The rugby section of Zarautz Kirol Elkartea, in collaboration with the Basque Rugby Federation, has organized the great Basque rugby festival for this coming Saturday, featuring finals across various categories. The event will run from 10:00 AM until late afternoon, with a total of five finals.
A large crowd is expected, and locals are encouraged to attend on foot, while visiting fans are requested to use buses to avoid congestion. On the sporting front, the absence of Guipuzcoan teams in the finals is notable, reflecting a current trend where Biscayan teams appear to be dominant.
The program includes two youth finals (U16 and U18) in the morning, an inclusive rugby match at midday, and the senior men's and women's finals in the afternoon. Additionally, there will be two special tributes to key figures in Zarautz rugby: Fredy Lilly, a promoter of the sport, and Esteban Collantes, former club president.
The sporting schedule kicks off at 10:00 AM with the U16 match between Getxo and Uribealdea. At 12:00 PM, the U18 final will be played between the same teams. Inclusive rugby will have its moment at 2:00 PM. In the afternoon, at 3:30 PM, the women's senior match will feature Gaztedi and Gurea. The men's final will be contested by Elorrio and Universitario Bilbao.
Mikel Larrañaga, one of the organizers, expressed his honor at Asti being chosen and confirmed that food and drink will be available. Entry is free, and all fans are encouraged to attend. Locals are advised to walk or cycle, while visitors can utilize the urban bus service. Larramendi and Iñaki Rica, president of the Basque Rugby Federation, praised the organization and the work of the Zarautz club.
Iñaki Rica, president of the Basque Rugby Federation, expressed his satisfaction with coming to Zarautz, highlighting the local club's effective management. He also noted the excellent facilities at Asti and anticipated a great atmosphere. Rica acknowledged a transitional period for rugby in Gipuzkoa but expressed confidence in the leadership of Mikel and his team. He emphasized the significance of the Inclusive League as a reflection of the Basque society's solidarity.
