Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto rely on the Ovni to beat Globalcaja

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto return to their Ovni stronghold to play their final league match of 2012 this Saturday from 6pm, with the match broadcast live by the Nou Dos cameras, against Globalcaja Ciudad Encantada de Cuenca. Globalcaja are fourth in the table and, under the guidance of their experienced coach Zupo Equisoain, have produced an exceptional performance in the first half of the league season.

 Globalcaja approach the match with a historic challenge for the Cuenca club. If they retain their current fourth place in the table, they will qualify for the Copa Asobal, held in Vigo on 21 and 22 December. To do so, they must achieve the same result in this match at the Ovni as Ademar León achieve away to Logroño. So Moyano, Corzo, Mendoza and former red-and-white players Sifre, Moya del Saz and Sorrentino will certainly not be arriving early for their Christmas holidays.

 For the home side, still without Castella and Pocholo, the match once again becomes vital, as do all the matches played by the Valencian red-and-white team on their own court. The defeat in Aranda de Duero, although it left a positive impression, represents a setback in the table. This Fertiberia are a team of two halves. At the Ovni, only the very best—Barça and Atlético—have taken points, making them the fifth-best home team. Away from home, however, they are one of the worst, with just one point. In addition, the competitiveness in the middle and lower part of the table is remarkable this year, and the final matchday of the first half of the season brings together all the teams from seventh place, Quabit Guadalajara, to thirteenth-place Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto in a genuine logjam, with just two points separating them. Quabit have 13 points and Fertiberia 11. Further down, there is only a four-point cushion between the red-and-whites and the relegation line set by Cuatro Rayas Valladolid.

 In short, it is a vital fixture for both sides, with the Valencian red-and-whites hoping to make home advantage count again and overcome a Globalcaja team whose Liga Asobal matches at the Ovni have all ended in victory.

 Socially, the afternoon is packed with events at the red-and-white stronghold. From 4.15pm, the young players from the Fertiberia academy will have their official presentation. The match will also feature a promotional event for the upcoming 2013 Spain Handball World Championship, with both teams wearing shirts commemorating the event, in a match officiated by the World Championship referees and final officials, the Canarian Raluy and Sabroso.

To round off the social dimension of the day, during the interval Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto will present the donation cheque raised for Spanish Red Cross at the Copa del Rey match. The NGO will allocate the donation to the “Now more than ever” campaign, which distributes food parcels to those most in need.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.