MADRID - Javier Palazón and Juan David Zapata were the protagonists at the José María Morales Memorial played in Madrid this weekend. The two final players reached an exceptionally high level in the final phase of the tournament. The victory went to Javier Palazón, who won 40-39 in 15 innings (2.666 and 2.600 average), it was a great demonstration by the two finalists who entertained the public in the Spanish arena.
Javier Palazón started with seven, but in the fourth inning, Zapata reacted with a run of 13. That resulted in a 21-12 lead in four innings for Zapata at the break. After the stop, Palazón first came back with six (21-18) and two innings later a nine for a 28-24 lead. Zapata again took the lead by a six (30-28). The tension was high in the last part of the game, with Palazón leading 35-30, an equal score at 36-36 in the fourteenth inning. In the last and fifteenth inning, Palazón scored his last four. Zapata answered with three and missed his last.
On his way to the final, Javier Palazón defeated Fernando Rodríguez (40-24 in 21), José Carrasco in the eighth finals: (40-26 in 31) and Raul Cuenca in the quarters (40-28 in 24). The last obstacle was Antonio Montes in the semi-final (40-35 in 33).
Juan Zapata defeated Valentín Andaluz Blázquez, (40-30 in 35) and in his second appearance Alfonso Legazpi (40-36 in 40). In the quarterfinals, one of the top favourites, Dani Sánchez, was knocked down in a great performance by Zapata (40-24 in 13, the best match of the tournament). And in the semi-final, Zapata won against Ricardo García, (40-23 in 22).
The gold medal went to Javier Palazón from Paiporta, the silver to Juan David Zapata from Murcia. The Catalan players Ricardo García and Antonio Montes accompanied the two finalists on the podium. The best run of the tournament (13) was made by David Zapata and Dani Sánchez.
The final ranking:
1 Javier Palazón, 1.613 (9)
2 David Zapata, 1.592 (13)
3 Antonio Montes, 1.435 (9)
3 Ricardo Garcia, 1,233 (10)
5 Dani Sánchez, 1.793 (13)
6 Adrián Legazpi, 1.365 (10)
7 Carlos Crespo, 1.297 (10)
8 Raul Cuenca, 1,241 (7)
9 Rubén Legazpi, 1.560 (8)
10 Jordi Garriga, 1.560 (10)
11 David Martinez, 1.315 (7)
12 Rafael Garrido, 1.357 (6)
13 Valentín Andaluz Antón, 1.093 (8)
14 Alfonso Legazpi, 1.206 (7)
15 José A. Carrasco, 1.057 (7)
16 Enrique Peñalva, 0.895 (6)
The ladies tournament was won by Estela Cardoso. The Spanish champion was the better against Ana Juarez. The two semi-finalists were Susana Riera and Esther Romero.
The final ranking:
1 Stela Cardoso, 0.581 (4)
2 Ana Juarez, 0.216 (2)
3 Susana Riera, 0.272 (4)
4 Esther Romero, 0.233 (2)
5 Amal Najjari, 0.210 (2).