The nearly 500 spectators filling the stands of the PICASSENT Municipal Sports Hall (Valencia) this afternoon were unable to witness a victory for the Valencian Community men’s senior team, who were defeated by nine goals (22–31) by the Saudi Arabia men’s senior national team, who were already leading 10–15 at half-time. Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto were represented in this match by officials Javi Teruel and Andres Silvestre and players Carlos Grau, Javier Tarrasó, Ruben Ruiz and Nacho Nebot, who was the Valencians’ top scorer with four goals.
The players coached by José F. Nolasco, Fernando Latorre and Vicent Rosaleny were behind on the scoreboard throughout the match. Frequent player changes, together with errors caused by a lack of cohesion, enabled the players of former Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto coach Goran Dzokic to secure a comfortable victory.
Before the match, gifts were exchanged between Ms Conxa García (Mayor of Picassent), Mr Héctor M. Pradas (Picassent Councillor for Sport), Mr Arturo Tejedor (President of FBMCV) and a representative of the Saudi Arabian Handball Federation.
VALENCIAN COMMUNITY: Sergio Medina, Javier Tarrasó, Ignacio Nebot (4), Carlos Grau (3), Rubén Ruiz, Adrián Nolasco (4), Miguel Llorens (1), Adrián Santamaría, David Jiménez (1), Manuel Vázquez, Francisco J. Tirado, Sergio Lázaro (2), Jordi Corbí (2), Ximo Martínez (3) and Sergio Rubio (2).
SAUDI ARABIA: Jonabi (2), Obaidi (5), Yanbawi, Al-Hanabi (3), Al-Salem (1), Fouad (2), Al-Safor, Al-Hamad (2), Abbas (3), Al-Rahi (2), Al-Janohi (1), Al-Zayer (3), Saled (5), Al-Obadi (2) and Al-Towed (3).
Referees: Joaquín Castañer and Gerardo E. Bohigas (FBMCV). Valencian Community players Adrián Santamaría and Sergio Lázaro were excluded, as were Saudi Arabia players Al-Hanabi (2), Al-Hamad, Al-Towed, Yanbawi and Al-Rahi.
Score at five-minute intervals: 1–1, 2–5, 3–8, 6–9, 7–11, 10–15, Half-time, 10–16, 13–18, 14–19, 16–25, 19–27, 22–31, Full-time.
Venue: PICASSENT Municipal Sports Hall (Valencia), with around 500 spectators.
Translation produced using artificial intelligence.
