The Cathedral witnesses the first away win

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto claimed their first away win in the 2025-2026 División de Honor Plata Masculina after beating Anaitasuna (24-27) at La Catedral in the match that brought matchday four to a close.

The match began in the worst possible way for the red-and-whites, with Matheus de Novais receiving a two-minute suspension in the opening minute. Despite this, the visitors led 0-2. Another sending-off, this time for David García, his second in just five minutes, and saves from Alin Cozmaciuc allowed the home side to quickly level the contest. Our MVP from the previous weekend, Carlos Martín, remained just as inspired and, combined with some excellent defending from his team-mates, forced Anaitasuna coach Nacho Moyano to call the first time-out of the match at 5-8 in the 13th minute.

Arnau Fernández returned to the Valencians’ rotation after recovering from his ankle injury. Nicolás Zungri’s goals against his former club gave Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto their biggest lead, +5 (6-11), in the 20th minute, and the Pamplona coach stopped the game again. Even Juani Villarreal, with barely any involvement in the 40×20, saved one of the opposition’s seven-metre attempts. Anaitasuna went into half-time with just nine goals on the scoreboard, trailing 9-13.

This prompted them to react after the restart, switching to a more aggressive 5-1 defence, which proved effective, conceding just one goal in the first seven minutes of the second half to move within one at 14-15. Even the visitors’ double suspensions resulted in favourable spells. Antonio Capitán, with more attacking minutes than usual, became increasingly influential as the match progressed.

Alberto Serradilla also joined the party, proving decisive during the final 15 minutes. At the 50-minute mark, the scores were level at 20-20. The visitors were punished with as many as five two-minute suspensions in the second half. Pamplona’s final time-out came in the 53rd minute. The home side’s final attacks were made with seven players, but Dani Martínez’s save brought the match to an end, with the final score 24-27.

With these two points, Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto move up to fourth place in the overall standings. Next weekend they will visit the second cathedral in succession on matchday five, this time Fundación Agustinos de Alicante, the sole leaders with four wins from four matches played to date, next Saturday 11th from 19:00.

MATCH DETAILS: 

Anaitasuna (24): Nikola Malivojevic (2), Adrián Glaría (2), Iker Elola (5), Ander Martín (-), Andoni Beraza (2), Mikel Redondo (1), Teo Marchesino (-), Pablo Itoiz (1), Alin Cozmaciuc (-), Unai Elizondo (3), Adrián Ortiz (2), Oleg Kisselev (-), Julen Elustondo (2), Iker Aguilera (-), Ibai Etxarte (3), José Paulo Pereira Silva (1).

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto (27): Juani Villarreal (-), Marcos Castañeda (-),  Paco Ruiz (-), Jakob Pelko (1), Dani Martínez (-), Pozzer (-), Arnau Fernández (3), Gonzalo (-), David García (1), Matheus de Novais (1), Serradilla (5), Capitán (4), Zungri (5), Carlos Martín (5), Teixidor (2).

Referees: Pablo San Emeterio de la Fuente and Javier Ariño Saiz.

Suspensions:  Jakob Pelko and Antonio Capitán twice; Juani Villarreal, Arnau Fernández, David García and Matheus de Novais for two minutes, and Nacho Moyano with a yellow card.

Score progression: 2-3, 5-6, 5-8, 6-11, 8-11, 9-13 (half-time); 10-14, 14-15, 17-19, 20-20, 21-23 and 24-27 (final).

Attendance and notes: Matchday four of the División de Honor Plata Masculina, played at the Anaitasuna Pavilion.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.