<strong>Fertiberia finish runners-up in the GHT Sagunt</strong>

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto finished runners-up in the ‘Global Tourism Handball’, GHT Sagunt, after losing 31–36 to Iker Romero’s SG BBM Bietigheim. The red-and-whites faced a side sixth in the German second division, while they are top of the RFEBM División de Honor Plata. It was a match Toni Malla’s side fought until the end in the first international tournament held in Sagunto. The aim was to promote sports tourism, and the event was organised by Valencia Turisme, Sagunto Town Council and the Valencian Handball Federation. The German team were deserved winners.

The match began with a red-and-white team taking to the Ovni’s blue court and asserting themselves. They opened with a 4–1 run, but before the 10-minute mark the Germans had levelled the contest. They needed only three more minutes to move four goals ahead, taking advantage of Toni Malla’s side’s attacking difficulties in the face of the German goalkeeper’s saves. After a time-out from the red-and-white coach, the home side reacted and Albizu’s counter-attacking goals reduced the deficit, but Iker Romero halted the hosts’ attempt to equalise with a time-out. With all that, they went into the interval with the scoreboard reading 15–18.

After the interval, Fertiberia took advantage of the German team’s numerical disadvantage, with the visitors opting to leave the goal empty to close the gap. Malla’s side toughened up their defence and became more effective in attack. Despite all this, they could not move ahead of the team managed by former Spanish international Iker Romero.

Successful turnout at the GHT Sagunt panel discussion

The panel discussion ‘The step up to handball and a comparison of European and Spanish handball’ filled the Puerto de Sagunto Civic Centre, featuring an engaging conversation between the coach of #sgbbmbietigheimmaenner and former Spain international Iker Romero, together with members of Fertiberia’s first team: coach Toni Malla and player Adrián Nolasco.

The debate, moderated by Carlos Argente, covered topics such as the keys to success in sport and the sacrifices this entails, as well as the paths taken to reach their current positions. During the session, they discussed the differences between handball in Spain and Germany, both at grassroots level and among elite teams, and involved a large number of young people who enjoyed the event.

After the panel discussion, a reception was held for the German team, at which the presidents exchanged shirts and also received one from the Valencian Handball Federation. In addition, Sagunto mayor Dario Moreno presented the German team with products showcasing the city’s tourism offering.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.