The most aggressive Elezkano II returns

So close so far. The first official championship of the season kicks off this Friday night at the Bearzana de Villabona with a good game from which Elezkano II came out well, who has returned to a remarkable version after a somewhat hesitant summer. The Biscayan has not had a good summer period, even playing opening acts or third matches within the festivals, but that aggressive Elezkano II has returned and has produced remarkable performances in recent years. It was a life or death battle and the one who goes home is Artola, who has made two mistakes at key moments that have led to a more even than hard clash.

Elezkano II will have a jackpot. Nothing more and nothing less than three more games within the Four and a Half. He had to sweat a lot to get it since he only reached a four-goal advantage with 21-17, an unequivocal sign that the give and take between the two pelotaris has existed in a very fast fronton in which the take out and the rest. It sounds like a cliché, more inside the cage, but the player who had the serve would have the initiative if that first pitch was live.

That said, the balance has fallen on the side of Elezkano II, helped, to a great extent, by two bad serves from Artola at times when you cannot fail. Because if you do, like last night, you go home early in a championship as attractive as Cuatro y Medio.

The alegiarra was superior when he invited Zaratamo to dance. More than a close dance, the Gipuzkoan sought to separate himself from his opponent. It has been better when he has had the ability to open the court with his left, forcing Elezkano II to respond from the backcourt. He has given him speed, but Artola has found the most aggressive Elezkano II in recent years. He has missed a lot, yes, but he was also right when he went on the attack. The nine errors remain in borage water when you score twelve points in play and another six on serve.

One long and one short

“It has escaped me due to details”, added an Artola who has helped Elezkano II to go to the quarterfinals. At 7-11, the biggest lead he had, his serve was long, while when he was still alive at 21-19 his serve was short. Unforgivable mistakes in such an even match in which no one had more than five goals for rent. The Biscayan was able to close it before with 21-17, but his hook from one and a half went down. Luckily, because last night instead of sweet dreams I would have had nightmares.