More things are needed to beat Urriza

“I am satisfied that he plays a good game, the problem is to pass the giant,” Peio Aizpuru, three times champion of the Couples and one of the Individual, told us before the first final of his son Joxin. He was right, but half. His scion, which had been the revelation of the championship, performed below the level shown. The nerves and the pressure could. And, furthermore, he not only encountered an unapproachable Urriza but also a Labaka who pleasantly surprised everyone. The Azpeitiarra defender made a great game, complementing himself perfectly with the expalista from Pamplona. It was practically impossible to harm them. If we add to that that Ansa II made more mistakes than usual, a final that lacked emotion is explained.

Urriza and Labaka climbed to the top of the podium. It was the sixth time that the 39-year-old veteran forward did it and the first for the Azpeitiarra defender, a decade younger. They both congratulated themselves on a job well done. Instead, Ansa II and Aizpuru III couldn’t hide their disappointment. They had set an immaculate championship, they were unbeaten, but the final was great for both. At least they already know what it is to play one and they will have drawn their own conclusions.

Theory and practice

“You have to try that Urriza does not play comfortable, you have to move him on the court because as he is planted between seven and eight it is very difficult to overcome him and if you play at his feet he will dominate with the boat run.” This is how the urnietarra striker expressed himself on the eve of the most important day of his career as a professional remontista. He knew the theory almost by heart. It only remained to put it into practice. And that’s the tricky thing. Urriza also knew it, it is the only way to hurt him, but the Navarrese already has many finals behind him and knows how to play his tricks like no one else.

Serious, dominating the game and grown up having a luxurious bodyguard who gave him a lot of confidence, Urriza did what he does best. He began to loosen the ball and ended the resistance of Ansa II and Aizpuru III. No one could overshadow him. Only Labaka, who also became the owner and lord of his plot.

The new champions began to put land in the middle after the tie at three, the last of the entire final. Labaka’s serves – Aizpuru III scored five times three – and Urriza’s power were enough to place 12-4 and they knew how to manage that income until the second ten (20-11). His maximum advantage was at 28-18. Ansa II and Aizpuru reacted until they reached three goals (34-30), but at the moment of truth they made weight errors again.

Urriza decided that it was time to finish, that he wanted to return to Pamplona as soon as possible because of the snowfall. With a shot of five consecutive goals, he finished the final in his favor. His hug with Labaka was significant. “There has been a player far above the rest and that has been clearly seen on the court.” That was the reflection of a former Remontista with a pedigree. There was no need for him to say his name …