The regional derby will be played at the Ovni on Saturday

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto will face BM Benidorm on Saturday 2 November from 18:00 at the Ovni. The match will bring together the two teams from the Valencian Community and represents a final for Nogués’ side, who want to move off the bottom of the table. The match will be broadcast by La Liga Sport TV (on the app), Televisión Castellón and the Valencian regional broadcaster À Punt.

History shows that Fertiberia win at the Ovni, with three victories and one defeat in ASOBAL in recent seasons, but Benidorm have won the most recent Federation Cup encounters. In pre-season, each team recorded a win at the other’s ground. Who will win the derby?

Coach Vicent Nogués said they are approaching the match “as a final. It does not matter whether it is Benidorm or Huesca; on Saturday we have to go out to win. We need the points and we are in a situation that is beginning to become delicate. Injuries have cost us dearly, but now that almost everyone is available, we have to approach the match calmly and not let the pressure get to us. At home and with our supporters, we can win the points.”

Nogués also says that “The division is not easy. In the matches against teams in our league, I think we have held our own despite the injuries; we have secured two draws and suffered one defeat. Overall, I am pleased with the team’s work.”

“It will be a very even match. They have great potential and perform well away from home. But I believe that if we dress the Ovni for the occasion with our supporters, the points will stay at home. The key is not to let them run. They can be lethal on the counter-attack. We must keep the number of goals conceded below 20, be tough in defence and we have plenty of chances to win,” the red-and-white coach concludes regarding the opponents.

Reinforcements arrive

For the derby, Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto welcome back David Bruixola, who, coincidentally, was injured in the first pre-season match against Benidorm. David already played a few minutes in the Copa del Rey against Zamora. Pozzer will also be available, while Dorado remains a doubt until the last minute.

In addition, the first team have registered new first-national player Borja Fernández, a former player and captain of Teucro who has joined Puerto de Sagunto for personal reasons. The defensive first-line player joined the red-and-white reserve team a few weeks ago and, despite having retired from professional handball, the red-and-white coach has decided to register him for Asobal to lend a hand, initially in Saturday’s derby. According to coach Vicent Nogués, “he has played very well with the reserve team and can help us in matches when he is available. He could be a key player and add a great deal in defence.”

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.