Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto lose in Puente Genil

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto lost 30-27 to Angel Ximenez Puente Genil in a closely fought match decided by a superb performance from Álvaro de Hita in the home goal.

The match lived up to expectations of an even contest, but goalkeeper De Hita, with a 45% save rate, became the Córdoba side’s outstanding player in the second half.

The match began with the attacks prevailing over the defences, with Corzo for the red-and-whites and Porras for the home side directing operations. Neither team’s 6-0 defensive system could stop the attacks; only Tarraso’s suspension and the resulting numerical advantage for the home side opened up a gap, with the hosts taking a three-goal lead five minutes before half-time. However, a red-and-white surge brought the score back to 15-14, leaving everything to play for in the second half. As mentioned, the change of goalkeeper proved beneficial for the home side, who had in Paraja a battering ram the red-and-whites could not stop: seven goals from seven shots for the Asturian. For the Valencians, Corzo continued in the same vein, also reaching seven goals, while captain Rubén Ruiz joined the red-and-white attack with four goals from six attempts. However, the home side’s effectiveness in goal allowed them to launch comfortable counter-attacks, extending their lead to 24-20, Puente Genil’s largest advantage, in the 43rd minute. The final quarter of an hour was fiercely contested, but the hosts did not surrender their lead, winning 30-27.

Off the court, it is worth highlighting the day of friendship shared by the supporters of Puente Genil and Puerto Sagunto, with both sets of fans displaying exemplary conduct that makes Asobal handball even greater.

Next Saturday, Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto will make a second consecutive away trip to face BM Granollers. The match will be broadcast by Movistar + in the carousel format from 8.30 pm.

Angel Ximenez Puente Genil: Oliva (4/15, 26.75% effectiveness), De Hita (13/29, 44.8% effectiveness), Olea, Moya (4), Cuenca (1), Bujalance, Kramarz, De la Sierra (1), Chispi (8), Alexis (4), Porras (3), Lozano, Potic (2) and Paraja (7)

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola, Ibrahim, Ruiz (4), Sladic (4), Pocholo (2), Tarraso (2), Sayad (1), Berrios, Pozzer (3), Corzo (7), Nebot (1), Ángel, Sasa (3), Piró and Sarió.

Referees: Garcia Mosquera and Muro Sanjosé. They suspended Moya and Alexis (2) for AX Puente Genil, and Tarraso, Berios, Corzo and Pozzer for Fertiberia.

Score at five-minute intervals: 2-2, 7-5, 9-8, 11-9, 14-11, 15-14. Half-time 18-18, 21-20, 24-22, 26-23, 27-24, 30-27. Full-time. Pabellón Alcalde Miguel Salas. 900 spectators.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.