Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto let the points slip away at the end of the match

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto lost 30–27 to BM Guadalajara this afternoon, in a thrilling match from start to finish, but the hosts managed the final stages better as they had considerably more at stake than the red-and-whites. In the opening minutes Fertiberia took the lead and Bruixola made a double save. It was very even from the outset, but BM Guadalajara broke the deadlock with Juanlu’s shots. Sladic received the first suspension, forcing the Valencians to rely on Malasinskas to fight back from the start, as the hosts took control. Later, the red-and-whites took advantage of a numerical advantage to level the score at 6–6 with a 2–0 run. Midway through the first half, Fertiberia managed to turn the situation around thanks to good defending and Bruixola’s saves. In the final five minutes, BM Guadalajara reduced the deficit to 11–12, so Patxi Martí had to stop the match with a timeout to give his players instructions, aiming to preserve the lead before half-time. Ultimately, the red-and-whites defended their one-goal advantage and went into the dressing room at 11–12. The second half began in the same way as the first: Fertiberia concentrated on preserving its lead, while the hosts could not find the answer defensively. Despite their hesitant play, the hosts stayed in the match because the red-and-whites suffered several successive suspensions, which did not help them defend their lead. Later, BM Guadalajara awoke from its slumber and turned the score around, to Fertiberia’s surprise, as it could do nothing to stop the hosts’ attack. César Montes’s men managed their fatigue better and took control of the match again after levelling the score at 25–25. With five minutes remaining, the referees showed Ángel Fernández a red card, which did not help the team complete the comeback, compounded by turnovers at crucial moments. BM Guadalajara played the final minutes better and consequently secured a 30–27 victory. Fertiberia’s next fixture will be matchday 26 of the Asobal Bauhaus league, on Saturday 18 April from 18:30, against third-placed Fraikin BM Granollers. BM Guadalajara: Parra (1), Peciña (5), Reig (1), Márquez (1), Moyano (8), López Rey (1), Barbero, Bozalongo, Pozzer (2), Chiuffa (6), Iker Antonio (2), Padilla (3) and de Almeida. Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola, Porras, Bernatonis, Malasinskas (9), Sladic (6), Moriñigo (2), Tarrasó (2), Berrios, Plaza (3), Toni Alegre (2), Nebot (2), Fernández and Dukic (1). Referees: Fernando Joaquín Fernández Pérez and Alberto García Rodríguez (Andalusian Regional Federation). Excluded for BM Guadalajara: Peciña, Pozzer and Iker Antonio; for Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Sladic, Malasinskas, Plaza, Nebot and A. Fernández (1) and (D2). Score at five-minute intervals: 2–1, 5–3, 6–6, 7–8, 9–10, 11–12 half-time, 14–15, 16–17, 20–20, 23–23, 25–25, 30–27 final. David Santamaría Pavilion.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.