The Ribera team suffer their first defeat in the pre-season at a friendly against Arrate.
First defeat for Ademar Leon
Jordi Ribera saw the first defeat of his new team. Ademar Leon played a friendly match against the Spanish Arrate. The surprise result did not shock the Ademar coach, because Leon had to play a hard match the previous day against BM Valladolid. The Ribera team were tired in the last minutes of the game and Arrate could win with a big difference, 34-25.
Arrate goalkeeper, Malumbres (former Portland keeper), was the best player of the game with decisive saves in clear chances.
Many matches, tired team
Ademar began the match with difficulties in attack. The Leon-based team lost many balls that Arrate could convert in easy goals. In addition, the usual strong defence of Leon was not working this time. Nine saves of Malumbres in the first half allowed Arrate to end the first half with a six-goal advantage. It was the same situation for Ademar as the previous day against Valladolid. However, the things were different.
Leon thought that they could come back once again, but this time the players were tired and it was most difficult. The mistakes made in attack cost the victory for the Ribera team. Arrate just ran and scored, and though Saric tried everything to avoid the defeat, Arrate could score easy fast break goals.
However, Ademar fought on to come closer, but the batteries of Ademar were dead by the end. They were so tired that Arrate won, which is the first defeat for Ribera on the Ademar bench.
TEXT:
Fernando Urra Goñi