We remain unbeaten in pre-season

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto remain unbeaten in the 2026–2027 pre-season. This morning, they recorded a convincing 33–26 victory over Trasmapi Gobycar Citubo Eivissa in the match played at the Pabellón Polideportivo Municipal Internúcleos ‘Ovni’, from 12:00.

The visitors scored the first goal of the match through Biel Valera. Sergio Mallo started with a 5–1 defence, alternating Gonzalo Pérez and Carlos Martín as the most advanced players. Saves from Juani Villarreal and three consecutive goals from Arnau Fernández gave the red-and-whites their first lead (3–2) and their first +2 advantage (4–2) in the seventh and eighth minutes respectively.

Both teams began finding gaps in the central areas of their opponents’ defences, through Jorge Romanillos and Daniel Bernárdez, as well as the constant movement of their wingers. The gap continued to grow in favour of the Valencians, reaching a three-goal difference (9–6) just before the halfway point of the first half.

The home side had possession and a chance to move four goals ahead, but the Ibiza team stole the ball and reduced the deficit (10–8, 18th minute) with two counter-attacks finished by Marc Vega and Juani Montoto.

Arnau Fernández, from the penalty line, ended the scoring drought experienced by his team-mates, who had been stuck on eleven goals for several minutes. Once the match passed the 20-minute mark, there was a spell of exchanged goals, with the home side attacking seven against six, without a goalkeeper.

The islanders took advantage of Javier Manzano’s two-minute suspension to win two seven-metre throws, converted by Fernando González. This brought the scores level at 14–14 in the 27th minute and led to the first time-out of the match, called by Sergio Mallo a minute later.

A goal from Gabriel Navarro, who shot from beyond nine metres almost before the buzzer sounded, meant the teams went into half-time with the score at 17–16.

The second half began with a change to the home side’s starting seven: Carlos Ordiñana came into goal and saved a seven-metre throw. Carlos Martín’s scoring efficiency produced a quick 3–0 run in the opening minutes, making it 20–16.

Juani Montoto reduced the deficit from the pivot position. In the 39th minute, Rodrigo Alba, a player from the reserve side in Primera Nacional, came on for the 40×20 court and scored his first goal with the first ball he touched, after a penetrating run.

Despite being down a player following Jorge Romanillos’ suspension, Puerto Sagunto established their biggest lead of +5 (24–19) in the 43rd minute. This prompted Eugenio Tilves to stop the match a few seconds later. The score on the scoreboard continued to increase, reaching +7 at 26–19 with less than fifteen minutes remaining.

Academy graduate Carlos Ordiñana continued to produce an excellent save percentage in goal, bringing the number of seven-metre throws he had stopped to three. Unlike in the first thirty minutes, Gabriel Navarro was now the player positioned furthest forward in the 5–1 defence.

In the final stages of the match, with two minutes remaining, the biggest lead of +8 (33–25) was established. The Balearic Islanders slightly reduced the margin, leaving a final score of 33–26.

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto’s next fixture will be another Valencian Community derby against Balonmano Servigroup Benidorm next Wednesday, the 26th, from 19:30, this time away from home.