A response required in the regional derby

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto play their penultimate regular-season match and final away fixture at 7.00 pm on Saturday in a Valencian derby against Balonmano Servigroup Benidorm on the unified División de Honor Plata matchday 29.

The red-and-whites arrive in one of their most difficult spells after consecutive defeats to Barça Atlètic (26-25) at the Joan Gamper Sports City and Blendio Sinfín (32-33) at the Port de Sagunt Arena.

Despite that, they remain second with 41 points. They retain a slim chance of direct Nexus Energía ASOBAL League promotion and control their own destiny for hosting the promotion tournament; victory at the Palau d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm would confirm it.

The Alicante side have nothing at stake in the final two rounds. Eight matches without a win in the second half of the season and a 30-27 defeat at Anaitasuna have ended their chances of reaching the fifth and final play-off place.

The teams last met in January after December’s fixture was postponed due to AEMET’s red rain warning. The Valencians won that midweek match 26-23 at the Port de Sagunt Arena.

“They are an excellent, extremely tough team with one of the division’s best centre backs in Juan Carlos Sempere. He directs his team-mates both in positional play and in first and second waves, while they are very physical in central defence,” Sergio Mallo analysed.

Alejandro Cutanda’s Benidorm side will be without Abdoula Modi, who underwent cruciate ligament surgery just over a month ago.

“Although they have nothing at stake, they are highly competitive. They showed it a few weeks ago by taking a point from UBU San Pablo Burgos 2031, who are in a similar situation to us,” Dani Martínez warned.

The Port side will not be alone in Alicante. Supporters’ group Marea Rojiblanca has organised a subsidised full-day trip for the final away match.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.