El Cajasol Sevilla BM Proin kicked off its demanding preseason preparations with a hard-fought 32-28 defeat against REBI Cuenca at the Trofeo de Ferias in Castilla-La Mancha, according to reports from the region. Head coach Antonio García saw his side jump out to an aggressive 0-3 advantage in the opening minutes, only to watch the more-polished hosts claw their way back into the contest before sealing a four-goal victory.
Early Aggression Meets a Hard-Fought Cuenca Defeat
Missed Penalties Shift Momentum in the First Half
The early exchanges at the neutral venue highlighted the attacking intent of the visiting Andalusian side. Pushed forward by an effective opening game plan, the squad established a quick three-goal cushion that caught the Cuenca defense flat-footed. Yet, as the match wore on, the physical advantage of a Cuenca side with more training sessions under its belt began to show. By the 12th minute, the hosts had sliced the deficit to a single goal at 5-6.
Offensive struggles compounded the defensive issues for the visitors during the opening thirty minutes. According to match accounts, the team missed three penalties and saw a noticeable drop in scoring efficiency as the half progressed. Those missed opportunities allowed the hosts to seize the momentum, take the lead past the midway point of the opening period, and eventually dictate the tempo.
Defensive Lapses Highlight Liga ASOBAL Realities
Defensive lapses in the second half ultimately tipped the scales toward REBI Cuenca. While Antonio García’s squad showed flashes of the form that earned them promotion to Spain’s top flight, lapses in man-to-man coverage and transition defense allowed the hosts to pull away on the scoreboard. The fixture served as an important measuring stick for a club building towards its debut season in the Liga ASOBAL.
The clash in Castilla-La Mancha marks a critical phase of conditioning for the Seville outfit as they ready themselves for the rigors of elite Spanish handball. Preseason fixtures against direct league rivals offer coaching staffs an unvarnished look at tactical weaknesses that need addressing before the official league calendar gets underway. For Cajasol Sevilla BM Proin, integrating new tactical schemes while managing physical fatigue remains the primary objective.
Standing Toe-to-Toe with Portuguese Powerhouse Benfica
The club’s preseason itinerary also featured a demanding test outside Spain’s borders. Diario de Sevilla reported that the team traveled to Lisbon to face Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, falling 36-32 after trailing 19-15 at halftime. Despite the four-goal margin against a Benfica side preparing for the Portuguese Supercup final against Sporting, the Seville squad drew praise for competing toe-to-toe during long stretches of the match.
That Lisbon test saw standout performances from experienced figures like Chema Márquez during the first half, while Rodrigo Salinas and Rolando Uríos spearheaded a second-half surge that cut the deficit to 29-23 with a quarter-hour remaining. Head coach Antonio García used the fixture to mix veteran leadership with youth development, handing minutes to first-year juvenile left-back Marco Antonio Pérez—who converted a seven-meter penalty for the team’s final goal—and Primera Nacional goalkeeper Juan Pablo Varela.
Roster Integration and Upcoming Rematch
Squad depth will continue to grow as the roster heals and finalizes its pieces. Diario de Sevilla noted that for the trip to Lisbon, García had all his players available except for Pablo Sánchez Labrador, who was slated to rejoin the group following his international duty with Spain at the Under-18 European Championship.
The Andalusian club continues its busy preseason schedule on Wednesday, August 26, when they make the return trip to face REBI Cuenca once again in a direct dress rehearsal for the upcoming campaign. Fans looking to follow the team’s progress can monitor official club channels and the Liga ASOBAL portals for confirmed kickoff times, ticketing details, and broadcast updates ahead of the opening league fixture.
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