The red-and-whites lost 36–31 this afternoon to FC Barcelona B in a match played in Tortosa to mark the 20th anniversary of the local club.
Fertiberia, who were without Bruixola due to work commitments and Berrios, Grau, Apelgren and Tello through injury, were unable to maintain for all 60 minutes the frenetic pace set by the Blaugrana youngsters. Led by their 2.05-metre-plus marksman Kasal, pivot Figueras and left-hander Joan Balaguer, they punished every lost ball and every missed long-range shot. The first 20 minutes of each half were evenly matched; the first was driven by goals from captain Rubén Ruiz and the pleasant surprise of Diego Roque, who scored four goals on his debut as a starter for the Asobal team. The half-time score was 17–13 after five final minutes featuring numerous turnovers by the red-and-whites.
The second half had one standout player in the red-and-white side: in addition to Rubén Ruiz, who continued to lead the team, junior international pivot Nacho Plaza was outstanding, scoring eight goals, all in the second half. In short, it was a defeat against a team that would not look out of place in the middle of the Asobal league table, with the Valencians also missing several key players.
Technical details
F.C. Barcelona B:: Biosca, Medina, Joao Pedro, Vilaplana, Figueras, Montoya, Rey, Admella, Balaguer, Guillem, Joan, Miralles, Kasal and Baumgatner.
Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Samuel, Sebastiá, Ruiz (6), Nebot (3), Plaza (8), Toni Alegre (1), A. Fernández, Dukic (3), Moriñigo (2), Tarrasó (4), Lluna, Roque (4) and Calderón.
Referees: Ansas and Florenza. Suspended for FC Barcelona B were Medina (2), Francisco, Vilaplana, Rey and Kasal. For Fertiberia, Lluna, Plaza, Nebot and Dukic (2).
Scores: 17–13 Half-time 36–31 Full-time
With no time to rest, this Saturday, from 14:15, the team travels to Cuenca to face GlobalCaja Ciudad Encantada at 18:30 at El Sargal.
Patxi Martí’s side are entering the final stage of their pre-season, carrying out several experiments in previous matches to arrive in good condition for the start of the league. The Valencian team already have experience of friendly matches against the Cuenca side, having met them in the first friendly, where the red-and-whites won 29–28. For the match, the Valencian coach will be without Berrios, Apelgren, Grau and Tello, who will not recover in time from the problems sustained in the match against Fraikin BM Granollers, although Bruixola will return.
Meanwhile, Zupo’s side will be seeking revenge and hoping to win in front of their home crowd, as they were defeated by the red-and-whites in the final league match, allowing the Valencians to finish the season in ninth place. The Cuenca side go into the match after comfortably beating Cuatro Rayas Valladolid 30–25.
Following this match, Fertiberia will make their competitive debut, as this Tuesday in Benaguacil they will play the semi-final of the Copa Comunitat Valenciana against Florida Handbol in a single-leg tie. Both the men’s and women’s finals are scheduled for Saturday the 7th at the Ovni. If they win this semi-final, Fertiberia will face the winner of Servigroup Benidorm–BM Elche, which would be their final preparation match before their Asobal league debut against Ademar León.
Translation produced using artificial intelligence.
