A clash between teams with different ambitions in Pontevedra

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto travel to Pontevedra this Saturday to face Club Cisne Colegio Los Sauces at the Pabellón Municipal dos Deportes from 20:00, in a match corresponding to the 27th round of the Men’s División de Honor Plata.

After securing an important 25–21 home victory over Balonmano Alcobendas last weekend, the red-and-whites will look to return to winning ways away from home and make amends for their 29–25 defeat on their most recent trip, against Blendio Sinfín.

“It is a very important round, like all those remaining until the end of the regular league season. This one is even more significant because two of our direct rivals, Blendio Sinfín and Trops Málaga, face each other. Depending on the result of that match, we could be almost mathematically assured of a place in the promotion play-off,” says Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto coach Toni Malla, highlighting the importance of both his team’s match and the other key fixture of the weekend.

Their opponents will be Club Cisne Colegio Los Sauces, 10th in the competition with 21 points. After a poor run of results, with five consecutive defeats, they have picked up points in their last two matches, drawing away to Agustinos Alicante and winning at home against Balonmano Alcobendas. In the last meeting between the teams, played in the first half of the season at the Pabellón Port de Sagunt, the Puerto Sagunto side edged out the Pontevedra team 29–28.

“We are approaching the match with great excitement and enthusiasm: firstly, to put in a good performance, and secondly, to earn points and even take both points. We know they are in need of them because they are close to the relegation places, and they will want to secure survival as soon as possible,” comments the Catalan coach on both teams’ needs.

“It is a difficult match against a dangerous opponent. At home they are even more dangerous, particularly in attack. We will have to be very serious in defence, while in attack we must be clear in our thinking, minimise turnovers and control everything we do well—that is what will bring us rewards from now until the end of the season,” concludes the Tortosa native.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.