Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto aim to make a good start

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto begin the 2015–2016 BAUHAUS ASOBAL league this Saturday at 18:30 at the Ovni against Globalcaja Ciudad Encantada.

The trials are over; the Valencian red-and-white side now begin their quest to remain in the top tier of Spanish handball. Standing in their way is a familiar opponent with the same ambitions and a much-changed squad: Lidio Jiménez’s Globalcaja Ciudad Encantada, who aim to avoid the struggles of last season, which ended with a winner-takes-all match for survival.

This new Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto side, led once again by Pachi Martí, are very clear that the Ovni must once again become the fortress it was in previous seasons. That did not happen last year, when they dropped points against league rivals and then had to recover them at home. The renewal of the club’s veterans, led by captain Ruben Ruiz and goalkeeper David Bruixola, together with the retention of quality players such as Berrios, Sladic, Pocholo and Dukic, has been complemented by the signing of three overseas players tasked with making up for the departure of the three attacking pillars. Pozzer’s quality in both areas must replace the young Plaza; the magic of experienced Franco-Moroccan Sayad, along with his contribution to team play and advanced defence, must replace the outstanding Malansiskas; and Corzo’s long-range shooting and versatility aim to make up for the departure of Asturian Victor Alvarez. In goal, Sebastia’s experience gives way to emerging talent Ibrahim Moral, who has shown in pre-season that Bruixola has a good deputy in the red-and-white goal. Everyone will be available for this first derby.

The visitors, meanwhile, are reinventing Globalcaja Ciudad Encantada once again, and the pre-season results suggest they have good reason to. The departures of Balaguer, Pérez-Ortiz, Welsau, Oliva, Moya and Renaud left the Cuenca side with significant gaps in Lidio Jiménez’s plans. However, the integration of players such as Miguelón, Zejak, Vainstein, Alves and Vial has been very effective and swift. Add to that the return of defensive stalwart Mendoza after a long-term injury and the return to the court of a highly talented centre back in Rafa López, and this Ciudad Encantada side are a formidable opponent. Fertiberia experienced this first-hand in their first pre-season test, when our players could do little against the storm of defence, courage and energy produced by this promising group, who do not want to wait until the final matchday to secure survival, as they had to endure last season.

If you add the expected presence of the Furia Conquense in the stands to these ingredients on court, the spectacle is guaranteed at the old Ovni in this first exciting clash of a BAUHAUS ASOBAL league that promises the same drama from second place to the bottom of the table.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.