Match Report: Eón Horneo Alicante Falters Against Caserío Ciudad Real
After a setback against Caserío Ciudad Real, the Asobal campaign left Eón Horneo Alicante with a missed opportunity to solidify a place in the promotion phase. In a game where Alicante struggled to sustain momentum after halftime, the team managed just ten goals in the second period, and the deficit at the break, 12-15, did not reflect the real momentum that emerged late. The result places Eón Horneo Alicante in third with 17 points as the final round approaches. The last round arrives this Saturday when the team faces Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto, with promotion on the line, while the last day of this first stage on March 4 sees Alicante resting rather than competing.
Eón took an early lead on the table and managed to keep a clean sheet during the opening five minutes. A robust defensive stance has often been the backbone in this campaign, enabling counter-attacks to bite as the ball found its way into the opponents’ net.
Ahead of the match, the squad entered with a crowded casualty list. Matheus de Novais, Miguel Ángel Labañera, and David Jiménez were sidelined by injuries. New signings Alaeddine Kouni, Cristian Serrano, and Miguelón were unavailable due to competition rules. Dani Pérez from the reserve team could not appeal the decision either. Eón Horneo Alicante traveled to Ciudad Real to fulfill the postponed match from the twelfth round against Ciudad Real’s Hiros BM Caserío, a fixture that loomed as a pivotal moment for advancing to the promotion group.
In the opening ten minutes of the first half, Alicante experienced a couple of defensive lapses. Yet the performance stood out for a goalkeeper-led effort, with Adrian Torres anchoring a formidable defensive display that allowed the team to concede very few goals and maintain a solid wall in front of goal.
As the minutes ticked by, play remained intense, and the game gradually moved into a rhythm that favored Ciudad Real in terms of scoreboard pressure. The Sorceress Serra side, though battered by counterattacks and some retreats, found a steadier pace and entered the timeout with a 12-15 advantage. Their patience and discipline allowed them to control the tempo while keeping the Alicante defense in check.
But the second half brought a shift. The expected increase in tempo from Alicante did not unfold as hoped. Defensive miscommunications proved costly, and Hiros BM Caserío Ciudad Real capitalized on every error to level the score at 18 and push ahead. The home team showed resilience, but as the minutes wore on there was a race to the finish with Ciudad Real clinging to the lead. With seven minutes to go, Ciudad Real moved ahead for the first time, creating a tense finish. David Quiles responded in kind for Alicante, reclaiming some momentum, but the visitors maintained their edge. The closing stages saw Ciudad Real sealing the win, with a final score of 28-25. The match underscored the tough realities of a campaign where every possession matters and defensive cohesion remains essential for a team chasing a promotion spot.