Fertiberia will aim to lift the Comunitat Valenciana Cup on Wednesday in Benidorm

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto are set to play an official match again after concluding the first half of the season last December. Specifically, the red-and-whites will play in the Comunitat Valenciana Cup next Wednesday, 27 January, against BM Benidorm at Palau d’Esports L’illa (19:00). The match can be followed live on the Apunt Media website. The classic pre-season summer derby is being moved to the winter, and Nogués’s side will not let Benidorm retain the title, as they travel with the aim of lifting the Cup organised by the Valencian Handball Federation.

Regarding how they are approaching the match, the red-and-white coach, Vicent Nogués, said: ‘It is a match that will help us a lot to get up to speed and see how the team is doing. We have not competed for a long time because we have not played any friendlies; the last match we played was in December. It will help us a great deal as preparation for the start of the season, on 7 February against Valladolid.’

‘Moreover, it is an official match in which we are playing for a cup in a derby against Benidorm, and you always compete a little harder in these matches. The team has been doing a lot of physical training these days. We are trying to get everyone back into the routine, but it has been a little difficult because of COVID-related issues. However, as of today I think we are almost at full strength. I hope that on Wednesday, with the exception of Dija, we can all be there and get some good feelings.’ the red-and-white boss added.

Last year it was Benidorm who managed to lift the Comunitat Valenciana Cup, and the red-and-whites hope to do the same this year at the Benidorm side’s venue: ‘They are more match-ready; they have played a friendly or two and I know they have some players carrying knocks. I do not really know how the team is doing because we have not competed yet, but whenever we take to the court we will try to secure victory.’

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.