Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto win away at neighbours BM Benidorm

The match began with Benidorm defending with maximum intensity in an open defence, with Esteban directing operations from an advanced position, causing Fertiberia’s first turnovers. With the score at 5–1 in the sixth minute, Pachi Martí called a time-out and changed the starting line-up to more mobile players, leaving Sladic and Dukic on the bench and opting for Sayad and Ruben. The change, together with the improved defensive performance and shooting efficiency, led to Fertiberia’s best 20 defensive minutes in several seasons, restricting the Alicante side to just eight goals. The Valencians’ ten goals were based on Cuban player Corzo, who was once again outstanding.

In the second half, Ibrahim replaced Bruixola, who had performed well, and the change went completely unnoticed, as the young Valencian goalkeeper showed that he was ready for the Asobal challenge with an excellent second half. The defensive intensity did not drop, and Pozzer demonstrated that his performance in his own area is of a very high standard, while French-Moroccan Sayad began to reveal the magician in his hat with impossible passes and three goals. Captain Ruben Ruiz and veteran Tarrasó joined the party and, with four goals each, kept an attack increasingly hampered by the numerous open defences proposed by Latorre, with little success. In any case, this Benidorm side is spirited and combative and, although Grau did not play today, Emilio Esteban maintained his scoring rate, albeit with less support than on other occasions.

A couple of further questionable decisions by the officials, who judged the titanic battle in the areas by different standards, with one exclusion for Benidorm and five for Fertiberia, culminated in a final exclusion for Tarrasó in the 59th minute, giving the Alicante side possession and a chance to equalise with a numerical advantage. However, the defence held firm, and only a late free throw taken with the clock stopped by David Jimenez put the finishing touch to a Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto victory which, at the third attempt, saw them conquer L’Illa for the first time.

Next Saturday, with the regional title at stake, the two teams will meet again at the Ovni in the final of the Comunitat Valenciana Cup. Before that, on the 26th, there will be another test against BM Aragón in the Teruel town of Mora de Rubielos.

BM Benidorm: Moyano, Chantada, Amarelle (4), Marchan (3), Sanchez (2), Emilio (7), Salinas (2), Jimenez (2), Cuartero (2), Baive, Fodor (1), Padilla (2), Rodriguez and Valles (1)

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola, Ibrahim, Chueca, Ruiz (4), Sladic, Pocholo (3), Tarraso (4), Sayad (3), Berrios (1), Pozzer (2), Corzo (9), Nebot (2), Angel, Sasa, Lopez Ruiz Piró and Sario.

Officials: Bolea and Orts (C. Valenciana). Fodor was excluded for BM Benidorm, while Tarrasó, Berrios, Pozzer, Angel and Nebot were excluded for Fertiberia.

Score at five-minute intervals:   4–1, 6–3, 6–5, 6–6, 7–7, 8–10 Half-time 13–13, 16–16, 19–19, 22–23, 24–24, 27–28 Full-time. L’Illa Pavilion. 450 spectators

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.