Friday, January 2, 2026, 7:01 p.m.
Hunger and determination are usually two fundamental aspects to face any challenge and Ansa II and Zubiri showed that they wanted the Parejas txapela … with more eagerness than Ezkurra II and Larrañaga who, after winning the close first set in the last goal, were diluted in the second against Zubiri’s serve to end up losing the third in which Ansa decided to take the bull by the horns to win his first txapela of the Pairs after losing three finals and thus completing a record in which there were already two Individual titles. For his partner, however, this is his first success in a major championship at the age of 38, a real reward “for a ski lift worker”, as a Galarreta regular defined him yesterday who, like many others, is worried about the future of this modality that discounts the days waiting for a solution. Yesterday, 1,540 spectators once again filled the stands of the Hernaniarra venue.
More than 26 minutes and 172 balls crossed in an even and exciting first set. The Colorados led during the first half with a toned Ansa II and a Zubiri who defended like a charm (7-3). However, a couple of errors by the Urnietarra striker and the awakening of Ezkurra II led to the blues turning the score around with a run of 0-6 (10-12) in which Larrañaga added three service goals. Ansa II stopped the bleeding with two precious points, but two goals from Larrañaga and Ezkurra II, the latter with a beautiful two-wall, put the blues on the verge of victory (12-14). Once again, Urnieta’s player went into action to make it 14-14, but in the decisive goal, Ezkurra II’s right arm drew a quick ball against the left wall to take the first set.
Six goals from Zubiri’s serve
In the second set it was seen who was hungrier. Ansa II and Zubiri redoubled their efforts while Ezkurra II and Larrañaga were easily diluted by the serve of the Goizueta defender, who scored up to six. And in just fifteen minutes and 79 shots, the Colorados equalized the final so that everything was decided in the last and final set.
-
Duration:
57 minutes and 12 seconds. -
Shots:
308. -
Serving points:
Zubiri, 10. Larrañaga, 4. -
Serving faults:
Zubiri, 0. Larrañaga, 1. -
So many at stake:
Ansa II, 17; Bridge, 1. Acorn II, 14; Larrañaga, 0. -
So many lost:
Ansa II, 4; Bridge, 2. Acorn II, 6; Larrañaga, 2. -
Primer set:
0-1, 2-1, 2-3, 7-3, 7-5, 9-5, 9-6, 10-6, 10-12, 12-12, 12-14, 14-14 y 14-15. -
Second set:
2-0, 2-1, 6-1, 6-2, 10-2, 10-3, 14-3, 14-6 y 15-6. -
Tercer set:
0-1, 3-1, 3-3 y 8-3. -
Exit odds:
At par. -
Incidences:
Galarreta pediment by Hernani. Full house with 1,540 spectators. The champion Javier Urriza did not miss the event.
Here Ezkurra II and Larrañaga recovered the competitive tension. Each defender added a serve and the forwards shared another two to make it 3-3. Then came the Azkoitia defender’s only serve fault in the match and immediately his teammate sent a ball to the top of the left wall (5-3). Ansa II made it 6-3 and Zubiri scored his tenth serve to put the Colorados on the verge of glory (7-3). At the final point, eleven balls were crossed until Ansa II sent a missile that the blues could not carry out. The one from Urnieta was lifting Zubiri in his arms, the most excited of all. No one was hungrier for txapela than him.
Goikoetxea VI, with 15 goals, decides the Second Division final
After the First Division final, the Second Division final was played where Ander Goikoetxea and Joseba Goikoetxea were superior to Deskarga and Martirena (15-10 and 15-7) and achieved the txapela. Very good game by Goikoetxea VI, who scored a total of 15 goals, nine of them with the serve, and was superior to a blurred Martirena who did not respond to his rival’s long and pumping serve. Deskarga tried to fight back, but it was impossible for him alone because the Goikoetxea brothers had no cracks. The first set was tied until 9-9, while in the second Deskarga and Martirena had no chance of taking the final to the third and final set.
This content is exclusive for subscribers
Do you have a subscription? Log in
