Fertiberia lose the Comunitat Valenciana Cup semi-final against EON Horneo Alicante in the final second

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto lose 25–26 in the Comunitat Valenciana Cup semi-final against EON Horneo Alicante. It was a very evenly matched game that either side could have won. The red-and-whites put in a very good performance in their second pre-season match and against one of the league favourites.

The first half began with the home side looking a little cold on the court. Alicante quickly went 0–3 ahead. But, far from being intimidated, Malla’s side began to come back, with Dani Martínez’s saves, a much tougher defence and goals from Alfonso, Ledo and Ortega, among others. In the 16th minute they moved two goals ahead, but the Alicante coach stopped the game with a timeout. EON Alicante levelled the match, but before the half-time whistle the red-and-whites managed to go into the break one goal ahead on the scoreboard (12–11).

After the interval, EON Horneo Alicante established a two-goal lead, but from the 12th minute onwards Toni Malla’s side drew level. Anything could happen in the final minutes. Fertiberia took a two-goal lead, but after two attacking errors, Horneo levelled the match with less than a minute remaining before the final whistle. Malla’s side missed their chance and the Alicante team had two opportunities to win the tie and progress to the semi-final by the narrowest of margins.

After the match, goalkeeper Ignasi Admella highlighted: ‘It was a very serious performance from both teams. We were both operating at a high level, and they secured passage to the semi-final through fine margins. We leave with good feelings because we fought for the match until the end.’

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.