Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto begin their eighth Asobal pre-season

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto began their eighth pre-season as an Asobal team this afternoon. After the customary photo session and speeches by the mayor, Quico Fernández, the club president, Juanjo Bataller, and the team captain, Rubén Ruiz, the players came under the orders of Croatian coach Nikola Milos and began their physical preparation on the Ovni's blue court. The sports councillor, Miguel Chover, club directors and supporters eager for the magic to return to the Ovni also attended the start of pre-season. Club president Juanjo Bataller welcomed the players and called for special applause for David Bruixola and Josep Folqués for their recent achievements with the Spanish beach handball and junior national teams. He also stressed that the competition would set the limits: “we have no limits, whether it is finishing eighth or playing in Europe. Welcome, and give it everything on the court”. For his part, team captain Rubén Ruíz stated that “we are a family, and the foundation of this club's success is that we all remain united. The key to making things work will be unity in the dressing room. We are going to experience some very good moments, as we did last year, but I also tell you, because that is what competition is like, that there will be difficult moments. But if we remain united, as always, the team will move forward”. For his part, the mayor of Sagunto, Quico Fernández, welcomed the new players and explained that they all have “a great responsibility because handball has a great tradition in our city and is our hallmark. Reaching Asobal in a city of barely 70,000 inhabitants is a great achievement, given our economic limitations and reliance on sponsors. But we have secured Fertiberia's sponsorship, as well as the support of the citizens, and we hope you will live up to a city that knows how to fight, as it has shown throughout its history. People here do not give up easily, and for us it will be a source of pride to be near the top this season”. The mayor also referred to the construction of the new sports hall: “the new sports hall will be a reality by the end of next year, so we must all make a joint effort. Much strength and best of luck in this new season”. During these first days of pre-season, Milos will have to cope with several absences and some new faces. Specifically, Josep Folqués is taking a few days' rest after being crowned world champion with the Spanish Junior National Team, while Ángel Pérez de Inestrosa is absent following his recent marriage. Meanwhile, the new signings, Argentine international Leo Querin and Slovenian pivot Nejc Zmavc, have already had their first contact with the other returning players who will make up the Asobal squad. They have been joined by six young players from the Rojiblanco academy, selected by Milos and Berrios to move closer to their debut in the top tier of Spanish handball. They are the already “veteran” Ángel López; international Promesas players Oscar García and Marcos Aguilella; and goalkeeper Juan Pedro Conca, the three juniors from the 2000 age group. In addition, the juniors from the 1998 age group, Oscar Camacho and Javier Cubero. Pre-season will be marked by double training sessions and the team's customary participation in the 50th Volta a Peu organised by CD Camp de Morvedre. In addition, before their league debut at the Palau Blaugrana against the reigning league champions, FC Barcelona Lassa, the Rojiblancos will play five friendly matches. Three opponents and five matches make up the plan to build match fitness. Globalcaja Ciudad Encantada on Friday 18 August at 20:30 at the Sargal will be the first test. The next will be an unprecedented pre-season clash: Agustinos de Alicante, a newly promoted División de Honor Plata team, will host the Rojiblancos in Alicante on Tuesday 22 at 20:00. The return fixture in Alicante will be the first home date at the Ovni, on Saturday 26 at a time to be confirmed. Three days later, on 29 August, the Cuenca side will visit the Ovni at 20:15, with the pre-season finale being the Valencian Community Cup final against BM Benidorm on Saturday or Sunday 2 or 3 September. Five matches and many training sessions to fine-tune the mechanisms of this exciting Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto, who hope to begin the first half of the league as they did last season, with spectacular records that they aim to maintain throughout the 2017–2018 campaign.    

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.