A Sweet Defeat for Alser BM Puerto Sagunto

Alser BM Puerto Sagunto were defeated by the all-powerful FC Barcelona Borges by a highly creditable 29-32, clearly demonstrating how much the current unbeaten league leaders had to suffer at the always difficult red-and-white fortress.

Anyone who did not see the match might think that Barcelona had an easy time in Puerto Sagunto, but apart from resting the injured Rutenka and Juanin Garcia, the rest of the Barça squad had plenty of work to do today. But, of course, Barça’s arsenal is so immense that in the end the logic of a budget ten times larger prevailed on the court.

The match began completely in Barcelona’s favour, with a 1-4 run resulting more from the home side’s mistakes than anything else. However, this squad is formidable at the Ovni, and every attack from Barça’s deep bench met a team that started without any left-handers in the backcourt due to injuries to Muiña and Dukic, in addition to Latorre, leaving the first line depleted. As if that were not enough, Prce was hit in the face by Iker Romero, leaving him out of action for the entire first half and half of the second. But the shorter players with the biggest hearts, Ruiz, Nebot, Bauer and Sifre, fought hard and scored goals, supported by Backovic and Serrano from six metres.

This pattern was only offset by the Barça wingers, who led operations in the first half. The contest was so close that the Barça coach had to call a timeout in the 21st minute with Barça holding a minimal lead. Half-time arrived with the score at 12-14.

The second half began evenly, but a player hungry for minutes and matches emerged as the protagonist: Iker Romero, who scored nine goals and blew apart the red-and-white side’s hopes. That, together with Sarmiento replacing the unfortunate Entrerrios, gave Barça their biggest lead of six goals midway through the second half. But Alser Puerto Sagunto did not want to be routed today and never gave up, reducing the deficit to 29-32.

The negative note of the match was Lapcevic’s likely biceps tear, which could require surgery.

In short, it was a tremendous spectacle at the Ovni, which ended with the crowd chanting “Puerto belongs in Asobal”, making it perfectly clear how satisfied this spirited squad is making its supporters.

Alser BM Puerto Sagunto: Peg, Bruixola and Samuel. Backovic (3), Serrano (4), Ruiz (3), Sifré (2), Lapcevic, Prce (6), Jorge (5), Angel, Nebot (3), Tarrasó and Bauer (1).

FC Barcelona Borges: Sjostrand, Perez de Vargas, Noddesbo (2), Tomas (3), Entrerrios (3), Sorhaindo, Sarmiento (3), Ugalde (3), Romero (9), Nagy (5), Jermenyr, Rutenka, Rocas (3), Oneto (1)

Every 5 minutes: 1-4, 3-6, 6-9, 8-11, 11-12, 12-14. Half-time. 14-18, 18-21, 19-25, 22-28, 26-30, 29-32. Full-time

Referees: Muro and San José. They excluded Backovic, Ruiz (2), Lapcevic, Tarrasó and Prce for Alser, and Ugalde, Nagy, Jermenyr and Oneto (2) for Barcelona.

Municipal Indoor Sports Pavilion. 1,500 spectators. Broadcast live on Nou 2 and Espor 3.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.