Fertiberia’s Copa del Rey dream comes to an end

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto could not overcome Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil and lost 27–28 in a match that slipped away from them in the first half. They tried hard to mount a comeback but ultimately had little success in the closing minutes. The red-and-whites bow out of the Copa del Rey and will return next year to fight for their true objective: returning to the top tier of Spanish handball. Nogués’ side held their own in the opening minutes, but Puente Genil soon showed that they had not come to let the Copa slip away. This, combined with some inaccuracies from the home side that the Córdoba team exploited on the counter-attack, meant they went into the break five goals down (13–18). After the interval, the red-and-whites looked for a comeback. Puente Genil made things difficult in the opening minutes, but towards the end the score came close to level, which would not have been enough to progress in the tie anyway. Chueca’s saves after replacing David, and goals from Dija and Corzo, were not enough. Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Montoya (2), Dija (6), Pocholo (2), Jaka (2), Dorado, Bruixola, Chueca, Corzo (9), Toni (1), Oscar (3), Ángel, Folqués (1), Camacho (1). Ángel Ximénez Puente Genil: Costa, Jiménez (7), Monteiro (1), Cuenca (2), Alvaro de Hita, Castro (5), Xavier Tua (1), Juan Luis Moyano, Chaparro, Rudovic (1), Chispi (5), Pablo Martin, Mario Porras (1), Leonardo Domenech (1), Adrián Lombes, Victor Alonso (4). Scoring sequence: 2–5, 5–6, 7–8, 8–10, 9–14, 12–18, 14–20, 16–22, 18–23, 22–25, 24–27, 27–28.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.