The Port de Sagunt Pavilion hosts a derby on the Day of the Valencian Community

9 October, the Day of the Valencian Community, has brought a derby between two teams from the autonomous community. Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto host Horneo EÓN Alicante at the Port de Sagunt Pavilion from 19:00, in a match corresponding to the fifth round of the NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL League.

The red-and-whites return to home action after two consecutive away trips. They have a record of one win (39-38) against ABANCA Ademar León in the competition’s opening match and three successive defeats: against Fraikin BM Granollers at home by 24-27, and away to Recoletas Salud Atlético Valladolid and Dicorpebal Logroño La Rioja, 37-30 and 36-32 respectively. They sit eleventh in the table.

On the other side of the 40x20-metre court will be an Alicante side with similar statistics to the Valencians. They have recorded just one win in the four matches they have played so far. Like the Port de Sagunt side, they earned those two points on the opening day of the league season in front of their home supporters, beating Bathco Torrelavega 32-29. Since then, they have lost away to BM Caserío Ciudad Real (35-29), at home to Fraikin BM Granollers (31-41) at the Pitiu Rochel and, most recently, at the Palau Blaugrana against Barça (46-31). They occupy thirteenth place in the overall standings.

Roi Sánchez became coach of the Alicante side just over a year ago, replacing former Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto player Fernando Latorre. This season, he will once again have Guillermo Artime as his right-hand man; Artime already worked alongside him as assistant coach at UBU San Pablo Burgos during the 2024-2025 season.

“It is a squad that has retained the core of its important players and has also strengthened very well. They have a first line with plenty of resources and a strong connection with two very different pivots. They are also supported by their goalkeeping duo,” Sergio Mallo said about the opposing squad at the pre-match press conference.

It has been a summer transfer window of considerable activity in the Horneo EÓN Alicante offices, with as many as ten departures replaced by six high-quality signings: Adrián Sánchez, Dani Reinante, Rafael Vasconcelos, Carles Asensio, Juan Carlos Sempere and former goalkeeper of the Valencian club, Pau Guitart.

The last meeting between the two clubs took place in September, coincidentally at the same venue where this one will be played. It was the final match of pre-season for both teams before their official debuts in the top tier of Spanish handball. The final score was 36-27.

“They are that extra boost we always need. We are going to give everything we have for them. I know what it is like to experience a derby, and we will leave everything on the court with the aim of returning to winning ways and giving our supporters what they deserve,” Alberto Serradilla added regarding the importance of the fans.

Fans wishing to buy tickets to watch the match can do so in person or via the club’s website. The price will be 15 euros for purchases made before Friday: https://p.berrly.com/cbmpsg/events/19644/map . The match will also be broadcast live on the Teledeporte channel and on the league’s OTT platform, ASOBAL TV: https://www.streamwayplus.com/es/asobal-tv .

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.