Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto will have to wait to secure survival

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto lost 31–34 this afternoon against BM Aragón in an unfortunate match for the red-and-whites, who were outplayed by an experienced team.

The first half began with both teams focused on attack, with the goalkeepers playing a prominent role. Gomez Lite made three consecutive saves before Grau scored twice to end the run and turn the scoreboard around. Fertiberia soon moved ahead after several saves by Bruixola, but BM Aragón, led by Demetrio Lozano, did not give up and, after the first 15 minutes, the scoreboard showed a 7–7 draw. The equality continued on court, with both teams imprecise during some phases of play, so Patxi Martí called a timeout to give his players instructions and try to improve their attacking play. It was not until the 25th minute that the Aragonese side went three goals ahead, taking advantage of the red-and-whites' errors in attack and quick counter-attacks, before going into the dressing rooms with a two-goal lead (15–17).

The second half began with the red-and-whites more intense in defence, but they soon suffered Dimitrievski's suspension, which the visitors used to restore their three-goal lead. The Valencian coach stopped the match with a timeout to change the defence from 6–0 to 5–1, causing a blockage in Aragón's attack. In this situation, Demetrio Lozano drew on his experience and carried the team on his back to maintain control of the match. In the final stages, Fertiberia showed character with a double mixed defence in an attempt to stop the orange team's surge, but the red-and-whites were outplayed in every area of the court. In the end, Fertiberia could not claim a fourth consecutive victory and will have to wait to secure survival.

Fertiberia's next fixture will be the 24th round of the ASOBAL league against Cuatro Rayas Valladolid, next Saturday, 29 March, from 8:00 pm at the Huerta del Rey Sports Centre.

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

BM Aragón: Gómez Lite, Sorli (7), Egea, Asier Antonio (4), Camas, Claveria, Lozano (7), Ibañez, Castro (2), Calvo (1), Del Valle (1), Sebastian, Cartón (8) and Ariño (5).

Referees:José Luis Fernández Fernández and Antonio Martín Franco (Asturian Regional Federation).

For Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto, Grau and Dimitrievski were suspended; for BM Aragón, Asier Antonio was suspended.

Score at five-minute intervals:  2–2, 4–3, 7–7, 10–11, 12–15, 15–17 Half-time, 17–19, 19–21, 21–23, 25–27, 26–30, 31–34 Full-time. Municipal Sports Centre Internúcleos “Ovni”.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.