Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto win the Valencian Derby

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto defeated neighbours BM Benidorm 29–26 in a match played this evening at the Ovni.

The red-and-white side dominated the Alicante team from start to finish in a match based on excellent defensive work that shackled Latorre’s side for more than 50 minutes.

The first differences soon appeared in favour of the Valencians, whose 6–0 defence prevented Benidorm’s ineffective attacks from circulating; only Salinas and Esteban kept the score moving from distance. After five minutes, things became even worse for the Alicante side, with Bruixola joining the party. In attack, Sladic, Corzo and Berrios, playing at left back today because of the absences of Dukic and Ruben Ruiz, controlled the team’s moves at will and built a four- to five-goal lead, as the rotations failed to bring Latorre’s players into the match and the red-and-white side maintained their level in both areas. The teams reached half-time at 14–9, a revealing scoreline given what had been seen on the court.

The second half began with inaccuracies from both sides, meaning that neither team scored until four and a half minutes into the half. But Fertiberia were at the level they had shown against Cuenca on the opening day and played their best attacking minutes of the match during that spell, with Sayad directing operations alongside Nebot, who worked tirelessly in attack and defence. Combined with the continued intensity of the red-and-white defence, this produced the match’s biggest lead: a commanding 20–12 in the 13th minute of the second half. However, at that point two misunderstandings between Sayad and Sladic, whose momentum had dipped, together with Latorre’s desperate, very open defence, allowed Benidorm back into the match through counter-attacks. So much so that Grau’s goal reduced the deficit to just three, making it 23–20 with ten minutes remaining.

The Valencians settled again, and Benidorm’s desperate attempts to play quickly came up against a Bruixola who is always there when needed. The final 29–26 could even have been more, but it was a glorious result given Fertiberia’s return to good form. This was despite Alegre’s return, which finally allowed him to make his seasonal debut, and the fact that three key players were injured in the stands: Bernatonis, Ruben and Sasa Dukic.

Next Saturday, the red-and-white side visit newly promoted Teucro, another historic name in Spanish handball who are very strong at home on their return to the Liga Bauhaus Asobal.

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola, Ibrahim, Sladic (7), Pocholo (4), Tarraso (2), Sayad (1), Berrios (1), Pozzer (2), Corzo (11), Nebot, Angel, Piró and Sario.

BM Benidorm: Moyano, Chantada, Marchan Sanchez (2), Oliver, Folques (1), Esteban (5), Grau (2), Jimenez (5), Cuartero (2), Brive, Fodor, Valles (2) and Padilla (1)

Referees: Bustamante and Alvarez Mata. For Fertiberia, Pozzer (3), Fernandez (2), Pocholo and Sayad were suspended. For Benidorm, Marchan Esteban, Salinas and Cuartero (2) were suspended.

Score at five-minute intervals:   3–1, 5–2, 7–5, 10–6, 12–7, 14–9 Half-time, 15–10, 18–12, 21–14, 23–20, 27–22, 29–26 Full-time. Municipal Internucleos Sports Hall. Full house. 1,500 spectators. Match broadcast live on Movistar+.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.