Fertiberia cannot overcome a European-level Cuenca

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto could not beat Liberbank Cuenca at their home ground (32-23). A truly excellent European competition side won the match through their goalkeeper from the end of the first half onwards. The red-and-whites will have to wait until the next round to try to pick up points at home against another of the league’s big teams, CBM Ciudad de Logroño.

The match began evenly. Both teams wanted to take the first two points of the season. But Cuenca were the first to tip the balance. Maciel’s saves, which Lidio Jiménez’s side used to launch counter-attacks, began to unsettle Nogués’s team. When goals from Corzo, Pozzer and Mirallave brought them close to levelling the score, they again missed in front of goal, succumbed to Maciel and lost their parity. Liberbank Cuenca won the first half through their goalkeeper and wingers (17-12).

After the interval, Liberbank delivered a decisive blow and the match slipped away from the red-and-whites. They tried to reduce the deficit, but in the end Goliath overcame David.

At the end of the match, coach Vicent Nogués said “In the first half we tried to stay in the match and were close to equalising, but the number of errors prevented us from being where we wanted to be. Cuenca took advantage to move ahead on the scoreboard. In the second half, with the score against us, we lacked the intensity and fighting spirit to get back into it. Little by little they pulled away, and in the end the result was very heavy. I am not happy with the final score or with the players’ work”.

“To beat Cuenca, you have to be much tougher in defence. Their level was much higher and we were not at that level. We were too soft. Unforced errors in the first half condemned us. I think we lowered our arms, and I do not like that. I know we have the squad we have and Cuenca maintained their level throughout with top players, while we do not have much depth, but I would like everyone’s attitude to be more combative at the Ovni and away from home”. concludes Nogués.

MATCH DETAILS:

Liberbank Cuenca: Leonardo Dutra (3), Pablo Vainstein (1), Martin Ariel (2), Natan Suárez (3), Patrik Linde, Santiago Baroneto (3), Hugo López (5), Lucas Moscariello (1), Samuel Ibáñez, Thiago Alves (3), Balint (4), Pablo Miguel (2), Kistijan (1), Sergio López (4), Leonel Maciel.

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Guillermo Martínez, Jaka Spiljak (1), Nacho Mirallave (2), Leo Querín (4), Marcos Dorado, Camacho, Adrián Ribes, Corzo (7), Iñigo Celorrio (1), Toni Alegre, Dija Cruz (2), Tello (2), Óscar García (2), Ángel López Ruíz, Alex Pozzer (2).

Period scores: 2-1, 4-2, 7-4, 10-7, 13-10, 17-12, 21-15, 24-16, 25-18, 26-19, 28-20,32-23

Referees: Sebastián Fernández and Alberto Murillo. Patrik, Mosca and Pablo were excluded for Liberbank Cuenca, Kistijan (red card). Jaka, Dija and Pozzer were excluded for Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.