A cold Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto lose their first pre-season match

Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto lost 23-31 this afternoon to the Saudi Arabia senior national team in the friendly match held in Llíria. The opening minutes were even, with numerous chances for both teams. Fertiberia's goals came from Apelgren, but they were not enough to turn the score around by the end of the first ten minutes (5-6). The red-and-whites started slowly, as they were outplayed by the Saudis' long-range shooting; only Samuel's saves kept the red-and-whites in the match. Before the 15-minute mark, however, Valencian coach Patxi Martí called a timeout to give his players instructions and try other players to stop the opposition's attack. Despite the change in approach, the red-and-whites looked cold on the court and were outdone by the greater intensity of Goran Dzokic's men, who went into the interval ahead (7-14). After the interval, the red-and-whites tried to bring the score closer with a 3-0 run after increasing their intensity. Despite the Valencians' quick response, they were unable to turn the score around, and the Saudi Arabia senior national team did not let their advantage slip. Around the midpoint of the second half, Patxi Martí stopped the match with a timeout to stem the flow of goals the team was conceding. Later, the same pattern continued: the opposition's chances were converted without difficulty, while the red-and-whites found the goalkeeper and the posts in their way. In the final minutes, Fertiberia eased off as this was their first winter pre-season match, and the Saudi Arabia senior national team secured a 23-31 victory. Notably, all the players were rotated, with the academy players putting in a brilliant performance. In short, the match served as preparation ahead of the league's start in February, and the red-and-whites' next fixture will be next Saturday in Picassent against Alcasser's national second-division team. Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Sebastiá, Samuel, Marc Andreu (2), Rubén Ruiz (1), Pocholo (1), Tarrasó (2), Lluna (3), Berrios (3), Apelgren (4), Grau (1), Toni Alegre (1), Nebot (1), Fernández (3). Saudi Arabia senior national team: Jonabi (1), Obaidi (6), Yanbawi, Al-Hanabi (2), Al-Salem (1), Fouad (1), Al-Safor, Al-Hamad (3), Abbas (2), Al-Rahi (1), Al-Janohi (1), Al-Zayer (4), Saled (4), Al-Obadi (2) and Al-Towed (3). Referees: Héctor Fraile and José Ramón Sáez (Valencian Federation). Nebot was excluded for Fertibeira BM Puerto Sagunto, while Al-Hanabi (2), Yanbawi, Abbas and Al-Zayer were excluded for the Saudi Arabia senior national team. Score at five-minute intervals:  3-3, 5-6, 6-9, 6-10, 7-17 Half-time 11-16, 13-19, 17-24, 18-26, 20-28, 23-31 Full-time. P. Plá de l’Arc.

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