San Fermín Tournament of Emakume Master Cup Kicks Off in Tafalla and Aretxabaleta

The pairs Arrizabalaga-Bertiz and Salsamendi-Mendizabal secured the first points at the start of the championship.

Handball on a wooden fronton court floor, with blurred court background.
IA

Handball on a wooden fronton court floor, with blurred court background.

The frontons of Tafalla and Aretxabaleta hosted the start of the women's hand-pelota San Fermín Tournament this weekend, as part of the Emakume Master Cup circuit, where Arrizabalaga-Bertiz and Salsamendi-Mendizabal secured the first victories.

In Group A, the duo of Olatz Arrizabalaga and Bertiz defeated Amaia Alday and Arrate Bergara 22-16 in Aretxabaleta. It was a spectacular match, fiercely contested with a fast pace in the front courts and little rallying. Both front players aimed to score quickly with an aggressive style of play. The players from Bizkaia delighted the audience with their array of shots: hooks, drop shots, two-wall shots...
The match remained even until 16-16. From that moment on, Arrizabalaga, from Gernika, sealed the first triumph.
In Tafalla, Laia Salsamendi and Nora Mendizabal, the current runners-up, showcased their skill against Ibarrola-Bertiz at the Ereta fronton. The player from Isaba and the one from Gipuzkoa dominated with a 22-8 victory. Aizane Ibarrola did not perform at her best.
For the championship, Goiuri Zabaleta and Itxaso Erasun, the reigning champions, will defend their title. The players from Leitza and Zizurkil will be in Group A, alongside Alday-Bergara, Arrizabalaga-Bertiz, and Ainhoa Ruiz de Infante-Zabala. Group B, meanwhile, will consist of Etxegarai-Gaminde –champion of the 2025 and 2026 Pairs, the 2025 Four and a Half, and the Nations League in both modalities, as well as the 2025 DEIA award for best pelota player–, Salsamendi-Mendizabal, Sagardui-Arrillaga, and Ibarrola-Capellán.
In each branch, a round-robin league will be played, and the top two combinations from each group will secure their spots in the semifinals in Doneztebe. The San Fermín Tournament will pass through Aretxabaleta, Tafalla, Derio, Usurbil, Berriz, Eskoriatza, Galdakao, Aranguren, Arrigorriaga, Ansoain, Burlada, and Zizurkil. The final will be held at the Labrit in Iruñea on July 11.