Aitor Elordi: Local Visionary & Writer

Aitor Elordi was a prophet in his town this Sunday. Accompanied by a sure shot, Zabaleta beat Jaka and Iztueta at the Mallabia fronton and share the Parejas lead with Laso and Albisu after four rounds. Those from Aspe saved the honor of their operator after the rest of their colleagues had fallen against Baiko’s combinations in the first confrontations between companies of the championship.

Those who wore blue had a much more complete duel than their rivals, who did not look comfortable on the field at all. Especially the Tolosa defender, who did not get the distance from the field or the ball and had to be more aware of defending than anything else. Part of the blame lay with the local striker, who claimed his leading role in the match, set the pace for many goals, moved his rivals well and was correct at the time of completion.

It is true that he lost five balls – two were passes due to taking risks on the serve – but the rest were due to misjudging the shot in his attempt to finish the goal. He had his back well covered by Etxarren’s, who is gaining in numbers as the tournament progresses. Zabaleta only lost one ball. He was established on the field and dominated his field. He had some actions in which he could have enjoyed the ball more to put it in the last frames and he didn’t, but he covered a lot of gaps and was attentive to the balls that his teammate left him.

Those from Aspe started the match much more focused than their rivals and immediately took a five-point lead that gave them the confidence necessary to stay ahead. Elordi’s first pass broke his streak, but the Mallabitarra player remained focused and brought out his hook and volley to keep the Colorados tense, who were unable to close the gap.

A couple of consecutive errors by the Tolosarra defender and a ball that bounced badly and left it off center helped the Biscayan and Navarrese players reach the halfway point of the contest, seven points ahead.

Somersault in Serie B

In the second half, Baiko’s team looked for an impossible reaction because Iztueta failed to balance the forces in the long frames. As a result, Jaka did not have the ball he would have liked and could only leave some glimpses of his quality. He chained together a couple of good shots – a perfect save from the ‘txoko’ and a good hook – which, together with a mistake by Zabaleta, helped them get within five, a difference they maintained in the following goals. But Elordi appeared again at the best moment to break the clash definitively. The Biscayan hit a trademark hook, scored his second serve goal and hit a great drop shot to the wall.

These three goals did a lot of damage to the Colorados, who in the last part of the contest were not successful at all. With the cushion they had, Elordi and Zabaleta remained calm to close the match without excessive problems.

In the Serie B match that opened the festival came the somersault. Murua and Gabirondo won (21-22) over Peña II and Salaverri II. The Gipuzkoans kept the faith when they lost 15-5 and achieved a comeback in a very short time. The mistakes made by the Rioja defender helped them believe and, little by little, they grew to add their third point in the competition.