A good performance cannot prevent the first defeat

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto went toe to toe with Fraikin BM Granollers, but suffered their first defeat (24-27) on their return to the top flight in the second round of the 2026-2027 NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL League. The match was played at the Port de Sagunt Sports Centre from 18:00.

The match began with a penetrating goal from Capitán, who was named MVP and included in the starting seven on the competition’s opening matchday. Despite being a player down following Romanillos’ suspension during Granollers’ first positional attack, the red-and-whites continued to extend their lead until making it 4-1 in the fifth minute.

The home side’s advantage continued to grow, and they quickly established a new four-goal lead (6-2, 8th minute). Their attacking efficiency was complemented by excellent defending and an outstanding performance from Villarreal in goal, leaving the visiting side with just three goals once ten minutes of the match had passed.

The Catalans’ 6:0 defence began to find its rhythm, and the hosts went nearly nine minutes without scoring, until Arnau Fernández made amends for a seven-metre throw he had failed to convert at his first attempt and ended his team-mates’ scoring drought. Antonio Rama decided to call his first time-out of the match in the 20th minute, with the score at 8-6.

With both coaches rotating their squads, almost completely replacing their starting sevens, Fraikin BM Granollers levelled the score (8-8, 24th minute), prompting Sergio Mallo to stop the match. The break did not have the desired effect, as his opponents took the lead for the first time a minute later, making it 8-9.

Almost nine minutes without scoring in attack for the Valencia-based side, together with goals at the other end of the 40x20 from Adrià Figueras, gave his team a new two-goal lead (8-10). This was reduced when the home side gained a numerical advantage following Pinheiro’s straight red card one minute before half-time, which arrived with the score at 10-11.

After the restart, there were several minutes of exchanging goals, favouring Antonio Rama’s players. A seven-metre throw converted by Jordi Deumal, followed by a counter-attack from Pol Chaves with the same outcome, created new three-goal (11-14) and four-goal (12-16) leads, prompting Sergio Mallo to stop the match in the 35th minute.

Panitti’s improved save percentage compared with the first half, Marcos Fis taking to the court and Pablo Guijarro’s effectiveness from the left wing produced five-goal (12-17) and six-goal (12-18) leads on the scoreboard. Gabriel Navarro came to his team’s rescue with an effort from distance to move them beyond the twelve goals at which they had become stuck.

Once the second half passed its midway point, Antonio Rama opted to use his time-out (15-20, 46th minute). The seven-goal difference (15-22) with thirteen minutes remaining appeared decisive. However, a quick 3-0 run against them kept the points contest alive with just over ten minutes remaining, at 18-23.

After a time-out, Sergio Mallo tried the tactical innovation of attacking seven against six without a goalkeeper and with two pivots, Romanillos and Llorens. The change worked, and his players continued to reduce the deficit to just four (19-23) and then three goals (20-23). Pablo Guijarro was responsible for sealing the match into an empty net. The final score was made more respectable at 24-27.

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto’s next fixture will this time be away from home. On the competition’s third matchday, they will visit Recoletas Salud Atlético Valladolid at the Huerta del Rey Sports Centre next Sunday, the 27th, from 12:00.

MATCH DETAILS:

24 – Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto (10+14): Villarreal, Gonzalo (1), Gabriel Navarro (5), Romanillos (1), Serradilla, Capitán (10) and Martín de Bolaños (1) —starting seven—, Olivares, Pelko (2, 1 seven-metre), Dani Martínez (substitute goalkeeper), Arnau Fernández (3, 1 seven-metre), Llorens, Guille Soler (1), Héctor Cantón, Manzano and Nicols Zungri.

27 – Fraikin BM Granollers (11+16): Panitti, Bernat Povill, Urdangarín (3), Fischer, Palomino (2), Pablo Guijarro (1) and Ferran Castillo (3) —starting seven—, Jordi Deumal (2, 2 seven-metres), Pol Chaves (4), Marcos Fis (5), Borrell (substitute goalkeeper), Adrià Figueras (3), Armengol, Gerard Domingo (3), Jan Duran (1) and Pinheiro.

Referees: Ariño Saiz and San Emeterio de la Fuente (Cantabrian Committee). The home players Martín de Bolaños, Capitán and Romanillos were suspended for two minutes, while visiting player Pinheiro received a straight red card.

Score every five minutes: 4-1, 6-3, 6-4, 8-6, 8-8, 10-11 half-time); 12-15, 13-18, 15-20, 18-22, 20-23 and 24-27 (full time).

Match information: Match from the second round of the Nexus Energía ASOBAL League, played at the Port de Sagunt Sports Centre in front of approximately 2,000 spectators.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.