Benidorm pilota Valenciana court hosts the 36th edition of ‘Trofeu Nadal’ in memory of Vicente Pérez Devesa

‘Alcalde Vicente Pérez Devesa’ trinquet (a type of pelota court) in Benidorm will once again host the ‘Trofeu Nadal – Memorial Vicent Pérez Devesa’ Valencian pilota tournament in the ‘escala i corda’ modality, one of the most traditional events of this native sport, celebrating its 36th edition this year. Benidorm City Council's Sports Councillor, Javier Jordá, presented all the details of this year's edition on Thursday, along with Vicente Pérez Agulló, son of the mayor after whom the tournament is named, and the pilotari (pelota player) Pere Ribes, a member of one of the trios participating in the matches.

Javier Jordá began by remembering “the figure of Vicente Pérez Devesa, who, as mayor, worked to preserve and promote pilota, a symbol of identity in Benidorm.”

The councilman also highlighted that in forming the teams for this tournament, "the priority is always to bring together the best players from the two Marina regions," who, he said, "are arriving in excellent form, which adds value to the composition of the participating trios."

The councilman also noted that during the days this memorial tournament is held, "there's a fantastic atmosphere at the trinquet" and invited fans of this sport from all over the province to "come on the 21st, 23rd, and 28th to enjoy what is undoubtedly one of the biggest events of the year for Valencian pilota."

The first semifinal will take place on Sunday, December 21st, at 11:30 a.m., and will pit Giner, Álvaro Gimeno, and Jesús against José Salvador, Conillet, and Bueno.

The second semifinal match will be played on Tuesday, December 23, at 5:00 p.m., between the players Pere Roc II, Héctor, and Carlos against Francés, Pere, and Guillem Palau.

Finally, on Sunday, December 28, at 11:30 a.m., the grand final of the tournament will be played between the winning teams of both semifinals, bringing "the sporting year in Benidorm to a close," as Jordá emphasised.

On behalf of the athletes participating in the tournament, Pere Ribes, who will be in the second semifinal, highlighted that "this Christmas Trophy is very important for all of us from the Marina Alta region, because from a young age we have grown up in the world of pilota, listening to and remembering Vicent Pérez Devesa, who has been a true icon in this sport." He also explained that this year "we will be facing four very strong and high-level trios, so we will have to fight hard to win."

Finally, Vicente Pérez Agulló expressed his “pride and honour that the tournament bears my father’s name” and noted that the tournament “is a special incentive” for players and spectators. He also thanked “the mayor and the City Council for their support in ensuring that this trophy continues to be held year after year” and extended this tribute to his uncles, Pepe and Miguel Pérez Devesa. “If they were players, Pepe on the dau, Miguel on the mitger, and Vicente on the puntar would have made such a spectacular trio.”