Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto, Valencian Community champions

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto beat BM Benidorm 36–33 in the sixth Valencian Community Cup final.

In the women’s final, CH. Canyamelar defeated Elche Mustang 21–18.

The saying that there are no friendlies in a derby proved true at the first opportunity. Apart from the typical pre-season lapses and the stifling heat of an Ovni in August, this match had all the ingredients needed to turn Valencian handball into a genuine celebration.

The first half was an attacking masterclass from both teams, with the attacks prevailing over the 6–0 defences imposed by Martí and Latorre. Ibrahim Moral repaid the manager’s faith with several meritorious saves that kept the red-and-whites ahead. The 6–0 defence led by Grau and the Frenchman Brive struggled to contain a Sladic who was immense from the shooting line, and a Corzo who justified his signing match after match. For the Alicante side, Esteban and Cuartero ran on to red-and-white attacking errors and kept the Alicante score moving. At half-time, the home side led 20–18, more accustomed to high-scoring matches than a Benidorm team whose strength is based around the six-metre line.

In the second half, BM Benidorm opened up their defence into more open systems, but Corzo remained unstoppable, scoring every kind of goal, while Grau began to find his rhythm at left-back for the Alicante side. On this basis, the scores remained level, with only exclusions on either side deciding the periods. When the evenly balanced match reached its decisive stage, the goalkeepers came to the fore. Bruixola, who had come on in the second half, made several crucial saves that put Fertiberia ahead. Their four-goal lead ultimately proved sufficient for third-choice goalkeeper Chueca to enjoy some quality minutes, while Angel and Piró also came onto the court, with Chema Piró even scoring his goal.

Next Saturday, the Liga Bauhaus Asobal begins, with the league opener at 18:30 against Globlacaja Ciudad Encantada.

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola, Ibrahim, Chueca, Ruiz (3), Sladic (9), Pocholo (3), Tarraso (1), Berrios (1), Pozzer (2), Corzo (13), Nebot (1), Angel (1), Sasa (1), Lopez Ruiz, Piró (1) and Sario.

BM Benidorm: Moyano, Martinez, Marchan (2), Amarelle (2), Sanchez (3), Oliver, Folques (1), Esteban (6), Grau (5), Salinas (3), Jimenez (4), Cuartero (6), Brive, Valles, Padilla (2) and Rodriguez.

Referees:  Bohigas and Castañer. For Fertiberia, Sladic, Tarrasó, Pozzer (3) and Fernandez were excluded. For Benidorm, Amarelle (2), Oliver, Folques and Cuartero were excluded.

Score at five-minute intervals:   4–3, 7–5, 9–7, 12–10, 16–15, 20–18. Half-time 23–21, 24–24, 27–27, 30–29, 34–30, 36–33. Full-time. Internucleos Ovni Pavilion. 600 spectators

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.