A resounding victory over a direct rival

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto comfortably defeated Viveros Herol BM Nava (39-24) after an outstanding second half, in which they recorded a 22-10 scoreline. The match, corresponding to the sixth round of the Liga NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL, was played at the Pabellón Port de Sagunt from 18:30.

The match began with the Nava side losing possession during their first positional attack. At the other end of the court, Olivares made no mistake with a penetrating run to score the opening goal. Carrión opened his side’s account to level the score at 1-1 after two minutes and then put them ahead for the first time at 1-2. Mateus Buda also made his mark, saving a seven-metre throw from Arnau Fernández.

The red-and-white side quickly turned the score around, finding Guille Soler completely unmarked in the central area of the opposition defence. A steal and counter-attack converted by Capitán, together with a goal from Gonzalo Pérez on the right wing, allowed the hosts to establish a 4-2 lead in the fifth minute. Zungri joined the party with two consecutive goals and forced Paulo Moreno’s suspension in the eighth minute.

Thanks to their numerical superiority, Olivares finished off an excellent passing move from his teammates to establish a new maximum lead of +3 (7-4) in the ninth minute. Olba returned to the 40x20 sixteen months later. Dani Martínez came on in goal, while Guille Soler continued to cause problems from the pivot position, forcing Carlos Villagrán to call his first timeout after the midway point of the first half, with the score at 11-7.

The break did not have the desired effect, as Gonzalo Pérez, following a save by Mateus Buda from a nine-metre throw by Gabriel Navarro, established a new +5 lead (13-8) for the home side in the eighteenth minute. The hosts were unable to take advantage of the visitors’ numerical disadvantage following Carrión’s suspension, and the visitors reduced the deficit. Sergio Mallo then called a timeout (14-12, 24th minute).

Immediately afterwards, Viveros Herol BM Nava came even closer at 14-13, thanks to the attacking contributions of Paulo Moreno and Marugán, the latter having come off the bench to occupy the left wing. Romanillos, who replaced Guille Soler, also caused problems from the pivot position, and a penalty converted by Olba left the half-time score at 17-14.

After the restart, the pace of the game increased and several minutes of goal-for-goal play followed, with Capitán and Maiko Vázquez the clear protagonists. The defensive performance of the Valencian side improved, forcing turnovers which Martín de Bolaños and Gonzalo Pérez punished on the counter-attack. The hosts consequently opened up a new +6 gap (23-17) in the 37th minute, prompting a timeout from Carlos Villagrán.

Just three minutes later, another timeout was called as the difference grew to nine goals, largely thanks to Dani Martínez’s saves and Capitán’s jump shots (26-17, 40th minute). Marcos Antonio da Silva ended the Nava side’s scoring drought, which had left them stuck on seventeen goals.

The situation became even more favourable for Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto when Otero was sent off with a straight red card in the 43rd minute. With fifteen minutes remaining, the match was practically settled, with an almost insurmountable gap reflected in the 30-18 scoreline. Romanillos, with 100% effectiveness, had no trouble overcoming his opponent’s tactical change, as they opted for a more aggressive defence.

The final minutes allowed Olba to gain confidence on his return to the court, missing none of his seven-metre throws and converting all three. Sergio Mallo’s players established a +16 lead (36-20) with five minutes remaining. The final score was 39-24.

Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto’s next fixture will be on Saturday 24th, when they visit the bottom side in the competition, Tubos Villa de Aranda, at the Pabellón Santiago Manguán, from 19:00.

MATCH DETAILS:

39 – Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto (17+22): Dani Martínez (gk), Gonzalo Pérez (4), Zungri (3), Capitán (8), Llorens, Arnau Fernández (2) and Martín de Bolaños (1) — starting seven —; Olivares (3), Olba (3, 3p.), Villarreal (gk, n.p.), Gabriel Navarro (4), Pelko, Guille Soler (4), Matheus de Novais (1), Serradilla (1) and Romanillos (5).

24 – Viveros Herol BM Nava (14+10): Mateus Buda (gk), Ahumada (1), David Roca, Paulo Moreno (2), Carrión (4), Maiko Vázquez (6) and Álex Ugalde (1) — starting seven —; Otero, Baptiste Audiffred (1), Marcos Antonio da Silva (1), Patotski (gk, n.p.), Marugán (3), Arzoz (3) and Clément Esparon (2).

Officials: Ernesto Ruiz Vergara (Andalusian Committee) and Andrés Rosendo López (Galician Committee). The home player Arnau Fernández and visitors Paulo Moreno (2) and Carrión were suspended. Otero was sent off.

Score at five-minute intervals: 3-2, 7-4, 10-7, 14-10, 14-12, 17-14 (half-time); 20-17, 25-17, 29-18, 33-19, 35-20 and 39-24 (full-time).

Match information: Sixth-round match of the Liga NEXUS ENERGÍA ASOBAL played at the Pabellón Port de Sagunt in front of around 2,000 spectators.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.