ball | Manomanista: Iñaki Artola reacts on time

At the beginning Iñaki Artola put up with a Beñat Rezusta superior in punch who had the initiative in the game and reacted after the 12-7 against and the first mandatory break established by the regulations to sign a devastating partial 1-15 that gave him the 13-22 victory last night at the Madalessoro in Oiartzun. The one from Alegia, who had just lost against Laso in Zumaia on Monday, adds his first point and reaches the last day of the quarterfinals group with the option of going to the semifinals in group B.

He will remain attentive to what happens this Saturday at the Labrit in Pamplona between Laso and Jaka, with whom he shares a group (ETB1, 5:15 p.m.). The accounts begin to clear up. A victory automatically classifies Laso and second place would be pending the match between Alegia and Lizartza, which in that case would be measured in a pure tie. If Jaka wins, on the other hand, the two places for the semifinals will be up in the air and calculations will have to be used to resolve possible ties.

This Friday’s Rezusta-Jaka offered two completely different halves, separated by 12-7. Until then, the defender from Bergara provided the right combination when it came to hitting behind –both from the bounce and from the underhand or besagain– with well-executed drop shots. He also employed the right with solvency. On his part, it should be noted, however, that he did not find a way to make a stroke in accordance with the superiority that he demonstrated.

Artola suffered until then, clumsy with the serve. The panorama changed from 12-7. If Jaka scored sixteen goals in a row the previous Friday in Bergara, Rezusta saw this time how his opponent nailed him eleven to turn the score around and go ahead 13-18. He diluted Aspe’s to the same extent that Baiko’s grew, capable of directing his serves better and collecting a couple of kick-off actions.

Rezusta no longer enjoyed the same left-footedness, off in the second half and victim of that irregularity that haunts him in this discipline. His fate now depends on others.