There is no clear favorite for the final of the Cuatro y Medio today (5:00 p.m.) in Bizkaia for the seven-time champion of the modality, Aimar Olaizola. Neither for the chair. The money will go out 100 to 90 in favor of Altuna III, a minimal difference if you take into account how the money came out for Amezketa just a month ago in the summit clash of heads up. The modality is different, but the protagonists are the same. And now it is Lizartza’s who wears the champion’s red elastic, so everything has been evened out. «The final part open. The same protagonists repeat, and that means that they are the two who are in better shape. The one who manages to offer his best version will be the one who takes the txapela », highlights the one from Goizueta.
What happened so far remains in the background. Even that the one who will wear blue fell in such a short period of time in the biggest final against the same rival, something he was not used to. “The fans thought he would have many doubts, but he has shown that he continues at a very high level. It’s Altuna III’s fifth consecutive final, and that means a lot. It is a distance in which he handles very well and in which he feels comfortable.
The presence of Jaka in a duel of these characteristics is not surprising either. He achieved his first title in November, «But for about two seasons I have already seen showing what he plays. Even last year he was close to reaching this final. What the Navarrese does believe is that Lizartza’s, at the moment, may be Altuna III’s worst rival, “but not because he recently won, but because of the confidence that the previous victory has given him.”
His sweet moment is evident. “And the head is very important in crashes of these characteristics.” “He is one of the best spikers because he hides the hook very well both when he wants to put the ball in the width and in the ‘txoko’, and he is touching the ball quickly. He is one of the pelotaris that he serves the best, and in such a modality it is very important. Nowadays, the initial play is 60%, because if you don’t get the goal with it, you can take advantage of the next pitch ».
“The serve is 60% in a game, because if you do not achieve as much direct it facilitates the next pitch”
the strategy
Quick match
The breadth of the Bizkaia fronton can give the receiver more confidence when returning the ball with height, “but if they serve long as in the semifinals, there are not many miracles.” Given the characteristics of both contenders, Goizueta expects a fairly quick match. His facility for the auction can shorten the goals, “and I don’t think it will be a very physically demanding duel.” Regarding the tactics of each one, everything indicates that they will lower the ball to avoid the great game that both treasure and they will look for the cut to the feet so that the other is uncomfortable. «The theory is easy and the complicated thing is to apply it. There are other factors to take into account and it is the game that teaches you where the opponent’s weak points may be ».
The tendency will be to shorten the pediment even more than the distance indicates. Do not let the rival think or breathe. Whoever manages to position themselves in the center of the court and move their opponent will have a lot to win. But both Jaka and Altuna III have enough quality to turn around any moment of overwhelm with a strategic blow.
«As for the game there are not many differences between them and if each one manages to give his own the shock can be tight in terms of the result. Another thing is that one of the two begins to falter for some reason in particular and the other takes the victory easier than expected ». qualifies.
The statistics give the reason to Olaizola II. In the last seven editions, since Goizueta and Irujo’s were losing prominence and there was no longer a clear dominator in this specialty, 38 (22-16) has been the minimum number of goals that have been played in a final. Since then there have been six different winners. Jaka may be the seventh, but for that he will have to overcome the forward who has played the most times in a row in this final.
.
