Atticgo CBM Elche bid farewell to their European campaign this Saturday, suffering a defeat to Atlético Guardés in the semi final second leg. The scoreline in the tie reflected a narrow, hard fought battle, with the first leg finishing 22-23 and the second leg ending 22-18, leaving Guardés as finalists and Elche with a season that showed both promise and learning moments on the continental stage.
An Atticgo Elche fall in the first European duel (22-23)
david marin
Despite opening the scoring, the Elche side faced a difficult start for a European semi final. The driving rain and nerves of the moment contributed to a string of errors, including a few counterattacks that failed to convert and a couple of shots from in close that did not find the target. The mistakes came early and compounded as the match progressed.
Do Nascimento emerged as the top scorer for the franjiverde, while the defensive effort also stood out with Morales producing key saves to keep Elche in the contest. The game took on a tense rhythm as the weather added an extra layer of challenge and the Galician side, led by a composed Carratú, held firm in crucial moments.
The first half concluded with Elche still in the hunt, though the scoreboard reflected the hosts’ persistence rather than a comfortable cushion. Lima finished the opening period without much happiness on the day, yet the team remained determined. The precipitation clouded the margin, but the work of Rocamora kept Elche hopeful in the contest as Guardés controlled the tempo.
In attack, a series of attempts from the greens underlined their attempts to break through the Guardés defense. Do Nascimento, Guilabert, and Oppedal sought to unlock the visitors, while Carratú delivered a performance that underscored the experience difference between the two teams. Van Zijl, gradually adapting, supported his teammates on offense and tried a strategic move at the end of the half that showed the potential for a late push.
The narrative of the second half concentrated on Carratú as a focal point for Elche. Her heroics in goal turned the tide for long stretches, leaving a group of green-clad players with little choice but to concede in the face of a veteran goalkeeper who refused to yield. The showdown intensified as the clock moved forward and Elche pressed hard to overturn the deficit.
AtticGo Elche: youth, competitiveness and empowerment
david marin
Even with the stops from Carratú, Atticgo Elche could not sustain the balance needed to flip the score. A notable moment came with a substitution that resulted in a double exclusion, highlighting the fragility that young teams can face in high stakes European fixtures. The rhythm of the game reflected a club that is still growing in experience and composure on a continental stage.
no return
Rocamora attempted a late shift by clearing the goal, but a miscommunication on a Wolfs pass and the repeated challenges against Carratú provided Guardés with chances to close out the match. Elche protested a potential foul as the game slipped away, and the final whistle confirmed the end of Europe for the season, to be remembered for the resilience shown and the lessons learned.
Loss of So Delgado, a key figure in the Franjiverde offense, marked a setback during a period of upheaval for the squad. The European qualifier underscored the team’s current phase of growth and improvement, a natural step for a squad with significant room to develop. The youth on display carried a sense of promise even amid defeat, signaling a bright future for the club in domestic and European competitions.
The 22-18 final, when added to the 22-23 from the first leg, sealed Guardés’ place in the final. Guardés demonstrated balance and experience throughout the tie, while Elche took pride in a historic continental run that culminated in the semi finals for the first time. The outcome left a bitter taste in the mouth, yet the journey demonstrated a team capable of competing with established powers, and the Rocamora-led group will focus on finishing the season strongly in the league and cup finals.
match report
Mecalia Atletico Guardés: M. Sempere, Carratú; With Sempere, Santiago, Calzado, Menéndez, Silva, Fernández, Cifuentes, Lima, Barefoot, López, Amores, Gómez, Sancha, Moreno.
Atticgo CBM Elche: Morales, Rodrigues; Zhukova, Van Zijl, Oppedal, Guilabert, Méndez, Andreu, Gascó, Flores, Benítez, Martínez, Wolfs, Bernabé, Do Nascimento, More.
SCORE BY PERIODS: 2-1, 4-2, 5-4, 6-5, 8-8, 11-10 at halftime; 13-12, 15-13, 15-14, 17-15, 19-16, 22-18 final.
REFEREES: Gianna Stella Merisi and Andrea Alejandra Pepe. Five player exclusions for locals and six for visitors.
PAVILION: A Sangriña.