The Valencian regional ASOBAL derby returns

This Friday at 20:30, the latest instalment of the Valencian Community derby takes place between Alser BM Puerto Sagunto and BM Torrevieja.

This is the fourth meeting of the season between these two teams, who arrive at this match having achieved their objectives. The balance so far favours the side from Torrevieja, who won in pre-season and in the final of the Valencian Community Cup, while Alser took both points in the first-leg fixture held at the Ovni.

Alser go into the match intending to take two points, which would allow them to climb a place or two in the table, as they could even reach the final matchday in 11th place. That is precisely the position currently occupied by BM Torrevieja, with a three-point advantage over the red-and-whites.

As for the squad, Alser will travel at 15:30 on Friday, without Muiña and Lapcevic, who have been joined by the injured youth player Alex Tello, while Iker Serrano is doubtful with severe discomfort in one shoulder.

The decision to schedule the match on Friday, with no television coverage, has caused considerable discontent among the red-and-white supporters. They had planned a large-scale trip because of the short distance, but holding the match on Friday afternoon means that work commitments prevent the journey. Sources from the Marea Rojiblanca supporters’ group stated, “we do not understand how people can then talk about an economic crisis if Torrevieja has missed an important opportunity to raise money from ticket sales. If the match had been played on Saturday afternoon, many of us would have travelled with the team” The match had also been scheduled for live broadcast on Nou 2, provided it was played on Thursday, which Alser had agreed to do. However, sources at Nou 2 said that BM Torrevieja claimed it did not have an available venue on Thursday afternoon.

In short, only those who attend the Pabellón Cecilio Gallego in Torrevieja will be able to enjoy the penultimate match of this ASOBAL league season, which once again leaves the Valencian teams in Spain’s top division of men’s handball.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.