Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto make their mark away from home

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto won 25–26 this morning against Helvetia Anaitasuna in a closely contested match at the start, but which Fertiberia gradually dominated until the final minutes, when the home side reduced the deficit without earning the reward of the two points.

The match began with Nacho Plaza in fine form from the pivot position, scoring twice in an even opening with plenty of opportunities for both sides. The red-and-whites failed to convert their attacking chances but countered those mistakes with a compact defence to level the score at 3–3. Halfway through the first half, the Valencians took control of the match thanks to a two-goal lead (4–6). Etxaburu’s men soon reacted and, with a 3–0 run, took advantage of Fertiberia suffering two consecutive suspensions to turn the score around again. In the 20th minute, the Gipuzkoan coach called a timeout after seeing his players slow down, and the red-and-whites moved ahead again (7–9). The arrival of new signing Dimitrievski gave the team a fresh boost, and Patxi Martí’s men looked stronger towards the end of the half, going into the break with a three-goal lead (11–14).

At the start of the second half, the home side came out with greater intensity and soon reduced the deficit to two goals (13–15). Despite Helvetia Anaitasuna’s strong start after the interval, the Valencians managed to maintain their three-goal advantage with a strong defence and without taking too many risks in attack. The Pamplona side found a good rhythm, reducing the deficit (17–18), but Bruixola then appeared, saving a couple of chances and helping the team restore a four-goal lead under Apelgren’s direction and thanks to Plaza’s goals. Aitor Etxaburu soon stopped the match with a timeout after seeing Fertiberia looking very comfortable on the court and giving their attackers no opportunity. From the 50th minute, the score stood at 18–22, with Fertiberia looking assured in attack and defence, but Anaitasuna refused to lower their arms and fought until the final minute. In the last five minutes, the home side stepped up the pace to move within one goal (24–25), and Patxi Martí was forced to call a timeout to give his players instructions, as they had lost their advantage after several turnovers. Finally, Fertiberia withstood the home side’s last assault with a save from Bruixola and took the two points by a score of 25–26.

Fertiberia’s next fixture will be the 21st round of the ASOBAL league against Bidasoa Irún next Saturday, 8 March, from 18:30.

Helvetia Anaitasuna: Capón, Bazán, Bernatonis (6), Martínez, Garza (1), Reig (4), Etxeberría, Meoki, Montávez, Santana, Nadoveza (3), Borragan (3), Kisselev, Iker Antonio, Goñi (4) and Gastón (4).

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Sebastiá, Bruixola, Samuel, Rubén Ruiz, Moriñigo (2), Tarrasó (3), Lluna, Berrios, Apelgren (7), Grau (5), Plaza (4), Toni Alegre (2), Nebot, Fernández, Dukic (2), Roque and Dimitrievski (1).

Referees: Antonio Merino Mori and Francisco Javier Moyano Prieto (Castile and León Regional Federation).

For Helvetia Anaitasuna, Bernatonis (2) and Meoki were suspended; for Fertibeira BM Puerto Sagunto, Tarrasó, Grau, Nebot (2) and Fernández were suspended.

Score at each five-minute interval:  2–1, 3–3, 4–6, 7–9, 10–11, 11–14 Half-time 14–17, 17–19, 17–22, 19–22, 23–25, 25–26 Full-time. Anaitasuna Pavilion.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.