Alser Puerto Sagunto beaten by Barça

Barcelona Intersport defeated Alser Puerto Sagunto 33–26 in a match that was heading towards a record defeat for the red-and-whites (20–8 at half-time), but a great second half from the red-and-whites stopped the bleeding, as they won that half 13–18. The Valencians endured fifteen disastrous minutes at the start, during which the wingers Ariño and Víctor Tomás repeatedly beat a helpless Samuel, who could do little against the avalanche of counter-attacks from the blaugrana side, who capitalised on Alser's turnovers and the saves of an outstanding Sjostrand in goal. Given these circumstances, the 12–2 scoreline was devastating to the morale of the Puerto Sagunto players. The second quarter of the match was more even and ended 8–6 to Barça, although the Valencians continued to miss six-metre shots from the pivot and the wings. The half-time team talk proved restorative for Alser, who began defending with intensity and, above all, stopped allowing Barça's easy counter-attacks. The finishing touch to that fine performance was an outstanding David Bruixola, who saved shots of every kind from the constellation of stars that make up the reigning Champions League champions. That improvement allowed Alser to reduce the deficit to five goals in the 48th minute, prompting the blaugrana side to change their defensive system several times. Chelu Cid continued to hammer the blaugrana goal time and again, ensuring that the defeat was as honourable as possible and improving the red-and-whites' outlook; they have little to lament despite having no points after three rounds. Another Champions League opponent, Ademar León, visit the Ovni this Wednesday at 20:15, in a match in which the red-and-whites will try to claim their first two league points. It will be a demanding task, and much will depend on whether the red-and-white supporters once again get behind their team and raise the atmosphere, as they did in the first Asobal season. F.C. Barcelona Intersport: Sjostrand (Saric, 45th min); Víctor Tomás (9, 2 pen.), Nagy (4), Noddesbo (3), Sorhaindo, Aguirrezabalaga (4), Ariño (7), Raúl Entrerríos (2), Rutenka (1), Rocas (3), Igropulo, Oneto and Morros. Alser Puerto Sagunto: Samuel (Bruixola, 13th min); Sifré (3, 1 pen.), Stefanovic (3), Moya (3, 1 pen.), Cid (5), Prendes (1), Tarrasó (3), Sorrentino (1), Angel (3), Nebot, Moya del Saz (1), Ruiz (2), and Muiña (1). Officials: García and Fernández (Andalusian Referees' Association). Aguirrezabalaga (21st and 28th mins) and Sorhaindo (49th and 58th mins) were excluded for Barcelona, while Sorrentino (21st min), Nacho (30th min) and Angel (60th min) were excluded for Puerto Sagunto. Score at five-minute intervals: 2–1, 7–2, 12–4, 15–5, 19–5, 20–8 half-time. 23–12, 24–17, 26–20, 28–22, 31–24 and 33–26. Full-time Palau Blaugrana. 1,025 spectators.  

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.