You and Ekhi Ziarrusta have won the Iparralde first division ratchet competition. How was the end?
It was a very special day. When the party was about to start, light went out in the village (Irisarri, Behe Nafarroa), and also on the pediment. We were like that for an hour, and in the meantime we warmed up. The crowd remained immobile on the steps, where there were almost five hundred people. Eventually, the light came back and we started the match. Although we started well, it was a very hard game. We started winning, 4-0; then, the rivals brought us forward on several occasions, and in many others there were draws. However, in the end, we won 40-37, after an hour and 25 minutes. The game was very nice.
From October to December, every weekend we had to go to Iparralde to play games, but with the condition of going to win.
Have you complied with the forecasts?
Yes, we have managed to achieve one of the goals we set ourselves two years ago: to win this top-notch championship. We received the offer from the Hendaia Endaiarrak team to participate in the Iparralde championship, starting with the third division. From October to December, every weekend we had to go to Iparralde to play games, but with the condition of going to win. So we jumped from third to second and last year from second to first. This year we have played in the first division, but if we had not achieved that promotion last year, surely this year we would not have played that championship.
Last year we lost the semi-final of the second division, but through the French championship we had a second chance to go up to the first division, and we got the direct pass after winning that championship.
The way to win the first from the third division would not be easy...
No, by no means. In these two years we have lost only two games. The first, I say, a second semi-final, because I was sick; and another one this year, when I was playing another championship in Italy and playing a substitute with Ekhi. However, I would say that we have been very regular on this road and that we have met the objectives we had set ourselves.
We could play with a team from Hegoalde, but if we did, all the games would be forced to play outside the house.
Being Biscayan, has it been easy to impose yourself on the Plaza de Iparralde?
No, moreover, the people of Iparralde in general are very suspicious of the pelotaris of Hegoalde. They don't take us seriously, but we've managed to give ourselves in the end; what's more, we've made history. We were the first of Hego Euskal Herria to win this Iparralde championship.
How has it been to be part of the Endaiarrak group?
It was very nice. We could play that championship with a team from the South, but if we did, all the matches would be forced to play outside the house. So, through the Endaiarrak team, some games would be played in Hendaia, closer to home. In addition, our relationship with the chairman of this group, Mikel Larralde, has been very good; he is a good friend, and he has helped us financially to pay for travel and others. During these years we have also had a great deal of relationship with the people.
What plans do you have for the future?
If possible, we would like to raise the level of professionals. I'm in competitions with Ekhi Ziarrusta and we've been very good for a long time. Many times we have competed and won the Iparralde professionals. Thus, it is clear that we have the necessary level to fight them. In any case, being from Hegoalde, we have neither the support nor the possibility to make the leap to the category of professionals. The decision to do so is no longer in our hands, we have done our best to ensure that they have no excuses and take us.
We know that we can play against them, and those there know that too. We have won the best Iparralde championship and, on many occasions, those who win that take the leap to professionals; for example, the two champions last year are now professionals. So we've done everything that's in our hands.
On December 24 you will compete in the Christmas Tournament of Abadiño. What are your forecasts for this?
Well, the truth. It is also a mixed championship, in which professionals and amateurs compete, and in the last match we win the pair formed by Arabiourrutia and Harismendy, from Iparralde, professional.
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