Gernika-based forward Xabier Barandika will make his return to the Mungia fronton this Thursday, almost five months after his layoff. On January 26th, he sustained a blow to his left elbow from Goitia during the fourth round of the semifinals league of the Eusko Label Winter Series. The impact resulted in a fracture of the olecranon, necessitating surgery.

Consequently, Barandika will partner with Jon Zabala to face Goixerri and Unai Lekerika. The other semifinal, scheduled for next Thursday, also promises to be a high-caliber match, pitting Urreisti-Manci against Erkiaga-Gorka.

Eraman! Jai Alai League is going all out for this Master Series event, which will feature competitions in both men's and women's categories. The format includes two semifinal rounds (June 11th and 18th) and the final (June 25th, during the San Pedro festivities). All sessions will commence at 7:00 PM.

It has been 17 years since a professional cesta punta tournament was last held in Mungia. The previous occasion was on June 29, 2009, the day the court located in the town center was re-inaugurated. That day featured matches in hand, pala, and cesta disciplines. The objective is to plant a seed that will germinate in the future.

However, the Biscayan municipality is not unfamiliar with the sport. Its school had a jai alai section, where Justo Iturregi, a pelotari in Miami and one of the three professionals from Mungia, served as a monitor, alongside Claudio Bilbao and José María Martínez.

Regarding the women's competition, there has been a change in the match order. The pairs Maite Ortiz de Mendibil-Maia Goikoetxea and Helena Barrenetxea-Eneritz Lizardi will open this Thursday's festival. In the second elimination round, Elaia Gogenola and Oaia Otaño will compete against Ihart Arakistain and Maialen Aldazabal.