Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto lose to Fraikin Granollers with old mistakes

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto lost by a four-goal margin to third-placed Bauhaus Asobal League side Fraikin Granollers. That in itself is normal, although the 36–40 scoreline seems abnormal after the first two league matches.

The match was a genuine attacking masterclass from both teams, with all the marksmen in action and operating at a highly impressive level of effectiveness. Bernatonis and Corzo led the red-and-white attacks, while Valadao and Marquez did so for the Vallès side. Bruixola and Almeida could do nothing in the face of the onslaught. The first rotations affected the red-and-white side more badly; however, Cañellas and Pacheco began to find their rhythm alongside the aforementioned Valadao. The match remained even and, after fifteen minutes, the red-and-whites led 12–9. From then on, as we said, the red-and-whites fell apart as they had in the first round, and the Vallès side turned the score around, leaving room for a comeback: 17–19 at half-time.

In the second half, Fertiberia could not maintain the slower pace required despite trailing, and mistakes and turnovers against Granollers were punished, with Adrià Pérez leading the attack. Figueras's introduction in place of Porras was also highly effective, creating genuine openings for him, and he finished with eight goals. With the score at 25–31 and Bernatonis leading the play, he was injured, following in the footsteps of Rubén Ruiz and Tarrasó, who had also been injured earlier. Even so, Sladic came on fired up and scored three practically consecutive goals, while a couple of saves by Bruixola reduced the deficit to 30–34. The Valencian side could get no closer, against a Granollers team still mindful of throwing away a ten-goal lead in Europe and unwilling to repeat that today. The final score was 36–40 to the third-placed side, who were not caught out by the emerging Fertiberia, whose defensive intensity deserted them today and cost them their first defeat of the Milos era.

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola and Ibrahim. Bernatonis (9), Rubén Ruíz, Sladic (3), Pocholo (2), Tarrasó (2), Berrios, Corzo (11), Pozzer (3), Nebot, Fernández, Alegre (3), Dukic (3) and Sorrentino.

Fraikin Granollers: Almeida and Sastre. Porras (2), Blanchart (1), Marc (3), Ferrer (1), Arnau (1), Pérez (5), Figueras (8), Solé (7), Cañellas (1), Resina (2), Valadao (3), Pacheco (2) and Marquez (4)

Scores. 4–3, 7–7, 12–9, 13–11, 14–15, 17–19 (half-time), 20–22, 23–28, 25–31, 28–34, 32–36, 36–40. Full time.

Officials: Moyano and Merino, who excluded Pozzer and Tarraso (2) for Fertiberia, and Marc Garcia (2) and Arnau for Fraikin Granollers

Ovni. 1,300 spectators.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.