There are days when almost everything goes wrong and you don’t know why. Martxel Iztueta already accumulated several errors unbecoming of his solidity … When at 4-11 Zabaleta hit the center of the field, the ball bounced crooked and left the logical path calculated by the Tolosar defender. It must have hit a hole in the ground or a small mound.
The Couples Championship frequently visits frontons outside the professional circuit and that the pelotaris miss. In the case of Iztueta, no one can attribute his actions to this circumstance because he knows the Mallabia facility well. Not only that. Inside, he won the Biharko Izarrak tournament in June 2022 with Hodei Exposito. He was then 18 years old and had promise.
The irregularity demonstrated by Iztueta so far in the first round is typical of someone who is 21 years old, but it is shocking due to the absence of ups and downs in his performance since he played the CaixaBanka Masters alongside Jokin Altuna in the summer of 2024. Stability has been part of his wide range of virtues for a year and a half. He also gave the impression that he was not going to abandon him throughout his career.
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Playing time:
49 minutes and 41 seconds. -
Good shots:
365. -
Serving points:
Jacket, 1. Elordi, 2. -
Serving faults:
Jacket, 0. Elordi, 2. -
So many at stake:
Jaka, 3. Iztueta, 1. Elordi, 9. Zabaleta, 3. -
So many lost:
Jaka, 3. Iztueta, 5. Elordi, 3. Zabaleta, 2. -
Marker:
Score: 0-5, 2-5, 2-6, 3-6, 3-10, 4-10, 4-12, 7-12, 7-13, 8-13, 8-14, 9-14, 9-17, 10-17, 10-20, 12-20 and 12-22. -
Exit odds:
a la contrendencia by Jaka and Iztueta. -
Incidences:
just over half an entrance into the Mallabia pediment. 233 spectators.
However, Mallabia’s appointment yesterday showed a defender more insecure than usual. Also less dominant than he had been used to when playing pelota, a lack that his teammate Erik Jaka accused, lacking in finishing opportunities.
Iztueta was choked by a notable Aitor Elordi, winner 12-22 along with José Javier Zabaleta, less of a steamroller than a while ago but solvent and capable of creating favorable situations for his forward. The pairing that Unai Laso was talking about on the day of the presentation adds its third victory and ties on points at the top of the table precisely with Bizkarreta and Albisu, leaders thanks to the best goal difference.
Playing at home is a double-edged sword. It helps to know the pediment in depth. Penalize the pressure of being in front of your neighbors and followers. This time it suited Elordi, author of a splendid and fundamental start to escape 0-5 and 3-10 on the scoreboard. He also emerged with a couple of successful shots when the rivals reduced their deficit to five points, 9-14, and had some reason to dream of a comeback. The two serve faults by the local striker – they bounced behind the seven line – remained a mere anecdote.
Sixteen games in nineteen days between Friday and Three Kings
The first phase of the Couples Championship is going to enter its most intense section this Friday in Zalla. A schedule of sixteen matches concentrated in nineteen days awaits the participants. They correspond to the last three days of the first round and the opening day of the second. From December 19 to January 6, the Three Kings’ Day, there are only four dates without competition, all this month: Tuesday the 23rd, Wednesday the 24th –Christmas Eve–, Monday the 29th and Wednesday the 31st –New Year’s Eve–. There will be two meetings on Tuesday the 30th, one in Azkoitia in the afternoon (5:00 p.m.) and another in Durango at night (7:30 p.m.).
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