Two vital points to round off a week of two fixtures

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto return from their visit to Club Balonmano Soria at the San Andrés Sports Centre with a hugely important victory (20-22) in the 25th round of the Men’s Silver Honour Division.

The first two away goals came from Arnau Fernández, who started at right back. His two goals quickly turned the score around after the home side had opened it. Both teams’ attacking errors and the performances of Fran Revuelta and Dani Martínez in goal produced a low-scoring result (4-5) once the first half had passed its midway point.

The outstanding efficiency of Soria’s back line allowed the home side to establish their first lead, +2 (8-6), in the 20th minute, and they even had possession to extend it to +3. The red-and-whites found clear shooting lanes through the centre of the visiting defence, thanks to the work of pivots Álex Pozzer and David García and Nicolás Zungri’s long-range shooting. The Puerto defence raised its level to make it 8-9 within minutes. A numerical advantage enabled the Valencians to go into half-time with their biggest lead (9-11).

As had happened to the Castile and León side in the first half, the Valencian team had an attacking opportunity after the restart to extend the lead to three goals, but failed to take it. A 5-0 run restored the home side’s lead and forced Sergio Mallo to stop the match at 14-11 in the 38th minute. The visitors’ first goal of the second half did not come until after the ten-minute mark. The time-out had the desired effect and a 0-3 run levelled the score (14-14).

Oriol Castellarnau then decided to stop the match. Arnau Fernández, the game’s top scorer and the successful taker of the seven-metre throws, kept his side narrowly ahead. The 17-20 score with just under five minutes remaining looked decisive, but the home side returned fully to the fight for the points thanks to a numerical advantage. It was not enough, and the final score was 20-22.

With this latest victory, Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto remain second in the competition with 38 points in total.

The next fixture will be on Wednesday 8 April from 20:00 at the Port de Sagunt Pavilion, where they will host Fundación Agustinos Alicante in the postponed February match corresponding to the 20th round.

MATCH DETAILS:

Club Balonmano Soria (20): Carlos Costoya (-), Thomas Sorin (2), Unai Osa (-), Martín Delfini (5), Miguel Campos (-), Felipe García Fuentes (-), Fran Revuelta (-), Benjamín Illesca (1), Sergio Tobes (1), Francisco García (1), Pedro Berrío (1), Pedro Ibarra (-), Martín Santano (1), Luis Gavilanes (5), Brais Martínez (3), Edu Alonso (-).

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto (22): Juani Villarreal (-), Marcos Castañeda (-), Olivares (-), Paco Ruiz (-), Jakob Pelko (-), Dani Martínez (-), Pozzer (4), Arnau Fernández (7), Gonzalo (3), David García (1), Matheus de Novais (1), Serradilla (1), Capitán (2), Zungri (2), Carlos Martín (-), Teixidor (1).

Referees: Beatriz and Patricia Del Valle Encuentra.

Suspensions: Benjamín Illesca, Antonio Capitán and Carlos Martín received two-minute suspensions, while Oriol Castellarnau was shown a yellow card.

Score by periods: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 8-6, 9-8, 9-11 (half-time); 12-11, 14-11, 14-14, 17-17, 28-20 and 20-22 (full-time).

Notes: Match from the 25th round of the Men’s Silver Honour Division, played at the San Andrés Sports Centre.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.