Javier Zabala’s mother ran to the center of the Adarraga field the second after her son and Martija’s victory … over Jaka and Iztueta by 20-22. With the public on their feet, some followers arrived before her to match the Rioja native, a hero at least for one day. But his kiss was a different story. He gave another one to Martija, as deserved as the first despite the lack of family ties. What seems crazy in our frontons and with our pelotaris, is within normality in La Rioja.
The game was crazy, especially in the final stretch. In the six goals from 18-17 to 20-21 they hit a whopping 225 good balls for a total of 735, counting the 38 of the second leg with the 8-7. With the reserve light on, Martija’s figure grew. He went from dominated to dominator. Of course, he encountered the defense of Iztueta, who gave nothing away.
The player from Tolosa even made it 20-18 by forcing Zabala near the front after defending everything and more in the previous moments. With the four at the limit and short differences, Martija responded in the next goal by reaching the txoko and finishing with a left-handed shot while diving to the ground. He hit him with his wrist. It was worth the same.
Adarraga was going crazy at that point, seeing almost everything lost at 16-11 despite the usual ‘yes we can’ sung from the chicken coop with more desire than conviction. Iztueta commanded behind and barely missed. Jaka defined. Not like five days before in Arrasate, but with quality.
If Zabala and Martija have fallen in the second half of previous matches, this time they came up. From that moment on the forward relied more on his defender, tenacious like few others. He changed the setting based on work and insistence, values from which Jaka and Iztueta did not escape either, recovered after a couple of games below their usual excellent tone.
As if Baiko’s 4-0 victory the previous week had stung Aspe’s pelotaris, the standings are tightening and the Couples Championship is on fire.
