Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto can only manage a creditable defeat in Logroño

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto were beaten 27–22 by Naturhouse La Rioja in a match corresponding to Matchday 23 of the Liga Bauhaus Asobal

Neither Corzo's 12 goals nor David Bruixola's first-half performance were enough. Fertiberia did not have enough attacking options to provide that extra edge which could have troubled the runners-up and Champions League side. The team's strong overall performance and Milos's good management, together with the points mentioned above, were only enough to lose by just six goals.

Perhaps things might have been different with the other red-and-white marksman, Rolandas Bernatonis, and perhaps Sorrentino's absence also had an impact, but the fact is that Naturhouse run exceptionally well, while attacking errors are oxygen for these Riojan players and their two spearheads, Ángel Fernández and Spanish-born Pedro Rodríguez. Despite the slow pace, always close to passive play, imposed by the Valencians throughout the match, Naturhouse ran at every opportunity and that is why they won, because the red-and-white static defence performed at a very high level and, when it did not, David Bruixola—immense once again—was there to fix it. Apart from a spell by Luisfe, the Riojan back-court players were thwarted by the goalkeeper, and, as we have said, the counter-attacks killed off any chance of victory. The first half began terribly for the red-and-whites, with a 5–1 deficit caused by Aguinagalde's saves and the resulting counter-attacks. But, backed by David Bruixola and patient attacking play, Fertiberia reduced the gap to 9–8 with 20 seconds remaining; incredibly, the half-time score was 11–8. In the second half, Naturhouse established a six-goal lead right from the start, and the match stayed within those margins until the end.

Coach Milos said at the end of the match “We played a good match, but poor starts punished us. We missed too many shots, and the final result is fair.”

On Saturday there is another, arguably tougher challenge, as Barça visit the Ovni at 20:30

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola (29%) and Ibrahim (17%). Ruiz (1), Sladic, Pocholo, Tarraso (1), Sayad (3), Pozzer (2), Corzo (12), Nebot, Alegre (1), Angel, Dukic (2) and Sario.

Naturhouse La Rioja: Aguinagalde (37%), Kapellin, Sanchez, Rocas, Val (1), Cacheda (1), Luisfe (4), Vigo (1), Garabaya (1), Molilna (3), Garcia (1), Langaro (1), Rodriguez (4), Angel Fernandez (8), Cadarso (1) and Garmendia (1)

Referees: Peñaranda and Yagüe. Garabaya and Molina were excluded for Naturhouse, and Sladic, Pocholo, Bruixola and Angel (2) for Fertiberia

Score at five-minute intervals:   5–1, 6–3, 7–4, 7–6, 9–7. Half-time 16–10, 19–14, 20–15, 23–18, 26–20, 27–22. Full-time. Palacio de los Deportes de La Rioja. Attendance: 1,500.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.