Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain – Just 70 days after hitting a low point in their campaign, the pairing of Jokin Altuna III and Joseba Ezkurdia have secured their place in the final of the Parejas Championship. Their journey, marked by a dramatic turnaround, culminated in a decisive 22-15 victory over Laso-Albisu at the Ogueta in Vitoria-Gasteiz on Sunday, setting the stage for a championship clash on March 29th at the Navarra Arena in Pamplona.
The road to the final wasn’t straightforward. Early in the season, Altuna III and Ezkurdia found themselves near the bottom of the qualifying standings after four consecutive defeats. Following a particularly challenging 22-10 loss to Laso-Albisu on December 6th, the experiment, overseen by Aspe, appeared to be faltering. Ezkurdia struggled in the zaguero (backcourt) position, while Altuna III was relegated to less impactful roles.
“The people had written us off, but we had a lot of faith,” Ezkurdia stated after the semifinal win, as reported by various news outlets. “Another final, who would have said that then? We can’t believe it.” Ezkurdia has the opportunity to develop into the first player in history to win the Parejas Championship both as a delantero (frontcourt player) and a zaguero. Mikel Urrutikoetxea previously achieved the txapela (championship) as a zaguero in 2016, but never replicated that success playing as a delantero.
The initial pairing was a strategic move by Aspe, who had previously tested Altuna III with Ezkurdia as a zaguero during the San Mateo fair, where they reached the final before losing to Jaka and Iztueta – their eventual opponents in Saturday’s championship match. The decision to pair Ezkurdia as Altuna III’s guardaespaldas (bodyguard) served a dual purpose: addressing Ezkurdia’s positional weaknesses and ensuring all five of Aspe’s top delanteros were included in the championship without relegating anyone to a secondary role, a situation Baiko faced with Peña II.
The start of their campaign offered a glimmer of hope, with comfortable wins against Peio Etxeberria and Rezusta (22-5) and Elordi and Zabaleta (22-14). However, Ezkurdia cautioned that these early successes weren’t necessarily indicative of their true form. “We started by winning the first two matches, but we knew that wasn’t the reality and that tough times would come,” he recalled.
Those tough times arrived swiftly, with four consecutive losses initiating a demanding period where the pair accumulated seven defeats and only two victories. With three rounds remaining in the first phase, they were forced to play each match as if their season depended on it.
A subsequent three-match losing streak threatened to derail their progress entirely. However, a crucial 22-15 victory over Peña II and Imaz, followed by a repeat performance against Jaka and Iztueta (22-16) at the Deportivo, salvaged their position and secured a playoff berth. This win as well opened the door for a potential top-four finish, avoiding an additional playoff round, which they ultimately achieved by defeating Larrazabal and Eskiroz at the Atano III (22-15).
As the fourth-ranked team, Altuna III and Ezkurdia faced Zabala and Martija in the semifinal qualifying round. Despite having lost their previous two encounters, a dominant performance saw them overcome their opponents 22-12, securing a place among the final four.
In the subsequent league stage, Ezkurdia’s improvement as a zaguero became increasingly evident. He played a pivotal role in their 22-16 victory over Elordi and Zabaleta, and then shone even brighter in the decisive match against Laso and Albisu (22-15), earning them a spot in the final. This victory came exactly 70 days after their earlier defeat to the same opponents at the same venue.
“We’ve had tough moments in this tournament,” Ezkurdia acknowledged. “We’re mentally strong, and that’s remarkably important. Jokin and I have both played many matches of this type over the years. I’m not a traditional zaguero, but I know what I have to do.”
The pair now await their opponents in the final, with Jaka and Iztueta standing in their way. The Parejas Championship final is scheduled for March 29th at the Navarra Arena in Pamplona. The match promises to be a thrilling contest, showcasing the skill and determination of these top pelotari.
What’s Next: Altuna III and Ezkurdia will face Jaka and Iztueta in the Parejas Championship final on March 29th at the Navarra Arena in Pamplona. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates and coverage leading up to the championship match.
What are your thoughts on Altuna III and Ezkurdia’s incredible comeback? Share your predictions for the final in the comments below!
