Trasmapi Gobycar Citubo HC Eivissa earned a point away to Servigroup Benidorm on Saturday, September 26, drawing 27-27 in the third round of the División de Honor Plata.

The Ibiza side led by four goals at half-time and remained in contention for victory until the closing seconds, but Benidorm recovered in the second half to secure a share of the points. The match was played at the Pabellón Pau Gasol in l’Alfàs del Pi, where Benidorm was hosting the fixture because its usual venue was unavailable.

Eivissa Take Control Before Half-Time

HC Eivissa started strongly and quickly established an advantage.

The visitors led 5-9 after around 15 minutes and extended their advantage to five goals at 11-16 late in the first half.

Benidorm managed to reduce the deficit slightly before the break, but Eivissa still went into half-time ahead 13-17.

Biel Valera was particularly influential in attack for Eivissa, finishing the match with eight goals. Daniel Bernárdez also contributed to the early scoring as the Ibiza side established its advantage.

Benidorm Fight Back

The second half brought a significant change in momentum.

Benidorm reduced the deficit to three goals at 16-19 before eventually drawing level at 19-19 in the 37th minute.

From there, neither team was able to establish a decisive advantage. Eivissa repeatedly moved one goal ahead, but Benidorm responded each time.

The Ibiza side also spent significant periods playing with fewer players because of exclusions, adding to the pressure during the second half. HC Eivissa coach Geno Tilves specifically pointed to the number of minutes his team spent in numerical disadvantage after the match.

A Tense Final Minute

The score was 27-27 during the final minute.

Eivissa had an opportunity to take the two points with a late attack but could not convert it.

With seven seconds remaining, Benidorm had the final possession but was unable to score before the final whistle.

The match therefore ended 27-27, giving both teams one point.

Eight Goals for Biel Valera

Biel Valera finished as HC Eivissa's leading scorer with eight goals.

The result adds another point to Eivissa's early-season campaign after the team began the División de Honor Plata season with a defeat away to Blendio Sinfín Santander and a 27-27 home draw against Fundación Agustinos Alicante.

For Benidorm, the draw ended its perfect start after victories over Fundación Agustinos Alicante and Caja Rural Zamora in the opening two rounds. The Spanish Handball Federation had listed Benidorm among the teams sharing the top of the table before the third round, with four points from its first two matches.

One Point From a Difficult Away Match

The draw leaves HC Eivissa with two points from its first three league matches.

The team will now continue its División de Honor Plata campaign after earning a point against one of the sides that had entered the weekend with a perfect record.

For Eivissa, the result also extends its run of competitive performances after the team recovered from a four-goal deficit to draw with Agustinos in its previous home match.