The ball dismisses an unforgettable striker

Oinatz Bengoetxea announced yesterday from his native Leitza that he is leaving the professional ball after not reaching an agreement with Baiko, which only offers him a month’s contract -his relationship ended at the end of the month-, when his firm intention has always been to turn twenty years as a professional, which would arrive in October 2022. With the agur of Aimar Olaizola and the last match as a professional of Bengoetxea VI, scheduled for January 26 at the Labrit in Pamplona, ​​the professional ball remains orphaned.

With the withdrawal of Bengoetxea VI, a circle of those pelotaris that fell in love at the beginning of the century closes. They are no longer Irujo, Olaizola II, Titín III, Xala, Gonzalez, Berasaluze II … and from next month, Bengoetxea VI. A giant ball leaves. One of those charismatic references that conquered hearts in every fronton in which he played. He did it with a tight hook that narrowly cleared the counter, with a stop in the unattainable choco, with a wide threaded left or with a defense with caste. It did not reach the elegance of Olaizola II or the forcefulness of Irujo, but it did demonstrate a technique and precision that others could not capture.

Bengoetxea VI will play five more games as a professional until the Gerriko hangs up. Baiko has scheduled a tour that ends on January 29 at the Labrit, the same fronton where Oinatz made his debut on October 5, 2002. On December 26, he will say goodbye to the Bizkaia fronton, where he got his last txapela as a professional. On January 2, they will applaud him at the Ogueta in Vitoria, where he won his two txapelas from Cuatro y Medio. Bengoetxea will call at Atano III in San Sebastian on January 16. There he began to forge his legend as a baseball player by beating Abel Barriola 22-17 in the Manomanista final, the first of his professional titles. The Beotibar de Tolosa will be his penultimate stop, on January 24, to put an end to his professional career on January 29 at Labrit. At the moment, neither his teammates nor possible rivals are known.

Bengoetxea VI leaves with four txapelas and more than a thousand games behind him. Its showcases are adorned by two Manomanista txapelas (2008 and 2017), one from Cuatro y Medio (2016) and another from the Couples Championship (2015). Leitza’s is one of the seven pelotaris that has won the three great handball championships. This has been achieved by Retegi II, Irujo, Olaizola II, Arretxea, Urrutikoetxea, Barriola and, since 2016, Oinatz Bengoetxea. To these titles are added a runner-up from Cuatro y Medio (2012), two runners-up from Couples (2005 and 2017), as well as two txapelas from Cuatro y Medio from Navarra. Almost nothing.

«I still have illusion»

However, the withdrawal in January from Bengoetxea comes, somehow, somewhat forced. The leitzarra has always shown his desire and intention to reach twenty years as a professional, which will not happen. His contract with the Bilbao promoter ends at the end of December and in the negotiations they have only reached an agreement for the relationship between the two to be extended for another month. Baiko has not wanted to offer him that year of contract that he demanded. «The company has its interests and counts on young people. For my part I understand it and I have no reproaches for anyone, I only keep the good things, “said the forward yesterday, who left open the possibility of continuing to play – not in professionals – until October 2022.” These are going to be the last five games with Baiko as a professional and in big frontons, but I still have the illusion of playing in small towns and frontons like Leitza. It would be nice to play here in October », he slipped by surprise.

Bengoetxea VI was prepared for this denouement. «It happens in all areas of life, everything has its end. I face it with regret, but also with a point of pride for all the work done. I was psyched for a long time and you prepare for it, “he remarked.

The Navarrese did not forget the Pelotazale fans, which “I tried to win so they could enjoy my game.” He also wanted to thank the support of Bixente Artola ‘Txato’, his masseur, as well as Arkaitz and Asier, his brother and cousin, who also acted as a botillero.