The Port de Sagunt Pavilion, setting for the battle for third place

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto host UBU San Pablo Burgos 2031 this Saturday from 18:30 at the Port de Sagunt Pavilion, in a match corresponding to the twenty-second round of the Men's Silver Division.

The red and whites go into the match after suffering a tough defeat (21-19) away to Club Cisne Colegio Los Sauces at the Pabellón Municipal Dos Deportes last weekend. The result saw them lose second place in the standings to Fundación Agustinos Alicante. Both sides are level on 30 points, but the Alicante team have a better goal difference, which puts them temporarily ahead.

The Burgos side, meanwhile, arrive in the Valencian Community after securing a narrow victory (22-21) with the final play of their match against Anaitasuna. They sit just behind the Porteños in the overall standings, with 28 points.

Third place in the competition and the head-to-head goal difference are therefore at stake, the latter a key factor in the event of a hypothetical points tie at the end of the regular league season. In the event of a home win or draw, the standings would remain unchanged; however, if the visitors take both points, they would move into third place.

In the first-leg match, played at El Plantío, the score was tied (28-28).

“It is a project that has been fighting for promotion for several seasons. We know the team we are facing: big players, a top-class centre in Miguel Malo and quality pivots. If we were able to snatch a point away from home, we can do the same at home,” says Sergio Mallo about the quality of the opponents.

The Castilla and León side have several new faces compared with the first-leg match, both on the coaching staff and in the squad. In November, they experienced a bench situation similar to the one affecting the red-and-white side in January: Jorge Berzosa ceased to be head coach and was replaced by Samuel Trives, previously the assistant coach. In the back line, Javi Espinosa, who played his last professional match precisely against us, has been replaced by Sergio Sarasola, who arrived from Balonmano Soria.

“It is a hugely important match. We need the fans to continue as they have done so far so that we can return to winning ways. They are our eighth player and, with their support, we will have a better chance of securing victory,” says Arnau Fernández about the importance of the supporters at a Port de Sagunt Pavilion where every match played to date has ended in victory.

The match will also be a special occasion, as it will be the day of one of the club’s sponsors, Kia Autopista Sur, and the official shop will be present. Fans wishing to buy tickets to attend the match can do so in person or via the club’s website. The price will be 12 euros for purchases made before Saturday: https://www.cbmpuertosagunto.com/entradas/.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.