BM Benidorm fell to Logroño yesterday in a tightly contested match, as La Rioja seized the initiative in the final moments with a tightened defense that decided the outcome.
Guided by Fernando Latorre, the Logroño squad opened the game with a seven-strong offensive setup in the first five minutes, employing a goalkeeper-player figure that allowed them to pierce Benidorm’s defenses early. As the minutes passed, Miguel Ángel Velasco’s group grew more composed and found their rhythm on the court, turning pressure into parity and then advantage.
Benidorm continued to press with a seven-player offense, a bold approach that had served them well at the outset but gradually exposed vulnerabilities as Logroño matched them defensively and surged in transition. The guests’ strategy produced a noticeable shift in the scoreboard as the home team exploited the gaps and forced a change in tempo, widening the gap to a 15-10 lead for Logroño.
Facing the deficit, Benidorm responded through the playmaking of Iker Serrano and James Lewis, who helped the visitors narrow the margin. The locals refused to bow, answering with decisive attacks that pushed the scoreline to 19-16 in favor of Logroño as the periods advanced and the intensity rose around the electronics clock.
After the interval, the scoring stalled as both teams tightened their defense and found it difficult to convert chances. The stalemate was broken when Logroño, with Cadarso involved, pushed their lead to four goals, making it 21-17 and signaling a critical stretch of the match.
Benidorm once again closed the gap through the sharp finishing of Iván Rodríguez and Lignieres, who converted from seven meters to level the game at 23-23 with fifteen minutes remaining. The draw sparked a renewed surge from Velasco’s students, who regained control thanks to the defensive solidity of Antonio Serradilla and the attacking impetus from Ángel Rivero. The Rioja team was unable to prevent Logroño from retaking the lead, moving ahead to 26-24 and triggering what proved to be the decisive stretch of the duel.
As the clock wore down, Logroño managed the remaining minutes with composure, extending their advantage on the scoreboard before eventually sealing the match at 34-31. The victory brought BM Benidorm closer to Logroño in the standings, reducing the gap to a single point, while Fernando Latorre’s squad saw their chances in European competition remain uncertain for the moment.
Overall, the game showcased a balance of offense and defense from both teams, with Logroño showing the stronger finish and Benidorm displaying resilience in attack but not enough to clinch the result. The late surge by Logroño underscored the importance of discipline and pace in the closing stages, a lesson for both teams as they continue their respective campaigns in the league. Source analysis indicates that the final minutes of the match reflected the effectiveness of Logroño’s defensive coordination and quick counterattacks, which proved decisive in securing the win for the hosts. Attribution: league match records for the Logroño-Benidorm fixture.