Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto succumb to FC Barcelona

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto lost 21–42 to FC Barcelona tonight in a match in which the red-and-whites showed their best performance against a team that was much superior throughout.

The first half began with the red-and-white attack running into a Blaugrana wall led by Viran and Karabatic, who won the ball back for Saubich to convert quickly, despite Samuel's good saves. Samuel started brightly, making three consecutive saves. Patxi Martí called the first time-out after seeing his team fall four goals behind (2–6). From the 15th minute onwards, Fertiberia remained four goals adrift (7–11), unable to make the attack-defence change because the Catalans moved quickly towards the goal defended by Samuel. In the end, the red-and-whites achieved the considerable feat of going into half-time just six goals behind the league leaders (12–18).

The second half began with a willing Fertiberia determined to do things well against the all-powerful Barcelona, who did not let up for a minute. The gap gradually increased to ten goals thanks to the good defending by Xavi Pascual's men, prompting Patxi Martí to call a time-out when the scoreboard showed 15–26. The Valencian coach brought on the less frequently used players to give them game time and reduce the strain on the regulars. The Blaugrana, meanwhile, were very comfortable on the court, controlling the match without difficulty and displaying their great strength, with Juanín and Víctor Tomás starring from the wings. In the closing minutes, both teams eased off to conserve energy, and FC Barcelona secured a 21–42 victory and a comfortable lead for the second leg.

Fertiberia's next fixture will be the 20th round of the ASOBAL League against Helvetia Anaitasuna next Sunday, 2 March, from 12:30.

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

FC Barcelona: Noddesbo (5), Juanín (6), Tomás (5), Entrerrios (3), Sorahindo (3), Sarmiento (2), Saric, Ariño (1), Gurbindo (1), Robin, Stranovsky (3), Viran, Karabatic (2), Saubich (5) and Lazarov (6).

For Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto, Dukic was excluded, and for FC Barcelona, Noddesbo was excluded.

Score at five-minute intervals:  0–3, 3–7, 7–10, 7–12, 11–15, 12–18 Half-time, 14–21, 15–24, 16–28, 16–34, 18–38, 21–42 Full-time. “Ovni” Internúcleos Municipal Sports Centre. 700 spectators.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.