The Gipuzkoa Inter-Town Handball Championship will take place throughout May, culminating in the grand final on June 28. Four towns from Debagoiena will participate: Aretxabaleta, Antzuola, Bergara, and Oñati. The competition will be held in cadet, youth, and senior categories, always in a doubles format.
Each knockout round consists of six matches—two per category, played at home and away. The town with the most victories will advance. In case of a 3-3 tie, the total number of points scored will determine the qualifier.
Antzuola is one of the main novelties this year, returning to the competition after a 20-year absence. A town representative explained that while it is challenging to form pairs in all categories every year in a small town, they have succeeded this time. In the cadet category, Urki Iturbe, Xabi Insausti, and Ekain Irizar will compete; in youth, Auritz Iturbe, Egoi Aranburu, and Olatz Insausti; and in senior, Aitor Mendizabal and Manex Balerdi. The representative highlighted that they have a strong pair in the senior category, noting that Mendizabal is a former professional player.
“"Our main goal is to participate, without much pressure."
Aretxabaleta will kick off the championship at home this Saturday against Alegia. Cadets will play at 10:30 AM and seniors around 12:00 PM. A local representative stated that they have formed a good team, with Aritz Zugasti being a standout player in the senior category. The pairs for the three categories will be: cadets, Asier Elkorobarrutia and Peio Jauregi; youth, Egoitz Ibabe and Unax Gonzalez; and seniors, Aritz Zugasti and Ager Lanzos.
Bergara will enter the tournament directly in the second knockout round, having reached the quarterfinals last year. According to a town representative, their primary objective is to overcome this round. Bergara's representation will be extensive: in cadets, Urko Muruamendiaraz, Oier Fernandez, and Aimar Olano; in youth, Aritz Etxabe and Aitor Kontreras; and in seniors, Ander Etxaniz, Aratz Ormaetxea, Gorka Martin, and Arri Otermin. They have high hopes for the senior category, especially given Etxaniz's skill level.
Oñati has also presented a strong team this year. A town representative explained that they have their most balanced team in recent years, despite being drawn against a tough opponent: Aduna. Oñati's players will be: cadets, Peru Gezalaga and Mikel Egurbide; youth, Liher Errasti and Iker Rodriguez; and seniors, Mikel Ugarte and Iñigo Erle. This Saturday, they will play the first leg at 6:30 PM, with the return match in Oñati during the San Migel Txiki festivities.
According to the representatives, Basque handball remains vibrant in Debagoiena, even though it can be challenging to gather enough players in some categories. While larger towns maintain greater continuity, Antzuola's return demonstrates that enthusiasm for the sport persists.
