The Winter Series of basket punta, which is held at the Jai Alai fronton in Gernika, already knows its second finalist couple. Goitia and … Lekerika got the ticket this Monday after their resounding victory against Johan and Gorka on the fifth day of the semi-final group. The Markina striker will play in the summit match for the first time, while for his teammate it will be the third opportunity to win one of the most precious titles, which he has not yet been able to win.
Those who wore black needed a 2-0 to qualify for the fight for the crown and they set about it from the first moment. It was enough for their rivals to win, but they were quite subdued compared to other occasions. They arrived on Sunday from the United States where they are competing in the three-month season of the Dania fronton and where they have managed to be in the final of their couples tournament, and the jet lag took its toll on them.
There was a lot at stake, and the winners this time managed the entire match perfectly. Well integrated, they minimized their number of errors, maintained good communication at all times and took risks when they had to. The Markinarra striker brought a lot of shine to his powerful right, while his partner turned out to be an insurmountable wall that brought a lot of security to the combination.
The Basque-French people did not have their day. The haste got the better of Johan. Several balls escaped him due to forced entry and he was not fine at the time of completion. Gorka was more established than his brother on the court. He started doing damage with his right, but he couldn’t withstand the proposal of his rivals.
The first game was a no-brainer. Those in orange held out until they tied at three. But from then on their instability took a heavy toll on them. They did not look comfortable, while their rivals grew as things went for them. Goitia and Lekerika showed great defense, and the forward took advantage of the slightest concession to put the ball in a place that was impossible to return. His best goal was a right-footed cut to the point that made it 11-3.
The third best forward will play in the final
With such an advantage, and given the dynamics of both combinations, we just had to wait for those in black to close the game and it didn’t take long (15-6).
In the second, more battle was expected from those from Biarritz. The pressure was shared because for both couples the set was essential. For the Biscayans to be in the final and for their rivals to stay alive in the match. And there was some more battle. The Basque-French players began to recognize each other on the field and held out until the tie was tied at eight. It was at that moment when Goitia said enough and did mischief with his right hand. Both in the back and in the happy pictures. And the defeated could not stop the gale that came upon them (15-8).
After the injury to Barandika, who underwent surgery on his left elbow this Thursday after being hit by a ball the previous day, the third best striker in the semifinals will be the one to play in the summit clash with Basque on the 15th. Eraman Jai Alai has designated Olharan as his substitute for the last match of the league in which, together with the Bidart defender, he will face Urreisti and López on Monday. If Mutriku’s team wins in the farewell match against Zumaia’s team, the Winter Series will occupy the vacant place in the final.
Tickets for the final
Tickets for the final will go on sale this Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. There will be about 500 that will be published on the website www.eramanjaialai.com. The largest capacity in the lower part of the fronton is already occupied by fans who purchased their voucher before the start of the competition.
