Sunday to secure, at the very least, a place in the promotion phase

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto host Trasmapi HC Eivissa this Sunday at the Port de Sagunt Pavilion from 13:00, in a match that will bring the 26th round of the Silver Honour Division to a close.

This match will bring the red-and-whites’ week of two home fixtures to an end, following Wednesday’s postponed 20th-round match, originally scheduled for February, in which they earned a point (22-22) in the derby against Fundación Agustinos Alicante. The draw consolidates them even further, if that were possible, in second place in the table, with 39 points in total.

Their opponents will be the Ibiza side, who are the first team outside the places granting access to the promotion phase for the Liga Nexus Energía ASOBAL. They sit sixth in the overall standings with 30 points. In their most recent match, they lost 29-31 at home to Anaitasuna, a defeat that meant they lost the head-to-head goal difference between the two teams and were overtaken in the standings by the Pamplona side.

In the first-leg fixture, played in November at the Es Pratet Municipal Pavilion, the Puerto side returned from the island with both points (30-31) after an incredible second-half comeback, having gone into half-time 19-14 down.

“They are a team that are performing very well away from home. We are showing a high level of handball on court, but we need to fine-tune small details, especially our finishing,” said first-team coach Sergio Mallo about the opponents and his players’ self-criticism.

As for their squad since the aforementioned meeting between the two teams, they have made three changes: Argentine pivot Juani Montoto and their captain at the time, Vicente Sancho, left the club, while Diego Rueda, who joined from BM Alarcos Ciudad Real, was brought in to replace the latter on the right wing.

The Valencian side may also have a new face in their squad, as recent signing Julen Urruzola will be available to make his competitive debut.

Regarding the importance of playing at home once again, Antonio Capitán concluded: “We need the fans to keep coming; their support, especially when we are behind on the scoreboard, is crucial, as it drives every player to show their best level in the 40×20.”

Fans wishing to buy tickets for the match can do so in person or via the club’s website. The price will be 12 euros for purchases made before Sunday: www.cbmpuertosagunto.com/entradas/. 

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.