Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto takes its first sip of the Cup

The Valencians won in Bordils tonight by 26–30, against a spirited opponent who never gave up. Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto overcame the second-round Copa del Rey tie against their opponents, Handbol Bordils of the Silver Division, securing passage to the competition’s round of 16.

The match fully lived up to expectations, as Bordils are a tough side to beat in their “blanc i verd” fortress, and they also had the extra motivation that comes with facing an Asobal team. To put this victory into perspective, of the eight Asobal teams facing eight Silver Division sides, only Fertiberia, Huesca and Sinfín managed to overcome their ties. Cuenca, Aragón, Puente Genil, Teucro and Guadalajara have said goodbye to the competition in this thrilling format, in which the round of 32 is played as a single match at the home of the “underdog”.

Indeed, the match began with Bordils coming out all guns blazing, with pivot Masmiquel hammering the visitors’ goal to make it 3–0 five minutes into the first half. From that moment, the Valencians shook off the long journey and the Catalans’ extreme motivation, allowing Sladic to unleash his whip and bring the match level at 6–7 midway through the first half. The Catalans remained switched on, but two young talents began to emerge who would undoubtedly prove decisive as the match unfolded. Ibrahim Moral was outstanding in goal and made up for the significant loss Fertiberia suffered through the absence of their first-choice goalkeeper, David Bruixola. On court, academy graduate Toni Alegre was also in fine form and began scoring with ease; by the end of the match, his tally stood at a phenomenal nine goals, making him the match’s top scorer. From that first quarter onwards, the Valencians began to establish an advantage on the scoreboard, reaching half-time at 10–13, leaving everything to be decided in the second half.

Unlike on other occasions, the half-time break proved motivating rather than relaxing, and Martí’s side opened up a 10–17 lead five minutes into the second half. On any other court than Bordils’, that might have been enough, but these Girona players are forged in intensity and persistence, and the match was certainly not over. Bordils’ top Silver Division scorer, Eduard Nono, still had to make his mark, and he did so with seven goals that kept bringing Bordils closer. Fertiberia, however, was not prepared to make concessions and, alongside the aforementioned Sladic and Alegre, Lithuanian player Bernatonis continued to make a positive impression, while Pocholo also joined the scoring party. Even veteran Sayad, who has not made the best start to the Asobal season, wanted to show what he can do, scoring three crucial goals when Bordils were pressing on the scoreboard. Nevertheless, the 22–28 score with four minutes remaining effectively sealed the match, which eventually allowed the difference to be narrowed to the final 26–30.

With this victory, Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto await their opponents in Friday’s round-of-16 draw, which will feature one of the top eight finishers from last season’s league. Barcelona, Naturhouse, Granollers, Anaitasuna, Cangas, Benidorm, León or Aranda will be the team facing them in a single match at the Ovni, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake on 15 December.

C.H. Bordils: Comas, Combis (1), Farrerons (2), Ferrer (2), Gonzalez, Huix (1), Marquez, Masmiquel (3), Maso (4), Moreno, Nono (7), Pedraza (1), Prat (2), J. Reixach (2), F. Reixach and Vilanova (1) Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Ibrahim, Chueca, Bernatonis (3), R. Ruiz, Sladic (5), Pocholo (5), Sayad (3), Berrios (1), Corzo, Pozzer (3), Alegre (9), Nebot (1), Ángel, Sasa, Piró and Sarió. Referees: Andres Peñaranda Ortega and Jose Antonio Yagüe Moros (Aragón Referees’ Association). Bordils players Nono (2) and Vilanova were suspended. For Fertiberia, Bernatonis (2), Pocholo, Pozzer, Nebot, Angel and Sasa were suspended. Score at five-minute intervals: 3–0, 5–4, 6–7, 6–9, 8–11, 10–13. Half-time, 10–17, 14–19, 17–21, 20–24, 22–27, 26–30. Full-time. P. Blanc i Verd, Bordils. Full house: 800 spectators.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.