Anaitasuna, the first of two consecutive handball cathedrals to visit

This Sunday at 18:00, Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto begin two weeks in which they will visit two cathedrals of Spanish handball in succession. First, on matchday four, they face Anaitasuna, before travelling to Alicante next Saturday to take on Fundación Agustinos at 19:00 on matchday five.

After recording two victories in their first three matches so far, both at home, against BM Proin Sevilla (28–24) and Club Balonmano Alcobendas (29–23), the red-and-whites will look to claim their first away points in the 2025–2026 Silver Honour Division in Pamplona.

Anaitasuna were directly relegated last year from Liga NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL after a three-way tie on 19 points with Sanicentro BM Guadalajara and Balonmano Servigroup Benidorm condemned them to finish the season bottom. So far, they have started this campaign with two victories: against BM Contazara Zaragoza (32–28) at home and Club Balonmano Alcobendas (22–30) away. Their defeat (32–29) came on the last matchday against the current league leaders and Puerto Sagunto’s next opponents, Fundación Agustinos. The last meeting between the two sides was during pre-season, when the Valencians won the final of the first Ejea de los Caballeros tournament 26–25 on seven-metre throws.

From a sporting perspective, they have appointed Nacho Moyano as coach, replacing Quique Domínguez, who had been in charge for five seasons. The Majadahonda-born coach arrives after six years with Balonmano Cangas in the top tier of Spanish handball. The squad has also undergone many changes compared with 2024–2025, mainly due to as many as eleven departures from what had been their core ASOBAL group, including Nicolás Zungri, who will face his former team-mates. They have made seven signings, supplemented by three players promoted from their reserve side and four renewals.

“We know that if we win, we will collect two very important points, which could practically be said to be worth double, because they will be fighting until the end to stay at the top of the table. We must not forget that they are coming off a defeat and will be eager to win at home again, so the match will be even more difficult,” says first-team coach Toni Malla, discussing the importance of a potential victory and what he expects from the opposition.

“Although we have some absences, we are going there highly motivated to maintain our identity and defend hard and compactly, so that we continue conceding as few goals as possible and feel solid. In attack, the key is not to make mistakes because we are facing a team that punishes every error,” adds the Tortosa-born coach regarding what his players must do, both defensively and offensively.

If any supporter wishes to attend the match, the home side have made tickets available in the following section of their website: https://entradas.anaitasuna.com/?action=PU_evento&Ev_id=182.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.