Alser BM Puerto failed to live up to its supporters

Alser BM Puerto Sagunto were beaten 26–21 by bottom club Toledo BM in a match that was more reminiscent of the bland, Prce-dependent team from the start of the league than of the lively, committed group that produced a dream end to the first half of the season. And yet the match began as all the red-and-whites had dreamed it would. An inspired Bruixola and a suffocating 6–0 defence produced a 3–7 scoreline after ten minutes, thanks to Sasa's left arm, as he produced his best attacking performance in red and white.

But that was all. Allowing a team rooted to the bottom of the table to believe again was an unforgivable mistake for a side like Alser, who struggle to find the goal if many of their players are not performing. Despite this, the defence kept Alser in the match and they went into half-time just one goal behind.

The second half began in the same vein: 20–19 after fifteen minutes, with Mijatovic in goal saving a succession of easy Alser shots from six metres. But, as had been feared, the red-and-white short circuit continued, and Toledo's usual stars, Eitutis, Strazdas and Angel Pérez, carried the team, assisted only by Tremps, who together with goalkeeper Mijatovic were the best players for this "Tolebendas", as it has amusingly been dubbed on internet forums.

The final fifteen minutes were dreadful, with a distraught Prce having to take every shot, as Muiña, wasteful but committed, was joined by Ongjen Backovic's total absence in attack: he did not shoot once, looking more like a youth player newly arrived in Asobal than a European Champion, as he is.

To cap the bad luck, with 30 seconds remaining, a Prce break caused him to sprain his ankle. Hopefully this will not prevent him from being Alser BM Puerto Sagunto's most effective attacking option in the next match against CAI Aragón on Sunday the 13th, broadcast live on Teledeporte from 20:30. .

Toledo BM: Aldomar and Mijatovic. Vink, Plaza (2), Eitutis (6), Casado, Strazdas (4), Barbon (1), Fernandez, Pesic (3), Ivanovic (2), Perez (3, 1 penalty), Pedregosa (1) and Tremps (4, 1').

Alser BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola and Samuel. Backovic, Serrano (1), Dukic (4), Sifré (8, 1 penalty), Lapcevic, Tarrasó (1), Muiña (1), Prce (5, 1 penalty), Jorge, Angel, Latorre (1) and Bauer.

Every 5 minutes: 1–4, 3–7, 6–9, 9–11, 14–13. Half-time. 15–15, 17–17, 20–19, 23–20 and 26–21. Full-time

Referees: García and Pastor. Vink, Eitutis and Ivanovic (3, disqualified) were excluded for Toledo, and Serrano, Lapcevic (2) and Prce (2) for Alser.

Lozano Cid Sports Hall. 1,200 spectators, 150 of them supporting Alser BM Puerto Sagunto.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.