Couples Championship: Altuna and Martija nail a 22-8 to Peña II and Albisu

Jokin Altuna takes a serve last night at the Igarondo with Jon Ander Peña waiting. / IÑIGO ROYO

They add the ninth point to continue in the fight for the direct pass to the semifinal group against Peña II and Albisu, who do not raise their heads

Joseba Lezeta

Two couples in opposite moods crossed paths within the Couples Championship last night at the Igarondo fronton in Idiazabal. The game disappointed because one of them failed, the loser, who was about to suffer one of those defeats that are remembered for a long time. The 18-1 was more than worrying. The other, the winner, tiptoes on the second lap, as if nothing could stop her. She has won in seven of her last eight engagements.

Altuna III and Martija had no mercy on Peña II and Albisu, endorsing them 22-8 in the fastest clash of all that have been played in this edition. The Jon Anders ran a serious risk of staying in one or two goals. They fixed the score, but they still don’t take flight and don’t raise their heads. They are an eternity away from the couple that was proclaimed runner-up last year and was able to beat the champions twice.

Those from Aspe slept leaders with nine points after leaving little less than seen to sentence the game in eleven minutes, time that was enough for them to go ahead 9-1 and sink the moral touch of the two Baiko pelotaris. No hint of reaction. Quite the contrary. Deeper and deeper. Peña II and Albisu were unable to add a single goal between the two mandatory breaks. They were 18-1.

22
Altuna III-Martija

8
Peña II-Albisu

  • Game time:
    42 minutes and 45 seconds.

  • Balls to good:
    341.

  • Serving points:
    Altuna III, 2. Peña II, 1.

  • Serve faults:
    Altuna III, 0. Peña II, 0.

  • So many at stake:
    Altuna III, 12. Martija, 0. Peña II, 4. Albisu, 2.

  • So many lost:
    Altuna III, 0. Martija, 1. Peña II, 4. Albisu, 4.

  • Marker:
    0-1, 18-1, 18-4, 21-4, 21-8 and 22-8.

  • Exit odds:
    100 to 60 in favor of Altuna III and Martija. 40 to 100 below.

  • Incidents:
    360 ball courts in the Igarondo de Idiazabal covered the limit of 75% capacity allowed this week in the courts of the Basque Autonomous Community.

Two stops to Peña’s txoko and a right hand close to Albisu’s nine stopped the bleeding. Jokin Altuna had done his thing and Julen Martija dominated the Ataundarra defender, unable to take control of the game.

The victory reaffirms Altuna and Martija, but it is very likely that they will play a direct ticket to the semi-final group on Sunday next week at Astelena in Eibar against Laso and Ander Imaz.

Peña II and Albisu still haven’t got that sixth win that ensures their presence in the playoffs. They have another chance. It may even happen that they do not need more points, but for now they are on the tightrope. Regarding their pursuers, they have lost the particular average with Ezkurdia-Tolosa, who beat them in both games, and with Urrutikoetxea-Aranguren, this one by trial and error. Instead, they would benefit from a draw with Jaka-Mariezkurrena II, whom they defeated in both the first and second rounds. There is nothing decided.

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