A power-to-power match was played on Saturday afternoon by Gáldar Gran Canaria and Balonmano Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife, with equality maintained until the final moments. San José Obrero could not return to the path of victories and could only rescue a point at the buzzer. An insufficient draw for the Lanzarote team, losing second place in the standings with two rounds remaining until the end of the regular phase of the competition.
The first minutes of the match were marked by the exchange of goals. Freyddy Lafontan pierced the goal defended by Saúl Rodríguez and Balonmano Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife responded with goals from Ángel Iglesias and Acoidán Martín (1-2). A 3-0 run put Gáldar Gran Canaria three goals ahead in the 11th minute, forcing Luis Morín to request the first timeout (9-6).
After the instructions from the bench, Handball Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife tied the match with goals from Oscar Silva, Santiago Cardone and Ángel Iglesias (9-9). A tie that was maintained until the end of the first half, San José Obrero going into halftime with a one-goal lead, the scoreboard at Juan Vega Mateos reflecting an even 14 to 15.
The second half started with a 1 to 3 partial score in favor of the visitors, with goals from Aday González, Javi Aragón, and Santiago Cardone they managed to increase the difference to three goals (15-18). Gáldar Gran Canaria was not going to give up in the minutes remaining until the end of the match, and with ten minutes left until the end of the clash San José Obrero maintained a two-goal difference (22-24).
Handball Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife stalled in attack in the final stretch of the match, conceding a 4-1 partial that allowed Gáldar Gran Canaria to face the last three minutes with a two-goal advantage (27-25). The locals could have sentenced the clash in their last attacking play, but Guillermo Cabral's shot crashed into the post. The Lanzarote players mounted a quick play, with Ángel Iglesias scoring with two seconds remaining.
With the score of 28 to 28 the end of the match was reached, Balonmano Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife adding one point after three consecutive defeats. The victory of Balonmano Ingenio on Calvo Xiria's court, allows the Gran Canarians to reach San José Obrero in points, but having the goal average in their favor and relegating the Lanzaroteans to the third position in the standings.
Technical Sheet
Gáldar Gran Canaria (28): Magnol Suárez, Freyddy Lafontan (8), Fran Trujillo (3), Carlos Mederos (5), Yyaron Ramírez (1), Adrián Rivero (2) and Guillermo Cabral -initial team- Ozbej Silc, Marvin Santiago (5), Cayetano González (3), Gonzalo Matías, Guillermo Arencibia (1). Coach: Aday Sánchez
Handball Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife (28): Saúl Rodríguez, Rafa Robayna, Acoidán Martín (1), Javi Aragón (4), Santiago Cardone (3), Ángel Iglesias (6) and Declerck Sibo (2) -starting team- Javi Santana, Mauro Jaureguiberry (1), Joel Armas (2), Abián Martín (2), Aday González (2), Oscar Silva (4), Adrián Juaréz (1). Coach: Luis Morín
Partials every 5 minutes: 4-4, 8-6, 9-7, 10-10, 13-13, 14-15 (break) 15-18, 18-20, 21-21, 22-24, 26-25, 28-28 (final)
Referees: Joan Moncusi Cunillera and Bernat Moncusi Cunillera. They excluded Freyddy Lafontan (1), Guillermo Arencibia (1) and Adrián Rivero (1) on behalf of Gáldar Gran Canaria and Mauro Jaureguiberry (1), Acoidán Martín (1), Santiago Cardone (1) and Declerck Sibo (1) on behalf of Balonmano Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife.
Incidents: Juan Vega Mateos Pavilion. Match corresponding to day 28 of group A of the Men's First National.