Maximum parity in the final pre-season test

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto suffered a narrow 25–26 defeat at the Pabellón Port de Sagunt in the regional derby against Balonmano Servigroup Benidorm, the final pre-season test before the start of competitive action.

The match began with two consecutive goals from Gonzalo Pérez, immediately answered by the visitors to turn 2–0 into 2–3. Dani Martínez’s saves and Alberto Serradilla’s goals in transition put the red-and-whites back in front on the scoreboard. The Alicante side’s response was not long in coming, largely thanks to Juan Carlos Sempere’s direction from centre-back. The scores remained level, with the match tied at seven goals midway through the first half.

Pol Roy’s effectiveness from seven-metre throws forced Toni Malla to call the match’s first timeout in the 16th minute. Marko Krivokapic’s players managed to create clear opportunities from the pivot position, with Daniil Zhukov finding the net. In the final stages of the first half, Rodrigo Alba, registered with the Primera Nacional side and training with the first team, demonstrated his excellent ability from long range, with the teams going into half-time level at 14–14.

The home side could not have made a better start to the second half, with Alberto Serradilla remaining highly charged, just as he had been during the opening 30 minutes. Balonmano Servigroup Benidorm quickly turned the match around, even when playing shorthanded. Juani Villarreal’s saves put the home side back in front at 22–20, prompting another Benidorm timeout.

The final 15 minutes of the encounter were marked by inaccuracies, a result of the stage of the season and the constant interruptions caused by the heat in the pavilion. Toni Malla called a timeout to prepare the move that would give them victory, but the outcome was unfavourable, as Matheus de Novais missed his shot from an unusual position for him: left wing. The match was decided by Abdoula Modi’s goal with the clock stopped, leaving a final score of 25–26.

In this way, Toni Malla’s side end pre-season with the following record: a 25–25 draw against REBI Cuenca and narrow defeats against Bada Huesca (29–28) and Horneo EÓN Alicante among the Liga NEXUS ENERGIA ASOBAL opponents. They also became champions of the first edition of the Ejea de los Caballeros tournament, beating Pau Billère in the semi-finals (33–31) and Anaitasuna in the final (26–25 after seven-metre throws), and overcame Fundación Agustinos de Alicante (28–31).

Official competition in the División de Honor Plata gets under way next weekend, with the home debut against BM Proin Sevilla on Saturday the 13th at 18:30 at the Pabellón Port de Sagunt.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.