Fertiberia remain top for another matchday after beating the second-placed side

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto secured an important 29–23 victory over Trops Málaga in a match that began very evenly, but which the red and whites managed to break open at the end of the first half before proving much superior after the interval. With this victory, Toni Malla’s side remain top of the group with 9 points and move 3 points clear of Málaga, the second-placed side.

The match began with great intensity, with two teamsbattling to spend a week at the top of the table. Both were strong in defence and accurate in attack, and the scoreboard reflected the closeness of the contest. But Del Valle’s goals (7) and Nolasco’s (8) began to break that deadlock. And a direct red-and-blue card shown to Adrián Portela, for kicking Sedano, allowed the red and whites to extend their lead until half-time, when they went in three goals ahead (15–11)

After the interval, Fertiberia did not relent and continued in the same vein as at the end of the first half. An excellent collective performance left Málaga with no chance of a comeback, and Malla’s side built a six-goal lead.

Match details:

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto: Ignasi Admella, Alex Ortega (4), Nil (1), Del Valle (7), Aron Díaz (1), Pau Ferre (4), Daniel Martínez, Adrián Nolasco (8), Daniel Sedano, Aitor Albizu, David García(1), Poveda (3), Javier Olivares.

Trops Málaga: Pedro Blanco, Roberto Muñoz, Da Silva (2), Pablo Fernández (2), Kahr, Cabrera(1), Jesús Melgar (3), Pablo Soler (5), Jose Villamarin, Luis Castro (2), Daniel Palomeque (2), Adrián Portela, Juan Agustín (1), Pedro (4), Sean (1).

Score by periods: 2–2, 5–4, 6–6, 9–8, 12–10, 15–11, 18–13, 20–16, 24–16, 24–18, 26–20, 29–23.

Referees: Jordi Pinilla and Eric Deiros. The following Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto players were excluded: Álvaro Del Valle, Sedano (2), Albizu (red), Poveda. For Trops Málaga: Da Silva (2), Nogales, Duarte, Portela (blue)

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.