Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto get revenge at El Sargal

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto won 24–27 away to GlobalCaja Ciudad Encantada this afternoon in a match that began with the red-and-whites trailing, but a resolute defence secured victory and progression to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. The first half began with the red-and-whites behind on the scoreboard after a series of turnovers in attack, which Ciudad Encantada exploited to move 8–5 ahead after the first 15 minutes. From that moment, Patxi Martí’s men increased the pace of their play and reduced the deficit to 9–8, prompting Zupo to call a timeout to halt the red-and-whites’ strong spell. From the 25th minute onwards, the Valencians turned the score around and moved one goal ahead at 10–11, thanks to saves from Bruixola and goals from Apelgren and Plaza. At the other end, Oliva also had a fine game, raising concerns in the red-and-white attack, but they managed to neutralise him with a set play in the final seconds of the first half. Berrios scored to send them into the dressing room ahead at 12–13. The second half began with the red-and-whites strong in both defence and attack, enabling the team to establish a three-goal lead at 13–16. The players from Cuenca found no solution to the red-and-white defensive wall, so Lipovina took responsibility for the shots but was not entirely accurate. Patxi Martí’s men remained fully involved in the match with great intensity and impressive finishing, including four goals from Sasa Dukic. The home side’s top scorer in the first half, Sorrentino, did not play a single minute after the break because he went injured to the dressing room, causing a breakdown in the home attack. In the closing minutes, Fertiberia managed to maintain a four-goal advantage and record an away win, with a place in the Copa del Rey handball quarter-finals as the reward. Fertiberia’s next fixture will be the final match of the first half of the league season, away to Villa de Aranda next Saturday. GlobalCaja C. Encantada: Moya del Saz, Lipovina (5), Pérez-Ortiz (1), Sorrentino (4), Mendoza (1), De Hita, Sifré (3), Gonzalo (1), Oliva, Renaud (4), Dzokic, Sergio López, Frade (2) and Milosevic (3). Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Sebastiá, Bruixola, Samuel, Marc Andreu, Moriñigo (2), Lluna, Berrios (2), Apelgren (6), Grau (3), Plaza (5), Toni Alegre (2), Nebot (1), Fernández, Dukic (6) and Roque. Officials: Alberto Ballano Dueñas and Juan Jesús Belloso Pérez (Catalan and Navarre Territorial Federations).   Suspended for GlobalCaja Ciudad Encantada were Lipovina and Milosevic, and for Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto, Plaza (2), Toni Alegre and Ángel Fernández.   Score at five-minute intervals:  3–1, 6–4, 8–6, 10–8, 10–11, 12–13 Half-time 13–16, 15–19, 17–20, 19–23, 21–24, 24–27 Full-time. El Sargal.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.