Bidasoa-Irún is one step away from the Finals of the European League after defeating Portuguese Benfica by a tight 28-27. This thrilling match was resolved to the very end. The Lisbon team started strong against a highly strung Bidasoa that did not give them the right to attack, prompting the local coach, Álex Mozas, to ask for a time-out at ten minutes.
Benfica dominated the score, at one point leading by five goals, with a solid defense that included the Spanish international Miguel Sánchez Migallón. However, the Portuguese team’s toughness, including two exclusions in the first half for Sánchez Migallón, ultimately paved the way for Bidasoa’s comeback. By the time they reached halftime, Bidasoa had managed to reduce the difference to 13-15.
In the second half, Bidasoa did not repeat the errors of the first half, despite the added difficulty of facing a Benfica team that played with seven players against six. A significant turning point came in the 40th minute when a goal from Tao Gey-Emparan tied the game, boosting Bidasoa’s confidence and momentum, supported by a nearly full Artaleku stadium.
As the game entered its final minute with the score tied at 27-27, and Benfica in possession and playing seven against six, Gey-Emparan made a crucial intervention in defense and scored the final goal, securing a 28-27 victory for Bidasoa. Benfica’s last possession ended in error, and Artaleku erupted in celebration.
Following this victory, Bidasoa leads Group C of the European League with six points, ahead of Limoges by four points, Benfica by two points, and Ystads by six points. The final score was 28-27, with notable performances from players like Rodrigo Salinas, Gorka Nieto, and Gey-Emparan for Bidasoa, and Rahmel and Grigoras for Benfica.
The match details included:
Bidasoa-Irún: Leo Maciel, Faílde (goalkeepers); Cavero (6, 5 of Pen.), Esteban Salinas (1), Rodrigo Salinas (2), Furundarena, Dariel García (1), Matheus da Silva, Gorka Nieto (2), Zabala (3), Jevtic, Gey-Emparan (4), Mujika (4), Asier Nieto (3), Pedro Pacheco, Boskos (2).
Benfica: Palasics, Capdeville (goalkeepers); Moreira, Grigoras (4), Miguel Sánchez Migallón (1), Rahmel (13, 6 of Pen.), Cavalcanti (2), Valencia (1), Pagliotta, Gabriel Sequeira, Hanusz (2), Ivo Liquas, Borges (2), Pereira (1), Taleski, Fabio (1).
The game was refereed by Boris Mandak and Mario Rudinsky, who disqualified Sánchez Migallón and Matheus da Silva for three exclusions each and also excluded several other players for various infractions.
This match was part of the group stage of the European League, played at the Artaleku Sports Center in front of approximately 1,800 fans. Before the game, the club paid tribute to its history by retiring the shirts of Aitor Etxaburu, Fernando Bolea, and Miguel Zuñiga, all of whom are historical players of Bidasoa.