The first ticket to the final of Sunday’s championship is at stake this afternoon in a semifinal that promises to be a classic. Jokin Altuna and Peio Etxeberria, two champions and specialists, will face each other at the Atano III fronton in a match where neither is a clear favorite. The encounter, which begins at 17:15 local time and will be broadcast on ETB1, is the highlight for the pelotazale community, a showdown where the historical books show perfect parity: four wins apiece.
Head-To-Head Record Is a Clean Tie
The “espadas en todo lo alto” metaphor is fitting for this matchup. The head-to-head record between the two players, both from Aspe, is a clean tie. Their achievements show how large the contest is: Altuna III has four championship trophies in the fronton, while Etxeberria boasts 22 victories in the short distance.
The path to this semifinal has differed for the two players. Peio Etxeberria, who is defending the txapela, has been a “martillo pilón,” securing all three of his liguilla matches. He dominated specialists like Ezkurdia, Murua, and Elordi with a level of solvency that has marked his campaign. His only moment of difficulty came against the player from Arbizu in the opening liguilla match.
🏐 Mañana el frontón Atano III acogerá una emocionante jornada de semifinales del Campeonato 4½ con pelotaris de alto nivel 🔴 🔵 Altuna III y Peio Etxeberria se enfrentan por un pase para la final#donostia #sansebastian @donostia_kirola @baikopilota @aspepelota pic.twitter.com/i5Xk4p3fCF
Jokin Altuna, however, has followed a different trajectory, described as “de menos a más.” His journey was not without drama. He suffered a defeat to Zabala, saved a match ball against Laso, and confirmed his passage to the semifinals without apparent trouble against Peña II. This contrast in form adds another layer to the tactical battle ahead.
Etxeberria’s Jaula Dominance
A key factor in Peio Etxeberria’s favor is his record at the Atano III fronton, referred to as the “jaula.” The Navarrese player has not lost a match there since October 10, 2025, when he fell to Erik Jaka by a score of 18-22 during the preliminary liguilla. From that date forward, Etxeberria has accumulated seven consecutive victories in the short fronton. This streak is a significant endorsement of his ability to perform in this specific venue as he seeks to reach a final for the second year in a row.
Altuna Acknowledges the Favorite
In a display of candid sportsmanship, Jokin Altuna has openly acknowledged his opponent’s status as the favorite. During the material selection last Tuesday, the player from Amezketa stated, “El favorito es Peio porque me ganó bien el año pasado en este mismo frontón y porque ha ganado los tres partidos de la liguilla bien, excepto el de Ezkurdia. Es el favorito claro.” This public acknowledgment frames the match as a challenge for Altuna to overcome both his rival and the expectations that come with them.
This semifinal, following the matches that began on Tuesday, represents the moment when all pre-game talk ends. The declarations aimed at shaking off pressure are now part of the record, and the focus shifts entirely to the first serve. While the world of pelota may be fixated on a potential future Altuna-Laso matchup, the clash between the Zenotz and Amezketa players stands on its own merit. They have faced each other in six quarterfinals of the short distance, in last year’s semifinals (won by Peio Etxeberria), and at the end of 2024 (won by Altuna). These are not ordinary matches; they are encounters between champions, each with a legacy to uphold.
Winner Advances to Final on Sunday
The winner of today’s match will advance to the final on Sunday, the 22nd, at the Bizkaia Arena. The loser will be eliminated from the tournament. The other semifinal will be played tomorrow at the Ogueta fronton.
