Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto have won their second Valencian Community Cup against Servigroup BM Benidorm (32–31). In a match that looked evenly matched because of the absences among the red-and-whites, they took control without too much difficulty in the first half and more narrowly in the second half.
During the first five minutes, although Benidorm opened the scoring, the red-and-whites took a commanding lead, making it 5–1 thanks to the goals and counter-attacks of an impressive Sergio Berrios. The Valencian coach also used the match to give playing time to younger players such as goalkeeper Samuel Ibáñez, Tello and Toni Alegre. All three made very good contributions, and Toni Alegre in particular scored twice before half-time. After a time-out called by Benidorm, the Primera Nacional side woke up and reduced the gap slightly, but the red-and-whites made things very difficult for them, continuing to add to the scoreboard and going into the break 20–14 ahead.
After the interval, Servigroup BM Benidorm really raised their game, and led by their centre-back Martinez, reduced the gap to the red-and-whites, getting to within three goals in the 12th minute of the second half (23–20). Following a 5–0 run in Benidorm’s favour, Valencian coach Vicent Nogués called a time-out, which had the desired effect as his players continued to score. However, the Benidorm side stayed in touch, producing a fiercely contested finish, with the scores level in the 20th minute (26–26). Nogués’ team restored the gap, but Benidorm equalised in the final minute (31–31), prompting the home side to call a time-out. Following their coach’s instructions, they finished with a goal from Tarrasó in the final seconds, securing a narrow victory (32–31).
In short, Fertiberia have won their second Valencian Community Cup in a match that began with clear superiority and ended more closely, with the team having to suffer until the final second. The opportunity given to the younger players, who also had minutes in the second half, deserves mention. Ibrahim Moral played in goal, while Alex Tello once again scored, adding a goal to the scoreboard.
Servigroup BM Benidorm: Martínez, Pérez Adrián (1), Hernández Candela (2), Hugo, Martínez (6), Reyes Escudero (4), Ruano Requena (1), Padilla, González Jesús, Guzmán Ríos, Borras (5), Llopis (6), Martínez Ramos (5), González Calvo
Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto: Samuel Ibáñez, Ibrahim del Moral, Pablo, Tarrasó (6), Ángel Fernández (4), Vallés (3), Rubén Ruiz (3), Berrios (4), Pocholo (6), Toni Alegre (2), Nebot 2, Tello (2), Samuel del Río and Carles Lluna.
Referees: Blázquez and Valero. Suspensions for Servigroup BM Benidorm: Reyes Escudero and Borras (2); for Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto: Pocholo, Nebot (2), Ángel Fernández (2)
Score at five-minute intervals: 4–1, 8–5, 11–8, 14–9, 17–12, 20–14 Half-time, 23–16, 23–17, 23–21, 26–26, 30–29, 32–31. Full-time.
La Canaleta sports hall, Mislata. 600 spectators.
Translation produced using artificial intelligence.
