<strong>Fertiberia begin the promotion phase against Villa de Aranda</strong>

Toni Malla: Our intention is to pick up points, but we approach it humbly because we will face a very dangerous team

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto begin the promotion phase to Asobal this weekend. In the first match, Toni Malla’s side face Balonmano Villa de Aranda away (7.20 pm), who have entered this second phase of the competition with two points and are currently bottom of the group. The visitors are first with 10 points, the same as  Atlético Novás. Malla is clear about the objective for the match and says that ‘Our intention is to pick up points, but we approach it humbly because we will face a very dangerous team’

The red-and-white coach, Toni Malla, assesses how the team are approaching this second phase of the competition, in which a return to the top tier of Spanish handball is at stake: ‘We arrive in better shape than last season; we will see how everything develops, match by match. In terms of points, we also have many more than last season, when we finished three points short of automatic promotion and one short of the play-off. The message I am conveying to the team is to secure third place and then work on each match. We will not have easy matches in this second phase. The points cushion may allow us to make an extra mistake or two. We need to temper our ambition and enthusiasm for promotion and start working on each match. It is important to be humble because the opponents also want to win. We will take it match by match and see what happens as the matchdays go by.’ 

Regarding the opponents they will face, Malla says: ‘They are a historic force in Spanish handball. We are going to a court where people have great respect for our sport. The team we are facing has grown match by match, and is very well built and well organised, starting with a deep squad. They have two options in each position, allowing them to reach the closing stages in very good condition. We will face a very solid defensive unit and a goalkeeper who is making more and more saves. Despite beating them in the Copa del Rey, this will not be the same match. For them, winning this weekend is their last chance to stay in the promotion race.’

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.