TM Benidorm faces a painful baptism in the Europa League group stage, suffering through the first experience of the season. Beyond the obvious strength of its rivals, the Benidorm squad is being hammered by a wave of injuries to key players, which reduces the odds of posting solid results.
In the opening trio of rounds, the team led by Fernando Latorre has not been able to open its points account. The Spaniards have fallen in all three matches: a tough 35-30 loss to Germany’s Flensburg, a narrow 32-29 defeat at the hands of Icelandic Valur, and a closely contested 29-27 setback against Swedish Ystads.
Yet, even in defeat, TM Benidorm stayed competitive. Tight scores reflected a team that showed heart, but struggled with a lack of depth on the bench and a diminished physical response that weighed on the late stages.
This Tuesday at five in the afternoon, in Budapest, the Benidorm squad will attempt to rebound against Ferencváros TC (FTC) from Hungary in the fourth group-stage match. FTC, a team that has already celebrated wins in the first three days, posted a 33-30 victory over PAUC France, defeated Swedish Ystads 37-34, and suffered a 43-39 road loss to Valur in Iceland last week. The Hungarians have shown their best form at home, and domestically their campaign has been marked by orderly, methodical play that translates into consistent results.
The FTC side is difficult to single out due to its balanced attack and strong collective defense. Several players contribute to scoring, forming an efficient unit that controls the pace with speed and compact transitions from defense to counterattack. The second line finishes opportunities with accuracy, making their offense hard to stop when the defense is organized.
Latorre’s troops will need to deliver a high-level performance if they aim to claim their first Europa League points. The match looms as a stern test of resilience amid alternating pressures from injuries and fatigue.
major shortcomings
Several players remain unavailable for TM Benidorm. Lithuanian Rolandas Bernatonis, Portuguese Rubén Santos, and Serbian Mladen Sotic could not travel to Budapest due to lingering injuries. These absences add to the list of important casualties, creating holes in defensive depth and in attack rotations.
Additionally, there is uncertainty about one more frontline participant: Juan Carlos Semper, who sustained a blow during the Europa League match against Ystads last Tuesday while warming up after the Friday game against Logroño in the Asobal League, and who did not endure the strain long enough to participate fully in the practice session.
TM Benidorm drops by minimum margin against Logroño (27-28)
INFORMATION
Fernando Latorre is aware of the challenge awaiting on Hungarian soil. He commented, FTC is a great team that competes at a high level in both their league and in European play. It will be very difficult for us to claim anything positive on Tuesday.
Despite the odds, the Benidorm coach emphasized the need to approach these games with a sense of enjoyment and learning. He pointed out that while the results have not always gone their way, the team remains capable and competitive. The goal is to do their best and grab those first points when opportunities arise.
With three competitions already on the slate—the Asobal League, the King’s Cup, and the Europa League—TM Benidorm faces a demanding schedule. The injury scenario only heightens the challenge, but it also tests the squad’s resilience and depth under pressure.