Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto cannot cope with Fraikin Granollers’ counter-attacks

 

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto were defeated 38–25 in Granollers

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto came up against a strong Fraikin Granollers side that was also wounded by its last two league defeats. When a team loses the ball so often in attack, as the red-and-whites did today at the Palau Olímpic, the worst thing that can happen is to face an opponent whose attacking strength is based on lethal counter-attacks. These two ingredients were key to Fertiberia’s heavy defeat.

Although the score after the first fifteen minutes invited optimism, at 9–7, the signs already being shown by the match were not good. Only missed shots and Bruixola’s contribution allowed Milos’ side to remain in contention.

However, a resounding 9–1 run ruined any chance of victory. It was built on counter-attacks and an outstanding Figueras, who from the Vallès side’s pivot position justified his recent senior international call-up. At half-time, the score was already 20–10, leaving the match all but decided.

At the start of the second half, the red-and-white team showed some signs of improvement, but the intense Vallès defence and Pol Sastre’s contribution in goal meant that the Valencian attack was all effort and no reward. The static defence managed to neutralise almost all the Catalan players except two, Arnau Garcia and Adrià Figueras, who continued doing what they do best, while Fertiberia linked up more with the wings and Pocholo displayed his good efficiency from the flank. There was little more to the match: Kasal made his case, Viver brought out his shooting arm, Cañellas enjoyed himself directing play, and the Valencians kept rotating their players while already thinking about other fixtures.

The only positive note of the day was that Berrios was able to play after months out injured, along with the Liga Asobal debut of another Fertiberia academy player: Ángel López Ruiz, a player from the reserve team in Primera Nacional, who enjoyed the final five minutes of the match.

Fertiberia’s next match will be at the Ovni, against one of their league rivals, BM Guadalajara, who will visit the Ovni on Saturday the 19th at 18:30.

Fraikin Granollers: Alamo and Sastre (34%). Cabanas (4), Porras, Garcia, Ferrer, Arnau (5), Pérez (2), Figueras (9), Cañellas (3), Resina (6), Gassama (1), Loncar, Da Silva (2), Kasal (4) and Marquez (1) Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto: Bruixola (24%), Ibrahim (16%) and Chueca. Ruben (2), Angel Perez (2), Pocholo (4), Tarrasó (1), Spiljak (5), Berrios, Pozzer (4), Alegre (1), Angel (1), Juande (3), Sorrentino, Angel Lopez and Pacheco (2) Officials: Peñaranda and Yague. Porras, Garcia and Gassama (2) were excluded for Fraikin, and Spiljak for Fertiberia Score every 5 minutes: 4–1, 8–4, 9–6, 12–7, 16–8, 20–10. Half-time. 21–13, 24–16, 28–19, 31–21, 33–23, 38–25. Full-time Palau Olímpic de Granollers. 850 spectators.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.