Alser BM Puerto Sagunto Improve Their Performance but Lose Again

Alser Puerto Sagunto were beaten 31–28 by Fraikin BM Granollers in a match in which they notably improved their performance, but it was not enough to storm the Pabellón Olímpico Vallesano.

Knowing that they can no longer regard any match as belonging to another league, the red-and-whites gave everything against Granollers and had chances until virtually the end, but turnovers in specific attacking situations and consecutive suspensions in the final quarter of the match hindered their chances of gaining points.

Sorrentino and Stefanovic were the Valencian spearheads in the first half, with the latter, who scored six goals, being Alser’s top scorer. Perhaps one of the few pieces of good news was the Balkan player’s contribution, as he has much to say if the Valencian team are to continue aspiring for another year to remain in Spanish handball’s top flight. In defence, better-than-usual control of Granollers’ outside players and Bruixola’s contribution in goal allowed Alser to reach 13–16 in the 26th minute, while Sifré and Tarrasó’s counter-attacks were unable to overcome them during that period. However, two turnovers and errors in shooting allowed Resina to make it 16–16 on the stroke of half-time.

Coming out of the dressing room, the red-and-whites once again suffered a lapse that led to a 24–19 score with 19 minutes remaining. However, the team showed character and reduced the deficit to 24–22 with 15 minutes left.

In this final quarter, the strict refereeing over suspensions and the need to come back left Alser repeatedly playing with fewer men. Although they tried, they could not cut the deficit on the scoreboard.

Against this backdrop, and with their relegation rivals Antequera and Huesca still to play their weekend matches, Alser Puerto Sagunto await the visit of all-powerful F.C. Barcelona next Wednesday from 8.30 pm at the Ovni in Puerto. The Culés are a difficult opponent with whom to begin the comeback, but the red-and-whites have no choice but to fight to the death and try to pull off a major upset with the support of their fans.

Fraikin BM Granollers: Gonzalo (Pérez substitute goalkeeper), Blanxart (3), Malasinskas (2), Campos (1), Nenadic (3), Resina (4), Grundsten (6) – starting team – Pujol (-), Raigal (3), Solé (1), Félez (1) and Reznicek (7, 3p).

Alser BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola (Ibañez substitute goalkeeper), Sorrentino (4), Stefanovic (6), Sifre (6, 1p), Tarrasó (5), Prendes (4), Cid (2) – starting team – Ruben (-) and Moya Florido (1).

Score every five minutes: 3–3, 5–7, 8–10, 11–10, 13–15, 16–16, half-time, 19–18, 22–19, 24–22, 27–25, 30–26 and 31–28.

Referees: Ballano and Belloso. They suspended Raigal, Blanxart, Nenadic and Malasinskas for Granollers, and Sorrentino (2), Tarrasó (2) and Prendes for Alser Puerto Sagunto.

Granollers Olympic Pavilion. 1,000 spectators

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.