Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto go down with positive feelings against Odorheiu

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto lost 31–33 to the reigning Challenge Cup champions and second-placed team in the Romanian league, Odorheiu. The match was played in the town of Sant Joan d'Espí, where the Romanian team are holding their winter training camp. Fertiberia fell victim to their own mistakes, as their scoring efficiency remained at a high level, with players such as Sladic, who scored seven goals, and red-and-white captain Ruben Ruiz, who scored six, starring today. The returning Pozzer also contributed four goals in attack. With Bernatonis and Sayad in Lithuania and Corzo scoring three goals, it can be said that this aspect remains at the good level seen in the first half of the Liga Asobal season. The problem came from repeated turnovers, something Milos has still not managed to rectify and which resulted in so many counter-attacking goals for the Valencians in the first half of the season. On the positive side, the positional defence was excellent, and David Bruixola, after his work-related problems, showed that he will continue to be a positive presence for Fertiberia in the second half of the season. The Romanians, very tough in defence—a hallmark of this team—built up leads of as many as four goals, but whenever Fertiberia avoided losing the ball, they closed the gap on the scoreboard. The red-and-white squad's desire to improve showed that they would not give up, even in a friendly, and from 23–27 in the twentieth minute of the second half, a late red-and-white surge brought the score to 28–29. However, an exclusion for Nebot and the resulting numerical disadvantage stretched the final score to 31–33. The new red-and-white manager, Nikola Milos, assessed the match as follows “We played a good match; in the second half especially, the defence worked very well. In the first half we made technical errors and struggled to find our rhythm, but with so many absences today, I can be extremely satisfied because in the second half Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto looked excellent.” Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola, Chueca, Rubén Ruiz (6), Sladic (7), Pocholo (3), Tarrasó (5), Berrios, Corzo (3), Pozzer (4), Alegre, Nebot, Fernández, Dukic (3) and Sariò. Odorheiu : Levente and Seilard. Markez (7), Mihalcea (6), Adrian (1), Vladimer, Huba (4), Ghita (2), Kuzmansoki (7), Vencel, Majonv, Jokanovic, Onyejekwe (6) and Markez (7) Periods: 2–4, 4–7, 6–11, 8–13, 11–14, 14–18 (half-time), 17–22, 20–23, 21–26, 23–27, 27–29 and 31–33. Final. Officials: Ballano and Ausas (Catalan Referees' Committee), who excluded Sladic, Corzo, Nebot and Fernández for Fertiberia, and Vladimer, Adrian and Majonv for Odorheiu. Poliesportiu Salvador Gimeno. 350 spectators.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.