Peio Etxeberria and Javier Zabala will meet in the Cuatro y Medio championship final 371 days after their previous match, returning to the same venue at the same time, diariovasco.com reported.

The Nov. 16, 2025, encounter marked the first major crown for the native of Navarra while cementing the Riojan challenger as a fixture in elite competition. With roughly 800 tickets remaining out of 3,000 available at the Bizkaia fronton with ten days left before the match, ticket sales have maintained a steady pace.

The rematch between Etxeberria and Zabala mirrors three previous instances in the tournament’s history. Retegi II and Galarza III met in finals in 1989 and 1990, with the player from Erasun claiming both victories. Olaizola II and Martinez de Irujo met in finals in 2013 and 2014, while Altuna III and Ezkurdia met in finals in 2018 and 2019.

Aspe secured all the semifinal berths for the second year, ensuring the championship trophy stays with the Eibar-based promoter. The company has claimed nine of the last ten tournament titles, maintaining a near-total grip on the four-and-a-half discipline.

In the last nine years, up to seven occasions featured two finalists belonging to the Eibar company, whereas Olaizola II and Bengoetxea VI disputed the only final in 2012 between two pelotaris of the promoter then known as Asegarce, current Baiko.

Zabala aims to break a 19-year drought for La Rioja in the Cuatro y Medio. Titin III secured the region’s last title in 2007 by defeating Barriola 22-15 at the Ogueta fronton. If Zabala succeeds, La Rioja will hold two of the three major pelota championships concurrently, following Dario’s victory in the Manomanista.

Etxeberria faces the challenge of defending his crown, a feat last accomplished by Altuna III in 2020 and 2021. Historical precedent includes consecutive reigns by Ezkurdia (2018 and 2019), Olaizola II (2011, 2012 and 2013 and 2004 and 2005), Retegi II (1989, 1990 and 1991), and Barberito I (1955 and 1956).

The Bizkaia fronton in the Miribilla neighborhood will host its 36th major final, and the 11th in this specific discipline, since opening on March 19, 2011. The venue takes over a role previously held by the Atano III, which hosted its last final in 2014 when Martinez de Irujo defeated Retegi Bi 22-9.

Etxeberria enters with a streak of four consecutive final appearances since 2023, joining an exclusive group that includes Eugi (1998-2001), Martinez de Irujo (2008-2011), Olaizola II (2011-2014), and Altuna III who managed to link up to eight (2016-2023).

Meanwhile, Gipuzkoa remains absent from the final for the third straight year, highlighting a regional drought in a discipline where only Soroa II, Unanue, and Altuna III have historically claimed titles for the territory.