Hostilities will commence in the paleta cuero discipline this Saturday in Sopela, starting at 17:00. Jagoba Madariaga and Markel Sierra will compete against Ander Landeta and Ibai Pérez. In pala corta, Esteban Gaubeka and Iker Gordon will face Erik Zubiri and Ion Olazabal.
Six of the players are professionals, with some of them involved in the new Basquemotion project.
The hand pelota finals will take place this Sunday at the Beloki fronton in Zumarraga, starting at 11:00. In the women's individual category, Olatz Arrizabalaga and Enara Gaminde will compete; in the men's, Ekhi Irribarria and Gaizka Carregal; and in pairs, Beñat Azketa-Aingeru Bernaola will play against Oihan Etxebarria and Oier Elorz.
The two individual cesta punta finals will be held on the same day in Burgelu, starting at 17:30. Helena Barrenetxea and Ihart Arakistain will vie for the women's title, and Ortzi Aldazabal Argoitia and Julen Basterra Txanika for the men's.
“"This is another stage within the pre-selection process."
The Euskal Selekzioa is aiming for its first absolute left-wall World Championship, which will be held in Argentina in October. This competition has covered various modalities and has been held in numerous municipalities across 29 events.
The tournament has two fundamental objectives: firstly, "to offer selectors a competitive tool to observe and evaluate players in a real competition context"; and secondly, "to bring the Euskal Pilota Selekzioa closer to the public".
In the pairs events, the format ensures that each player competes with a different partner, which strengthens the references available to each coach. While winners do not automatically secure a ticket to the World Championship, they will have a strong advantage.
