Alser BM Puerto Sagunto went down with honour

Alser BM Puerto Sagunto were defeated 25-21 by Cuenca 2016 in a match they could well have won, although every circumstance went against them today. Fed up with the image they had shown away from home, the team were fully switched on throughout and in fact led on the scoreboard for the entire first half, 12-14 at half-time. But it is clear that despite their character, immense commitment and the group’s generally good performance, the absences of Prce and Muiña took their toll towards the end of the match. Alser’s first half was one to frame, especially their defensive 6-0 formation, which shackled the Cuenca players to such an extent that by the 15th minute they had scored only four goals. This defensive performance was vital today, while Latorre’s measured playmaking facilitated Backovic’s shots; with five goals, he was at his usual level. The rest were phenomenal, with the wings Bauer and Tarraso also contributing goals. The home side stayed in the match thanks to Pavan and Markovic, the hosts’ top scorers. In the second half, the infernal defensive intensity could not be maintained, not only because of the physical demands, but because Spain’s best referees, Raluy and Sabroso, did the young Spanish referees who look up to them a disservice. Their lesson today consisted of applying a double standard in each area and being more favourable to the home side than Cuenca’s haunted houses. A shame, because they left Alser with two players suspended at exactly the moment Cuenca were finding their rhythm. It is not only that: what they called one way in one area, they preferred not to see in the other. It may sound like the usual cliché, but these great referees must be held to a higher standard. In the final quarter, Alser paid for the effort of defending short-handed and holding their own until the 45th minute, when the score was 17-17. From then on, Cuenca 2016’s greater squad depth prevailed, and they eventually won by a score that in no way reflects how closely contested the match was. Cuenca 2016: Kapelin and De Hita. Corzo(3), Sabonis(1), López(1), Mendoza(2), Da Costa(2), Paván(5), Gamuz(1), Ivankovic, Markovic(5), Grosas(1), Lopez and Pedro(4) Alser BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola and Peg. Backovic(5), Serrano(2), Rubén(1), Dukic(1), Sifré(2,2p), Lapcevic, Tarrasó(3), Jorge(1), Nebot(1), Angel, Latorre(2) and Bauer(3). Every 5 minutes: 1-1, 3-4, 4-7,9-7-10,9-12,12-14. Half-time.14-15,15-15,17-17, 20-18,21-19,25-21. Full-time Referees: Raluy and Sabroso. They excluded Mendoza,(2) and DA Costa for Cuenca, and Backovic(2),Duckic, Tarrasó(2) and Angel for Alser. El Sargal Pavilion. 1400 spectators. 50 of them from Alser BM Puerto Sagunto.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.