Poor finishing costs us again

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto suffer a narrow 26-25 defeat away to Barça Atlètic at the Joan Gamper Sports City on División de Honor Plata matchday 27.

Oriol San Felipe dominated the opening minutes, scoring four times in four minutes to give the hosts three-goal leads at 4-1 and 5-2. Guido Bayo’s suspension, Juani Villarreal’s saves and quick transitions helped Fertiberia respond with a 0-2 run to 5-4. Bayo received his second suspension in the tenth minute.

The red-and-whites repeatedly found Filip Saric in their way. Sergio Mallo called timeout in the 17th minute as Barça established their maximum four-goal lead at 10-6. The reserve side missed a chance to move five ahead, allowing the visitors back into the match through long-range shooting. Half-time arrived at 14-12.

The Valencians survived a double numerical disadvantage at the start of the second half. Villarreal raised his save percentage and Fertiberia led for the first time at 15-16 in the 38th minute, prompting Dani Ariño to stop the game. The score was tied 18-18 midway through the half.

Poor attacking decisions, particularly in the pivot connection, allowed Barça to regain the lead at 20-19. An exchange followed after the 50th minute, with Mikael Lopes everywhere. Poor finishing again cost the visitors as they missed two late attempts, and Anselmo Collado sealed a 26-25 result.

Fertiberia next host Blendio Sinfín at 6.30 pm on Saturday at the Port de Sagunt Arena.

MATCH DETAILS:

Barça Atlètic (26): Pau Hernández (), Xavier Moreno (), Guido Bayo (3), Oriol San Felipe (5), Guillem Pino (1), Mikael Lopes (4), Anselmo Collado (6), Filip Saric (-), Jan Blas (), Carlos Martín (), Hannes Nilsson (-), Manuel Ortega (2), Marc Navarro (-), Miguel Ángel Martín (2), Quim Rocas (2), Marc Villarreal (1).

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto (25): Juani Villarreal (1), Olivares (2), Paco Ruiz (3), Jakob Pelko (2), Dani Martínez (-), Pozzer (1), Arnau Fernández (1), Julen Urruzola (), Gonzalo (1), David García (-), Matheus de Novais (2), Serradilla (4), Capitán (3), Zungri (3), Carlos Martín (2), Teixidor (-).

Officials: Abel Juncal López and Ángel Mateos Alonso.

Suspensions: Guido Bayo (2), Hannes Nilsson, Quim Rocas, Jakob Pelko, Alex Pozzer, Antonio Capitán (2) and Nicolás Zungri received two minutes; Antonio Capitán and Manu Etayo received yellow cards.

Scores: 5-2, 6-4, 8-6, 10-6, 12-9, 14-12 (half-time); 15-13, 15-16, 17-18, 20-19, 23-22 and 26-25 (full-time).

Event: Men’s División de Honor Plata matchday 27 at the Joan Gamper Sports City.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.