“Defeating the leader would be hitting the table”
What happened on the field this season shows a brave EON Horneo Alicante rising to the challenge. An EON that came close to catching Caserío by surprise on a tense afternoon, only to see a sharp finish slip away on the shore.
It was never going to be easy. The Alicante side opened with intent, pressing high and trying to grab control from the opening whistle. The visitors carried the message that they would not give up a single point so far, yet the Alicante squad answered with hunger and a clear ambition that defined their play in this clash.
Swift ball movement and quick counterattacks tested Caserío, who found themselves chasing the pace set by Eón. At the midway point of the first half, Caserío exploited a turnover by EÓN to level the score at six. Jiménez then pushed Alicante back into the lead, but the visitors responded with a tying goal before the celebration could truly begin.
go down to go up
For several minutes, Latorre’s squad struggled to convert chances that kept arriving. It seemed Caserío might gain the upper hand, yet EON stood firm. If Ciudad Real represented a test, Marco Krimer did his part to prevent any drifting away and kept the home side within reach.
There were fleeting moments when Caserío appeared ready to pull ahead, only for the Alicante defense to tighten. The game swung back and forth as the clock moved forward, with the home defense stubbornly resisting and Krimer keeping the scoreboard tight.
EON got its third victory in seven days (34-39)
When play resumed after the break, the tone remained even and competitive. The match continued to pulse with a back-and-forth rhythm, as both teams pressed and countered with intensity. The EON side showed perseverance, repeatedly testing the Ciudad Real wall that stood before them, while the visitors found ways to breach the defense and keep the score tight.
As the final stage approached, Caserío sought a decisive push to separate themselves, while EON found it harder to pierce the opposition’s final line. Santi Giovanna stood tall, denying several feeds into the Alicante goal with precise saves that kept the context of a tight finish alive.
In the end, Caserío took two points through Felicisimo Ruiz, a moment that underscored the effort and resilience of their squad. The team fought hard and refused to surrender, signaling that this season had more to offer despite challenging circumstances and eventual relegation. The result stood as a reminder that a tough group can overcome setbacks and push forward with belief.
With this result, EON Horneo Alicante slipped to sixth place. The next weekend promises a home game against Los Dólmenes Antequera. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 19:30 at the Maristas School Hermano Felicísimo Ruiz Pavilion.
DATA SHEET
EON COOKING ALICANTE: Jorge Broto, Marco Krimer, David Jiménez (3), Santiago Camira (1), Martín Doldán (6), Karlos Rubio, Bruno Ugrin, Gabriel Navarro, Jerónimo Cartagena (2), Oriol Blanco, Julen Urruzola (1), Xabier Barreto (1), Alberto González (5), Dídac Talens (1), Matheus de Novais (5), Nacho Salgado (1).
IDN ENERGY CASERÍO DE CIUDAD REAL: Santiago Agustín, Pablo Manuel Campanario (2), Martín Santano, Nicolás Ayucar (1), Juan Manuel Lumbreras, Víctor Morales (3), Francisco José Ruiz, Rodrigo Martín, Santiago Alejo (4), Yuri Dieliierhiiev (4), Ángel Pérez (4), Nicolás Barceló (1), José Gregorio Palacios (1), Adrián Sánchez (3), Óscar Ruiz, José Andrés Torres (10).
partial pieces: 3-3, 5-3, 7-6, 7-8, 10-11, 11-13 (first part). 16-16, 18-18, 20-20, 23-24, 26-29 (second part).