Fertiberia remain top after winning in Ciudad Real

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto beat Alarcos Ciudad Real 25–26 in a match they began by winning with a substantial advantage, but which they almost drew in the final minutes. A penalty scored by Del Valle, after time had expired, secured victory for the red and whites, who remain sole leaders for another matchday.

The match began with Fertiberia quickly taking a four-goal lead on the scoreboard thanks to good defending, clinical attacking and an in-form Ignasi in goal. Alarcos Ciudad Real tried to come back into the match, but could not even do so from the seven-metre line as they came up against the Admella wall. However, capitalising on saves by the home goalkeeper, the Ciudad Real side moved to within one goal. But they could do nothing about the goals from Del Valle (9) and Poveda (5), among others, and went into half-time 11–14 behind.

After the interval, Fertiberia maintained their advantage through an excellent collective effort, but with 10 minutes remaining Alarcos came close to levelling the match. A goal from David Garcia after a rebound from a save by the Ciudad Real goalkeeper preserved Malla’s side’s lead. With two minutes remaining, Isidre Pérez’s side levelled the match. Toni Malla called a timeout and Del Valle won a seven-metre throw, which he converted into the winning goal.

Match details:

Alarcos Ciudad Real: Javier Sanz (3), Diego Rueda (1), Davila (3), Rolando Urios (1), Agorreta, Mendoza, Gonzalez, Juan Pedro Espinosa (4), Serrano (1), Ricardo Anton, Didac Tanlens (8), Moreno (1), Jose Mora, Marcs Herrera, Oscar Ruiz, Matic (3).

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto: Ignasi Admella, Alex Ortega (1), Nil (2), Del Valle (9), Aron Díaz (1), Pau Ferre (4), Daniel Martínez, Adrián Nolasco (1), Daniel Sedano (1), Aitor Albizu(1), David García(1), Poveda (5), Javier Olivares.

Periods: 1–2, 3–6, 4–8, 7–9, 8–11, 11–14, 12–16, 13–16, 17–21, 21–23, 23–24, 25–26.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.