Prestigious victory in the Founders Tournament
Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto edged Fraikin BM Granollers 31-30 in their second friendly of the 2026-27 pre-season. The match formed part of the Founders Tournament, one of the events marking the club’s 75th anniversary...
2026-08-11
Pivot Adrià Figueras scored the opening goal, but the red-and-whites quickly turned the score around through an Arnau Fernández seven-metre throw and an Antonio Capitán effort from distance. The opening five minutes were completely even at 2-2.
The home defence stepped up, forcing turnovers and creating counter-attacking goals. Two saves from Juani Villarreal and two more Capitán strikes prompted Antonio Rama to call his first timeout in the seventh minute with the score at 5-2.
The timeout sparked the Catalan side into life and, just five minutes later, a 3-0 run restored parity at 5-5. The Port side remained stuck on five goals for a long spell until Gabriel Navarro came in at right back to solve their attacking difficulties.
Midway through the first half, Fraikin BM Granollers moved ahead for the first time at 6-7 and Sergio Mallo stopped the game. Barely a minute later, the visitors established their first two-goal lead at 6-8.
Dani Langa entered the 40×20 court in the 18th minute. The first-line player from the Primera Nacional reserve side had not been selected for the opening friendly against REBI Cuenca, which ended in a 41-24 red-and-white victory.
Saves from former Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto goalkeeper Luka Krivokapic and goals from right wing Pol Chaves helped Granollers preserve advantages of 7-9 and 8-10.
Héctor Cantón made his debut in the 22nd minute. The left winger had joined the reserve side from Erromoko Eskubaloia while training with the first team. Rodrigo Alba, who had not played in the first summer test, also featured. The two academy players finished counter-attacks to restore the home lead at 11-10 in the 26th minute.
Macri Pérez, replacing Gonzalo Pérez on the right wing, joined the academy celebration. The connection between the red-and-white backcourt and pivot Jorge Romanillos continued to flourish, with the Castile-La Mancha player making it 12-10 with three minutes of the half remaining. The visitors reduced the gap slightly before half-time, which arrived at 12-11.
After the break, Dani Martínez replaced Juani Villarreal in goal. Despite a two-minute suspension for defensive specialist Miguel Llorens in the 32nd minute, the Valencian side retained the initiative.
However, an exchange of goals at the start of the second half favoured the Catalans, who repeatedly found space in the centre of the home defence. Sergio Mallo used his second timeout in the 37th minute with his side trailing 17-18.
A rapid 3-0 run, courtesy of three consecutive Jorge Romanillos goals, turned 18-20 into 21-20 and put the Valencian side back in front. Macri Pérez then increased the lead with a finish from the right wing.
Dani Martínez shut the door at one end while Guille Soler continued to exploit gaps in the Granollers defence, allowing the hosts to establish their largest lead of three goals at 24-21 in the 46th minute. Antonio Rama soon called another timeout.
His players still had plenty to say and cut the deficit to a single goal in the 50th minute at 25-24. Alberto Serradilla and Gabriel Navarro continued to cause problems, however, moving the score to 27-24 and then 28-25.
With just over five minutes remaining, Sergio Mallo decided to use his final timeout.
Antonio Capitán had the chance to settle the contest, but Pau Panitti denied his spin shot. With 24 seconds left, Antonio Rama called a timeout in an attempt to draw level, but his players could not fashion a clear opportunity and the final score remained 31-30.
The victory means Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto have won both of their summer fixtures so far, each against NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL opposition. Their next match will again be against REBI Cuenca, this time away at the El Sargal sports arena next Friday from 8.00 pm.
Translation produced using artificial intelligence.