A missed opportunity to take a point

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto lost 30-29 at the Siglo XXI Pavilion in their first away match of the 2025-2026 División de Honor Plata Masculina against BM Contazara Zaragoza, despite having a final chance to claim a point.

The match began brilliantly for the visitors, with three saves from Dani Martínez and three goals from Matheus de Novais putting them 0-3 ahead in the opening six minutes. Two consecutive goals from Jakob Pelko maintained the red-and-whites’ two-goal lead at 2-5. The home goalkeeper also came into the game, with Jorge Gómez’s interventions, together with Kike Camas’s influence, turning the score around (7-6), prompting the visitors’ first time-out. The home side found space from the wing and pivot areas. Paco Ruiz opened his scoring account as a Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto player.

Both Jakob Pelko and Kike Camas were flawless from the penalty line. The Zaragoza side secured their first three-goal leads (12-10 and 13-11). The Valencians levelled the contest again at 13-13, with Matheus de Novais continuing to be in outstanding form, prompting BM Contazara Zaragoza coach Mariano Ortega to call his first time-out. After several end-to-end minutes, Sergio Wagner’s introduction into the capital of Aragón side’s backcourt provided fresh attacking impetus. An unexpected goal from Antonio Capitán almost on the buzzer made it 18-17 at half-time.

As at the start of the first half, Toni Malla’s side emerged from the dressing room better than their opponents. Through an exchange of goals and a faster transition tempo, they quickly turned the score around (19-20). A two-minute suspension for Antonio Capitán allowed the home side to regain the lead at 24-22, prompting another interruption in the form of a time-out for the visitors.

Three-goal leads reappeared (26-23 and 27-24). Alberto Serradilla took charge of his team’s attack in an attempt to mount a comeback during the final ten minutes. At the other end, Sergio Wagner was once again the most influential player. Dani Martínez’s save from a seven-metre throw kept the red-and-whites in contention. In the final play, Matheus de Novais had the chance to equalise, but he rushed his action, which was blocked by Mariano Ortega’s defence. As a result, the two points stayed at the Siglo XXI Pavilion, with the final score 30-29. The worst news was Arnau Fernández’s ankle injury, which forced him to leave the match in the closing moments.

Next weekend there will be another opportunity to return to winning ways at the Port de Sagunt Pavilion, when Club Balonmano Alcobendas visit on Saturday 27th from 18:00 in the third round of the regular league season.

MATCH DETAILS: 

BM Contazara Zaragoza (30): Sergio Wagner (5), Juan Martínez (2), Kike Camas (7), Álex Plaza (3), Jorge Gómez (-), Rafael Val (1), Marcos Andrés Ara (3), Mario Nicolás Hernández Mimbela (1), Miguel Arnillas Rodrigo (-), Miguel Lanero (2), Jon Ander Iribar (4), Bruno Della Rata (1), Álvaro Acosta (-), Alejandro Sanz (-), Diego Monzón (-), Álvaro del Valle ().

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto (29): Juani Villarreal (-), Paco Ruiz (3), Rodrigo Alba (-), Jakob Pelko (5), Dani Martínez (-), Arnau Fernández (2), Teo Peralta (-), Gonzalo (-), David García (2), Matheus de Novais (7), Serradilla (4), Capitán (2), Zungri (-), Carlos Martín (2), Teixidor (2).

Referees: Mikel Gayoso Jiménez and Eder Gómez Eguiluz.

Suspensions: David García twice; Sergio Wagner, Juan Martínez, Rafael Val, Paco Ruiz and Antonio Capitán for two minutes, and Toni Malla with a yellow card.

Score progression: 0-2, 5-6, 10-9, 13-12, 15-14, 18-17 (half-time); 19-21, 22-22, 25-23, 28-26, 30-28 and 30-29 (final).

Attendance and notes: Matchday two of the División de Honor Plata Masculina, played at the Siglo XXI Pavilion.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.