AtticGo Elche maintains momentum in the European Cup
Europe continues to discover strong performances from the AtticGo Elche squad as they push toward the European stage. In the first crunch match held on Asturian soil, the team quickly asserted control, pulling ahead early and holding the upper hand through the encounter against Motive.Co Gijón, a result that was cemented in the second leg as they confirmed their place among the top four teams in the EHF European Cup, with a decisive 20-24 finish in that fixture and a 49-40 overall edge for the Elche women.
The mood on the floor reflected the players’ commitment. After delivering five quick goals in the opening game, Elche tightened their defense in the early moments of the second leg, forcing Gijón into a first scoring response only after 6 minutes and 41 seconds. A sharp response from Arroyo punctured the moment, while Do Nascimento, Wolfs, and So Delgado had already set the scoreboard to 0-3, signaling a stern challenge for the local side. Any attempt at a swift reaction by the hosts was checked by Elche’s disciplined play.
The early momentum evolved into sustained superiority that, at times, could have invited a setback. Yet the home players rallied with pride and gradually narrowed the gap, staging a mini-run that brought the score to 4-4 by the 16th minute. The match then settled into a tense rhythm as both teams exchanged blows and the scale tipped back and forth on the parquet.
At one point Mendez emerged as a pivotal figure. He intercepted a loose ball, raced to a counterattack, and forced Zarco to spend a second suspension, intensifying the visitors’ pressure. He also converted a seven-meter shot, drawing a foul from the local defense and underscoring Elche’s growing command of the game.
As the minutes ticked by, Rocamora found a calm streak that allowed him to test the goalkeepers with precision. His strategic positioning and the combined contributions of Zhukova and Wolfs in the center-handling areas gave Elche a tangible advantage at the end of the first half. The two leading scorers in that period contributed seven goals collectively and signaled a tranquil path for a strong second half.
In the early stages of the second half, Franjiverde’s side continued to press, while the Asturians were unable to mount a meaningful response. The scoreline moved in Elche’s favor, with a nine-and-a-half minute period of sustained dominance contributing to a clear lead that persisted for the rest of the half. The result looked increasingly secure as the visitors maintained control and kept the initiative in their hands.
AtticGo Elche doesn’t stop winning the quarterfinals
Within the Palacio de Deportes arena, the final phase of the duel saw Rocamora distributing minutes, ensuring healthy rotation for both Elche and Gijón. Delgado emerged as the top scorer for AtticGo Elche in this leg, reaching six goals, while Morales continued to showcase moments of brilliance by finding the back of the net at key moments. The horn sounded with Elche sealing a firm improvement in their European campaign and stepping into the semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history.
Green-clad warriors celebrated a hard-fought victory, reflecting the cohesion and resilience that carried the team forward. The sign of real progress was evident as the team executed rotation and maintained pressure, transforming a quarterfinal victory into a historic march toward the final stages of the continental competition.
After the win and the milestone of advancing to the semi-finals, the team and supporters savored what this breakthrough meant for the club. Quotes from players and staff reflected pride and a forward-looking mindset, emphasizing the work yet to be done as they pursue a deeper run in the tournament. The official channels highlighted the significance of this achievement, while continuing to stress the importance of team unity and focus as they prepare for the next challenge.
Match details and player lineups from the Motive.Co Gijón versus AtticGo Elche matchup show Alonso, Diana Fernandez, Zarco, Valdivia, Faria, González, Cacheda, Palomo, Torreira, Laguna, Novovic, Lucía Fernández, Vallina, De Andrés, Arroyo and the Elche lineup featuring Morales, Rodrigues, Zhukova, Van Zijl, Oppedal, Guilabert, Méndez, Andreu, So Delgado, Gascó, Flores, Benítez, Wolfs, Bernabé, Do Nascimento and More among the listed contributors. The score progression in five-minute intervals and the officiating by Zan Puksic and Miha Satler highlight the competitive structure of this European clash, with the decisive 20-24 score in favor of Elche representing a notable performance in the quarterfinals. The event took place in the Gijón arena, building toward a promising semi-final appearance.
Following the clash, social and official summaries reaffirmed the sense of achievement and the momentum carried forward by the team, including expressions of happiness from players who felt they had climbed a significant rung on the European ladder. The takeaway was clear: this quarterfinal success marked a historic advance for AtticGo Elche and set the stage for a highly anticipated semi-final run.
Information records from the game provide a complete view of the teams, the goals by period, and the refereeing decisions that shaped the match, ensuring a transparent account of the contest for fans and analysts alike. The quarterfinals narrative stands as a milestone in the club’s European journey, with the semi-finals now within reach and the broader ambition of lifting the trophy within sight. The competition’s structure and the players’ performances in this leg contribute to a growing legacy for AtticGo Elche in the European handball scene as noted by official match reports from LNE and related outlets.