Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto wake up in time to avoid defeat

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto drew 29–29 this afternoon against GlobalCaja Ciudad Encantada in a match where Fertiberia looked cold for much of the game and did not wake up until the decisive final minutes, allowing them to remain unbeaten in this series of friendlies. The opening minutes began with Fertiberia clearly in control after taking a three-goal lead (4–1). The response from the Cuenca side soon came in the form of a 0–4 run. The visitors stood firm while defending their lead and took control of the match. Inaccuracies in the red-and-white attack did nothing to halt Ciudad Encantada’s scoring run. In the closing stages of the first half, Fertiberia defended with greater intensity to reduce the deficit (11–13). The second half began in much the same way: GlobalCaja Ciudad Encantada were very comfortable on court and produced another 0–3 run against the home side’s defensive ineffectiveness. Fertiberia could not stop the visitors, so Patxi Martí had to call a timeout to seek a reaction from his players. The reaction soon arrived thanks to the Valencians’ greater defensive intensity; quick counter-attacks finished by Pocholo turned the score around (22–21). Although the team had taken time to get into the match, Fertiberia took control with a fine performance from Sebastiá in goal, supported by excellent attacking efficiency. The visiting coach was not convinced and called a timeout after being overpowered by the home side, who moved three goals ahead (28–25). Finally, the red-and-whites saw their lead cancelled out by a penalty on the final buzzer (29–29). Fertiberia’s next fixture will be next Saturday against BM Benidorm, from 18:30, at the Ovni, in the final friendly of the month. Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Sebastiá, Porras, Bernatonis (1), Malasinskas (4), Rubén Ruiz (3), Sladic (4), Moriñigo (5), Tarrasó, Álvarez (3), Berrios (1), Plaza (5), Toni Alegre (1), Nebot, Fernández (2), Dukic and Roque. GlobalCaja Ciudad Encantada: Moya del Saz (1), Fernández, Tolmos (1), Ibañez, Welsau (2), Oliva, Renaud (7), Marchan (2), Pérez, Valles (3), Roque (2), Frade (3) and Balaguer (8). Referees: Juan Bautista Lanuza and José Ramón Saez (Valencian Referees’ Association).   Excluded for GlobalCaja Ciudad Encantada: Frade.   Score at five-minute intervals:  4–2, 5–5, 6–8, 7–9, 9–10, 11–13 Half-time 11–16, 15–19, 18–21, 22–22, 25–23, 29–29 Full-time. Municipal Internúcleos Sports Centre “Ovni”.    

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.