Ciudad Encantada left Alser stunned

Alser Puerto Sagunto lost 25–28 to BM Ciudad Encantada in a match that did not start as expected, against an opponent who were superior throughout, meaning the red-and-whites were unable to take the two eagerly sought points.

In the opening minutes, the Cuenca side’s tight defence prevented the red-and-whites from opening the scoring until after the fifth minute, thanks to a goal from Tarrasó that made it 1–4. During the following 15 minutes, the visiting team were already ahead 6–8, thanks to Pavan’s goals, which the red-and-whites could not stop. Towards the end of the first half, both teams increased the pace, leading to several exclusions for both sides, although Alser struggled in attack, as reflected by the half-time score of 12–15.

In the second half, the red-and-whites managed to reduce the deficit to 14–16, but the Cuenca side overcame the situation and extended their lead. In response, Goran Dzokic called a timeout and instructed his players to use a mixed defence, man-marking top scorer Pavan, which prevented the Cuenca team from extending their lead further. Kappelin’s outstanding performance in goal was a highlight for Cuenca.

In the final minutes, the somewhat cold and weary red-and-whites desperately tried to turn around the adverse scoreline, but the match ultimately ended in a 25–28 defeat for the home side.

Ultimately, a lacklustre Alser failed to take the two points and thus remained at the bottom of the league table. Next Wednesday the 8th, the red-and-whites will travel to Granollers to play the match corresponding to the seventeenth round of the Asobal League.

Alser Puerto Sagunto: Peg, Bruixola, Samuel, Moya del Saz (1), Ruiz (1), Sorrentino (4), Moya (1), Sifré (3), Cid (4), A. Fernández (1), Prendes (3), Tarrasó (3) and Nebot (1), Stefanovic (1), Toni Alegre.

BM Ciudad Encantada: Kappelin, Fernandez (3), Sabonis (1), A. Robert, Mendoza (4), P. Simonet (1), Pavan (11), Juanjo, Ángel Perez (4), Juanpi, Georgescu (4), Cibulskis, Marco Antonio, de Hita, Juan Pablo.

Referees: Enrique Ríos Martín and Rafael Alberto García Mosquera. Exclusions for Alser Puerto Sagunto: A. Fernández and Prendes; for BM Ciudad Encantada: Fernandez, P. Simonet, Juanjo and Georgescu.

Score at five-minute intervals: 0–4, 3–5, 6–8, 9–10, 11–13, 12–15 Half-time 14–16, 16–19, 17–22, 20–26, 22–28, 25–28. Full-time

Municipal Sports Centre “Ovni”. 1,500 spectators. 

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.