Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto takes shape and earns a hard-fought victory

  Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto won 27-28 tonight against BM Aragón in a match in which Fertiberia had to swim against the tide for long periods, but finally worked the closing minutes very well; they proved decisive in securing the two points. The match began with the sides evenly matched. BM Aragón put together long attacks but were not clinical when finishing, as Bruixola had to intervene three times to halt the home side's attacks. In Nacho Plaza's absence, Fertiberia made use of Malasinskas's quick ball circulation to prevent the Aragonese players from having time to think. After the first ten minutes, the red-and-whites took their first lead, by just one goal (4-5), but their joy was short-lived: two suspensions left Fertiberia struggling defensively and the hosts turned the score around (11-8). Turnovers in attack punished the red-and-whites, prompting a timeout from Patxi Martí, who could not find the solution. In the final stages of the first half, the Valencians produced a 0-2 run thanks to a defensive adjustment and Bernatonis's accuracy in attack. As a result, BM Aragón went into half-time one goal ahead (14-13), having defended well and left the red-and-white attackers with no space. The half-time team talk had the desired effect on the red-and-whites, who levelled the score at 16 with two consecutive good defensive actions. Fertiberia fought to stay alive in the match, despite suffering several suspensions that did not help Patxi Martí's side. BM Aragón remained solid in defence and, thanks to their goalkeeper's saves, the hosts looked comfortable on the court. In the final minutes, when defence matters most, Fertiberia were cleverer than the hosts. The red-and-white defence gave the Aragonese attack no options and, when the team needed him most, Malasinskas took control of the match, scoring three crucial goals that helped the Valencians record their first victory at BM Aragón's home ground (27-28). Fertiberia's next fixture will be next Wednesday the 10th against Helvetia Anaitasuna, from 20:15, at the Ovni, in the 14th league round. BM Aragón: Sorli, Asier Antonio (3), Val (3), Del Valle (9), Camas (4), Clavería, Fernández, Castro, García, Lozano (4), Millan, Tuquet, Ariño (4) and Rodríguez. Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Sebastiá, Bruixola, Bernatonis (8), Malasinskas (4), Rubén Ruiz, Sladic (1), Moriñigo (4), Tarrasó (3), Álvarez (2), Berrios (2), Toni Alegre, Fernández (3), Dukic (1) and Roque. Officials: Javier Álvarez Mata and Ion Bustamante López (Navarrese and Basque Referees' Colleges).   BM Aragón's Val, Camas and Tuquet were suspended; Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto's Bernatonis, Tarrasó and Fernández (D) were suspended. Score at five-minute intervals:  2-2, 4-5, 9-8, 11-9, 13-11, 14-13 Half-time 16-16, 18-18, 20-19, 22-21, 25-23, 27-28 Full-time. Siglo XXI Sports Hall. Attendance: 1658.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.