On the left, Iker Iribarria. And on the right, Erik Jaca. /
Irribarria or Jaka, with two and one txapela from the tournament, will be eliminated on Monday in the best match of the first round of the tournament
Astelana received two Manomanista champions with less light than usual. The atmosphere was dim. Improper when two stars come together. Iker Irribarria, double Manomanista champion, will face off against Erik Jaka, also champion in the premier class. They are two of the five champions that the tournament has if you count Joseba Ezkurdia, Mikel Urrutikoetxea and Jokin Altuna. However, not everyone gets in. One of the two will be eliminated on Monday in Eibar, and it will be necessary to see if Urrutikoetxea is capable of overcoming a Darío tomorrow who arrives launched while Ezkurdia cannot trust Agirre on Sunday either. He is the Manomanista of champions and some will say goodbye before their time.
The first to exercise yesterday at Astelena was Iker Irribarria. He did it alone without the help of any other partner. «I have not been able to train as much as I would have liked, but I arrive alive, with a spark and with enthusiasm». Despite the fact that the Gipuzkoan did not reach the Couples final, he understands that “the tournament has been long and hard, especially in the last few games, I get to the tournament as best I could,” he added, although without making excuses knowing that he is one of the best to the whole field.
After the election, it was Erik Jaka’s turn. The Lizartzarra trained with Iñaki Artola. He was serving and receiving for ten minutes before playing two five-goal games against Artola. «I have had time to prepare for the championship, but what is clear is that nobody arrives without training. If each one does their own thing, they will surely be in good shape. The Baiko striker comes from doing “physical training in which I have put more load and then be finer. Hands on I’m fine.”
Praise fell from one side and the other. «If there is any specialist in this modality, it is Iker. He has won twice and lost one Manomanista final. He opens a lot of space, he is the one who hits the most and when he is confident he finishes goals well. He is still 26 years old, with that everything is said. You have to think that no one is invincible,” said Jaka about Irribarria. Aspe striker did the same praising his rival. «Erik is a dangerous pelotari, he is champion of the Manomanista and that is not by chance. He is very skilled in the air game, with the volley he manages, defends well and immediately finishes the goals. I have to disconnect him so that the game becomes uphill for him, ”launched the amararra.
There is no precedent between them in singles, although they both know how each other plays. Whoever wins continues, whoever loses goes home. “We are used to playing these types of games. I don’t think beyond Monday because I have a very tough rival,” Irribarria added.
