arm, the one that helps him open up gaps on the pitch. When he goes into action both from the base and from the boat, he puts his waist wonderfully and forces the opposing defender, something that on this occasion Peña’s right hand did not achieve at any time. Fulfilled that premise, he takes over the left foot of Bizkarreta to culminate the manufactured advantages.

ungreased couple

If Peña II and Albisu have failed to grease the couple so that it flowed like twelve months ago, the opposite has happened to Laso and Imaz. Each one has managed their plot with solvency in their premiere together. The oiartzuarra is among the defenders with the fewest mistakes throughout the tournament. It is a guarantee of effort and knowing how to be. Laso, in addition to defending and attacking within his plot, has come to the aid of his team-mate with common sense, without going overboard.

Ander Imaz confesses that he has felt good in the championship “after two difficult participations”. It has once again been a suitable complement for those who have reaffirmed themselves as the main value of the Baiko company in major competitions. Runner-up of the Navarran Cuatro y medio, absent from the CaixaBank Masters due to a business decision, runner-up of the official Cuatro y Medio, and now the only defender, along with Imaz, of the Biscayan company’s pavilion in the semi-final group.

Aspe’s competition appears powerful. Irribarria and Rezusta will be their opponents on the first day, on Saturday at the Labrit in Pamplona. Elezkano II-Zabaleta and Altuna III-Martija appear on the horizon. Nobody disputes that they have been the four best couples. These are not going to give up.

Also worth mentioning is the poor attendance at the Ogueta de Vitoria, with just over 300 balls. The dimensions of the Gasteiz venue, with a capacity of more than 1,500, make it impossible to hide the size of the empty spaces. Baiko and Aspe have not been successful in choosing the venue.