Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto’s worst performance ends in defeat against Qatar

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto suffered an embarrassing 18–41 defeat against the World Championship runners-up, Qatar, in a match played at the Ovni this Thursday afternoon

Fertiberia once again showed the same attitudes, shortcomings and apathy that have become customary against much superior opponents. It was not that anyone expected Qatar to be caught off guard, particularly after Rivera’s highly likely reprimand following Tuesday’s difficulties against Guadalajara, whom they beat by the narrowest of margins. But what was seen today at the Ovni from Pachi Martí’s side is beginning to frustrate a fanbase that does not care whether the opponents are superior or the match is a friendly when it comes to showing a different image at the Ovni. Nor can the minutes given to the younger players by the Valencian coach be used as an argument, since the gaps in the score emerged while the red-and-white team’s regulars were on court.

In the course of the match, it took the Qataris twenty minutes to open up a gap in the score, with a 6–9 to 7–12 run that caused the usual breakdown among the Valencians when faced with such differences against superior opponents. The Arabs, with an impressive defensive intensity and Rivera’s 6–0 system in full flow, cut off the red-and-white attacking lines, leaving them stunned and playing at a different tempo from that twentieth minute onwards. Only the minutes played by reserve-team youngsters Valderas and Angel Lopez, Nebot’s pride, while Angel and Rubén did not feature, Pozzer’s hard work battling against the weight of the entire Qatari guard, and the ever-present Corzo can be taken as positives from a match that should not be forgotten because of the repeated nature of these performances. Pachi Martí must now reflect and discuss matters with the group so that, after the ordeal of visiting the Palau, the team can recover the competitive level shown against opponents from their own league.

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: (12+ 6) Bruixola, Ibrahim, Chueca, Bernatonis (2), R. Ruiz, Sladic, Pocholo (2), Sayad (1), Berrios, Pozzer (1), Corzo (6), Alegre (3), Nebot (2), Angel, Dukic (1), Piró, Sario. Angel Lopez and Pablo Valderas

Qatar national team: (19+22)  Stojanovic, Capote (3), Markovic (5), Paván, Memisevic (1), Borja Vidal (3), Velic, Bagaric (3), Tomic (3), Hassab (3), Madadi, Ahmad (1), Mallah (5), Roine (5), Behaltaieb (7), Sami (1), Ahmar (1), Madadi, Yusufi and Ahmed

Referees: Miguel Martin Soria Fabian and Jose Manuel Iniesta Castillo (Valencian Federation). Capote, Bagaric, Roine and Behaltaleb were suspended for Qatar, and Nebot and Dukic for Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto

Partial score every five minutes: 3–2, 3–5, 6–9, 7–12, 9–15, 12–19. Half-time. 13–23, 15–29, 16–32, 16–33, 17–39, 18–41. Full-time. Pabellón Municipal Internucleos. 450 spectators

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.