The right of is working well to Mariezkurrena II. /
Rubén Beloki understands that “Zabaleta may be the best defender in history” and believes “it is impossible for Mariezkurrena not to play a lot of ball”
The balls are already turning their eyes towards Sunday’s appointment at the Aritzbatalde in Zarautz, to the clash between Baiko and Aspe in the heights. The Bilbao company presents Laso-Mariezkurrena II. Eibartarra opposes Altuna III-Zabaleta. The best forwards of the moment against the two great current defenders.
Rubén Beloki, four-time manomanista champion and one of the best defenders in history, is an authorized voice to speak of “a match that I am not going to miss.” He also knows in depth the field where the pelotaris will develop, an Aritzbatalde in which he won two editions of the Zarautz Hiria: the one in 1997 with Miguel Capellán and the one in 2002 together with Aimar Olaizola.
«The one on Sunday in Zarautz is the most beautiful match for couples to see for the pelotazale», emphasizes the one from Burlada. Without losing sight of the forwards, he highlights the defenders, a Zabaleta who took over in his day and a Mariezkurrena II called to great challenges.
“Zabaleta makes a lot of difference at the back and is a terrible ball player when he’s well”, highlights Rubén Beloki. «For a while he has not performed perhaps at the lofty level to which he had accustomed us, but he has dazzled me the last few days that I have seen him. He can be the best defender in history, if he is not already ». The phrase, coming from who it comes from, takes on even greater weight.
Burlada’s whip extends praise to Jon Mariezkurrena at the same time that it relativizes them. «He took a step forward in the San Fermín Tournament. Competitive, he possesses a top shot. His level will rise as he improves his left foot a little every day. He is getting closer to the pelotari that he can be».
Beloki thinks that Berriozar’s man “has had hand problems with some frequency and we don’t have patience. We want everything now and the evolution of a defender takes time. Seeing his skills, it is impossible that Mariezkurrena II does not play a lot of ball. Something serious has to happen so that he does not become a great defender ».
“The ball takes weight behind”
The former mayor of Baiko also analyzes the duel at the back on Sunday from the perspective of the fronton. «The Aritzbatalde is not the best fronton to withstand Zabaleta because it is heavy, hard. In any case, if Mariezkurrena has something, it is character. The ball takes on a lot of weight when it gets close to squares eight and nine. The power defender makes even more difference than on other courts, especially with a ball that is difficult to move. And the front is a limpet. If you don’t hit it, the ball stops. Strikers like Unanue and Olaizola II took advantage of that characteristic to show off in the auction.
