Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto forgets how to defend in Pamplona

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto have fallen to Helvetia Anaitasuna by a resounding 40–26 in a lamentable performance by the Valencians, who lowered their arms with far too much relaxation after mathematically securing survival. If a team that usually defends poorly even when it wins loses its attitude, and relaxation takes precedence over a winning mentality, then what happened in Pamplona is the result. It is clear that the job has been done, and it is clear that the absences are significant, but, honestly, Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto were far too relaxed in Pamplona, just as happened at the Ovni against Aragón. The first twenty minutes reflected an even contest that was clearly an illusion; at that point the score was 15–12, but only because Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto’s finishing efficiency was adequate. As soon as the first attacking errors arrived, Helvetia pulled away because they chose to run and take advantage of even goal throws against a red-and-white side that had no interest in defending. As we say, attack took precedence over defence, and a very inspired Sladic led the red-and-white scoring. For the Pamplona side, Ricard Reig wanted to make it clear that this was his final match in elite handball, producing a performance to remember. Consequently, the final ten minutes of the first half belonged to the Pamplona side, who took a five-goal lead into the break: 22–17. Honestly, the second half was unacceptable from the Valencians. Turnovers and attacking errors followed one after another against a Helvetia side that only had to take advantage of the gifts, while an impotent Bruixola watched the Pamplona players reach his area unhindered. Neither Pachi Martí’s rotations nor the attempts to maintain at least their scoring efficiency were enough to prevent the red-and-white side from receiving a deserved and emphatic correction. The only positive note for the Valencians was the playing time given to youth player Sarió, as well as Chema Piró’s Asobal League debut—another young left-hander from the red-and-white academy, who also managed to score his first league goal. The Asobal League will conclude next Saturday at the unified 16:15 kick-off against Angel Ximenez Puente Genil. We hope Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto will perform at their level in front of their supporters, who are preparing celebrations before and after the match to mark survival in the Asobal League for a fifth consecutive season.

Helvetia Anaitasuna: Capón and Lorger. Gastón (2), Bazán (1), Garza (2), Reig (11), Etxeberria (1), Meoki (4), Montavez (2), Nadoveza (4), Chocarro (6), Goñi (3), Da Silva (2), Castro and Costoya (2)

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola and Sebastiá, Malasinskas (9), Rubén Ruiz, Sladic (6), Moriñigo, Berrios (1), Plaza (5), Nebot (1), Fernández, Dukic (3), Sario and Piró (1).

Officials: Ballano and Belloso. Nadoveza and Da Silva were suspended for Helvetia, and Plaza for Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto. Score at five-minute intervals: 4–2, 7–6, 11–9, 15–12, 19–14, 22–17 Half-time, 25–18, 28–21, 30–21, 34–22, 36–24, 40–26 Full-time. Anaitasuna Pavilion

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.